A recent study by Money.ca has highlighted significant financial challenges that immigrants in Canada face, including issues with credit, money management, and housing affordability. The survey, which collected responses from 1,200 recent immigrants, reveals the financial hurdles that new Canadians must overcome as they adapt to their new home.

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Housing Affordability

One of the most pressing challenges for immigrants is accessing affordable housing. According to the survey, 11.9% of new immigrants reported difficulties when trying to rent or buy a home in Canada. The primary obstacles include:

• Lack of credit history: Many immigrants arrive in Canada without an established credit score, making it difficult to secure housing.
• High rental prices: Canadian cities, particularly Vancouver and Toronto, have some of the highest rental prices in the country.
• Guarantors and upfront payments: Many landlords require new immigrants to have guarantors or make large upfront payments due to the perceived risk associated with limited credit history.
• Discrimination: Several participants reported facing racial discrimination, which exacerbates the challenges in finding housing.

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Financial Management Skills

The survey revealed that nearly one-third of immigrants face difficulties managing their finances. About 31% of respondents rated their money management skills as "average" or "poor," indicating a knowledge gap in essential financial skills. This gap can lead to difficulties in budgeting, saving, and managing day-to-day expenses.

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Financial literacy is crucial for building long-term stability, and yet many new immigrants lack access to the resources needed to effectively manage their money. Only 23.42% of respondents rated their money management skills as “very good,” suggesting that more educational programs may be needed to support new arrivals.

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Credit Scores

One of the most critical factors affecting new immigrants is their credit score, which impacts their access to affordable financial products. According to the study:

• 25.23% of immigrants have credit scores below 670, which is the threshold for most financial institutions to determine eligibility for loans and mortgages.
• 12.48% of new immigrants were unaware that their credit score could impact their ability to rent a home.

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This lack of knowledge about the importance of credit scores can severely limit access to affordable housing and financial products, as well as employment opportunities. Without a solid credit history, many immigrants are locked out of cost-effective loan options or forced into high-interest financial products.

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Gaps in Financial Knowledge

The survey also found that many immigrants are not familiar with key financial concepts, including:

• Debt repayment: Only 24.4% of respondents said they were knowledgeable about managing debt.
• Investing: 16.6% of new immigrants reported limited knowledge about investing.
• Taxation: 14.4% were not well-versed in Canadian tax laws.

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These knowledge gaps create additional barriers to financial security and growth for immigrants, highlighting the need for better access to financial education.

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Bridging the Financial Literacy Gap

The findings from Money.ca suggest that improving financial literacy among new immigrants is critical to their success in Canada. Romana King, senior finance editor at Money.ca, stressed the importance of providing accessible financial tools and education to immigrants. “Financial literacy is not just about numbers; it’s about making informed decisions, building financial stability, and improving quality of life,” King said.

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The study underscores the need for more comprehensive educational resources to help new Canadians navigate the complexities of credit, money management, and the housing market.

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Conclusion

The financial challenges facing immigrants in Canada are multifaceted, ranging from difficulty securing housing to managing credit and finances. With 11.9% of immigrants struggling to find housing, and 31% rating their financial skills as inadequate, there is a clear need for more support systems. Addressing these gaps is essential to helping immigrants build financial security and fully integrate into Canadian society.

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Source: Money.ca