Budgeting for life in Canada

When planning your arrival in Canada, you’ll need to adapt your budget to your new reality, no matter which province or city you choose. Here are some tips and handy information about the most common types of expenses.

The cost will vary depending on the province, your personal usage, the number of rooms of your apartment, the season and sometimes even the building’s age.

For Ontario: Choosing your electricity price plan | Ontario Energy Board

For Quebec: Estimating electricity costs | Hydro-Québec 

Some goods and services are subject to provincial and federal taxes. The tax rate varies from province to province. To learn more, visit: Charge and collect the tax – Which rate to charge | Canada.ca

Prices for TV, internet and mobile packages vary according to the service provider and the options you pick. With only a handful of national providers and several smaller regional brands, you can quickly review the available options and make a choice that suits your needs.

Services and fares vary by region. 

Some examples of adult fares:

• In the Montreal area, a regular monthly transit pass costs $104.50 and gives you access to the metro (subway), bus, train and REM (light rail). To learn more, visit: Transit fares | Société de transport de Montréal

• In Toronto, a monthly transit pass costs $156.00 and includes the subway, buses and streetcars. To learn more, visit: Fares & passes 

Gasoline prices vary by province, city or even by the gas station. The price also depends on the type of fuel your vehicle uses. To learn more, visit: Transportation fuel prices – Natural Resources Canada

To access public health insurance in Canada, check the coverage and eligibility rules for your province or territory. There is also a network of private clinics and doctor’s offices that provide services for a fee.

In Canada, education is the responsibility of provincial and territorial governments, which follow government standards to ensure a consistent quality of public education across the country. School is compulsory for children around ages 6 to 18.²

In Canada, public elementary and secondary school is free for Canadian citizens and permanent residents. To learn more, visit: Elementary school in Canada.

For post-secondary studies, expect to pay tuition fees in both public and private institutions.

In the province of Quebec, French is the only official language. French is the language of instruction from preschool to the end of secondary school, except in the case of students eligible for instruction in English. To learn more, visit: Eligibility for instruction in English | Government of Québec. 

For post-secondary studies (colleges, institutes and universities), education may be in French or English depending on the institution’s language of instruction. To learn more, visit: Québec education system | Government of Québec

The general minimum wage in Canada varies from province to province. To compare minimum wages across provinces, visit: Current and Forthcoming General Minimum Wage Rates in Canada – Canada.ca

At the time this article was published, the minimum wage was $16.10 per hour in Quebec and $17.60 per hour in Ontario. Wages are usually paid every two weeks. For most jobs, taxes and contributions to the public pension plan are automatically deducted from your gross pay. Typically, you will receive your net pay after any deductions that apply to you.  

Employment standards can vary by province or territory. To learn more, visit: List of federally regulated industries and workplaces – Canada.ca. 

Under the Canada Labour Code, employees working for federally regulated employers are entitled to two weeks of paid annual vacation after one year of service with the same employer, and three weeks after five years. To learn more, visit: Annual vacations and general holidays for employees working for federally regulated employers – Canada.ca

If a person doesn’t work for a federally regulated employer, employment standards may vary by province or territory. To learn more, visit: List of federally regulated industries and workplaces. 

In Canada, you must pay income tax to the federal government and to your province of residence at the end of the year. Tax rates increase progressively based on how much you earn. Every resident of Canada is entitled to a basic personal amount that reduces the taxes they owe. To learn more, visit: 

• Line 30000 – Basic personal amount | Canada.ca

• Tax rates and income brackets for individuals – Canada.ca

For example, a resident of Quebec in 2025 will pay a combined tax rate starting at 26.11% for income up to around $50,000, rising up to 53.31% for income over $250,000 (rounded figures).³ A number of tax credits are available depending on your family situation, which can reduce the taxes you owe. 

* Visitors to Canada Insurance is underwritten by Desjardins Insurance, which refers to Desjardins Financial Security Life Assurance Company. Certain conditions, limitations and exclusions may apply.  

Desjardins Insurance refers to Desjardins General Insurance Inc. in Quebec, and to Certas Direct Insurance Company, underwriters of automobile and property insurance in other provinces and territories. Certain conditions, exclusions and limitations may apply. Auto insurance isn’t offered in Manitoba, Saskatchewan or British Columbia, as these provinces have government insurance plans. Savings, rates and discounts are based on each client's profile and subject to eligibility conditions. They are subject to change or termination without notice, and may vary by jurisdiction. The terms and conditions of the coverages described are set out in the insurance policy, which always prevails.

Desjardins®, Desjardins Insurance, all trademarks containing the name Desjardins and logos are trademarks of the Fédération des caisses Desjardins du Québec, used under licence.

1. Prepare your budget to study in Canada

2. Understand the Canadian education system

3. Centre québécois de formation en fiscalité – CQFF – Outils utiles et pratiques (in French only), tab_impot_particuliers2025.pdf (in French only).