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-

[Canadian Outrage]

Most DEFINITELY NOT all Canadians are anti-American. In fact, in my area of B.C., I don't know ANY anti-americans. We love our southern neighbours. I have visited with my friends in Texas and I surely don't see any difference between them and me. I'm sorry that what comes out of Canada comes from the Belly of the Beast, which is Ontario and k'beck!! I cannot stomach them either.

[Lancey Howard]

Okay, but do these Canadians come here and vote Democrat, thereby bringing socialist scumbag Canada with them and stabbing decent Americans in the back?

I know this phenomenom happens within the US borders where scumbag liberals who consistently vote Democrat, and then have to leave their home state because the taxes and everything else have gotten so bad, move on to another state and proceed to destroy that state by voting..... Democrat.

Given the reasons these Canadians left their country I must presume they are now staunch Republicans. From what I gather, most immigrants who flee socialist countries to come here despise the Democrat Party USA.

[Canadian Outrage]

Here we go again. Ralph Klein did indeed make that huge gaffe. I'll still take him tho over what runs the Country now and has for the last couple decades. And yes, I know they are some nice people in Quebec. We know a few. When I refer to Quebec negatively, I am referring to the Province as a whole and NOT every single individual.!! I also speak with some Great Conservatives in Ontario. The problem is, and it is undeniable, they are few in number. Just watch, even with the "Conservative" amalgamation, the Liberals will trounce the next election. Even tho Martin, as Finance Minister and Chretien right hand man for 9 years, taxed the living Shit out of all of us, he registered his families shipping lines out of a Country with NO employment standards at all and also to EVADE paying Canadian taxes. Those same taxes he has burdened every Canadian with. I can't figure out WHY the average Ontario voter cannot see that.

[Victoria Delsoul]

I think this statement is inaccurate. I lived in western Canada for three years, and the only French I ever saw (I never heard anyone actually speak it) was on road signs in national parks. Even the legal documents I signed were in English.

That's right. The only ones who speak French live in Quebec or work for the Federal Government in Ottawa.

[kanawa]

he registered his families shipping lines out of a Country with NO employment standards at all and also to EVADE paying Canadian taxes. Those same taxes he has burdened every Canadian with. I can't figure out WHY the average Ontario voter cannot see that

Wow, That's news to me. If you don't have a link handy I'll go search for one.

[kanawa]

Please remove my post #113, major math error.

[Alberta's Child]

Actually, I should correct myself. There are people who KNOW how to speak French living all over Canada -- but French is hardly spoken at all in daily conversation outside the areas you mentioned. And it certainly isn't "required" for most official business outside Quebec.

[Dan Evans]

Most DEFINITELY NOT all Canadians are anti-American. In fact, in my area of B.C., I don't know ANY anti-americans. We love our southern neighbours.

B.C. Premier Glen Clark on July 18, 1997 said, "We are not going to allow those Americans, those pirates to catch our fish, steal our fish, and take food out of the mouth of our families," in supporting a blockade that trapped U.S. fishing boats.

[vanmorrison]

"Yeh, but Canada doesn't have the social problems that americans have. We don't breed hatred for one another like americans do. We don't bomb people or shoot them just because things aren't "our way"....."

I couldn't have put the essence of the loony Canucks' holier-than-thou hypocritical bullshit any better than this phrase does.

[ppaul]

100M murdered by communism last century...

And are continuing to be murdered and starved to death by Communist regimes.
Hitler and Nazi Germany's atrocities are just a little blip on the millenium's radar screen compared to that.

[ppaul]

Yeh, but Canada doesn't have the social problems that americans have.

Yeh, Canadians are not Americans, eh?
You qualify as an official 4L Canadian.

[ppaul]

BTTT

[Snowyman]

Here we go again. Ralph Klein did indeed make that huge gaffe. I'll still take him tho over what runs the Country now

No we don't . Klein is a good guy but he waffles on issues with Ottawa just like every other Premier. And most of us would be glad to take him , take any good person , over what we have in Ottawa . But we won't have a decent chance at that until at least 2008 , unless the Martin Gaggle collectively fall on their swords

Hawaii has a greater chance , and may well do so, of leaving the US than any province leaving Canada. That's reality . Guaranteed by Bay Street and Wall Street . And if you knew the figures and if you took the time to learn about how those numbers combine to win and loose elections , then you' d know better than to refer to Ontario , who once again along with Alberta , are paying to support the rest of the country , the way you do.

