Close Reading

I’ve watched the video and I’ve read many comments. My message it’s to immigrants, Canadians & everyone. Just be some patient to read for you to think reasonable after this. I’m sure you’ll start to be reasonable regarding Canada. I had a good life good job & a nice home in Ukraine. Due to the barbarian russian invasion my family & I fled the horrific situation in Kharkiv city. I was driving a mini bus of 4 families! Most are children. We’ve arrived to Europe. Crossing many countries (Poland, Czechia & Austria) we’ve arrived to the country leading the EU. In Poland & Czechia, we’re treat very good by the people. In Austria we got hardly a payed hotel where children could get a rest!!! We still didn’t understand why they don’t want to give us rooms despite we’re paying for our staying!!! In Germany, I believe that the government did its best. But the number of comers is huge! Of course many they got disappointed as happened with me! But I still understand and believe that really the government & people did theirs best. So fast I got a job! The social connection helped to introduce me to the company! But i was not hired, I still to express myself & my qualifications. The manager was understanding, so he accepted to communicate in English and to offer me the job in case if I am successful doing the job during the first week at the site. I had to change the machines menu into English. So the manager was very satisfied with my job and I got that job. The rent! You’ll get it only if you receive the blessing of each member of the county and a very strong social connections! The doctors! To make just a blood work for my son it took 45 days of waiting! To get the doctor appointment, you need that a German guy call and get you the appointment! Because when my wife called, the secretary said: we don’t speak English! But when my wife went for her visit she figured out they’re speaking English better than her!!! My son has an issue of hyperactivity, so they refused to accept him at school more than 3 hours a day! And he was excluded from the birthday parties of his colleagues aswell other events! Other Ukrainian children, they were just attending classes! Just a show! No body cares how help their integration! About, the taxes! The half of my income was going to the government! The money back?! Only 200 euros/ month for my kid. And nothing else. Nothing! To get a neurologist appointment for my son it was necessary to wait 3 months! Prices?! Everything expensive! Technology?! Not better than Canada at all. Bureaucracy, Canada is much less. Banking system, Canada much better. Where in Germany?! The best province in Germany “Munich”. Where people stoped long ago dreaming to purchase a home. Guys, Canada doesn’t through broken people as we were in camps! Where nothing is human there! Canada doesn’t enter you in cercle of hell bureaucracy just to get your kid into school! And if he needs a support he get it right away without any background that he’s not our!!! I got a good job in Canada; so fast. Without any social connections because simply I do not have any. I rent an apartment for my family, without to proof to the landlord that I’m the best guy in the world with a witnessed county about that!!! I want you to be sure, that I am not the lonely case. Just ask Ukrainians stied in Europe for a while before they move recently. Just ask them. I am not saying it’s a paradise or cons don’t exist. Just paradise doesn’t exist! And cons are everywhere. Just I want you to be fair about Canada. Please, be reasonable! The cons in Canada are not catastrophic, and it’s not difficult to fix them. It may take some time, but not difficult. Believe me it’s not about only Canada. The whole world is going a step back! I wish that my experience, helps to understand appropriately.

Lived in Canada all my life. Love it. But,,, there is no future here. High taxes, poor government,, low wags, racism is a huge problem, and its not just white peoples. The immigrants can be super racist also. All this crap that Canadians are polite is not real. Its called passive aggression. When a Canadian says sorry if you bump into them in the store ,, they are being sarcastic! “Sorry you are an idiot and made me apologize to you eh!?” We are not nearly as nice as people think. The health care system here is trash! And will never improve. And its NOT free! Canadians get the tar taxed out of them their entire lives! Every single move one makes is taxed! Tax on tax on tax. This pays for our crappy health care. And not so good education system. People here including immigrants, not just white people, can be very racist. Quebec is a particularly racist province! They seem to dislike EVERYONE unless you are french Canadian.

