REALITY of IMMIGRANTS in CANADA | Real STRUGGLES of a NIGERIAN Immigrant in Canada (Ugly truth) 

Thanks, someone says "Telling the truth and making someone cry is better than telling a lie and making someone smile."

So here’s my contribution and not to undermine your experiences since relocating; Canada is not heaven and not a bed of roses (not at all). It has its challenges as a country (which can be very annoying sometimes) but when you compare it to where we are coming from (I’m Nigerian as well, it has a lot of its pluses). On the issue of healthcare, yes it can be difficult getting a family doctor, believe me, I’m 4 years here, I live in Ontario, a new Mum and I still don’t have a family Dr but there are walk-in clinics and there are hospitals. So if there is an emergency, then please head to the ER otherwise you can visit the walk-in clinics (anyone around you) and see a GP and if there’s need for you or your kids to see a specialist, that GP will refer you. It can be tough because it’s not what you’re used to especially as a new person but it’s also always good to do a THOROUGH research (not relying on here-say) about the new place we are coming to so we have most of the information we need to make informed decisions. With regards to your hydro bills, true that there has been some increase to cost but here is what you can do, (the lights are not even the issue); you will be shocked at how much your laundry dryer( then at the hottest) consumes. How many times do you run your washer and dryer(dryer especially); utilize the capacities, make sure you have full loads so you don’t have so many runs at once. (It helps and I’m telling you from experience); Reduce and manage the frequency if you can. In this country, you have to be intentional when it comes to cost. Also look into your heating and cooling system if it is not already built into your rent. You can track your daily energy use by logging into your hydro account (some things we didn’t “used to send” back home, you’ll realize you just have to start sending here until you “hammer” and start getting the 6-figure pay. For the daycare, research your city website, if possible call them and see the different daycare services and what benefits/grants you are entitled to (based on your status and income level); to help with the costs. Like you said, it’s a phase and it will certainly pass, the low moments will come (you have not even seen Calgary correct winter which if you’re not strong, it will add to your low moments) but when those low moments come bring out your comparison spreadsheet of Adv/Disadvs of Canada and Nigeria and then take a chill-pill. Wishing you the best!

Respectfully, when I encounter new immigrants expressing their struggles in their new homeland, I can't help but ponder what their expectations were prior to their international journey. Did they hold the belief that money simply sprouts from trees here, and the streets are lined with glistening gold waiting to be gathered effortlessly? Were they under the impression that one could merely sit beneath a tree, collect falling cash, and stash it into their bags? Or perhaps they thought they could casually scrape gold off the road while leisurely sipping wine in their cozy living rooms with legs crossed? No, it's not that simple. If it were, we wouldn't witness millions of people in these countries living homeless on the streets. Correct me if I'm mistaken, but there are more homeless individuals in Europe and the Americas than back in our homeland in Africa. In earlier times, immigrants embarking on journeys to this part of the world were acutely aware of the formidable challenges that lay ahead. They understood that it would never be a walk in the park. They comprehended the necessity of diligent labor, akin to the pursuit of the American Dream. Yet, it seems that many individuals overlook a crucial aspect of the American Dream, which emphasizes achievement through hard work. The disparity between the concept of hard work here and in our countries of origin lies in the fact that here, hard work yields results in the end. In many parts of the world, opportunities are scarce, and industrious efforts do not necessarily translate into success for a significant portion of the population. My dear friend, please continue to persevere and work diligently. With the grace of God by your side, you will undoubtedly reap the rewards of your efforts sooner than you can imagine. I implore you to also inspire and support as many individuals as possible who aspire to embark on a migration journey. Teach them how to endure the initial hardships with a sense of joy, for they must understand that, in the grand scheme of things, their perseverance will ultimately lead to rich rewards. I wish you all the best in your endeavors.

This is great content Lilian! My sister moved to Canada last year for school. She is about to graduate with a master's degree in Tax law and by GOD'S grace she successfully interviewed for a job with a reputable law firm and will be starting work in a couple of weeks. She struggled hard to get to Canada and my family is very grateful to GOD for blessing her with a job before graduating. Wishing you, your husband and kids the very best going forward.

You are so genuine 💕! You talk expressively about the good, the bad and the ugly! Thanks for the heads-up

In Abuja, Nigeria, you can get a family doctor in 1 hour!

Thanks for this, it’s good to share both the good and bad aspects of relocation

Thank you for these advice, very enlightening. May God help you and grant you the strength to cope, it's certainly just a phase. And I pray God answers our prayers for a better life also too. Remain exceedingly blessed sis.

For the doctor issue, a good way to go is to ask someone - a friend, a colleague, a neighbour, or a fellow immigrant to connect you with their doctor. Don't call the clinic directly as they may tell you they aren't accepting patients at that time. Alternatively, you may want to explore clinics in new neighbourhoods as they are usually looking for new patients.

