Canada is renowned for its exceptional education system, attracting numerous international students to pursue their studies here. But leaving one country for another is a risk and a big transition, especially if you’re a student and moving alone.

So, is the Great White North safe for students to move and study in?

Canada is a safe country for students, ranking 11th in Vision of Humanity’s 2023 Global Peace Index with a score of 1.35. Many universities have a diverse and multicultural population, allowing international students to integrate into the community.

If you want to know more reasons why Canada is safe for students, read on!

Canada has a low crime rate

Canada is a relatively safe country compared to many others, making it an ideal place to study (Is it worth studying in Canada?). Sitting at the 2023 Global Peace Index’s 11th spot, it’s just behind Switzerland, Japan, and Slovenia.

Compared to its neighbouring U.S., the country has low rates of violent crimes. The U.S. News even ranked it the 7th safest country worldwide and the 3rd in “Best Countries Overall.” 

In 2022, police-reported homicides were 874, about 2.25 homicides in a 100,000 population. Using the same number of population in 2019, Statista reported that Canada had 1.83 homicides, while the U.S. had 5.

Canada has a strict gun law

Safety and well-being(What problems international students face in Canada?) shouldn’t be a problem anywhere for domestic and international students. 

In Canada, firearms are federally regulated. The government has banned over 1,500 assault-style guns and specific parts of other newly prohibited firearms as of May 1, 2020.

After the devastating 2020 Nova Scotia attacks, the government announced that thousands of restricted firearms have now been marked as prohibited as of May 1, 2020.

Moreover, all Canadians must follow the law or face penalties under the Criminal Code.

In addition, the country has a strict policy for buying guns. Canadians over 18 years old must pass a firearms safety course first before getting a license, which must be renewed every 5 years.

Canada has an efficient public transport system

Canada boasts a comprehensive public transport system, from buses to trains to subways.  International students residing off-campus can conveniently travel to and from their schools.

While it is important to acknowledge the likelihood of crimes occurring on public transport, the advantage of having a well-connected system is that students can easily find transport options for their daily commute.

Popular cities for international students in Canada, like Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver, offer a myriad of transportation options and routes to navigate rush hour traffic.

Besides that, some subway stations operate until after midnight on weekends, providing a worry-free way to get home after a night out on the town!

Canada is a diverse country

Canada is a diverse melting pot of cultures and religions. Its universities attract students from various ethnic backgrounds, making it a popular spot for international students and helping them find their communities—and the good education system is a massive plus!

For instance, the University of Toronto, Canada’s top school, welcomed 27,130 international graduate and undergraduate students for the fall of 2021-2022—that’s out of a total of 97,066 students, around 27%!

Canada has a great healthcare system

Paying for medical bills without insurance can be very expensive. Health insurance can help international students in case of illness or emergencies, especially since some have limited budgets and are away from their families.

Canada’s healthcare system is funded by taxes paid for by citizens and permanent residents. But some universities will cover health insurance for international students for free, keeping them safe from expensive medical bills.

Some provinces that provide provincial coverage for international students are Alberta, British Columbia, and Manitoba. Each has varying requirements and some may require international students to apply for coverage immediately upon arriving there.