Well everyone, the option is to go into a system like the United States has , which incidentally is far from perfect itself, my spouse was in emergency for five hours last Saturday night before anyone looked at her, , which the system will spiral in to a business and if you think you have problems now, just wait till what’s down in the future. As a Canadian who has lived in the United States the last seven years, our good family healthcare is $1270 US a month, which incidentally has a $1000 deductible and a 10% co-pay on everything we experience, and trust me an MRI scan ( yes , just a scan, not surgery) for your brain is costed out at $7000, so be prepared to pay your deductible and 10% of it along with all the other attending doctor charges, even with good healthcare at 1270U.S. a month ! That monthly healthcare premium is almost $1600 a month Canadian. Canadians complain about taxes being too high also, but that is my profession, and when you round out the two , there may be 2 to 3% adjusted for the exchange rate higher and you still get a lot greater bang for the buck. Also, your higher education in the United States is easily 2 to 3 times of what you’re paying for in Canada. I know it’s not optimal, however trust me you still have it good in Canada, I find so many immigrants complain about it when they come to Canada, Yet they are living in a relatively safe and secure country, just a little bit of appreciation would be nice. Is it always what I can get, how about maybe what you can give? Maybe the answer for everyone and candidates to start to pay to go see a doctor if you can have the doctors availability, that is the sad truth, and I’m quite sure people will not like that by any means when they see the charges. Trust me ,Canada is obviously far from perfect, but is overall still a pretty darn good country, for somebody that dislikes it so much, they need to go back to where they’re from, and compare, it might be a better option for them.

Well the governments of Canada have made it illegal for us to express our views. As a white English Canadian I don't think most of us hate people because they came from abroad. If people came to Canada and actually became Canadians I don't think 90% of people have an issue with that. The problem is people are coming here and are not assimilating. Especially the people from Asian and African nations. But this is not surprising to me because their culture is so different from ours. I would prefer immigrants came from northern Europe especially the British Isles and France due to having a shared history, values, and culture similar to Canada. \n\nThe other issue is mass immigration mostly only benefits wealthy people because they get cheap labour. People coming from countries with a much lower standard of living are used to earning less and living with less so they depress wages for working people here. The so called skilled immigrants that our government tells us will solve all of our nations problems are not. No one recognizes their skills here so they end up taking jobs away from other Canadians. \n\nI think Canada's solution would be to stop relying on foreigners and invest in Canadian people. I would cut immigration levels by 75%. I would limit immigrant applicants to make up only 5% from one country. Also we should only allow Canadian citizens to own property. Dual citizenship should be eliminated. You should only be loyal to Canada. \n\nThe government should also stop spending money on Black lives Matter, criminals, drug addicts, and other socialist non-sense. Government spending and taxes should be cut in half and free enterprise should be encouraged. We should be using money towards infrastructure and education. We should be training Canadians to become engineers, doctors, and skilled tradesmen. I would rather invest in our own people that try to accommodate foreigners.

I don't think our politicians are aware of he world we li ve in. Either that or the pay offs are so good they are ignoring what they are doing. We are short with medical, schooling, housing and good paying jobs. So let's just plough ahead and take this on? What is the ultimate goal here? This is not going to help anyone and just drive Canadians against the government and one another. Just look at our high schools. The kids are killing one another as it is in the GTA. Wake up politicians to the Hell on Earth you are creating.

I have to respectfully disagree with you girls on the tax system in Canada. You mention that you cannot be a millionaire or a billionaire. \n\nI really think that is the problem with our generation, excessive greed, everyone wants to be a millionaire/billionaire, but the reality is most of people in this world will only live an average middle class life or below, that has been the case throughout history in every country on earth. \n\nInstead of wanting to be a millionaire you should strive follow your passion and to master your craft, and if and when you do so, the end result maybe you achieving millionaire billionaire status \n\nThis how most rich people got their wealth, they worked at their craft and had passion and eventually they got the wealth that came along with it \n\nI agree with Canada's progressive tax system, the only problems we have run into since 2010 is that the government has been misallocating taxes collected and giving co-operate tax breaks. But the principle of the progressive tax system makes sense, because up until recently (2010ish) it prevented the nation's wealth from accumulating at the top and in the process increased the velocity of money.\n\n This enabled business to thrive because money was constantly changing hands instead of being concentrated at the top. \n\nThis had an overall effect of enabling most Canadians to join the middle class and in turn make Canada an attractive destination for many immigrants including your selves \n\nIf Canadian system did not have a progressive tax system, there would be gross inequality with all the associated problems (crime/drugs etc). \n\nI really think prospective immigrants should be realistic about their expectations before moving to Canada to avoid dissatisfaction. \n\nIf you could not be a millionaire in the country you were born in and of which culture you belong, but some how you believe that you can move half a world away and become a millionaire. \n\nYou know part of the reason you could not even achieve middle income statust in Africa (I am from Africa as well) let alone be a millionaire is because all the wealth in most African countries is concentrated in the hands of a few corrupt bastards in the government. \n\nThis concentration of wealth at the top is possible when there is no progressive tax system and ensures economic equilibrium in all sectors of the economy\n\nIt is the reason why there is no jobs or opportunity for young people in developing countries \n\nDo not get me wrong you can still be a millionaire in Canada, but you will have to really earn it, there is no shortcuts in life\n\nPatience, passion and perseverance is the key.

