Making the decision to move to a different country is a significant commitment that often involves unexpected financial challenges. A British expat who relocated to Canada shared her experience of facing a particularly high bill after moving to Niagara Falls in Ontario.
Louise Ware-Armstrong, a lifestyle and travel vlogger, detailed her monthly expenses in a TikTok video. While most of her living costs aligned with her expectations, she highlighted the notably expensive nature of phone plans in Canada.
In her video, which garnered over 11,000 likes, Louise emphasized the high cost of phone plans in Canada, stating that finding an affordable option is extremely difficult. She disclosed that her combined expenses for mobile phone, home internet, and TV services amounted to around 400 Canadian dollars (£215) per month, which she found to be exorbitant.
She mentioned that upon her arrival in Canada, she struggled to find a phone plan for less than $60 per month without a device included. This revelation sparked a discussion among viewers who shared similar concerns about the high cost of living in Canada.
Although mobile prices in Canada have slightly decreased in recent years according to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), the country continues to be ranked among the more expensive markets for wireless services globally.
According to WhistleOut, the average monthly mobile phone bill in Canada is approximately CA$64 (£34), significantly higher than in the UK where average monthly spending on mobile services is reported to be around £15 to £20 depending on the contract type, as noted by Ofcom.
Various industry studies have consistently positioned Canada as one of the pricier countries for mobile phone services due to a less competitive market and higher infrastructure costs.
Louise shared her overall monthly budget post-relocation, revealing that she pays 1,650 Canadian dollars in rent for a two-bedroom home in Niagara Falls, in addition to separate expenses for utilities. However, it was the steep costs of phone and internet services that particularly surprised her and added to the financial challenges of moving abroad.