Maud (30) and Harm (32) emigrated to Canada two years ago together with their daughter Lauren (now 3). They now live in Saskatchewan, where their son Owen was born, a true Canadian with a Canadian passport. During our Emigrating to Canada webinar, Maud shared their story, challenges and experiences with people who are also dreaming of starting a life in Canada.
From dream to reality
Harm had already connected with Canada long before their move. Seven years prior to emigrating, he travelled and worked there. “Canada never really left me,” he explains. “Everything is bigger there: the nature, the space, the machinery used in agriculture. Especially the farming lifestyle really appealed to me.”
In September 2023, the family travelled around Canada for four weeks. For Maud, it was the perfect opportunity to experience what life there might be like. They deliberately visited Saskatchewan, where they already knew a Dutch family who had bought a farm. Harm potentially had an opportunity to work there.
That trip made the decision clear. “After that holiday, we just knew,” Maud says. “If we were ever going to do this, it had to be now.”
A fast-paced move
From that moment on, everything moved quickly. In a short period of time, their emigration plans became reality. They purchased a shipping container, selected their belongings and had their personal items transported to Canada. The container took around six weeks to arrive.
In April 2024, the time had come: Maud, Harm and Lauren arrived in Canada, in the middle of a snowy landscape. “Lauren absolutely loved it,” Maud laughs. “Especially because it was snowing by the beach, which is something you don’t really see in the Netherlands.”
They settled in Strasbourg, Saskatchewan, a village with around 800 residents, which, by rural Canadian standards, is still considered relatively large.
Living, working and adjusting
At that time, they did not yet have permanent residency and were renting a home, which suited them well. “Renting gives us the freedom to figure out what we really want and where we want to settle long-term.”
Back in the Netherlands, Harm ran his own plastic welding business. However, his passion had always been in agriculture. In Canada, he now works on a farm, gaining valuable hands-on experience. “Something that didn’t really seem possible in the Netherlands suddenly feels within reach here.”
Maud worked as a primary school teacher in the Netherlands. In Canada, she has taken on different roles: she worked temporarily in childcare and now teaches Dutch online to children living abroad, including in Canada, the United States and Sint Maarten. “This way I can continue doing what I love, but in a way that fits our new lifestyle.”
Settling in Saskatchewan
In their first months, they lived on the farm where Harm worked, staying in a caravan. As winter approached, it became too cold, so they moved into a small house in the village. Later, when Maud became pregnant with their second child, they found their current home just outside the village. “Exactly what we were looking for: space, quiet surroundings and a lot of freedom.”
The winters are long, sometimes lasting up to five months, but the summers are beautiful and make up for it. “Spring and autumn are short, but the summer is absolutely worth it.”
The visa process: guidance from Visa4you
The family entered Canada through the Young Professionals program, part of the International Experience Canada (IEC) program for candidates between 18 and 30 years old. Together with Visa4you, they evaluated which visa pathway was most suitable at the time.
Although Maud initially could have claimed points as a teacher, there was no labour shortage in her profession in Canada. Ultimately, the application was based on Harm’s profile. After working six months on a farm, he was able to extend his work permit and directly apply for Permanent Residency (PR).
“Visa4you really looked at our situation in detail,” Maud explains. “They gave honest advice and helped us find the best pathway for our family.”
Recently, they completed their medical examinations, including blood tests and a chest X-ray. Since then, their Permanent Residency (PR) has been approved, which provides them with much more security and flexibility in both their work and living situation.
Why Canada?
For Harm, the decision came naturally. Maud had some doubts at first, but together they decided to take the leap. “We were still young, under 30,” Maud says. “That makes it easier to make such a big decision. It felt like: we either do this now, or we’ll never do it.”
Life in Canada feels calmer and less rushed. They have more time for each other, experience less stress and enjoy more space for their own activities, such as keeping a vegetable garden and having animals.
The language turned out to be less of a challenge than expected. “At first, it was a bit tough, but people are patient. They understand that English is not your first language.”
Healthcare, costs and social life
Basic healthcare in Canada is publicly funded, which was a big change for them. They simply had to apply for coverage and have had positive experiences with both general practitioners and hospitals. Because they live far from a hospital, Maud had to give birth in the hospital.
In terms of cost of living, Canada is comparable to the Netherlands. Some things are cheaper, others more expensive. “We probably spend less on luxury here and don’t go out as often, but that’s also a choice.”
They gradually built their social network. Through church, they met many people, and Maud attends a playgroup for young mothers. Still, they sometimes feel very Dutch. “You don’t automatically get coffee with a biscuit here,” Maud jokes. “Sometimes we just bring our own coffee.”
New habits they adopted
- Once a month, they do their big grocery shopping in the city, about an hour’s drive away, turning it into a full day out
- They buy in bulk and have large freezers and storage spaces
- Maud bakes a lot herself: bread, cookies, yoghurt, custard and tortillas
- They now sometimes speak to family even more often than when they were still living in the Netherlands
Future plans
The future is not entirely set yet, but one thing is clear: Canada feels like home. Now that they have obtained their Permanent Residency, they have gained more flexibility in both their work and living arrangements.
“It’s exciting, but we don’t regret it for a second,” Maud concludes. “We have peace, space and time for each other here, and that’s priceless.”
