20 Canadian Culture Shocks for Newcomers

Have you ever wondered what Canadian culture shocks for newcomers look like? When you move to a new country, experiencing culture shock is normal. Canada, with its unique traditions and systems, offers plenty of surprises for newcomers.

Here’s a list of 20 things we noticed during our time in Canada that surprised us—some differences we didn’t expect and others we had never encountered before.

1. Taxes in Stores

One of the first Canadian culture shocks for newcomers is the tax system. In Canada, the price tags in stores don’t include taxes. That means you’ll pay more than the listed price at checkout.

Each province has different tax rates. For example, in Ontario, you need to add 13% to the displayed price. While this might not be a big deal for smaller items, it can make a noticeable difference for larger purchases.

2. Coffee Culture

Canadians love their coffee, and buying it daily from places like Tim Hortons, Starbucks, or Second Cup is incredibly common.

In Mississauga, where we live, there’s at least one of these coffee shops on almost every block—and they’re always busy. Drive-throughs are especially popular, making it easy to grab coffee without leaving your car.

Back home, preparing coffee at home is more common, so this was a noticeable change for us.

3. Poisonous Plants

When visiting parks in Canada, you might see signs warning about poisonous plants, like poison ivy. These signs help visitors identify and avoid them.

Honestly, I can’t always tell which plants are dangerous, so I prefer to avoid touching any plants—just in case!

4. Wild Animals

Canada’s parks and neighbourhoods often have signs warning about wild animals like coyotes or deer. Seeing these animals up close is one of the more fascinating Canadian culture shocks for newcomers, especially if you’re from a country where wildlife isn’t as common in urban areas.

5. Amber Alert

The Amber Alert system is used to notify the public when a child is missing or abducted.

It’s hard to miss because it triggers a loud alarm on every phone in the area, no matter the time of day. The alert includes key information such as the child’s description, what they were wearing, and the suspect’s details to help locate them quickly.

We discovered it because it sounds like a loud beep on every cell phone (similar to earthquake alerts in Chile), no matter what time of day it is, and a message appears indicating the information the police are handling.

6. LCBO

In Ontario, alcohol is primarily sold in government-regulated stores called LCBO (Liquor Control Board of Ontario).

While you can find some beer in supermarkets, other alcoholic beverages must be purchased from the LCBO. This centralized system was new to us and is another culture shock for newcomers who are used to private liquor stores.

7. Houses Without Fences

Many Canadian homes don’t have fences separating them from the street, which can feel strange at first.

As you walk through neighbourhoods, it might seem like you’re strolling through someone’s garden. It’s an open, welcoming design, but it was quite different from what we were used to.

8. Taking Off Your Shoes Indoors

In Canada, it’s customary to take off your shoes when entering someone’s home. There’s usually a designated area near the entrance for shoes.

We’ve adopted this habit, and it’s great—it keeps the floors cleaner and more hygienic, especially during winter!

9. Semi-Furnished Apartments

Apartments in the Toronto-Mississauga area usually come with essential appliances like a refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, washer, and dryer.

In our home country, you’d typically have to purchase these items yourself, so this was a pleasant surprise.

10. Turning Right on Red Lights

In Canada, unless there’s a sign prohibiting it, you can turn right at a red light after checking for traffic.

This was new for us but similar to some places in Chile, where specific signs allow careful right turns at red lights.

If you want to learn more about the process of getting a driver’s license, feel free to visit How to get a driver’s license in Ontario by demonstrating prior experience in your country.

11. Stop Signs in All Directions

Have you heard about four-way stops? One of the Canadian culture shocks for newcomers is how traffic works at intersections with four stop signs—one at each corner. Everyone must stop, and the right to move forward depends on who arrived first. The rule is simple: the first vehicle to stop is the first to go.

12. Variety of Languages

Canada is known for its multiculturalism, and one of the delightful Canadian culture shocks for newcomers is hearing a variety of languages on the streets.

On a typical day, you’ll hear more than just English and French. It’s heartwarming to listen to people speaking their native languages—it adds vibrancy to everyday life.

13. Expensive Car Insurance

As we explained in the post on How to Buy a Car as a Newcomer in Ontario, Canada, having car insurance is mandatory to register your vehicle. However, one of the less pleasant Canadian culture shocks for newcomers is discovering how expensive car insurance can be.

The cost depends on the type of car, and sometimes, your monthly insurance payment might be higher than the car installment itself!

14. Cell Phone Plans

Another surprising Canadian culture shock for newcomers is the high cost of cell phone plans. In many countries, plans are affordable and include unlimited data or free social media. In Canada, however, the plans are both expensive and limited.

For example, at the beginning, we used to pay $45 CAD per month for just 4 GB of data—a huge difference from what we were used to.

15. WhatsApp Is Not Widely Used

In many countries, WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging app, but that’s not the case in Canada.

One of the subtle Canadian culture shocks for newcomers is realizing that text messaging is more common here, perhaps because unlimited internet isn’t as widespread. Adapting to this change took some time for us.

16. Firefighters Arrive Quickly

Another fascinating Canadian culture shock for newcomers is the efficiency of emergency services. When a fire alarm goes off in our building, the fire department usually arrives in under 5 minutes to inspect the situation.

However, if your alarm is triggered accidentally—for example, while cooking—you may have to pay a fine. Unlike in many countries where firefighting is a volunteer role, it’s a paid profession in Canada, which likely contributes to the rapid response times.

17. Schools, Parks, and Playgrounds

In Mississauga, we’ve noticed that parks often include schools and playgrounds in the same area. This setup is convenient for families and one of the thoughtful aspects of life in Canada that might stand out as a Canadian culture shock for newcomers.

18. Winter Tires

Driving in Canadian winters can be challenging, and one of the more practical Canadian culture shocks for newcomers is the use of winter tires.

Although they’re optional—since all-season tires are available—winter tires provide better safety on icy roads. Plus, many insurance companies offer discounts for using them, making them a worthwhile investment.

19. Seasonal Decorations

Canadians take seasonal decorations to the next level, which might be an enjoyable Canadian culture shock for newcomers.

Here’s what you can expect:

• Gardening: Beautiful flowers and trees bloom in spring and summer.
• Halloween: Houses are adorned with pumpkins, skeletons, and spooky decorations.
• Christmas: Streets light up with outdoor decorations and festive displays.

Every season brings its own charm, and the effort people put into decorating their homes is inspiring.

20. The SeaBus

While traveling in Vancouver, we encountered the SeaBus—a ferry that’s part of the city’s public transportation system. It’s another delightful Canadian culture shock for newcomers.

You can use the same Compass Card for the SeaBus as you would for buses or the subway, making it an easy and efficient way to travel across the water.

If you want to know more about our trip to Vancouver, visit How to Enjoy 48 Hours in Vancouver if You Love Nature.

Conclusion

Adjusting to life in a new country is always full of surprises, and these Canadian culture shocks for newcomers highlight just how unique and diverse Canada is.

While some changes might feel strange at first—like the cost of cell phone plans or the high car insurance—others, like the efficiency of emergency services and the welcoming multicultural atmosphere, make settling in easier and more enjoyable.

If you want to read more content like this, don’t miss 26 Good Things About Canada and 25 Challenges of LivingAbroad. These posts dive deeper into the joys and challenges of life in Canada, helping you prepare for your journey as a newcomer.

By understanding these differences and embracing the surprises, you’ll be better prepared to navigate life in Canada and appreciate the little quirks that make this country so special. Welcome to your new adventure!