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Born and raised in Ontario, from immigrant parents. What I can say is Toronto was holding on before the pandemic and once it hit things fell apart. Parts of Toronto look like a Batman movie. What's wrong with Toronto? People who live in the city don't want to pay higher property tax like every other municipality surrounding it, so they can't pay for everything. Maintenance is neglected, very few rental buildings being built, a safe injection site at a tourist area (Younge-Dundas Sq) isn't really smart. Add the fact Canada was coasting on a good reputation internationally, so all types of people coming here seeking refugee status, which fine we are compassionate helpful people but at a certain point its too many people. Things aren't being run to benefit people and improve their lives, it more feels like we're patching things with duct tape and saying its fixed.

Been in Canada for approximately 25 years. I can say that the effect that Canada has on a legal immigrant is neither here nor there. If you can make lemonade out of any lemon you’re dealt, you will thrive in Canada (and anywhere else where your efforts are not overwhelmingly quashed by corruption, blatant racism or other forms of segregation). \n \nLynn, I was a lecturer in Kenya, went back to school here in Canada after wallowing in culture shock the first year, then circled back to teaching in college again after an arduous journey in school, but this time in a different field. \n \nAfter becoming a single mother of four kids, I had to also hustle on the side to build a small business empire along my life’s ladder. Partnership with God, goal clarity, the get-up-and-go, and relentlessness truly work. It isn’t the size of the dog but the fight in the dog that does it, regardless of where you live. \n \nThe starting point for a new immigrant can be very low due to the weather, unpreparedness and culture shock, but if you know that the only way is up, and are self-motivated, those challenges are soon behind you as the tests become testimonies. \n \nBy comparison people have more human rights here regardless of their status. The wheels of justice grind slow but they do grind fine. Women and children have equal rights with men. Politicians are mostly there to serve not necessarily to exploit. \n \nOpportunities for self-development galore - including being trained to become employable and going to school at any age (sometimes for free while you are still at the bottom of the ladder). There are food banks so you never go hungry if it came to that. The disabled are better treated with dignity. \n \nThere are prolonged parental leaves for both moms and dads for up to 18 months. Commensurate with earnings, parents under certain thresholds are given Canada child tax benefits and other supplements for each child under 18 years of age. \n \nDepending on the number of kids and their ages, the money can add up handsomely. Not to mention that there’s no tuition to pay for primary and high school students. Tuition fees start at post-secondary level. \n \nTo see a doctor is free as it is paid for by taxes. It the meds that you and/or your insurance pays for. Some medical equipments may be paid for by either or both the individual/insurance and the government depending on eligibility. \n \nBy and large, there’s cleanliness of common spaces. There’s also safety and relative peace. At least wherever I have lived, I can’t tell you how many times I forgot to lock my door with impunity. \n \nThere’s a lot more stressful work here in my opinion, but like you said Lynn, systems work a lot more efficiently and effectively. \n \nThe elephant in the room is the extra hard work that those living abroad must put in to fulfil expectations back home. Also known as black tax, the overwhelming financial dependency of relatives on their diasporan loved ones places undue stress on many here, especially because there are no short cuts to getting money here. \n \nAnyway, Lynn, thanks for such a great topical issue you’ve shared. I have to stop here as I have written a lot. Hope this helps someone on this forum. \n \nAnd last but not least, you’ll be proud to hear that even though Canada has been good to me, my face may now be turning towards home to see how I can be of use to mama Africa. Super excited!

Born in the USA to one American parent and one Canadian parent, so I am (was) a dual citizen.\nMoved to Canada in the early 80's with my Canadian parent when they split up and while I missed the USA at first, Canada quickly became my new home and earlier this year, I renounced my US citizenship to become 100% Canadian.\nThe USA is (was) a great country, but no longer aligns with my values, especially over the last 6-7 years. It has become a very mean spirited nation that I no longer wanted to be associated with.\nTo me the choice is clear. Canada isn't perfect, but it's a much better place to live than the USA and in most categories the data backs that up.\n-Canada ranks higher on the Freedom Index than the USA does, so according to the Cato and Fraser Institutes, we're more free in Canada\n-Lower violent crime rates\n-Lower murder rates\n-MUCH lower gun crime rates\n-Better access to health care\n-Longer life expectancy\n-Higher quality of life\n-Lower infant mortality\n-Lower maternal mortality\n-Greater reproductive rights and healthcare for women\n-No crazy far right wingers\n\nBut the pizza is better in the USA, I'll give you that.

Finally a well appointed explanation of the situation. \n1 thing I really want to know the people who are protesting for Khalisthan from UK and Canada .. will they come back from these countries and live in Khalisthan (just imagine if Punjab is separated from India to become Khalisthan)?\nWhy there is so much protesting in those countries and there's a no-show in India ?, where it really should be . \nThis determines its all political.\nMere Sikh bhaiyo sadda India Tyada India !! (Don't know if the Punjabi is correct)\nJai Hind !!

