Reasons for Immigration to the Prince Edward Island Province in Canada

Capital

• Charlottetown

Population

• 141 thousand

Interesting Facts

• Prince Edward Island is one of the Atlantic provinces on the east coast of Canada.
• Prince Edward Island is also called "Garden of the Gulf" referring to the pastoral scenery and lush agricultural lands throughout the province.
• You will be pleased to find a tidy and clean Province. Islanders are very conscious of their environment and maintain well kept properties.
• The Province is mostly rural.
• This maritime province is the smallest in the nation in both land area and population.
• There is an annual arts festival, the Charlottetown Festival, hosted each year at the Confederation Centre of the Arts.
• The sale of carbonated beverages such as beer and soft drinks in non-refillable containers, such as aluminum cans or plastic bottles, was banned in 1976 as an environmental measure in response to public concerns over litter until 2008.
• The red soil on Prince Edward Island is a result of the large deposits of iron compounds found in the ground.
• Prince Edward Island has the world's longest bridge. It is called the Confederation Bridge.
• The provincial government provides consumer protection in the form of regulation for certain items, ranging from apartment rent increases to petroleum products including gas, diesel, propane and heating oil.
• Provincial personal income taxes are above the Canadian average at 18.37%. The tax is applied to almost all goods and services except some clothing, food and home heating fuel. The tax is also applied to the Federal Goods and Services Tax.
• Prince Edward Island has a low population and consequently affordable housing is widely available in the province.
• Housing and heating costs, as well as the cost of living generally, are among the lowest in Canada.

Climate

• Mild climate
• Temperature in July ranges from high of 23°C to a low of 14°C (average is 18°C)
• In January, temperatures range from a high of -3°C to a low of -12°C (average is -7°C).
• There are frequent winter storms with an average yearly snowfall of 300 cm.
• It is also very windy on the island.

Shopping and Sport

• Island artists and craftspeople create hand-stitched quilts, pottery bowls, intricate woodworking and woven tapestries. Dozens of shops, from quaint to sophisticated, are dotted across the Island. The Confederation Centre of the Arts houses eastern Canada's largest gallery. They also have great down-town areas and malls in major communities as well as the fun atmosphere of boardwalk boutiques and summer shopping outlets in places like Cavendish. You can also drop by one of our Farmers' Markets located in Charlottetown, Kensington, Wood Islands and Summerside and enjoy the wonderful selection of local and organic fresh produce, flowers, arts and crafts as well as freshly made coffee and baked goods.
• The Summerside Raceway is a standard bred harness racing track which is adjacent to the Credit Union Place, the largest indoor sports facility in the province with a large hockey arena seating 4000 and fitness facility. Other attractions include the College of Piping and Celtic Performing Arts the Silver Fox Curling & Yacht Club, the Summerside Golf & Country Club, the PEI Sports Hall of Fame and Spinnaker's Landing.

Job Situation

• The provincial economy is dominated by the seasonal industries of agriculture, tourism, and the fishery.
• The province is limited in terms of heavy industry and manufacturing.
• Exploration for natural gas beneath the eastern end of the province has resulted in the discovery of an undisclosed quantity of gas.
• Unemployment is at 10.8%
• The average annual salary is $41,500

Schooling

• In Canada, all citizens and permanent residents under the age of 20 are entitled to free education through the end of high school through the public school system. Prince Edward Island offers a leading system of public education for its residents beginning with Early Childhood Education programs and continuing right through to Grade 12.
• The island's cultural traditions of art, music and creative writing are all supported through the public education system.
• For those entering skilled trades after secondary school the province has a comprehensive program of apprenticeships and training to help people learn a trade and find jobs as well.
• 1 university

Housing

• The average house price in Prince Edward Island is $165,000

Healthcare

• Under Canadian Law, all provinces and territories must provide universal, publicly funded health care to all citizens and legal residents of Canada. In other words, most basic health services in Canada are offered at no direct cost to the patient. Certain procedures that are not deemed necessary (such as elective cosmetic surgery and a number of dental care procedures, for example) are generally not covered, but the list of services paid for publicly varies from province to province. The Medical Care Plan of Prince Edward Island insures all medically necessary physician services and surgical-dental services (for example, surgical removal of impacted teeth, root resection) provided to all citizens and permanent residents.

Towns and Cities

• The smaller rural communities as well as the towns and villages throughout the province proudly retain a slower-paced, old-world flavour, something that factors heavily into Prince Edward Island's popularity as a destination for relaxation.
• The coastline consists of a combination of long beaches, dunes, red sandstone cliffs, salt water marshes and numerous bays and harbours.
• Charlottetown is known as a modern city with small-town charm.