Smarter ways for immigrants in Canada to stay connected with home

For many immigrants in Canada, staying connected to loved ones back home is one of the biggest emotional challenges. Most Canadian telephone network providers don’t offer direct or affordable call services to several countries, especially across Africa, which can be a harsh reality for many Black immigrants.

Take the story of Ayda Abdollahi, a former head of a top marketing agency in Iran who relocated to Canada. After several months of promoting her expertise and services on social media, she received an inquiry from a potential client in South Africa. Wanting to build trust and professionalism, Ayda decided to make a few direct calls instead of relying solely on email.

At the end of the month, her phone bill shocked her. Her service provider had charged significantly higher rates due to multiple international calls to South Africa. When she contacted customer support, she learned that those calls fell outside her regular plan. That experience made her think about how tough it could be for newcomers still trying to manage their finances—especially when a simple WhatsApp call might not feel professional enough to start a new business relationship.

A WhatsApp call may work for casual chats, but when you’re trying to build trust with new clients or partners, it may not always feel professional or reliable.

Then there’s Mr Tade, a Nigerian father, who sponsored his only son to study in Canada. Unfortunately, he doesn’t know how to operate an Android phone. He often relies on his neighbour’s daughter to receive WhatsApp calls from his son. Not only does that compromise his privacy, but it also depends on the neighbour’s availability. Mr Tade owns a basic mobile phone without internet access, leaving him disconnected from his son unless others help.

Yes, apps like WhatsApp and Telegram have helped bridge communication gaps, but the question remains: must a 75-year-old man in Nigeria have a WhatsApp account to talk freely with his 20-year-old granddaughter in Canada?

For many immigrants, the holidays and special occasions bring both joy and reflection. According to Abbi, a Kenyan Child Educator in Canada, “we left home to build better lives abroad, but sometimes that better life comes at the cost of distance and disconnection. Beyond the cost of living, the real price of moving abroad can be the inability to communicate easily and directly with the people who matter most”.

Avoiding high roaming charges means being informed and choosing the right communication tools. Staying connected with loved ones back home is not just a convenience; it’s essential for emotional well-being. Connection, after all, lies at the heart of every successful immigrant story.

That’s where apps like dedicated international dialling apps like PlanetTalk, among others, come in. Such apps allow users to send airtime, pay bills, and make affordable international calls directly to any phone number, even if the person on the other end doesn’t have an app or internet access. For newcomers in Canada, balancing budgets and long-distance relationships, it’s one less thing to worry about.

So, if you’re looking for a cheap and reliable way to make international calls, consider exploring international calling apps designed specifically for global connectivity. They bridge not only borders but also hearts,helping you stay close to those who make “home” truly meaningful.