Born and raised in Toronto. Established career. Can afford to live here. Can't afford a house unless because I can't spend over a million. Condo fees are ridiculous. TTC is not safe and condo parking spots cost over $10,000 plus $100 a month maintenance fee. All the things to do in the city are being torn down for unaffordable condos. I can afford to stay here but it is not worth it for what I get. I am looking to transfer my work credentials and move elsewhere. I mean leave Canada. It is not worth it now. Don't forget un-reasonable amounts of taxes as well.

it ws baba Gurudett singh .. \n\nand my grandpaa ws in the shipp .. we later settled in bangal .. after independence .. now i live in canada

My nana is from the UK originally and she has been living in Canada for 40+ years now and still has not become a Canadian citizen, not because she couldn't but because she never had to. She gave birth to my mom in Canada making my mom Canadian. I was born in the United States but since my mom was a Canadian citizen I was also a Canadian citizen. A lot of people like to bring up the housing crisis as a potential downside to having a bunch of immigrants but that just isn't the case. We have one of the lowest population densities of all of the countries in the world, and yet we all choose to live in high concentration areas and those that own the land in and around those concentrated areas know they can charge whatever they want because if you're not near the main 1-3 cities in your province it drastically cuts down on your land's value as far as housing goes so there is no incentive for anyone to build housing out there. Build more houses, we have the space. Figger it out.

My sister grew up in Toronto with her Mom while I was with our dad about an hour outside of the GTA. Even back in 2003 when I would come to visit my sister, or just go on class trips you could smell the city before you ever saw it... Torontonians had a bad reputation of thinking they were in the center of the universe, and it always just put me off of the city. It's not that I would ever want someone to not come to Canada... but there are just so many better places to live in Ontario, let alone the rest of the country... that why would you ever want to subject yourself to what T.O. has become?

this is hilarious, this guy is complaining about people working for money. go to nigeria and see what a hell hole it is. I would want to live in Canada instead of nigeria a 1000 times over. what a stupid video

It depends on where you live in Canada... i've never seen any homeless person in my city, anybody that is on the verge of falling gets taken cared of immediately. We have an amazing community with strategically placed community garden all around the city. Just walking around the city gave me enough stuff for a whole dinner. Great job opportunity with great bonuses for people coming. Just got a 10k bonus just because i stayed in my hometown after my college graduation.

I would much rather live in the USA, just way more things to do, can live in any climate I want, more fun, more outgoing people. People view America though the lens of the media, which only talks about the bad and people get brainwashed by this. No other country works so well with the amount of diversity America has (Canada is not close), it is a very tolerant country, we even broadcast individual instances of racism to the whole world, no other country does that. I make more money here, more opportunities. Just my opinion though, to each their own, I have a blast in America.

Hey Lynn, I pray that you are well, I live in Canada but currently in Kenya on ministry for about two months.\nHii stori ni mrefu, As you say, things are not easy everywhere, One has to do what is needed or required of them anywhere they live. Yes, it can be extremely hard in Canada but again, it can be the best direction one takes in life. \nThe question is not where you want to be, the question is always where does God want me to be. Maisha ni ya God. Good job and God bless.

I paid for my house including furnitures $24.500 in 1980 \nI live in the country in quebec where prices are much lower than elsewhere in canada, specially in big cities. \nNow it worth $400.000, So you can see how canada has deteriorated. \nThe same house would cost 1 million dollars in Toronto and 2 millions in Vancouver.

????? ok but im genuinely curious where the alternatives are. \nI live in Vancouver and can't see any other city in canada as an upgrade. US has alot of political and safety issues and housing is becoming just as bad. Australia's housing sucks. UK is having a housing and economic meltdown. Southern Europe has had a terrible economy for a while. That just leaves parts of South america/ asia and northern Europe. \nAnd south america or asia are only good with remote work. Im in Healthcare and cant work remotely. \nSeems like everywhere I look there is a problem. I might just van life it tbh

I live in the USA and my Nigerian friend who lived in Canada and recently relocated here claims that Canada is better and more family oriented. She is super educated and had moved to Canada on a student visa. \nShe likes it here though!

I want to live in Kenya. I have lived in Canada for 30 years. Canada is a lonely country, not easy to make friends at all. I was born in Europe and came to Canada. I had the same opportunities were I came from. I have always been interested in buying land. However, to buy land in Canada, it will never actually be yours. In Africa, if you were not born in any of the 54 countries, you can only lease the land. There is a big difference knowing that you can pass land on to your family , creating generational wealth. There are pros and cons in many things in life. Had I known then , what I know now, I would have stayed in Europe.

