Think Canada's the Place to Be? Think Again (A Canadian expat explains)

The Seattle Times ^ | December 12, 2003 | Jennifer Meeks

[quidnunc]

It has been said that Seattle mirrors Canada in its tolerant attitudes, but there is a dark side to this utopia across the border.

My husband and I left Canada six years ago to start a new life in the United States. Tens of thousands of university-educated, middle-class Canadians leave Canada for the U.S. every year. The Canadian government even has a name for us — "The Brain Drain."

Why do we leave?

Taxes – Ever wonder why you see so many rusty cars up north? It's not just because they salt the roads in the wintertime. People can't afford new ones.

Fifty percent of the Canadian paycheck goes to taxes. And, in Ontario, for example, there's a 15-percent tax at the cash register. Think about paying that every time you buy a car, a fridge or clothes. The Canadian middle class has almost been taxed out of existence.

Official bilingualism – This is what most of the taxes pay for.

Learning and speaking another language may seem like fun to most Americans. Forget about that textbook Parisian you learned in high school. My husband speaks French fluently but not by Canadian government standards. He'd be passed over in employment by someone who speaks a government-approved level of French.

Canada is officially bilingual and that means everything must be in French and English. Everything. It's the law.

If you or your company do not comply with regulations then the official language "police" will be at your door. If you want to pursue a career in retail, the police, the post office, government, business and even the military, you must be bilingual.

The U.S. has its issues with African Americans and Canada has its issues with French Canadians. Affirmative action in the name of official bilingualism has resulted in a great deal of conflict.

Employment – If you are English-speaking in Canada, it's difficult to find a job.

Salaries are much lower than in the U.S. When we moved to the U.S., my husband almost tripled his salary.

Our standard of living is beyond what we could have ever achieved in a lifetime living in Canada. Our relatives can't believe how well average, middle-class Americans live. Our son, who has a learning disability, is getting the best education ever in an American public school.

-snip-

[McGavin999]

You are fortunate enough to live in western Canada, I assure you that it's not even the same country from Ontario east. Western Canadias are great, independent, and really ought to think about starting their own country.

[MAGEE]

Actually I found my way here because a poster on the Canadian site did the link. A few people from that forum came on FreeRepublic and were slaughtered for their ignorance and misinformation. It was a joy for me to see them getting back what they have been giving.

There was a pretty good balance at one time, now it is down to one or two who are being picketed literally every time they write something. Soon the liberals will be alone to praise each other and feel comfortable there are no enemies in their camp.

If I had not seen it with my own eyes, I would not have believed people could be reamed for writing an opinion, but it is being accomplished quite actively. They seem to work as teams, taking over for each other when one runs out of "words or time to post". They are vicious.

Some of the Canadian posters have probably seen the site or perhaps viewed the discourse on an earlier thread among some liberal Canadians and the Free Republic members.

The site is: http://forums.mytelus.com

Once you are on the home page, select International News which is the location of the most virulent topics.

Try to visit on an empty stomach or with a strong drink. I believe it is a shock at first for some Canadians, or perhaps I am wrong.

Also I would like to add I am sorry your wife has to quietly take their insults. Nobody should have to be subjected to ignorance and bigotry.

Canadians are directing their bigotry to all of the United States, not just the government. All of the 280 million people living here who have done them no harm whatsoever.

[MAGEE]

Hi there - I have been playing on the Survivor Thread and having such a good time. It is nice not to talk politics once in a while.

Good to see you getting into the mix. When I find a Canadian subject I look for you, Quidnunc and kanawa. All accounted for!

I didn't know you were from Vancouver. Me too! Rain drops keep falling on my head lalala......

Have a great weekend if I don't see you here again!

[Levante]

"They have a top notch (equipment, personnel) Defense Dept. hospital in Ottawa - the catch: only senior military, civil servants, and politicians are allowed in! Shades of the Soviet Union."

Where do the junior officers, NCOs and rank-and-file troops go for healthcare? This is surprising because we have two large military hospitals in the Washington, DC area, and, while they do serve the nation's leaders, they also take care of rank-and-file troops and military retirees, regardless of rank.

[Canadian Outrage]

Not ALL of us accept government intrusion. You have no idea how DIFFERENT the West is from Central Canada. Quebec could be blown off the map tomorrow and it would suit me fine. Ontario, imo is a liberal cesspool. What is really wrong, is the fact that the majority of the seats in this country are in Ontario and Quebec. I would like to see the West separate and be run by Ralph Klein. He regularly tells Ottawa to screw off!!

[Snowyman]

they also take care of rank-and-file troops and military retirees, regardless of rank.

Same thing here. There are four such hospitals. I believe in Halifax ,Ottawa, Cold Lake Alberta and I'm not sure of the other one. Members of the Armed Forces are not covered by the Canada Health act rather one specific to the Forces.

[Sunsong]

"Hi there - I have been playing on the Survivor Thread and having such a good time. It is nice not to talk politics once in a while."

Good to see you again. Yeah, politics has such serious repercussions that "discussions" become *heated* -- to make an understatement :-). Good for you

"Good to see you getting into the mix. When I find a Canadian subject I look for you, Quidnunc and kanawa. All accounted for!"

What I nice compliment, thanks. I look for you, too. Guess we like to know that someone of like mind is around somewhere :-)

"I didn't know you were from Vancouver. Me too! Rain drops keep falling on my head lalala......"

I'm not from Vancouver. I'm from Salt Lake City. But I understand that Vancouver is absolutely beautiful!

"Have a great weekend if I don't see you here again!"

Thanks -- you too. And Happy Holidays if by chance we don't cross paths for a few weeks.

[Sunsong]

"Western Canadias are great, independent, and really ought to think about starting their own country."

Amen, and second that!

[Sunsong]

"I would like to see the West separate and be run by Ralph Klein. He regularly tells Ottawa to screw off!!"

To quote Picard, "Make it so, #1" !

[Levante]

Hi Snowyman.

Thanks for the info!

[Snowyman]

You're welcome.

Be careful. Lots of misinformation here . Truth is the last time Ralph said anything of significance he was drunk in a shelter for homeless men . And the big question is , after Alberta joins Saskatchewan will that be Alchewan or Sackalberta?

[MissAmericanPie]

In some areas of Texas if you don't speak spanish don't apply for the job. In areas where mexicans have taken over you don't get hired unless you are Mexican.

[gcruse]

Will there ever be a separate Canadian identity?

The melting pot the US used to be is a salad in Canada.  They encourage immigrants to keep their culture.  As a result, there is very little Canadian nationalism.  How can there be with no pressure to become Canadian?

And the same dynamics of 'diversity' is balkanizing the US.

[gcruse]

What we need is another Emporer Constantine.

What you deserve is Ayatollah Khomeni.

[Alberta's Child]

Ping for a great Canada/U.S. thread.

[Canadian Outrage]

ABSOLUTELY RIGHT!! Your post regarding homosexual unions, abortions and the like.

[Canadian Outrage]

LOL - Would Spanish help??

[Canadian Outrage]

Hey the one thing that is UNRIVELED anywhere is the Hudson's Bay Blanket!! Remember those?? I still have one and would like to get another one. Those suckers are well over $200.00 now PLUS the GIST AND THE PIST!! (Add 14.5%) tax! UGH!!

[Canadian Outrage]

Thanks McGavin. I think the same way. Us Westerners are a different species, I'm sure. There is virtually NO comparison.