Though Canada does not have economic clout internationally, the cost of living in Canada is not high in comparison with other industrialized nations, socialist or not. Part of the reason that Canada keeps on appearing at the top of United Nations lists of the highest living standards in the world is a result of its low costs and accessible social support system for Canadians. As an international student you can only benefit from this. Inside Canada your dollar will get you far, and any trips you might take across the border to the U.S. will reinforce this for you.

Please remember that your tuition fees will make up only part of your total expenses. You must also budget for books, instruments, student activity fees, food, housing, travel/transportation, health care, clothing, laundry and entertainment.

Cost Of Living

The Big City

Like anywhere, living costs in urban centres are much higher than those in the suburbs or outskirts of the city, or in the country. Exception to the rule: in smaller towns where some universities are located, sometimes there is not enough housing available to all the students who want to live off-campus and as a result rents are unnaturally high in those places (Guelph, Ontario is an example of this). Hence, many students remain in on-campus housing much longer, which is not always a lower-cost option, but a more convenient one. Toronto and Vancouver are the most expensive places to live in the country and with the largescale shortage of affordable housing in Toronto, costs are at their highest there and continue to rise.

According to educational institutions

As the cost of living varies greatly from city to city, and depending on where the school is located in each city, the best estimates on living expense will come directly from the university or college you are applying to.

According to Citizenship and Immigration

To receive your student authorization to study in Canada you must prove to the Canadian authorities that you can meet their estimates for living expenses. Exclusive of tuition, and other student fees, each student should show proof of the following in bank statements, registered funds or other sources: $10 000 for twelve months, an additional $4000 for a spouse and $3000 for each dependent (child). These costs include food, accomodation, transportation, medical insurance, books, clothing and sundries. How they have arrived at these figures and whether the differential of location has been considered is not clear, but be certain these figures are an absolute minimum. The figures supplied by each institution will be more accurate guidelines and will be considered instead of this index when available.

And then there's Quebec

As Quebec requires separate authorization for students applying to study in that province, it too has different (and lower) numbers associated with living costs. Again, these are the amounts that you will have to show proof of $9 600 for single students. $12 960 for two people (spouse or other dependent), $16 000 for three and $2240 for each additional dependent. Estimation of Living Costs The following is an estimate of the minimum amount of money a single student will need to cover living expenses for the first 12 months in Toronto (2002-2003).

Note:
If your financial support comes primarily from scholarships and/or employment in Canada, income tax (on the amount that exceeds tuition, which is deductible) will be an additional cost.

*Miscellaneous items include, postage, stationery, dry cleaning and laundry, pharmacy supplies, typing fees, entertainment and recreation, etc. This amount will permit an adequate but far from luxurious standard of living. It assumes you will live in a university residence or in a room off campus, and prepare your own meals. While it is possible to live very simply and economically, many students may wish to take advantage of opportunities outside the University to see more of the city and the country, and to actively participate in the life of the community. This will involve additional costs.

Income Tax

Any money you earn in Canada is subject to Canadian income tax. This applies to income from employment, such as Graduate Assistantships, and also to scholarships and fellowships from Canadian sources. Please note that the International Student Centre is not able to give you an estimate of how much income tax you might have to pay. The ISC offers Income Tax Seminars held each February and March to assist students in filling out forms and assessing status.

You can get information about Canadian income tax from

Revenue Canada (International Tax Services)
2540 Lancaster Road,Ottawa,
Ontario, Canada, K1A 1A8
Tel: 1-800-267-5177 (Canada and US only)
or 613-952-3741 (other countries)
Fax: 613-941-2505

Consult the Canadian government's Can Learn Interactive Web site or Contact Us where you will find a financial planning tool to help you estimate living costs in various locations across Canada.