I live in Canada as a Kenyan and I have been here for sometime .I work as a HR/Payroll Specialist also certified in the field. The problem is not Canada , Canada is a very good county which I love and I am gland God gave me the Opportunity to Come and settle here with my family.. The problem with some people coming here is lacking of knowledge how Canada works .It’s system is very far from how things work in Dubai or Gulf countries. A lot people are thinking than you can just come and get any job even without proper papers or you can earn a lot of money and then build wealth quickly. Which is A BIG FAT LIE. The tax in Canada keeps you humble. That is how Canada funds it's high end life many admire and want to be part of. The more you work in Canada the more tax you pay and many don't know this, and it is one of the main reasons why a lot of people start to regrets, because they realize there effort of working hard is not paying as they hoped. Another thing in Canada is next to impossible to get jobs or rent a place without proper paper work, like work permit, It is not like USA where you can use someone else papers to work. the The main available jobs , easy to get , don’t pay much. And also the cost of living is very high in some provinces like Ontario and BC. They hardly recognize credentials from outside unless you came through a job offer. Also because a lot of things in Canada are paid by the government through taxes, like health care, education. Unless you are tax paper with (and I repeat) Paper work, you cant access the benefit, including thee free food available for the needy. \nMany people forget Canada is looking for people to work for them. Not to grow rich and leave. The system is meant to keep you working. Unless you understand how a system of a country works, one will continue to blame it. Let people get well informed and well educated first , before they jump in the river. And it’s not Canada a lone , but any country in the world. Also a lot of these media post about Canada are misleading. And there is also another trap called debt, a lot of people once they getting working, rush to but things they cant afford and it becomes a stress instead of a blessings.\nIf you want to live well and enjoy Canada . One of the top thing to do is, go back to school once you enter in it, get a good education and you will get a good job. Also give yourself time to adjust. REMEMBER you are starting from square one. You are not continuing where you left in Kenya or in the country you get from. Also, the general social climate is not as friendly as those in USA for example. Not many people are willing to help for free. The most jobs advertised in Canada are the lower end paying jobs, which a lot of people pay a lot of money to come for, just to realize the job they left behind was far much better than this, but no one told them that, just because it said $18 hrs and you converted it to your country and looked a lot, doesnt mean it carries the same wait once you earn in from here. The living expense are very different. The reality is, it is not where you are , but whom you are and determination knows no barrier. Anyone who will trust God for help, work hard/smart and be patience in life, they will make. It might take longer than they expect, but they will get their eventually.

@Lynn I’m Kenyan- Canadian. I’ve lived in for 24 yrs! It’s not a terrible place to work & live. Life here is all about your life style, I choose to work hard & play smart, I’ve managed to invest here in properties. Although it took me almost 10 yrs of working hard two jobs to achieve that! In short if you’re coming to ?? leave the party life style behind! Here no one has time for sherehe. Canada is extremely cold & long winters causes depression & loneliness. I tend to take couple holidays during winter ti break free from long dark days. Also remember self care is non negotiable. You have to look after your self it’s super important.

Basic tip : if you travel legally, with the right channels into Canada you will not have to struggle. The government will even ensure you are getting support while at it. Once you 'cheat' your way in please expect repurcussions. The canadian government is as transparent as you'd like it to be. I came here with no agent, followed the guidelines from the government immigration website, got a visitors visa for 6months, immediately applied for temporary workers visa got it within 45days, upgraded to permanent residency and got it within 60days. My point is usidanganye kwa makaratasi. Where its not clear what they are asking, they will walk you through it. Am now a citizen bila hustles. Once you breach the guidelines of Canada immigrations don't expect mteremko. The laws here are the most friendliest and yes Canada is made of immigrants. If you can come please do it the right way. Wacheni kulipa agents your savings jameni. Agents live off your hard earned money and they provide no guarantees. You are protected when you do the right thing huku. Currently Alberta is loking for pharmacists, nurses, doctors and caregivers for kindergarten age. Its all on the website for Alberta government. Its straight forward. Bottom line do not expect magic to happen. Once you make into Canada you must get a mind shift, Be willing to start over and have laser line focus. Hukuu hakuna party after party ni kazi after kazi. Hata we don't know our neighbours..