I moved to Canada as a single lady in the early 2000s. So i can not imagine what it feels like living in Canada with children. I see a lot of parents stuggling, their plans even change because everything revolves around the children. The parents have absolutely no help like they used to get in their African countries.

Thanks for being so honest. Wishing you success on RU-vid to add to your income!

Thanks for the info, settling down in a new country can be very challenging and not all is rosy, hopefully we can build our country together to make it work rather than running away from it, because in the end there's no place like home.

No worry sis you go soon dey okay ❤ sending you hugs. I and my family are still believing God for this Canada immigration dreams

I am happy you are speaking the truth. Welcome to Canada.

Thank you Lilian for mentioning everything in this video, this will better prepare my mind for what will be facing as a family 👍

Very courageous of you to share your reality. ❤ i hope you find the strength and faith to continue pushing through allbthe challenges. As you have helped other's by explaining your reality may you find peace amd progress on every step of your journey❤

Thank you for the info sis. Wish you good luck in all your endeavours in CA. 🎉

You are a real fighter and have given some very valid and solid points 💯 Wishing you the very best

Thank you for sharing what majority won't share 💡

Thanks for the information Lilian I appreciate your honesty

Watching from Nairobi Kenya, thanks for head up this is so timely information,, all is well may Gods grace be sufficient for you

Awesome insight dearest! It’s great you came live to paint the picture, so others can sit and count the costs and plan ahead. For those saying she’s complaining, I think you got it wrong. It’s simply sharing information, all the negative comments and go back home comments are really not necessary.

Thanks, Lilian. You're so real both in looks and in your presentation (speech). May God see through this initial struggle in no distant time. Keep supporting your husband and the good Lord shall definitely bless your home soonest. Your home will soon cruise past this tough moment.

Please you guys should come back home …it worries me when people say it’s not good but they re still there

Living in Ontario for the past 40 years I always find it hilarious when new immigrants are complaining. I will tell them trying being here 40 years ago. Most things what people enjoy now we had to fight for it and now the new generation of immigrants complain but don’t comprehend how it came about. Take time to learn our history.

It is always good to look at the two sides of the coin. Thanks and God bless you

Interesting content and hope our people will pay attention and be prepared. With all the info you shared, there will be one or two that will be saying “ you don’t want them to travel” or make U return to 9ja. Any pikin that wants to travel 1. Get good info 2.Get proper Visa 3, Know exactly what you wanna do 4. Have an exit plan to return to home country after working abroad for decades to enjoy retirement while collecting pension. Na my plan be that woo!!!

This is my first time watching your video.God bless you for telling us the truth.l know one day Nigeria will come out of her mess

Thank you so much for being very real. I was considering applying for study visa n my kids joining me but I don't think I want to embark on such stressful journey

You've done well,this too shall pass. Thanks for sharing

I am so sorry for your experience. If you are alone it is really hard to get grounded. You need your mom to help with childcare. The struggle is real. Also it depends on the province. I am in Ontario it is way better here. It is called culture shock, the victory will come . Keep strong

Thanks for sharing. I can totally relate.

As a born Canadian citizen I feel stuck in this country, most of us know nothing outside of Canada because we’ve been spoon fed everything here. Heavily considering obtaining dual citizenship from my parents and living life back home where I know I can better the country if opportunity and resources can be found.

Thanks for the information 👍

Thank you for your honesty ❤

I gave up on Canada because of honest people like you. Best decision I’ve made. It makes no sense that even the nationals are leaving the country in masses and immigrants don’t last 5 years.

Thank you for giving us the true picture of the running cost of living in Canada

I understand exactly what you're talking about my sister I am also living abroad with three children it's not easy Ooooooo in my case I have nothing back home before in Africa before I travel I feel sorry for people who have everything back home and still leave all an travel 😢😢😢😢😢😢 the businesses. U left back home would never be successfully like when you are there yourself no matter what you do 😢😢😢😢😢😢😢....

Thank you very much for this update because we also have kids the update about the healthcare and the day care is enlightening.👏🙏🏾

Thank you so much for being so real

Well done ma'am, the Lord is your strength.

The reason why all these countries have too high cost of living is that they do everything based on contracts, not based on 'pay as you use'

I admire your courage for sharing things. We hear only the rosy things not the otherside.

Canada the land filled with milk and honey. This reminds me of a letter shared by George Zwaagstra when he was immigrating to Canada in 1951, this letter was written by his brother that was already in Canada and goes like this: "George, he said, you're coming to Canada, and Canada is a land overflowing of milk and honey, BUT you have to find your own cows and bees." Yes, Canada is flowing with milk and honey but you will have to find your own cows and bees. What I like to tell people is when you immigrate to anywhere in the world never compare that place to back home, you would only get frustrated. Treat the western world as a big stock market, you will always have the bear and bull market runs, question is do you know when those cycles occur if you do you would always ride the market and come out successful. Have fun and enjoy the beauty of Canada whilst you navigate the challenges and remember challenges are filled with opportunities if you have the right mindset and attitude.

