Moving to Canada involves more than settling into a new place. It also means understanding the laws that shape society, including federal and provincial guidelines.
At Remitly, we know how daunting it can be to adapt to unfamiliar regulations. So, we aim to provide clear, helpful information that helps newcomers understand Canadian law. Knowing the basic legal structures and new immigration rules will help you create a stable and fulfilling life in Canada.
What every new immigrant should know about Canadian laws
Canada’s legal system safeguards your rights, but you also have certain obligations to fulfil. Learning about your civic responsibility fosters smooth integration and reduces legal risks. Here, we explain why it’s important to understand Canadian law and outline your main responsibilities.
Importance of understanding Canadian law
A firm grasp of Canada’s legal code is essential for feeling secure and confident in your new community. These laws protect your rights and ensure you can seek legal help if you face discrimination or unfair treatment.
At the same time, they highlight your duties, like respecting local customs and following residency rules. With this knowledge, you can avoid common mistakes that happen when people don’t know the rules. For example, being clear about driving laws or workplace standards prevents misunderstandings.
Newcomers often find that knowing how Canada’s legal system works simplifies interactions with authorities. Ultimately, being informed helps you settle more seamlessly into Canadian life.
Legal obligations for new immigrants
New immigrants need to become familiar with both federal and provincial laws. The Constitution of Canada gives each level of government different powers. Knowing your obligations can protect you from legal issues, such as deportation or losing your residency rights.
Federal laws like the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act shape Canada’s immigration system. On the other hand, provincial law manages daily issues such as healthcare, education, and labour. Municipal bylaws govern smaller-scale, local matters like noise levels or property regulations.
It’s essential to stay compliant with immigration rules. This includes fulfilling residency requirements and permit conditions. For example, permanent residents usually must live in Canada for a certain time to maintain their status.
How does Canada’s legal system work?
Canada’s legal system encompasses federal laws, provincial statutes, and court rulings. Together, they set the rules for living and working in the country.
Structure of the Canadian legal system
The Canadian Constitution forms the backbone of the legal system. It defines the powers of both federal and provincial governments.
- The Federal government handles criminal law, defence, currency, and immigration.
- Provincial governments take care of healthcare, education, and property rights.
- Courts at different levels—such as Provincial Courts, Superior Courts, and the Supreme Court of Canada—interpret laws and settle disputes.
This separation helps maintain a balance between national interests and regional priorities. But it’s also done wonders to preserve unity while acknowledging local diversity. Understanding the system’s hierarchy helps you direct questions or issues to the right authority, like a provincial office or a federal ministry.
Key legal institutions and their roles
Different legal institutions have unique roles in shaping, interpreting, and enforcing laws in Canada:
- Parliament: Composed of the House of Commons and the Senate, it is responsible for making and passing federal laws.
- Provincial and Territorial Legislatures: Each province and territory has its legislative assembly. Led by a premier, they make laws on regional matters like education, healthcare, labour standards, and public lands.
- Courts: These interpret laws, set legal precedents, and resolve disputes. Higher courts, such as the Supreme Court of Canada, have the final say on constitutional and legal matters.
- Administrative Tribunals: These specialized groups handle specific legal matters. For example, the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) manages refugee claims and deportation appeals.
- Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC): They oversee immigration policies, issue visas, and process applications for permanent residency.
Knowing these institutions helps people and businesses navigate Canada’s legal system and find the proper support when needed.
Essential Canadian laws for new immigrants
Certain laws are particularly relevant to newcomers. Understanding immigration laws and human rights protections can help you in everyday life and support your rights.
Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) controls how people enter, stay, or are removed from Canada. It outlines the following:
- Principles of Canada’s immigration system
- Refugee rights
- Rules for permanent residency (PR)
- Reasons for being denied entry
IRPA also provides a framework for converting your work or study permit to permanent resident status. These rules can impact family reunification, sponsorship programmes, and even humanitarian applications for people in urgent situations. Understanding IRPA will help you manage timelines and paperwork, lowering stress during immigration.
Fundamental rights and freedoms
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees fundamental liberties, including:
- Freedom of expression: The right to voice opinions without government censorship.
- Freedom of religion: The ability to practice any faith or none at all.
- Freedom of peaceful assembly: The right to gather for protests, rallies, or demonstrations.
- Freedom of association: The right to join organizations, including labour unions.
The Charter protects you from discrimination due to race, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, and other grounds. These protections apply in public institutions, workplaces, housing, and services.