Lynn, this Canada thing is a common sense thing. Same reason a Tanzanian will not come to kenya to sell tomatoes on the streets due to high competition on the field. Any country you move to it depends on what you will go to do and who will help you get on your feet. Canada is extremely beautiful and one can prosper extremely well financially compared to kenya BY FAR! But you can’t come from the village and land in Toronto and wait for a job and opportunity to come get you from the airport! Am very honest. I live abroad, in one of the richest countries in the world and believe me, I have seen even their own citizens suffering economically. Why? What are their skills and plans and expectations? I read somewhere, with all the wealth in the world, if all was to be shared equally to every one the universe, the rich will become rich and the poor poor -again. So a kenyan should first plan who they will live with for atleast a year while they get on their feet, put their hustle mood on n be willing to take any jobs, plus get out of the mentality that one must be in a big city! Other places outside cities really have low costs of life and offer more opportunities. Just saying

I have lived in Canada since 2000. My dream is to go back to Kenya and live there. We lived in Toronto for ten years and it wasn't easy for our parents to make ends meet. I moved to Alberta in 2011 and I am so happy that I moved here when I did. We live well. My husband and I are into trades and we thank God for taking good care of our family. It is getting harder here since Trudeau became the prime minister. Food, gas, clothes. housing everything has gone up and you need a good job and have legit papers. The grass isn't always greener on the other side

Hi Lynn. First of, I would like to say that I'm such a huge fan of yours. Since you started at Tuko and still following to date. You are an inspiration to me and so many people out there. I love and respect what you stand for and your work. I completely resonate with everything you are about. Second, I've lived in Canada for over 30 years now. I am Eritrean and was born in Kenya. Moved to Canada when I was about 9 and have lived here since with my family. I have to say that for us, Canada has been a God Send. It has helped us in so many ways, and we are so grateful for the opportunities and life it has given my family. From health care to schooling and job opportunities. We also cane here in 1989. So times and cost of living was very different than it is now. Of course, times have changed now, and the economy and standard of living have too. There are pros and cons to everywhere we live in the world. Everyone is different and has different experiences. There are various factors that may affect everyone's perspectives and experiences when they come to Canada, whether it was a long time ago or recently. Some factors could be, weather, economy, feeling lonely ( no family), language barriers, support...etc. Change is not easy at all and can affect t your whole emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being. Social life here is also not like it us back home...just alot of factors. People here work and work to make it. My mom brought us here as a single widowed mom. My sister and I were very young. But she was determined to give us a better life and worked her whole life, and it has paid off. It depends on how you look at everything and what your goal is. My mother was determined and made it happen and has raised us on her own very successfully. She loves Canada and appreciates it for everything it has done for us. Everyone's experiences are different. You have to do your research before coming and come with an open mind. Overall... Canada for us has been a blessing. \n\nI hope that helps somehow. But again, everyone's perspective and experiences are just as valid and rightfully so. \n\nI hope to meet you someday. Love you, Lynn, From Canada ?? ❤️

I think it's a matter of where someone's blessings are. We have people who go there and are successful and probably live there, we have those who go there maybe for further studies but end up working in their home countries. We have others who don't go there at all they make it in life in their respective countries. I think one thing that people need to figure out is , if this dorbst work, what else can i do and where else can I go before I waste so much time on something that is not working. \nSi ata wewe Lynn ulikua majuu and here you are living your purpose in your own country...\nSo people should gree to make changes especially their beliefs that when you go to Canada you must make it there and therefore you stay there for so long and by the time you realize that place ain't for you, you've wasted so much and you start regretting..

Same here in Montreal used to love this city still do but post C19 everything changed like everywhere housing crisis, politics, the cultural center it user to be changed maybe its just looking at it now at the start of my 30s compared to when i moved here from Europe and Central Africa at the start of my 20s. Met friends i have for life, got great professional opportunities lived in nice places great food in the city. Now everything is just super expensive now and i know toronto is must be ever crazier. Im considering moving back to France or Switzerland to be closer to my family and friends and also be close to Gabon easier to visit than here constantly taking 4 plains round trip everytime i go back home. After losing my father last year getting divorced 3 years ago i think my time here is done. 14yrs here i became an adult here had amazing experiences, became a canadian citizen but its just not the same anymore. Time for a new adventure somewhere else. We used to live well even back as a student on minimum wage, now with a better career good salary we’re struggling. Breaks my heart seeing this all over canada.

I have a chronic pain disability. I can't even fathom trying to manage that in the US healthcare system. Like Tyler mentioned, that alone is enough of a reason for me. 2 party system is also a hard no (even though it hurts that we're not much better right now). Gun culture is a no for me, it's not an environment I care to be a part of. I hesitate to use safety at school as an example because I remember when Taber followed on the heels of Columbine (I was in grade 9 that year). There's a lot up here in Canada that we need to improve, but with what I value as a Canadian I certainly would feel like I was downgrading if I moved to the US. Heck, as an Albertan even moving to another province would feel like a downgrade to me since I have no PST where I live, we're rat free, I live within an hour of the Rocky Mountains, etc.

