Moving to Canada brings a lot of firsts, and sorting out your finances is probably near the top of the list. The good news is that Canada has a pretty well-designed set of savings and insurance programs. The catch is that most of them work best when you get into them early, so getting oriented quickly does matter.
The very first thing to tackle is a Canadian bank account and a credit history. A secured credit card is the practical way to start building a credit score here. You'll need that score when you eventually apply for a mortgage, a car loan, or sometimes even to rent an apartment. Pay the balance in full each month and you should have a solid score within a year or two.
Once that's in place, get familiar with the two main savings accounts: the RRSP and the TFSA. The TFSA is available to anyone 18 or older with a valid SIN. Money grows inside it completely tax-free, and you can take it out whenever you want without paying tax on it. The RRSP works differently. Contributions give you a tax deduction today, but when you take money out in retirement it counts as income and gets taxed then. For most newcomers just getting started, the TFSA is usually the better first move because your income in the early years may be lower, so the RRSP deduction isn't worth as much yet.
If you have family depending on your income, get life insurance sorted sooner rather than later. A straightforward term policy is not expensive when you're young and healthy, and rates go up as you get older. If you have kids, also look into the RESP. The federal government puts in 20% on the first $2,500 you contribute per year, so up to $500 per child per year in grants. That money compounds over time and makes a real difference by the time your kids are ready for school.
Canada's financial programs are genuinely good, but they reward people who use them, not just people who know about them. Working with an advisor who has helped newcomers before can help you avoid the common mistakes and build a plan that actually fits where you are right now.