Close Reading

As a Canadian moving to the U.S, I can tell you for sure that Canada is a divided country headed for economic ruin. We lose at everything, we cannot build projects without unbearable red tape, approve any energy projects or really provide any economic value at this point. Canada is the only First world country that is headed backwards towards third world country status. I love this country, it has all the raw ingredients (Great people, Fun culture, Endless resources to extract) and we still manage to fail at the federal level. Take it from a born and raised Canadian who is being forced out of my own country.

As a Canadian born in Toronto and still living there. It was so much better in the 80s and 90s. The liberal government has ruined this country in the last 8 years. Don’t come. It’s too expensive. Immigrants come to cities especially Toronto. There is nothing but low minimum wage jobs for you. If you can line up a great paying job and housing before you move, then do it. If not you are going to struggle. My Uber drivers are doctors and engineers in their country. If you’re thinned skinned or have any anxiety forget it. Sorry for the blunt truth. I love living here but I’ve been lucky.

I was born and raised on the east coast of Canada, lived in Vancouver and visited Montréal Edmonton, Calgary with the acception of Winnipeg I’ve seen every major city in Canada. \n\nI will always have pride for my country and love for my family there but it has changed dramatically since 2010.\n \nI will say the transportation in Canadian cities are better and so is the crime and the food but you have to drive a minimum of an hour to get anywhere outside the city, your not leaving that city without a car and good luck surviving without a car outside the city, and VIA rail is way overpriced. The GO train is nice though.\n\nLiving in America it has changed a lot since covid too though people are a lot more desperate and you can feel it but people are too prideful to admit, where in Canada people are struggling and they dress and look terrible and fail to dress nice because there is less prideful.\n\nCanadians are not nice people they are passive aggressive and will not got out of their way to help you most of the time (modern day) kind of like Californians.\nThe east coast Americans are rude and trashy but they will help you if you show respect. There just no fun to be around mostly ? overall North Americans are chauvinistic.\n\nJobs are harder to get in Canada and opportunity isn’t there, but it is very relaxed.\nAmerica is overcrowded and stressful especially for a Canadian.\nMontréal is cheap rent great food, and being personally bilingual I like the French, but there infrastructure is terrible and the people are depressed and disgustingly rude and they have no customer service.\n\nVancouver is overpriced in every way possible, beautiful city, great seafood but it’s not worth the price tag, you would be better of living in a San Francisco, the crime in Richmond and burnaby and new Westminster and hasting street is just as bad as San Francisco’s tenderloin.\n\nToronto is big and fun yet it doesn’t feel Canada at all, it feels like it’s been hijacked by American and foreign companies. It’s beautiful but lots of rats and bad traffic. People are relatively nicer there but it’s still expensive like New York.\nCalgary is very pretty probably my favorite, it’s just cold AF and kinda pricey. Probably perfect for families.\nEdmonton is flat and boring but I like it’s proximity to Calgary ?\nOverall it’s one of the best countries to live in the west but if you like fast paced, opportunity, diversity, traveling and are rich enough for elite education then come to America. Lastly Canada is a democracy so bills can be passed faster but that can also be a bad thing if you have a courrupt gov’t, cough cough trudeau.\nAmerica is a republic so it is harder to pass laws which can suck but it is also harder for people like uncle joe to overreach. Overall in America you are more free but in Canada you are more at peace. \n\nI’ve lived in America for six years and moved here at 20yrs so this is just my experience.

I’m traveling rn, so I talk to a lot of internationals about the pros and cons of American. The greatest pros would be we are definitely the land of opportunity, so if you want make a lot of money there’s no country better. The people also have this optimism about the future that’s not as prevalent around the world, and the country is very diverse which means you can find a state that matches you want. However the downsides would be the stark wealth inequality, and lackluster healthcare. The polarization between the left and right, and the crazy urban sprawl which you never get used to.\n I think the inequality is due to us having this bootstraps mentality when it comes to success. Whenever I tell other Americans how lucky I am they’re quick to say that it’s all due to my worth ethic, but life is a lot more nuanced. Regardless I still love my country, and can’t see myself living anywhere else. ??