Consequently, these rules give immigrants security and a sense of belonging. You can practice cultural and religious traditions freely without fear of persecution. Courts also refer to Charter rights in legal cases. This helps address issues with employment, housing, and other rights violations.
Canada’s Charter provides a foundation that supports an inclusive society. Newcomers can take part in civic life, vote in elections after becoming citizens, and get fair treatment under the law.
Employment and labour laws
Employment laws define key worker protections, including:
- Minimum wage: Each province and territory sets its own wage standards, ensuring fair compensation.
- Work hours and overtime: Provincial laws regulate standard workweeks—usually 40 hours—and overtime pay.
- Paid leave entitlements: Employees can earn paid vacation, statutory holidays, and sick leave.
- Parental leave: New parents can take job-protected leave and apply for government benefits.
- Anti-discrimination and human rights protections: Employers cannot refuse jobs, promotions, or fair pay based on race, gender, nationality, disability, or other protected categories.
- Workplace safety laws: Regulations ensure a safe work environment, with the right to refuse unsafe tasks.
- Fair dismissal policies: Employers must give notice or severance pay when they fire an employee without cause.
Most employment laws are set by provinces. However, federal laws cover sectors like banking, telecommunications, and air transportation. More broadly, Canada’s general labour policies are set by several key documents:
- The Canada Labour Code
- The Canadian Human Rights Act
- The Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations
Newcomers should learn about labour ministries and human rights commissions. These bodies provide legal resources and deal with complaints about unfair treatment. Meanwhile, regional Employment Standards Offices help workers fight against wage theft, unsafe conditions, and workplace harassment.
What Canadian laws protect immigrants?
Many immigrants worry if the law truly safeguards them from unfair treatment. Canada boasts several anti-discrimination laws and wider human rights protections.
Anti-discrimination legislation
Canada has strong anti-discrimination laws at both the federal and provincial levels. These regulations guarantee equal treatment in jobs, housing, public services, and other important areas.
- Provincial and Territorial Human Rights Codes: Every Canadian province and territory has human rights laws. These laws affect businesses, landlords, schools, healthcare providers, and other local services. Different regional bodies provide oversight across the country.
- The Employment Equity Act: Requires federally regulated employers to remove workplace barriers. Instead, the government promotes equal opportunities for specific groups: women, Indigenous peoples and communities, people with disabilities, and visible minorities.
- Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy (2024–2028): Focuses on dismantling systemic racism, improving diversity in federal institutions, and strengthening legal protections against discrimination.
Canada’s legal framework encourages inclusive workplaces and fair housing policies. Employers must use bias-free hiring and promotion practices, while landlords cannot refuse tenants based on ethnicity, religion, or immigration status. Understanding these rights gives you the confidence to assert yourself and seek justice when necessary.
Human rights protections
Canada’s human rights protections cover more than anti-discrimination laws. They also safeguard fundamental freedoms and ensure fair treatment in many areas:
- The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act: Lets refugees escaping persecution claim asylum in Canada. The IRB checks claims and also protects those who are at risk.
- Resettlement programs: Government and private sponsorship programs assist refugees in joining Canadian society. They offer financial support, housing, and help with finding jobs.
- Occupational health and safety laws: Protect workers from unsafe conditions by requiring employers to provide protective gear, proper training, and fair treatment.
- Fair wage laws: Minimum wage standards differ by province, but all workers deserve fair pay. Employers cannot pay immigrant workers less than their Canadian counterparts or withhold wages.
- Protection from workplace harassment: Workers should be able to report harassment or discrimination without risk of retaliation. Employers must also have policies to prevent and address workplace misconduct.
If your rights are violated, you can take legal action through:
- Canadian Human Rights Commission (CHRC): Deals with human rights complaints in federally regulated workplaces and services.
- Provincial and territorial human rights tribunals: Investigate discrimination cases at the regional level.
- Labour Ministries and Employment Standards Offices: Tackle wage theft, unfair dismissals, and workplace safety issues.
- Civil lawsuits: In cases of severe rights violations, you can sue for damages through the court system.
This legal framework helps newcomers live and work in Canada safely. When you know your rights as an immigrant, you can handle legal issues and pursue justice if needed. This helps strengthen Canada’s promise of an inclusive and fair society.
What are the new immigration rules in Canada?
Canada has recently changed its immigration policies. Specifically, it adjusted entry targets and rules to tackle economic challenges, address public opinion, and ease infrastructure limits.