I'm well aware of Martin's manipulations while Finance Minister . His purchase of CSL in 1980 , borrowing $180 million to do so, at a time when interest rates of 20%+ were breaking thousands of businesses and individuals in Canada , should alone be an indication of where the is guy comes from .

And as for taxes in Canada , do some research . You don't have it as bad as you think you do.

[MAGEE]

I see you pointing a large percentage of the problems within Canada to Ottawa, and you advocate separation by the western provinces, but from what I have read on the Telus forum, they are primarily liberal people living in the urban areas of B.C. and they could be the new socialist Canada, at least that is my interpretation.

Wasn't there a new law just passed (or perhaps just introduced) that all Government positions opening up would be bi-lingual only. No more English only applicants accepted? Is this a rumor or another internet fable? Is it real? Would this mean also that a candidate for political office MUST also be bilingual? That mandate in itself would definitely place affirmation on the French speaking Canada as preferential work force in well paying jobs.

Those from Alberta are far more grounded in what I believe Canadians stand for, in that their expression of their position within the global community has no insecurities, and they are fully aware how important Canada is in geopolitical affairs.

Now if the socialist sissies could ever find out ...

It really is a sad state of affairs to see a great country wallow in comparisons with the U.S., which have no rational bearing on their own country and its positives.

The disgusting goal in the socialists' heart is the downfall of the U.S. Believe it, I have read it. They speak in frightening ways, and I am thrown back to old black and white movies on pre WWII days in Europe (as I have no other real comparisons except word of mouth from elder family members).

One member actually declared war on the U.S. for its role in Iraq. They speak of it in the worst of terms. Are they merely off-center, too young to know any better, or trolls?

Separation by "diverse mother countries" in Canada has done them no good at all. Traditional cultures and belief systems can be maintained, but being a Canadian comes first. Either you are "of a country and would die for that country" or you are a non-status member, drowning in feeble rhetoric trying to be heard by the "herd".

I am always amazed as an alien myself, I was totally prepared to follow all the laws of the U.S., desiring only to be a productive contributor to my community and society. Whereas some of the immigrants moving into Canada immediately set up shop to change their laws, or introduce "new" laws such as the Sharia arbitration, which is one step closer to the end of the plank.

[MAGEE]

"They are giving it [Canada] away".

While I realize the population in comparison with the needs of the country is way down, immigration will eventually solve that problem, but it takes a generation to assimilate (or longer depending upon the people), and to introduce immigration at an overwhelming rate is much the same as our need for life-saving water.

Water as used in controlled ways is necessary for our life-sustenance, and beneficial in good agricultural and natural resource maintenance.

Water in uncontrolled ways becomes a flood destroying everything in its path.

Because of the false "laws of PC" which Canadians take so seriously, they have literally handcuffed themselves into being unable to speak out for a more rational approach to immigration. Mention immigration containment and control with some commitments by the potential immigrant of compliance with the laws of the land first, the immediate desire to learn a rudimentary form of one of the languages, and either enough money to sustain for a lengthy period of time, or guaranteed work to support all the family. Many arrive with their hands out and nothing in their pockets.

This is refugee-ism, and while I laud the practice, it never should be at the expense of those in Canada who are expected to contribute more to these people, than they are allowed to keep for their own.

The U.S. done poorly as well, but here it is merely pandering to the vote with promises of golden sidewalks and a wealthy life.

The total concept of immigration control is something the two large countries must finally bite the bullet and enact some rational measures to guarantee the impact to the nations are positive and contributing, rather than negative and taking away.

[Black Powder]

Most DEFINITELY NOT all Canadians are anti-American. In fact, in my area of B.C., I don't know ANY anti-americans. We love our southern neighbours.