I know that the actions seen out here in the video is kind of an extrem, but I believe whatever measures were taken it was for the welfare of keeping everybody safe in which my Sikh brother had no bad intentions but it was all an honest mistake.  According to my understanding he could've worn the Kripan under his T-shirt.. no disrespect to nobody but I'm here with all my Love and Respect to all.. \nAnd He being out of India.. people might have heard or know about Sikhism but respectively being in a totally different country it'll be a cultural shock to some of its fellow country's residents and that too he is in an educational environment or zone where a lot of unfortunate events had occur in the past few years due to violence.. so taking these reasons and unfortunate incidents under consideration.. our dear Sikh brother did not do anything wrong in openly carrying a Kripan (knife) for it is his cultural right and had gone some kind of a rituals in order to carry a Kripan for self-defense. But people will still feel some kind of uneasiness when it comes to weapons seen in and around educational area or zones. \nSo whatever measures had been taken for the safty of all.. especially by the security as he was doing his job by understanding the situation. No heard feeling to nobody but I just wanted to get my point across regarding this incident. N I know my Sikh brothers n sisters will definitely come to an agreement of understanding in what I'm trying to say..

I have no intention of leaving but everything you guys said is 100% true. There isn’t enough things to do for recreation here. And the places we do have for recreation are hours away. Niagara Falls, canadas wonderland, great wolf lodge, CNE. They’re all in the boonies and you can only get to them if you have a car but even then they’re expensive and you still need to drive 1-2 hours back home. Unless you live close to these establishments going to these places happens 1-2 times in a whole year. It’s really a shame because even though they’re expensive I really love going to these places. If I can change one thing about my country I’d say we need tons more recreation spots. We really just live to work at this point and it’s not fun.

I was born in Quebec, I grew up there, studied, worked, lived almost all my life, except for a few years in Toronto and Ottawa for studies and work, where I never really felt at home, but like in a foreign country. I love Quebec, its history, its culture, its language, its way of life and Quebecers in general. I get used to its climate, its six months or so of winter, but still with nice, hot summers. I also put up with the high cost of living due to the multiple taxes to be paid, the highest in North America, which means that, paradoxically, it still costs less to live here than elsewhere in Canada and to the social safety net Quebecers benefit and which is the envy of many citizens elsewhere in the country. The shadow on the board: the hostility and racism of English Canada, including most Anglophones in Quebec and the allophones who join this recalcitrant community towards Quebec and Francophones in general, the ambient wokism, the complacency of the mayor of Montreal, Valérie Plante, who has transformed the city into a huge bike path, Justin Trudeau's hypocrisy regarding Quebec legislation for the protection of language and secularism, which he intends to challenge before the Supreme Court of the country . If I weren't so attached to Quebec, these would be the main reasons that would make me leave Quebec, but to go where, like the wandering Canadian of song, banished from his homeland... Where? Any informed suggestions?

Spot on with everything. I always rant to my friends about all of this. I’m moving to Europe from Toronto. I have a few options thanks to my work but still trying to decide which country. I guess theres a reason most Europeans don't immigrant to Canada anymore compared 2nd/3rd world countries. \n \nLifestyle, food quality, work culture etc. I love F1, soccer and European history, so thats always a treat while im there. I can’t see myself getting married and raising a family in Canada. Europe is beautiful and the center of the best of everything. \n \nCovid also exposed how corrupt the government is here as-well as the media. But people In Canada obey and love it. \n \nI'm thankful for the education and childhood I had in Canada but its time to move on.

After watching this video, i still want to make my move to canada in the next 1 to 2 years. Because canada is a big upgrade from usa. Im from texas and i hate the hot weather that lasts 11 months of basically summer. and always dreamed about cold cloudy weather instead. Im 21 and im planning to get my education there so it's not really a big problem for me compared to other people who already studied in their home country. Basically life quality is better and i dont have to worry about the sad things that happen here. I love canada and i want to be a proud Canadian.