Southern Ontario is ugly as F**k, I was born here and have seen all the woodlands marshes and especially small streams and creeks disappear over the past 50 years. You have to drive a fair distance north to find an appealing landscape even driving to Niagra falls is a big disappointment now that it has become a giant shi*hole of overcrowded tikky takky shops and motels.Everyone thinks Canada is this huge country with tons of beautiful spaces to live while in reality 75% of the country is uninhabitable for farming or houseing which is shown in the rates of low inhabitants living farther north. 90% of Canadians live within a 1 to 2 hour drive of the U.S border for a reason because there is very little livable places to live in Canada if you don't want to live like an Eskimo. There are vast amounts of places to visit in the north in the summer time but to visit not to live. That leads to the question of why is Canada incentivizing peoples from more tropical climates to immigrate to a nation that is frozen 6 or 7 months a year which i think can lead to a lot of immigrants dealing with depression, its hard enough for the people born here but thats never discussed for fear of imprisonment by the government The government had 2 choices to which way to go in this country, the first was to find a way to pay for all the older citizens through CPP and OAS payments in the next 25 years which ment higher taxes and less money for the elderly citizens and the 2nd was mass very mass immigration to pay for these programs and in doing so turned the country into a place where no one can find a doctor no one can find or afford a place to live,cities have become overcrowed because they were not given the time to adjust thier infrastrutures to deal with all the new people and voila you have a giant shithole of a country.

I am not racist but just stating a fact during an observation. I live in Coquitlam. a city connected to Vancouver BC by another city Burnaby. I went to my local blood clinic for testing, it was very busy with long wait times of over 6 hours but I thought I would try anyway. As I took my number and was standing against the wall waiting as their were no seats I took note that out of 38 people I was the only caucasian, the other 37 were 100 percent Asian. I could have easily thought I was in a clinic in Beijing. This is my country, born and raised here from many generations of europeans. When I was young there was more diversity of cultural backgrounds but it has changed in that one culture totally dominates . That is not cultural mix it is a takeover by one particular culture. Why is immigration Canada allowing so many of one culture compared to other cultures? As a taxpayer I expect immigration should be well thought out and to not favour one culture over another yet in Vancouver area that is happening.

They need to stop calling it a “housing crisis” and start regulating real estate to the degree that people can afford to live indoors. It is really a domestic humanitarian crisis. \nAnd I am confounded about what they expect immigrants to do when they get to Canada or the US in this situation. \nThis type of government negligence is rife in the the west today. I hope we can look past party affiliation and focus on policies that make sense for everyone.

I am living in Europe now, but my application to move to Canada was approved last year after a three-year wait. But my cousin, who is currently living in Albany, upstate New York, told me not to make the move. He said it is a bad time to move to North America right now, be it the US or Canada.\n\nLiberal governments had destroyed both countries, he said, and the current Canada is no longer the Canada that I made the application to move to.\n\nBut the life in Europe now is quite depressing as well, cost-wise. Things are so expensive that I have to spend 40% monthly more to maintain the usual lifestyle than I had 3 years ago. I guess it is almost the same everywhere, except that homelessness is not such a huge problem in Europe since most European countries still have proper social system.\n\nWorse comes to worst, I'll just pack my stuff and head back to Malaysia, my wife's home country where I used to live for 8 years in the mid-2000s.

Hi Alina can you tell us where to live in Canada and elsewhere that's better. I've been living in a Bachelor apartment for 12 years now in midtown Toronto I pay 966$ a month, now the same apartment is priced at 1600$ a month this is insane :( the new generation has no chance only those who built there wealth before 2012 are having it good.

I can confirm that there's really nothing in Canada. They have no jobs and the Jobs they give to Black Immigrants in particular, whether you have a degree or not, are generally seasonal summer jobs in warehouses, working with plastic injection molding machines. When winter arrives, you get laid of until the next summer and the cycle continues. It was the first place l learnt that racially motivated official murder of Black People by White Police Officers is standard practice in the United States, because it's also a practice in Canada but not as rampant as it is in the United States. \n\nI just don't know who is spreading this false and deceptive information or understand why we're being bombarded worldwide with ads about Canada wanting immigrants to come over for jobs. China and Japan have more and better jobs than Canada. Even Germany in Europe has more jobs as well. Do people just think that Canada has as much job as the US just because it's in North America and shares a border with the US? We might as well assume same about Mexico. You can't pay me enough to ever live in the west, ever again. From Europe all the way to North America because of the level of racism compared with other continents of the world

I have had a home base in Toronto for the last 20 years, traveling almost consistently for work until covid hit. While I am not a fan of the city tbh, I have stuck it out there this whole time as I have not been able to figure out where else in Canada I'd rather live. The way things have gone in the last little while however, I'm now making plans to leave Canada altogether. Even though I am unaffected by high housing costs as I've owned a home in the city, the general cost of living across Canada is now extortionate for what you get. Toronto was fine for me to use as a base for my traveling lifestyle in the past, but with crappy weather much of the year, a left leaning electorate that keeps voting ultra woke politicians at all levels of government, the now increased cost of living there is no longer worth it to me. I'm headed for the exit. All this said, I don't feel that your coverage about crime in the city was balanced. Yes the news stories you used actually did happen, but I do not feel unsafe in the city. A handful of incidents in a city with the population of Toronto - this is a blip.

