Posted on 11/05/2004 8:56:34 PM PST by Toidylop
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'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.
This is at least the third time this has been posted. The search function is your friend.
Buh bye, traitors.
I, for one, will NOT be sorry to see you go.
Posted like three times already.
Lefties trying to stampede out? Let 'em - although I get a kick out of the news Canada is telling 'em to wait in line!
Now you knwo what that giant sucking sound is on your internet connection: a back vacuum.
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.
Just walk across..... the border is open.
Can we post the bus schedules to Quebec?
What is the problem if something is posted more than once?
Is there anything we can do to help them leave?
GO ALREADY!
I just returned from New Zealand, another country the libs are talking about retreating to. Got some bad news for them:
New Zealand doesn't take just anyone. You've got to have:
a) A college degree or professional license;
b) A job offer or >$50,000 to invest in a business.
There are other requirements, but the point is clear: just showing up on New Zealand's doorstep as a "George Bush Refugee" will get you a door slammed in your face.
......
Um...that it's pointless and annoying?
That's ok. It still sounds good! :)
Don't go to Canada. It's too much like the U.S. It's the Neanderthal Valley that you want. You'll feel so at home there!
pls pass around to all liberals ...... pls leave
Interesting, the same folks who encourage illegal immigration here, seek to follow the laws to immigrate to another country. If they had any integrity at all they'd sneak across the border or hire a smuggler to get them into Canada. Mexicans move to America for jobs, opportunity, and access to our social services. Americans are now moving to Canada for higher taxes and access to their social services? I wonder how many Americans will cross the border before the Canadians figure out they cannot support all of the dead weight? Illegal or not, Mexicans at least look for jobs when they get here as opposed to the American liberals who plan to move to Canada. lol
And, let's require them to give up their citizenship, huh?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.