If you’ve lived in Canada for a while, you know about those little things that make life in the “True North Strong and Free” so wonderful. You may even be taking some of these benefits for granted by now. But if you’re a newcomer to this great country, you’re about to discover why Canada is the land of great opportunity. Here are 5 great reasons you’ll be glad you’re here.

Canada is comprised of a huge number of nationalities, races and religions and this multiculturalism is what makes Canada so special. The last census counted a whopping 250 ethnic origins in Canada! In this great country of ours, people from all cultures live harmoniously, while continuing to honour their heritage and traditions. Our government not only embraces multiculturalism, but it also even funds a huge variety of projects to promote it. That’s why we Canadians are surrounded by vibrant annual festivals, innovative new perspectives in a multitude of areas, and of course, great ethnic food!

Wherever you decide to settle in Canada, you’re bound to find beautiful scenery and sights close by. Canada is home to majestic mountains, pristine national parks, incredible icefields, badlands and prairies, quaint towns, and bustling cosmopolitan cities. Plus, with over 243,000 kilometres of coastline along three oceans, Canada has more coastline than any other country in the world. In our home and native land, there’s truly something for everyone to love.

Should you ever need it —and hopefully you won’t — the Canadian medical system is beyond compare. Not only do we have world-class doctors, medical equipment, and internationally renowned hospitals, but every Canadian can access these without paying for hospital or doctor visits. And here’s the icing on the cake: thanks to our reliable and accessible healthcare programs, Canada has one of the world’s highest life expectancy rates. Let’s toast to that!

How does it feel to be living in one of the most educated countries in the world? Our second spot ranking may be because the Government of Canada makes it easier for every Canadian to save towards their children’s post-secondary education through Registered Education Savings Plans (RESPs). The Government of Canada actually contributes an Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG) of up to $500 each year to a lifetime maximum of $7,200 per child, when parents contribute to an RESP for them. And it doesn’t end there. Provincial grants and the Canada Learning Bond provide added RESP funds for families who qualify. Since parents can contribute to RESPs for up to 31 years after the plan is opened, their savings can grow tax-free in the plan until their child is ready for post-secondary studies.. If you’re looking for more details on this smart way to invest in your child’s future, a great place to start is with CST Savings.

As you’ll soon learn, anything is possible in Canada. Innovative ideas and thought leadership can come from anywhere — regardless of where you were born. The 26^th Governor General of Canada, The Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson was born in Hong Kong. Acclaimed restauranteur and chef, Susur Lee, also immigrated from there. Our former Governor General, Michaëlle Jean hailed from Haiti. Blackberry co-founder Mihal “Mike” Lazaridis immigrated to Canada from Greece. And Lebanese-Canadian Rola Dagher worked her right up the top as President of Cisco, while urging fellow immigrants to "learn it, earn it and return it”. In Canada, anything is truly possible.

Whether you’re a newcomer or a born-and-bred Canadian, take a moment to appreciate the things that make this country so amazing. If you’ve just arrived, welcome to your new home! We’re so glad to have you here.