Canada’s credit system is a minefield for newcomers—but it’s improving

Canada continues to attract skilled immigrants from across the world, but adapting to the new culture isn’t always easy. Most newcomers have to work through a long checklist: get a SIN, open a bank account, find housing, build a credit file. While each step seems straightforward on its own, together it can feel relentless for the first few months.When I arrived from the UK on a two-year visa in 2019, I quickly ran into one of the less obvious hurdles: Canada’s credit system. Despite