It is Normal my sister, life is full of challenges, I’m in Africa and Still going through challenges, you just got in so you will soon find your way through. There are challenges everywhere, we have to pray to God for wisdom to live this world

The information you're sharing I good.

As an African there is no country you will ever be comfortable in.We have to make do and keep going.Racism is worse ,you will be denied every opportunity but keep going .Keep striving

Healthcare in Canada mostly are in two parts which is hospitals and clinics, clinics are for outpatients and hospitals are for inpatients ( like in an emergency situations or you need to be admitted in the hospital) clinics don’t admit patients, is where you go when you have like say fever, infections or not feeling yourself to see the doctor. It can be difficult to get a family doctor due to the increase in immigration ( which I fault the Government, they open doors for people to come in without increasing the number of healthcare workers, again it years to train healthcare workers) but most clinics have walk in visits meaning you can to to the clinics and see any doctor in that clinics that is available, which is what I have been doing for the past 4 years. Prior to that I due get appointment within the week I called or the coming week, but these days they give you 2 to 4 months appointments, so I prefer going for walk in. Even if you haven’t gotten a family doctor and you your health card just do walk in if is not an emergency.

Thankyou Madam. So much love. Very good content and this video is crucial for me. Pls I'd like much more of such. I'm Leke from Cameroon. Once again much love to you and your family. You'll all get through this. Courage to you.

Thanks madam. Stay strong in your marriage. Your husband is blessed i hope he knows

Thank you for telling the truth

Very informative ❤

This is an excellent information that lot of people neglect to inform others

There are lots of clinics that do accept “walk in” you don’t have to book appointment. Clinics are not for emergency visits, rather hospital ER. If you have an emergency go to the hospital.

You are really stressed…you are a strong woman ❤

Thank you Lillian

Bills in Naija monthly - internet 35k, electricity 50k, phone bills 20k, rent 500k, private tutor for kids 150k, cook 70k, driver 50k, DStv 20k = 825k when you add food, gas and kids school fees then max bill monthly is 1.5m. If you and your spouse can bring in 3 to 4m monthly then you are fine. You should be able to save 1m monthly. Buy that land build your house, build a business together. Once you get to the summit of your career, you should be bringing home about 10m cumulatively. What’s obtainable abroad please 🙏? How many people are even making $200k abroad

It happens like that as a new immigrant especially when you don’t have family members at your new country. People moving into Nigeria also, it took them time to acclimatize with the environment. Just worry about having a good job as partners. Settling down is a matter of 1yr.

I am always curious when immigrant parents say 'their children will have a better future in Canada'. What the expectations are? what advantages would be apparent vis a vis a similar upper middle class education in their home country. Especially in view of tightening Canadian job market, discipline structure, cost of living and gender fluid indoctrination. The last few years has been something even generational Canadians are concerned about.

Thank you for speaking your truth.

Thanks for this video. I had been thinking of relocating to canada with my 2 year old daughter cox my narcissist ex husband won’t let me be.. but ve been scared of the unknown. This video have thrown more light… I guess I will just look for any other city here in nigeria to relocate to and start a small business instead of processing the papers.

Normal process when you are passing through the system. Be focused and remain calm, and you will laff last. We all have been there before.

A big salute to you mam, you are a good lady who is true to her words.🙏🙏🙏

Wow thanks so much for the insights you really have don well. In my place there is a proverb that says, what an elderly man see while seating the younger once can’t see half of it even when climb the highest mountain. It’s a good lesson I learned today but the problem is Canada 🇨🇦 look to be the only easy country to travel to. What about people like us with multiple talent that might want to take advantage of all the areas you mentioned eg. work in Canada 🇨🇦 and spend in Naira. I think It will get better from your end as time goes on. I am married too with 3kids I plan traveling to Canada hopefully I use your knowledge and info to better myself Thanks so much Head up

I seriously why people think they can just move to a whole new place thousands of miles ahead,.. and everything will just be rosy? what exactly make people think like that? the first time I was leaving Nigeria I was very very very scared,. so when the challenges came I was never suprise. because I know damn well that moving to a new place is going to be hard. but for some reason people do this and talking about they were shocked or wasnt expecting the rough times.

Lilian, thanks for sharing. It's tough but it will get better over time. As you noted, the biggest headache aka 'wahala' that folks don't appreciate living in this part of the world (I'm in USA) is the very expensive cost of child care. I need to emphasize it. The more children you have, the more it will 'break your hand' (sounds sweeter in Igbo) until they get to kindergarten level or higher when the kids can enter 'free' public education system. Those who aren't mentally prepared for the child care cost can feel overwhelmed with life.