Uhhh that was a shocker, thanks for sharing this. Vancouver is ten times worse, what I have seen through YouTube videos. Then through the fires in BC and Alberta many people are now homeless and displaced. The housing crises has now gotten unmanageable. For us Canadians who would love to return to Canada, since I got away from my abuser, it is impossible. I'm very discouraged and hopeless, and believe we might never return to Canada to live. It is absolutely shocking how the country has changed for the worse under the Trudeau Government.

I am so happy to be able to live, in my language and in my culture, in the magnificent city of Quebec. I'm not rich, but I have a magnificent three-story residence there in a beautiful neighborhood where vegetation abounds, where crime is almost non-existent, and above all where my daughter also lives with my grandson!\nIt would never occur to me to move to Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver or any other large Canadian city. On the other hand, I could do it in almost any human-scale city in Canada, the United States or Europe. Everyone to his own tastes !

Like you, I recently returned to Canada from living in Asia for years. I moved back to Vancouver, and the changes here were immense as well. Basically, the exact same issues Toronto is facing; unbelievably high prices, frayed social fabric, homelessness, crime. I had some pretty severe reverse culture shock coming from Seoul where you'd see none of this (Korea has its own unique issues though).\nI've decided to stick it out as my wife and I can make it work for now, but wouldn't recommend young Canadians, international students, TFWs or anyone who's trying to get a start on their professional life to come here. It's about as uninviting a place for your career as its ever been. Expect to live with two or three strangers in a one bedroom working at a job with low pay.\n\nIt sucks to see how far Canada has fallen. I never thought I'd see it in this state, but here we are.

I live down the 401 from Toronto. Visited it many, many times since I was a kid. It has definitely changed, but as you say, the changes (not for the better) have accelerated over the last 10 years or so. The traffic is crazy almost every day now with accidents that lead to unbelievable congestion. One can no longer guarantee that one can get to any appointment on time.\n\nYour assessment is balanced but honest, Alina. Although you are lucky to be able to work remotely, you should look for someplace that has good travel connections. Unfortunately, in Canada, that usually leads to the most expensive cities. Good luck in your search for a cozy, affordable travel hub! (It may not ultimately be in Canada :(

Winnipegger here who lived in Toronto 2014-2020, moved back to Wpg 2020-2021 and is now back in Toronto. \n\nFirst and foremost, your comments on crime are inconsistent with the data and blown out of proportion. I suggest viewers take a look at StatsCan’s crime severity index which confirms that Ontario is the safest province or territory in Canada (safer than PEI lol). There are also scores for cities and Toronto is safer than almost every other Canadian city, safer than even Ottawa or Calgary, twice as safe as Vancouver, nearly three times safer than Winnipeg. If we start comparing to US cities, it would be even more shocking. Suffice to say, Toronto is not only safe, but it’s the safest major city in Canada and one of the safest major cities on earth. \n\nThe homelessness crisis has certainly gotten a lot worse, sadly. As has the cost of living, but you get what you pay for.\n\nHaving travelled to 35 countries (doesn’t mean I’m an expert, but I have some experiences in other places), I respectfully disagree and think Toronto is one of the greatest cities. It’s one of the greenest cities in this continent, safe, on the lake, super close to other major cities, great infrastructure (relative to Canadian cities anyway), it’s beautiful and there’s a ton to do, not to mention the diversity. \n\nDon’t be turned off by this, if you can afford it, it’s one of the best places you could live on this planet.

Well, where to begin Ms McLeod. \nFirstly I couldn't agree more, Toronto is now a mere shadow of its former self. It's a shit-hole actually, unless you have the significant wealth to live behind the iron gates of the Bridle Path, Forest Hill or Rosedale. \nSecondly, the increase in crime is a direct correlation to unfettered and unchecked immigration policies of Liberal socialist governments who continually keep the flood gates open for the undesirable and criminal elements who bring their mentality from off-shore. \nThirdly, the lack of public resources for those suffering from mental health issues is a direct correlation to the disastrous policies in the 1970's of closing of virtually every institution in Canada who dealt with those who needed help. We were told the institutions were trampling on the rights and freedoms these Canadians. Today, there is simply no where for those to turn for help. And politicians of every stripe don't want to touch the issue with a 10-foot pole. Have a look at Vancouver's Downtown East Side - it is an apocalypse of a horrible social experiment gone wrong. The same is happening in Toronto, and even my hometown not far down the 401. \nFourthly, inflation and excessive income tax is a silent killer of hopes, dreams, aspirations and communities. \nI applaud your decision to look elsewhere for your new home base!

Thanks Alina, that was very informative. I've never been to Toronto before, but it was a place I am considering visiting someday. So far, where are some places in Canada would you recommend to live?