I'm from québec/Montréal, I love my country. I still hate winter even if it's short december to mars but it's great for peoples that love winter sports. It's a peacefull country and we don't like war.

I am Dominican and American citizen. This is SO REAL! We lose so much to win income and things. But LONELINESS is a great price to pay. Here you will lose your identity, your roots, your life , to become maybe more financially stable. I love America, with all my heart, but I realize it is a totally different world. It is designed to work, work, work, and forget about family, friends, relationships. We will get more toys, more things, and more order and organization, less open corruption, but will also have to settle for less life in community, settle for materialism and individualism. Settle for a lifeless life. Loneliness is a very high price for a better car, or bigger house or opportunities. And still...I.love America. My advise, unless you have your whole (or many) family here..\nStay in your country!

I was born here and lived in Canada all my life. I have travelled to many places as well. I love the country of my birth, but our government has corrupted things beyond an easy repair. These ladies are correct. We are no longer the “brand” as advertised. The government propaganda has people convinced we are the same country, while they steal what is left from our pockets and over-work those who still care for its’ people. It is not just immigrants who should consider other places to live. Go where you are treated the fairest - I have trouble finding real evidence that is here.

Canada is what you make of it. You can arrive rich and end up poor and you can arrive poor and end up rich. In between that, you can have a great life that balances your needs. I’ve seen immigrants succeed simply because they see the opportunity in front of them . They worked hard in their own counties to stay just above the poverty line ,but when they apply that same effort here it pays off ten times greater. I feel that compared to a lot of immigrants, natural born Canadians come across as spoiled and a little lazy…we are. We haven’t had to struggle the same way someone from a poorer country might have. I’ve talked to people who’ve worked ten to twelve hours a day just to stay afloat. If you did that here you could make plenty of money to live and have some left over. As far as owning a house goes,yes it’s expensive . I feel that homeownership in any country is relatively expensive. Here is a tip; use that soaring home prices to your advantage. Houses are expensive but you can make a lot of money buying and selling. I recommend putting together a buyers group and share the house for a few years, then sell at a profit, buy a bigger house or two smaller houses.try to buy the worst house in the best neighbourhood and fix it up slowly . That house could double in value in five or six years in the Toronto market. This is nothing new of course ,the people from India and China seem to do this a lot here ,it drives up prices and profits. On the downside to this ,you are now part of the problem. As the housing prices are driven up the non wealthy can no longer afford to own a house . They are at the mercy of high rents with no rewards of ownership. They are caught in a cycle of hard work and (relative)poverty. This could also be you if you can’t keep up the house payments and are forced to rent.\nHow well you speak English is important but your native language is also useful here because Canada is half immigrants . As a Canadian that speaks only english (Irish descent)I have to say to all newcomers that I’m very impressed that you have learned a new language and that you may even speak more than two! Don’t be embarrassed about your abilities . I find that in my experience , Canadians do not look down on people just because they don’t know English. In fact ,I’ve known people that have lived here for decades and still know very little English. They are comfortable in their communities and they function just fine. Learn as much English as suits your needs and be proud of any gains you make.\nOutside of Toronto are other cities that you might consider when looking at southern Ontario.From my experience,most are generally the same, just not as big . There are large immigrant communities in London Ontario, Hamilton and just outside of Toronto where housing is just a little bit less expensive but the commute to work is probably longer. This is just my opinion but in the small towns there are less people of colour , (which is what people of no colour call everyone else . I wonder if I’m called a person of no colour in some other culture ? LoL ). That might make it harder for you to feel integrated ,if that’s what you want. I’m not saying that people from other cultures can’t make it in a small town , I’m just saying that it’s definitely not Toronto . Here, people of any nationality can feel like they have a place where they can belong . It seems that no matter where you are from ,there is a community already here that’s set up restaurants and stores and clothing shops and newcomer support systems. And if your from Portugal or China or India or Africa or the Middle East, there are large groups of your kin here that have established roots for generations and you probably know this already.