Moving to Canada With Children

Schools, healthcare, costs and Israeli community in Canada for relocating families.

Last reviewed: 2026-06-04
Schools Abroad
Strong public school system; top universities worldwide.
Family Healthcare
Universal public healthcare via provincial plans; no cost at point of care.
Childcare Costs
Toronto and Vancouver are very expensive; smaller cities are more affordable.

Moving to Canada With Children

Canada is one of the more family-friendly destinations for Israelis, with strong Jewish communities in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver, universal healthcare, and good public schools.

Schools

Public schools in Canada are free and high-quality. Jewish day schools are available in all major cities, offering Hebrew and Judaic education alongside the provincial curriculum. International Baccalaureate programs are widely available.

Healthcare

Canada's provincial health insurance plans provide universal coverage. New immigrants must wait up to 3 months in some provinces before coverage begins. Arrange private health insurance for this period.

Childcare & Daycare

Quebec has subsidized daycare (around CAD 10–15/day). Other provinces have higher costs (CAD 60–100/day), though federal and provincial subsidies are available. Wait lists for popular daycares are long, so register early.

Israeli Community

Canada has approximately 390,000 Jewish residents. Toronto's North York area, Montreal's Côte-des-Neiges, and Vancouver's Richmond area all have substantial Israeli communities with synagogues, Israeli restaurants, and Hebrew-speaking networks.

Practical Tips

  • Research provincial health insurance waiting periods before arriving.
  • Register for Jewish community email lists and Facebook groups before moving.
  • Property prices in Toronto and Vancouver are high, so suburban areas offer better value for families.