B.C. Premier Glen Clark on July 18, 1997 said, "We are not going to allow those Americans, those pirates to catch our fish, steal our fish, and take food out of the mouth of our families," in supporting a blockade that trapped U.S. fishing boats.

So now it's called anti-americanism when Canadians don't let Americans rob them blind?

Good for Clark.

[Dan Evans]

So now it's called anti-americanism when Canadians don't let Americans rob them blind?

The fish didn't belong to Canada. They were caught in U.S. waters or international waters.

[Canadian Outrage]

I don't know of any bi-lingual requirement in B.C. B.C.has some liberal areas for sure ie: east Vancouver. The interior of B.C. where I am is STRICTLY Canadian Alliance. It's a very conservative area. We have NEVER sent a liberal to Ottawa from this riding in the 34 years I have been here. Just to explain the difference in B.C. and Alberta. B.C. was always pretty much a mirror image of Alberta BUT because of the milder weather in B.C., we attract all the Easterners to retire here. That imo is the reason for some drastic differences in the different areas of B.C. Also, many people from B.C. have moved to Alberta including my husbands entire family. B.C. was absolutely the greatest when we had 30 years of Social Credit. That was a strictly free enterprise conservative Party. The media of course went after the leader a created a non-Scandal which ended up causing the resignation of a great leader and the follow up leader was a woman that split the Party. B.C. Politics are hard to understand. We have what's called a Liberal Party in power right now but it is comprised of a coalition of Social Credit, Conservatives and a few Liberals. *groan* In fact, although I knew all that, in the last election, for the first time in my life, I could not even hold my nose and vote for the *L* word. There are some really good people in the B.C. Government right now but I can't swallow the label. As to the bi-lingual thing, I have NOT heard of such a law passed. And you don't need to convince me that SOCIALISM is a FAILED system. My husband is a sole Practitioner Lawyer. I am his paralegal and we do strictly commercial and business law. The absolute best years we had were under the Social Credit Government. Right now, after 10 years of NDP which is like the ultra left of the US Democrats, managed to bring B.C. from one of the most profitable Provinces to near the bottom. Many changes are still needed my friend and I don't think you and I are in any disagreement. That's why I say, the West should separate and be led by Ralph Klein, the Premier of Alberta. He's the most in line with our thinking also. We have toyed many times with the idea of moving to Alberta but we are mid-50's and my husband would need to qualify to practice in Alberta which probably isn't a big deal. But I LOVE B.C. It's very beautiful, we live in the Okanagan Valley which is a tourist area with many vineyards and cottage wineries etc. I think we will try to bloom where were planted. But I don't take offense when the "wrong headed" things are brought up. I'm aware of them and don't like them either. As far as French, goes, they can stick it. I'd rather learn Spanish.

[Canadian Outrage]

I don't disagree with anything you have said except to wonder outloud WHY would Ontario, knowing what they know of Martin, vote for him??? They have voted Conservative PROVINCIALLY, why not Federally? Martin is a seriously flawed man who is nothing but a prettier face on the same red Liberal ideology. Tell me WHY Ontario would put him in power? I'm well aware that B.C. is now in the position of requiring transfer payments from Ontario. I hate that fact but it was caused by deliberate Liberal policy under Chretien. For instance, we do not even get 2% of what is paid for Highways returned. I was quoted the exact figures the other day but don't recall the numbers. However, it was Huge as in healthcare.

[JoeSchem]

Ah. So that's why Seattle's such a little suck pot.

I recall one fine Sunday a couple years ago when I visited Everett and Seattle and walked the streets of both. Everett is a laid-back navy town, and the streets were clean. In Seattle, however, while reading in a public park, I encountered a drunk who wouldn't leave me alone except to go over to a wall and pee. A short time later, across the street from the posh Westlake Mall, I had to step over a urine stream coming from behind a trash receptacle, where a guy was defecating. "I'm sorry man," he said. "When you gotta go, you gotta go." I knew for a fact that there were public restrooms inside Westlake Mall, not two hundred feet from where we were standing (and yeah, he was standing while doing his business). But that's Seattle for you.

Incidently, Everett has record levels of homelessness, unemployment, drug use, unwed motherhood, you name it. Still it's leagues above living in Seattle.