Recent changes in immigration policies
- Reduction in immigration quotas: The Canadian government announced lower targets for permanent resident admissions. This adjustment responds to concerns about housing shortages, infrastructure strain, and public opinion.
- Caps on temporary residents: New policies also set limits for temporary residents, like international students and foreign workers.
- International student regulations: Only students in programs linked to long-term shortage occupations can get post-graduate work permits. This change seeks to match education with job market needs.
Learn more about Canada’s new immigration targets in the 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan.
Impact of these changes on new immigrants
These policy adjustments bring both challenges and opportunities for newcomers.
With fewer quotas for foreign residents, competition could rise, and eligibility criteria might get stricter. However, professionals with skills that fit Canada’s changing job market may have a smoother route to permanent residency and complete work rights.
International students must switch gears when choosing academic programs. If you plan to study in Canada, focus on degrees that lead to in-demand jobs. This way, you can qualify for post-graduate work permits. This shift ensures that education leads to strong career prospects in Canada.
Adapting to changing policies can be tough, but it also offers opportunities for those who stay flexible and take action. Check official updates from the IRCC or get advice from licensed immigration consultants or local immigrant groups.
How immigrants can adapt to Canadian legal culture
Practical strategies can help you navigate daily life more smoothly. Let’s look at resources and support systems you can access to tackle legal challenges head-on.
Resources and support systems
There are various legal resources you can tap into that simplify the integration process.
- Local community centres host workshops on tenant rights, employment standards, or the basics of family law.
- Some agencies that help immigrants provide free legal clinics. They connect you with lawyers or paralegals who know the challenges of cross-cultural issues.
- Government websites provide information on immigration and refugee processes.
- Meanwhile, human rights commissions and ombudsman offices address complaints about discrimination and unfair practices.
- Faith-based or cultural groups often share practical advice on navigating local regulations.
Bringing together statutory guidance and community support offers balanced help when dealing with different legal cultures.
Tips for navigating legal challenges in Canada
Adapting to a new legal system might be tough, but staying proactive can help prevent small issues from becoming bigger problems. Here are some strategies to help you succeed:
- Be organized with important documents: Keep digital and physical copies of your immigration papers, job contracts, lease agreements, and official correspondence. Store them securely and ensure you understand the terms of any legal documents you sign.
- Know local laws and bylaws: Everyday rules like quiet hours, parking, recycling, and tenant rights vary by province and city. Check local government websites to avoid accidental violations.
- Know your workplace rights: Canada’s employment laws provide guidelines about minimum wage, overtime pay, vacation entitlements, and protections against workplace discrimination.
- Handle disputes: If you face a legal issue, try mediation first. This could provide faster outcomes than filing formal complaints. Many provinces have free or low-cost dispute resolution programs to help settle conflicts without long legal processes.
- Seek free legal help: FInd organizations that offer free legal advice on immigration, housing problems, and job rights. Free legal clinics, immigrant resource centres, and helplines can support you through legal processes.
- Join bridging programs for legal awareness: Some provinces have bridging programs that help newcomers learn about Canadian laws, governance, and civic duties.
- Stay financially informed: Managing your money well can help you dodge legal and financial stress. Also, make sure you learn about Canada’s financial systems.
Stay informed and ask for help when you need it. This way, you can navigate Canada’s legal system with confidence and work towards a stable, successful future.
FAQs
What do newcomers need to know about Canada?
Learning about federal and provincial laws is crucial for responsible living. Know your rights under anti-discrimination laws, which protect you from bias in jobs or housing. Exploring community organizations will help you connect with other immigrants. You can also gain access to legal advice, social events, and cultural education.
What laws protect immigrants in Canada?
Canada’s Constitution and Human Rights Act ban discrimination based on race, nationality, or religion. They ensure equal treatment in jobs, housing, and public services. Meanwhile, the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act governs entry and stay; it also provides protections for those seeking asylum. Provincial laws further support fair hiring, safe workplaces, and tenant rights.
What are the new immigration rules in Canada?
Canada regularly updates its policies to match labour market needs or humanitarian goals. Recent changes might affect the Express Entry points system, Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), or family sponsorship. Keeping up with IRCC’s official website or licensed immigration consultants helps you stay informed about any changes.
What are 3 things that new immigrants should do upon arriving in Canada?
First, apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN). This lets you access jobs and government benefits. Second, register for provincial health coverage so medical costs are manageable. Third, open a bank account. You might also need to convert your driving licence, based on provincial rules.