Sis, you did not talk about indoctranating kids about their genda. I'm just curious 🤔

That's why they are trying their best to bring in more health care professionals

I wish you all the very best!

You have a successful business back home, and you certainly seem to have left a good life behind to come to Canada. I'm sure many people who aspire to relocate will learn from your experience. I'm sure you had your reasons for moving with your family, and I wish you the best of luck.

I spent barely 2hrs at the hospital here in the US here and the bill that came in a couple of weeks later was almost $7000 that I may have to struggle to pay it off, no where cool my sister!

I can tell you in spite of ALL the challenges they'll never return to Nigeria.

When I heard it from the mouth of a Canadian, that was when I truly believed how bad Canada is. The man has even left his own country

These are the very reasons I made up my mind to remain in Nigeria. I don't have power to do plenty stress. Well done Sis.

I like your content madam...well detailed

My elder sister and her hubby passed through the exact same phase years ago (2006....i think...). Now theyre doing very very VERY well. Ma'am, your family too shall overcome this phase and emerge very successful.

I’m Canadian Citizens this is the true realities of Canada this videos it’s 💯 accurate there no meaning or purpose living in that country . Consequences of long term living in Canada it’s equal mentally sick or stuck taking meds for life because of the hardship stress from social life living in that country . My friendly advice please choose others countries as New Zealand , Australia, USA, Singapore’s or part of Asia life as purpose and meaningful affordable lifestyle with beautiful warm weathers. I’m a nurse even still struggle to get a transportation to go to work foods highly expensive etc….etc…. Etc!!!!!! I’m out of that Canada and will never ever looking back ……

That why you are asked to prove fund when you applying for the visa..!

Sis welcome o. But who tells us that children will always hv a better future?

you are very right . been hère for 2 years , will go back to France . in 7 years I have never been able to find a doctor ... it is carry

God bless you Lilian for this eye opener. How is the security situation like? Is it very safe in Alberta? I plan moving to Alberta next week, still trying to find an accommodation. Please any advice? I am American citizen, but having problems getting short term rentals. Please help out.

Complaints Complaints stay put and be grateful. The Children here will have greater future

Thanks for sharing both positive and negative part of when relocating, thou what i believe is that you must face all this challenges as a newcomer later it will be part of you

Thanks God bless you for the reality

Yes everything you said it s true the cost living is very very expensive .Me I stay 11 elevens years It s hard to get a very good job paid very well .For the moment I decide to teach in abroad but I m thinking to go back but I need to find a better job to think about my retirement .It s true the work and life balance is difficult .To find a doctor it s crazy and to get a benefits it s very expensive .

As a Canadian Citizen my country used to be beautiful back in 2011 now things change so much that I dont feel like going back anytime soon but I hope things will change soon we need a new government!!!

Doesn’t Canada have emergency rooms? Electricity bills can be higher in the summer from the AC.

Hello please i got a canadian work permit from Germany is it advceable to relocate to canada from Germany base on your analysis?

In Toronto, i have never spent more than 20 minutes to see a doctor. But it must be on appointment

So for the healthcare issues, how about health are insurance, won't it get you guys care if you need too?

The mistake we make most of the times is converting money abroad to Africa. Any country you are you dive with their currency. Most of the way they do their things is why they are making progress.

GOD bless you for being truthful.... When we try to educate the people back home they feel we don't want them to come over but we won't stop saying/telling the truth

You are less than three years in the country. It will take you up to 5 years before you get used to the system and for things to start get better. You still have a long way to go. Take this from a 29-year veteran in the system. The worst of Canada is better than the best of Nigeria - for people whose backs have been pushed to the wall. If you are well established in Nigeria, stay away from overseas travel - looking for greener pastures. If you are planning to run your Nigeria business while in Canada, it would be a challenge. If you are not physically present, you might as well considered that business lost.

If you know you know. This man is saying the bitter truth but only the wise ones would understand period. No matter how rich you are abroad, you you can't save money or enjoy the money you worked for. I am not discouraging no one but no place like home. Great video. Good job brother 👏.

Mental health stability is a very important priority. Indians in particular, build a community support for themselves in most nations they find themselves in.

If you are someone who is not complacent then Canada living doesn’t get better.

Every parent should be called by their child’s school if the school staff feel that a child is unwell. Teachers/educators are not medically trained.

The hospital you chose or the general practitioner??

This better future we keep saying for the kids. Who knows the future?

Is good to talk about the difficult side of it but not to compare to our country Nigeria, remember we pay all those things also here in Nigeria, and withouts considering the hard economy, more also we pay illegal money for just cost like .