Many newcomers to Canada assume that settling into a new country is simply a matter of learning the language and finding a job. While these two goals are certainly important, the reality of building a stable life in Canada is considerably more complex. Newcomers must navigate a layered system of federal and provincial services, from registering with Service Canada for a Social Insurance Number to enrolling in provincial health coverage such as OHIP in Ontario or BC's Medical Services Plan. Beyond paperwork, they must also build social networks from scratch, understand workplace culture in Canadian organizations, and often help their children adjust to a new school environment simultaneously. Settlement agencies in cities like Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver offer free programs to address many of these challenges, including language training, employment workshops, and one-on-one counselling. However, research by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada suggests that full economic integration — defined as reaching income parity with Canadian-born peers — typically takes between seven and ten years, even for highly skilled immigrants. This timeline often surprises newcomers who expected a faster transition, highlighting a significant gap between initial expectations and lived experience.

According to the passage, what is the main reason many newcomers are surprised by their settlement experience in Canada?