\nToronto means meeting place and that becomes evident quickly. I was born here and it’s one of the things I love the most about my city. I’m not going to say that there isn’t systemic racism here ,the people of no colour still kind of keep the top position , but as we become a minority in a decade or so ,I hope that will shift to a broader spectrum. It’s certainly happening already. One good thing is that the police department tries to hire people of colour so that racialism may play a smaller role. We’re getting used to seeing our politicians more and more reflect their constituents.\nI have to talk about the weather. Because I’m from here I’m used to the extremes of minus thirty and plus thirty . Eventually you get used to it (somewhat). Dressing in the right clothes is important. Summer is easy , but winter is different. It’s trying to kill you. Spend the most that you can afford on winter cloths . If you can afford a quality parka you should get one. The hood can be drawn around the face and stay out of the wind.\nIf not ,think of layers with a outer layer that blocks the wind. We have things called long Johns that are basically full length thick cotton or nylon pants that go on under your pants and a pair of extra thick socks. Buy your boots to fit your thick socks. Try to get the best boots you can afford ,it’s something that you might spend a little extra for but never regret.\nAll in all we are a fairly organized and peaceful society. Most people are friendly and will give you a chance . We have a good social safety net here and you don’t have to be homeless or starving if you don’t want to. There are people and organizations set up to help ,that truly try to get people back on their feet. It’s a good investment that pays off in ways that matter for the quality of life in a big city. I’m not putting my American neighbours down when I say they do things differently. They have their ways ,we have ours. This is just something that we do because we’re trying to learn how to help those that society has discarded or can’t find their place. Sure we have one or two areas where the homeless have pitched tents and we have some resources for them if they want. Unfortunately The mayor recently forced a small camp to move from a very visible place to more scattered locations. There were social workers involved as well as protesters trying to protect them. I didn’t like that happening and I want to see even more resources dedicated to them ,but on the other hand ,we are trying to avoid something like what happens on the streets when it’s just ignored. When I see YouTube videos of the streets of Philadelphia I’m extremely saddened. I thank the lucky stars that I was born in Toronto Canada.\nFor all it’s pollution and expense and crowds ,I think it’s a great place to do almost anything your heart desires . For every ugly building there is a beautiful park ,for every honked horn there is a birds call , for every cold and dark day there is beautiful sunny one around the corner.

I agree with all the points, but this situation is not only in Canada but everywhere. I will start from my home country India, Since graduation I was working as a part time teacher and I deadly love that profession. To qualify myself I did so many courses, internships, attended workshops, completed my B.Ed and M.Ed but everything went vain when I started searching a job. The amount of hardwork I did was not at all recognizable, salaries were so low but still I worked thinking may be later I will get an opportunity but to a disappointment it never happen. Later, I moved to UAE thinking maybe here atleast I will get what I expected, struggled for 5 months to get a job luckily I was on a family visa. I lowered my expectations, ready to work on the lowest salary but still I did no job. Finally I decided to go back to my home country but was still applying for the jobs thinking to not loose hope till the date of my flight and believe me the next day I got a call and got selected the same day with an average package not the lowest but still I was happy. So I think difficulties are everywhere it depends on how you are dealing with them and mostly being positive is the main key for success. Even I am deciding to immigrate Canada, have many friends their who are happy with their lives but it doesn't mean I should keep my hopes high but the best thing I can do is accepting whatever is coming to me and being grateful of whatever I have. (BTW teachers are underrated everywhere)

Anybody wanna see what real systemic racism looks like, then watch APTN News. The stuff they show on these mainstream news networks is biased and censored. At least on APTN they don't hold anything back, and you might just be surprised how real racism really is in cxnxdx. We are not the shining example of reform that most cxnxdixn citizens think we are; and even if you think you have it all figured out, or you think we're all fighting for the same cause~ then you still have a lot to learn about racism in cxnxdx, Firstnations awareness, ethnic diversity, and how much xenophobia really has a hold on our country. Denial is NOT bliss, and my eyes have been wide opened. I love this country, but there are no rose coloured glasses here.