I am an immigrant from South Africa here in Edmonton since June of 2023. What the brother is saying is true. Canadians make no room for the human element in the workplace/environment. Everything is based on productivity at the expense of your humanity. They also treat workers as very expendable and disposable. The fact that they import so many foreign workers to do certain jobs is perhaps a reason why born Canadians no longer want to put up with the exploitation (I don't know if this is the true reason though).\n\nCanada is very convenient, and public services and infrastructure are amazing compared with South Africa. But the rest of the culture is very sterile. Tim Hortons, Starbucks, and Ice Hockey are considered cultural identities. Maybe the older generations had a distinctive culture, but most Canadians of today's are only interested in consumerism and the car lifestyle. If you are looking for people with warmth and depth, you will most likely find it with fellow immigrants (and maybe the poor and marginalized communities of Canada).\n\nCanada is a very safe country, and South Africa may not be worth it for me to return to. But the strongest element I thought for coming to Canada was that people here appreciated life and each other. This is not true. Canada is 'stable and happy' because the people are intoxicated by the comfort that material wealth provides the individual (despite all their complaints and problems, most Canadians still lead very comfortable and easy lives). Take away their comfort and materialism, and they won't know who they are. They won't know how to stand together either since they have been so strongly conditioned to live for themselves as individuals.\n\nCanadians are known for their politeness and friendliness, and this is true. But there is a big difference between politeness and kindness (and being genuine). Canadians are not kind.\n\nMy opinion is obviously limited and biased. I am sure there are wonderful and pleasant exceptions. But I will still limit these as exceptions. \n\nThink hard before choosing Canada (and perhaps also the USA). Unless you have a strong community to support you here, it will be a lonely and alienating experience.

Canada is NOT a good place to live, I've been here four years and I am still struggling, jobs are not very good, not well paid, and the only thing you can at is retail or coffee shops. \nMost people here are over educated and compete for the few good jobs there are. Healthcare is a disaster. I thought it was just me, but I already know at least nine people in my situation.

The fact that Tyler is surprised at how many people bring up school shootings as a reason to stay away from the US is a scary indication of how much this type of violence has become normalized. I'm Canadian and throughout my professional life I've spent time working in the US. In fairness, I've met some truly great people. Also in fairness, religion seeps into US politics in ways that it never does in Canada and never in a good way. Christian fundamentalism is a scary reality of US life intent as it is on heaping hate on sexual minorities and taking away rights wherever they are allowed to. An additional point, but this one is only an irritant, is how ignorant so many Americans are about the world. At any rate, I'm retired and live with advanced kidney disease and a pacemaker. For those reasons alone I couldn't afford to live in the US. Thankfully, my country takes good care of me and my provincial government (Québec) even covers most of the cost of my expensive prescription drugs.

And, here I am not knowing why I immigrated to Canada from India amid this chaos, but, I feel safe and secure that I atleast have an option to return back to my home country and live a peaceful and fulfilling life whereas these people who are born Canadians have no choice and have to suffer. It's pity what their own people and government did to them. Also, why are the youth so much into drugs and bad habits??? I mean, it is not good when the younger population instead of investing their time and energy in the better of the society have to do such horrible acts to further increase the homelessness.

Simple...live to work vs work to live....as Canadian born visible minority...I can confirm no matter where you move in Canada it will all be the same story.....The systemic racism is very real but more about bullying. Its so passive that you never know when it hits you until you think deep about it. I read the comments about regret....and I totally agree, about the life back home. So I will tell you this. If you really miss back home, save up, let your kids finish their education and move back home and enjoy your life that you always wanted. Canada is not for everyone...and the move you stay disgruntle about everyday life....its no living...

There is too much tax in canada and the return of benefits is very low comparwd to other developed advanced countries \n\nThe education and health sector is the worst \n\nPublic transport too expensive and not available in many areas \nAnd i am talking of grater toronto area \n\nAnd southwest ontario \nThe heart of canada \n\nIf we move slightly west or north of this area \n\nGod knows how these people are coping with that \n\nIt was easier for them to live away from cities \nBecauss of cheap land and housing \nAnd cheap fuel prices \nThey have their own cars and it was very affordable to drive long distance \n\nThe goods were not expensive \nSo overall the did not need \nPublic transport in many areas \n\nBut now with increasing housing coloniesb and infrastructure \nWith increasing population \n\nAnd increasing car and fuel prices \nBank loan interests \n\nPublic transport is needed and needed at affordable prices \n\nMobile phone networks \nInternet \nIs expensive too expensive \n\nIf you earn good you dont feel it \nBut low income and part timers \nStudents feel the high rate \n\n\nAllowing skilled people especially in health sector education sector and office administration is a must \n\nHospitals dont have the staff \nDont have doctors \nClinics dont have doctors and staff \n\nU dont find a family doctor for months or even longer \nAnd \nEven if find one \nHe stays not for long and leaves \n\nIf u r sucking taxes like blood sucking parasites \nThis is not going to last very long \n\nU have to provide if u take high rate of taxes \nU cannot let people wait for hours in emergency \n\nFor months to get an specialiat appointment \nFor months to get a medical test like ct scan ultrasound etc \n\nEven under developed countries \nAre providing the option for health tests and private treatment \nWhich is even paid by governments to certains extent \n\nI am totally disappointed in canada as developed country \n\nLow salaries \nExploiting immigrants as cheap labor \n\nStudents as cheap labor and rent payers \n\nEducation expensive \n\nHealth care almost not available \n\nBank interest rate high \n\nIts an bank interest binding economy\n\nWhich doesnt want the people tonget out of the financial cycle of paying interest and mortgages\n\nIn other words you have mortgaged ur life ur everthing to the financial institutes \n\nAnd u think u are free and rich\nBut are a slave \nA robot\nWho is controlled by the big sharks of the industry \nAnd the government

