Posted on 11/05/2004 11:13:01 AM PST by xtremepoison61
OTTAWA (Reuters) - The number of U.S. citizens visiting Canada's main immigration Web site has shot up six-fold as Americans flirt with the idea of abandoning their homeland after President George W. Bush (news - web sites)'s election win this week.
"When we looked at the first day after the election, November 3, our Web site hit a new high, almost double the previous record high," immigration ministry spokeswoman Maria Iadinardi said on Friday.
On an average day some 20,000 people in the United States log onto the Web site, www.cic.gc.ca -- a figure which rocketed to 115,016 on Wednesday. The number of U.S. visits settled down to 65,803 on Thursday, still well above the norm.
Bush's victory sparked speculation that disconsolate Democrats and others might decide to start a new life in Canada, a land that tilts more to the left than the United States.
Would-be immigrants to Canada can apply to become permanent resident, a process that often takes a year. The other main way to move north on a long-term basis is to find a job, which requires a work permit.
But please spare the sob stories.
Asked whether an applicant would be looked upon more sympathetically if they claimed to be a sad Democrat seeking to escape four more years of Bush, Iadinardi replied: "There would be no weight given to statements of feelings."
Canada is one of the few major nations with an large-scale immigration policy. Ottawa is seeking to attract between 220,000 and 240,000 newcomers next year.
"Let's face it, we have a population of a little over 32 million and we definitely need permanent residents to come to Canada," said Iadinardi. "If we could meet (the 2005) target and go above it, the more the merrier."
But right now it is too early to say whether the increased interest will result in more applications.
"There is no unusual activity occurring at our visa missions (in the United States). Having someone who intends to come to Canada is not the same as someone actually putting in an application," said Iadinardi.
"We'll only find out whether there has been an increase in applications in six months."
The waiting time to become a citizen is shorter for people married to Canadians, which prompted the birth of a satirical Web site called www.marryanamerican.ca.
The idea of increased immigration by unhappy Americans is triggering some amusement in Canada. Commentator Thane Burnett of the Ottawa Sun newspaper wrote a tongue-in-cheek guide to would-be new citizens on Friday.
"As Canadians, you'll have to learn to embrace and use all the products and culture of Americans, while bad-mouthing their way of life," he said.
let them get the hell out. you didnt see republicans running for the border when bill clinton won. what a bunch of losers.
Boy, the media is having a hard time coping, aren't they...
I can only hope more than the number reported in this article are on their way to Toronto right now ...
We could be twice the country with half the people IMO.
Yes - let them leave!
Just go already!!!! Geesh!!!
As long as they surrender their citizenship too so they can't vote for Hillary in 2008, they can go.
Glad someone identified that giant sucking sound on our internet connections.
Don't let the door hit ya on the way out1
Maybe Bush can work some kind of deal out with the Canadians that will allow special treatment for out defecting Democrats. If nothing else, I'd suggest that we work out some kind of deal where a Democrat can switch countries with a Canadian. That way, there is no net migration either way, and everyone is happy.
O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!
From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
To these people, party is obviously more important than country. Why is it impolite to question these people's patriotism?
BYE-BYE
Bahaha! Have fun, libs. Enjoy the cold!
Interesting.
I wonder what Mexico's immigration site is looking like?
I hope they're not waiting for us to beg them to stay!!
DON'T LET THE DOOR HIT YA WHERE THE GOOD LORD SPLIT YA!
THERE'S NO CRYING IN POLITICS!
Geez! At 250K/yr, we'd export 1mill libs to
Canada by the next election! Lets go for it!!!
Hell, maybe we could turn Canada into a Lib
hotbed!!! And they could rant and spew
from Canada all they wanted while we win
election after election.
I can dream, can't I?
MV
They leave the country after losing the national debate... and then wonder why we question their patriotism.
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