Dear , you don't have to feel sorry. I am sure your intention is very very good. Seems you are good human beings. I lives in UK for 18 years. In beginning I struggled a lot. During past 18 years I have travelled lots in various countries and seen so many settled people who are origin from respective country or are settled from ages . But you also note that thay had gone through with same as beginner going through, or might b lot . I like your post, and doesn't notice any ego or proud in that . I like that . But what I mean to say is everyone from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka or Bangladesh , before come in English country or in any country, are starting very big dreams and after step into new country they don't accept positive things and blames only those countries where thay have gone for higher education or for earning money. Still they stay there and says here is blot like india , dongle come here , or we have to do this type of job .They don't have servants there, they have to wash their clothes themselves, cook themselves and clean house themselves . That's why thay are saying bad words for that country and still they want path of permanent residence of that country. I am not against of india but if you are staying in English country for 6 months, I request you please make video for how government works for their people, how smooth you can run your business without giving bribe to government officers , how police officers are doing their job and how pure is system . And please all these compare in India and suggest life is easy there or not . I love my country and during my 18 years in UK , I came back to India with my family to settle down the rest life but because of some government officers ( on each step asking bribe for business) , and not getting support from government, decided to go back to UK .I mean to say in English country there is value for poor person or for rich person. In india government hospital are free but look how they treat the patient. Please compair each sector and make video. If you do this would be very grateful. And please mention about politicians in English country and in India. Then people who stays there and complaining same country ( not you ) ,will realise the values . Take care. Best luck.

It's very easy to say I proud on my India and I love my India but the reality of life in India very terrible and very bad.\nNow the situation is like rich people getting more rich and poor people going more worst poor\nAnd in future India have nothing but increasing prices of Dollar currency & euro & pound \nmassive corruptions...cases &\nWe pay tax but we don't know where our tax money goes still we have dirty roads and no proper women safety & i shame to say this capital of India Delhi city is the rape capital city of India.\nIncreasing price of petrol desil & gas....Hindu & Muslims fightings.\nThat's why millions of people specially from north India and all over India want to go other country like Canada & never wanna come back & cool weather for Indians not a big deal if you ware three to four layers for four months that sets

My experience in Canada has been largely positive, with only minimal racial difficulties.  As a teenager, I do recall some kids making blatantly racist comments, when I was the only minority in the room; but they were silly girls, popular and full of themselves, and most of the students who heard did not laugh with them. We all knew it was wrong.  Another time I was told, by an agent, that a potential employer claimed she would not hire me because of my race.  I did not hear these words firsthand, though, so it was impossible for me to verify the truth. In the end, I let the matter alone. Other people,  I realize, have endured severe injustices; such have not been my experience, but this does not subtract from their reality.  Indeed, racism does exist, and shall remain as long as there are imbeciles wallowing in the mire of ignorance, people who cling to an absurd sense of superiority for lack of something more meaningful to hold.  As well--and it must be said!--quite likely, we all have, at some point, entertained discriminatory thoughts. 'Tis not a 'black and white' problem but a human one, and we must be mindful of it beginning with ourselves.  Canada, then, with its many inhabitants and complex history, will never be the exception. We can't expect perfection among people, here or anywhere else in the world.  Even so,  I believe there are enough fellow Canadians who strive to treat people as individuals and are happy to make friends across cultures.  My life has been and continues to be a testament to that!  Whatever our troubles, we still retain a proud heritage of diversity and progressive ethnic harmony.  We do try, and for this reason I love my country.  I am deeply patriotic and immensely proud to be part of it!