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Andrey Vasilyev

Andrey Vasilyev

When moving to a huge city such as Vancouver, InterNations made it easy for me to find fellow expats and the network that I needed.

Amarilis Castillo

Amarilis Castillo

InterNations make networking in such a large city so much easier with their events and extensive information.

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French Expats Living in Canada: Your Questions, Answered

If you’re a new or soon-to-be expat in Canada, you probably aren’t quite sure yet what it will be like. That’s why we gathered the answers to some key questions you may have about life in Canada. If you want to ask more specific questions — or even share your own tips — join InterNations! You’ll be part of a community of new and experienced expats who love to help each other out.

What are the most common nationalities in Canada?
As an expat in Canada, you'll meet people from many different cultures (especially if you're an InterNations member!) The top nationalities in the InterNations Communities in Canada currently are:

  • Indians
  • **French **
  • British
  • Americans

Which cities are most popular among expats in Canada?
Some cities attract more expats than others. These are the cities with the largest expat communities in Canada:

  • Ottawa
  • Montreal
  • Vancouver

How much rent do expats pay in Canada?
Your personal situation plays a role here. Single expats spend on average 1176 USD on their accommodation per month, while expat families spend around 1.911 USD. And of course, rents can also vary greatly depending on the location and city within Canada.

To give you an idea of what to expect, here are some rent averages for the most popular cities in Canada.

Average rent in Ottawa

  • Single expats: 1.249 USD
  • Expat families: 2.058 USD

Average rent in Montreal

  • Single expats: 1.051 USD
  • Expat families: 1.882 USD

Average rent in Vancouver

  • Single expats: 1.935 USD
  • Expat families: 3.309 USD

How safe is Canada?
You may be wondering about safety. In general people perceive their personal safety situation in Canada as safe. People rate the risk of falling victim to petty crime (such as pickpocketing or minor theft) as moderately high.
They consider the chance of being the victim of violent crime (including mugging) low. And, they rate confidence in the police force and related local authorities as very high.

How safe is Canada for women?
Female expats rated the safety situation in Canada as very safe. This is based on the feedback of expat women living in Canada (rather than actual crime statistics). So obviously this can be highly subjective and depends on factors such as where people live.

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An amazing community is waiting for you!

Meet international people at local events

Meet international people at local events

Socialize, enjoy hobbies, and make friends

Socialize, enjoy hobbies, and make friends

Get info, and feel at home abroad!

Get info, and feel at home abroad!

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Meet other French at our events in Canada

Attend our monthly events and activities for French expatriates to get to know like-minded expatriates in real life.

Toronto Summer Brunch Series – Kensington Market Edition
Join us for another exciting stop in this year's Toronto Summer Brunch Series! This time, we'll be gathering at (...) Protected content (...) , a vibrant café nestled in the heart of Toronto's iconic Kensington Market. Inspired by cinema, art, and community, (...) Protected content (...) offe
Join us for another exciting stop in this year's Toronto Summer Brunch Series! This time, we'll be gathering at (...) Protected content (...) , a vibrant café nestled in the heart of Toronto's iconic Kensington Market. Inspired by cinema, art, and community, (...) Protected content (...) offe
Serve Meals to Underprivilege & Homeless People
Serve Meals to Underprivilege & Homeless People
Serving hot meals to guests of the shelter and the community. Help plate food. Prep the desserts (cut cake/muffins) Wipe counters. Wash trays, kitchen utensils, etc. Set up the dining room. Clean/sanitize the tables and chairs. Note: For your safety, please wear closed-toe shoes (no flip-flops or
Serving hot meals to guests of the shelter and the community. Help plate food. Prep the desserts (cut cake/muffins) Wipe counters. Wash trays, kitchen utensils, etc. Set up the dining room. Clean/sanitize the tables and chairs. Note: For your safety, please wear closed-toe shoes (no flip-flops or
Language Networking Event
Language Networking Event
Meet the people who speak the languages you love, Connect organically, Learn & share together! Our Language Networking is all about practicing the language you choose in a relaxed, social setting. Meet people who speak it, people learning it, and people who simply enjoy connecting across cultures.
Meet the people who speak the languages you love, Connect organically, Learn & share together! Our Language Networking is all about practicing the language you choose in a relaxed, social setting. Meet people who speak it, people learning it, and people who simply enjoy connecting across cultures.
Exhibition: World Press Photo 2026
Exhibition: World Press Photo 2026
For the 19th year, the World Press Photo Montreal Exhibition is the opportunity for everyone to admire and best understand via pictures, in a one and only venue, the most important events and the issues at stake in the previous year. Each picture and all details concerning the shots are briefly comm
For the 19th year, the World Press Photo Montreal Exhibition is the opportunity for everyone to admire and best understand via pictures, in a one and only venue, the most important events and the issues at stake in the previous year. Each picture and all details concerning the shots are briefly comm

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Why French expats move abroad (& how they like it)

Every year, we publish one of the biggest global surveys among expats — asking them about various aspects of their life, from work to leisure. Learn what motivated our French members to move abroad, what keeps them there, and what they struggle with or miss about home.

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Our Global Partners

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Pursue your hobbies with amazing new friends

Do you want to continue with your hobbies — or discover new ones — while living abroad? There’s a variety of InterNations Groups you can join, including everything from sightseeing to hiking. These are run by dedicated Consuls with at least one activity each month, such as dinners in the cities finest restaurants, sports or outings with other expats to explore all that your new home has to offer.

Sports Group
Sports Group
DinnerNations Group
DinnerNations Group
City Trotters Group
City Trotters Group
Arts & Culture Group
Arts & Culture Group

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Find Tips and Advice on Canada from French Expats

Of course, expat living in Canada is not just about shipping your belongings and filing in some bureaucratic papers. Regular socializing with fellow French is an essential part of expat life and helps getting accustomed to the Canadian way of life and mentality. InterNations helps you connect and meet up with other French in Canada, residing in Ottawa, Montreal, Vancouver and many other places throughout the country. Just take a look at our group of French in Toronto or French in Montréal.

If you ever wish to have a chat in your native language, discover where to shop for French food or discuss your favorite sports team's latest match, become a member of the Canadian InterNations Community:

  • Look up our top quality network to get to know open-minded expats from France in Canada.
  • Obtain and share insider tips in our Canada Expat Forums – e.g. how to hire a babysitter fluent in your native tongue for your children or where to get foie gras in Montreal.
  • Search the InterNations Places database for Canada to get information on institutions from your home country, including the French embassy.

From the sublime Canadian Rockies to French-speaking Québec, with its strong provincial identity, we’ll help you connect with supportive and friendly French expats in Canada.

Join Our Expat Activities and Mingle with Fellow French in Canada

Moreover, please feel free to attend our regular expat events and activities in Canada. Our get-togethers are very diverse and range from a cozy gathering to enjoy the traditional Canadian maple pancakes, to big expat celebrations with hundreds of participants in Ottawa’s best locations. You can also participate in one of our expat trips to go and see B.C.'s pristine wilderness as well as other beautiful landmarks in Canada.

Our meet-ups and activities are a great opportunity to mingle with expats from France and various other countries in a casual setting. Interested? Just sign up and you’ll soon be receiving a cordial Bonjour from our French living in Canada!

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