Canada isn’t worth it but I’d still choose Canada than my home country of South Africa. But I’m lucky to live in Vienna Austria and it would be so hard to swop that for any other country because it is just amazing. I’d probably move to Switzerland if I was forced to, but that is absolutely it. Nothing else comes close to me. ???

All the things he is saying are part of quality of life - safe and clean environment, more opportunities, respect based on human being whether you are poor or rich, individual rights, less exploitation, gender neutral society, less discrimination and many others i can mention, so please remind what were the things which were not good, you have to work anywhere now, world is very competitive now and its no longer about becoming rich by doing normal job its about living in better place,, that is my aim i always wanted to live in good place even if i earn less.. also a poor person has no security in India he will face problems from rich to police to administration, and about Canada because every Tom dick and harry has moved to canada.. tum wahan pe kaam rahe ho or crore kharch kar rahe ho , mujhe ek baat bata india main koi start karega to 5 crore main kitna time lagega,,.. achi skill. what a joke,, 10th pass se aage tum parna nahi chahte ho to skill ke baat kar rahe ho ......or india main aish isliye hai ke tum kuch bhi kar lo or paise de ke sab ok ...also bhai is only talking abt blue collar jobs, it depends what skills you have to contribute..

EVERY country has racism.. and in Canada it is not usually the White people who are the most Racist.. Chinese and India-n people are very racist. Try going to Surrey and you will experience some Racist Indians. I live in the Prairies and it is definitely less racist than West Coast BC, Montreal and Toronto regions.

It”s cold sleep outside in Canada, because the temperature is low. Why not government build some more houses for those poor people live inside? Since Canada has huge vast space and enormous forest, so wood is not problem . It’s been said Canada is a welfare country, I was shocked to know so many people sleep in the cold outside . Crazy ! Capitalism country! ?

Beware of the single narrative. He’s speaking from his own experience, but it’s not the same as everybody’s. I’ve lived in Canada now for 4 years…got my citizenship this year. I lived in Nigeria for the 10 years prior to moving to Canada, and I also schooled and lived in the UK before that, so I speak with a wealth of diverse experiences. \n\nBefore you move to Canada or anywhere else for that matter, do the following:\n\n1. Research the country you’re moving to…what jobs are in demand, how that aligns with your qualifications…if you need to recertify or retrain in a different field. Many people move here thinking “oh I was a bank manager in Nigeria, so I’ll move here and become a bank manager”. It doesn’t work that way. The streets of Canada are littered with qualified medical doctors who drive Uber because they didn’t understand how difficult it would be to be certified to practice here.\n\n2. Find role models who are living the life you aspire to, or who have made similar moves and seek advice or guidance, and learn what they did right/wrong. Don’t just assume because your friend moved here, you can also move here and live the same life. You don’t share the same life experiences, history or have the same network.\n\n3. Before you immigrate physically, you have to immigrate mentally…be in the right mindset to live in a new country, understand their culture and learn to adapt. If you’re expecting to leave Nigeria and move to Canada to live a Nigerian lifestyle with “owambe” parties every weekend, or having 4 cars and 3 housemaids, then you’re still living in Nigeria mentally. Even Justin Trudeau does not drive 4 cars.\n\nI work in tech, so I knew that with God’s grace I’d find a way to succeed here. My wife worked in a Nigerian bank, and was able to transition to tech after we arrived here. Our combined annual income is roughly $500k, and we both work less than 40 hours a week, and I believe God will continue to bless us. I have easily 20 or 30 friends and colleagues who moved within a year or two of each other, and everyone is doing fine and working in tech jobs paying 6-figures. \n\nDon’t be discouraged by people’s failures and hardships. With the right planning and mindset, you can achieve your goals in any country. Reach out to people on LinkedIn, build a network and ask for advice (constructively)…many like us are more than willing to help.