Many leave their own country, and come to Canada BECAUSE of their dislikes; extremism, culture, religion, laws, identity and in some cases backwards thinking; attempt to turn what we in society would consider as sexist, and discriminatory in some examples….\n\n…however when those same individuals finally achieve citizenship, or in some cases this starts (attempt to change Canadian law(s)) before obtaining citizenship, making moves to force the above, everything they despised, hated or disliked about their own country, into this new country ? Its like, the expectation is that we assimilate to them, not that they assimilate to their new chosen country??\n\nIt appears in some cases, going as far as attempting to rationalize why the the very thing they left their own country for, should now be a part of or have a place in Canadian society….where in any place in the World does this happen? Would it happen? Can you imagine, if I were a guest in someone else’s home, being invited over for dinner, but they had rules…like taking off your shoes when entering their home…or demanded they change their menu that they worked hard making for me to eat..or that I do not put my feet up in the coffee table or furniture…but I said, screw that, I don’t agree with their rules..I’m just going to do what I want! What would be the outcome do you think if I were to disrespect their rules?\n\nWhen Canadians have the audacity to say NO, we’re not interested in adopting …the rules/laws of the country they just abandoned…we’re now somehow insulted, or angered the guest? …the same Canada that has welcomed, provided safety, roof over their heads, food on the table, an education for their children, and provided access to our medical (albeit far from perfect) infrastructure.\n\nTo stomp their feet, bang their fist on the table when discovered that it’s expected to take four years of your life to become a doctor (which btw if you’re smart enough to become a doctor, you should be smart enough to of researched the expectations, PRIOR to coming to Canada) in the Country that YOU have chosen to spend the rest of their lives in, to have to work in a job to help support you and your families transitions,…imho, is NOT an unreasonable ask….that 4-5 years of their next 40-50+ ? Well, if that is considered a hardship, then maybe they need to rethink their intent. Maybe, the grass WAS greener in their former Country?!! \n\nI think to expect or demand to just step into or handed on a silver platter all the goodies without having to except to take the not so good…is imho ignorant, arrogant and selfish.\n\nEven with our flaws, Canada is one of the best places to live on the planet. It’s takes hard work, investment and community to make/keep Canada

Not that it matters I'd not care what Provence I'd live in or territories! We as Canadians live in the best country in the world !!! When you put labels on our countries provinces or territories do shut up ! I've lived in most if not all of them . They ALL have something to offer ! If I might add if you from the USA or England or where ever I bet you can find that they think the same as we do . THAT THEY ALSO LIVE IN THE GREATEST COUNTRY THERE OWN ! Stupid opinions! Everyone has got one .

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 know Canada is not perfect and I find you’re a bit hard on the red maple leaf... just because you don’t find the same things as your native country. It’s like\nfrench people coming from France, going to Quebec province an complaining about the food, the weather etc... well we’re not France, sorry to say! But I can\ntry to understand your situation; it’s probably inevitable that the comparison between your country and Canada would show up eventually. I see regularly \nimmigrants moving here and it’s true that it’s not easy. (Some people will have to be cab drivers because they can’t find work in their field). But you have\nopportunities if you work hard. I have the example of a Russian truck driver who move here with his family (wife, two kids). The man started by working for\na general transport company, then was able to buy his own truck. Now he’s able to work with whoever he wants. So I think every experience is different.\nOne other thing I noticed is that for families coming here it will always be easier for kids (even teens) to adapt quicker then their parents. I live in the east\n(the maritimes) and there is not very large cities. Some immigrants that come here will stay for a while but then they would move to a larger city (like\nToronto) because that city must have the most ethnic diversity in Canada. For cultural differences true that Canadians are like Americans in the «none»\nfashion trending. It’s a different mentality then Europe because over there fashion is a statement; you are judge on your appearance. Here, not as much.\nIt shows you don’t like winter and if you don’t your not a real Canadian! :-) Don’t generalize, a lot of people here like winter. And for taxes I don’t have a clear\nexplanation other then we have a huge empty country that needs roads, infrastructures, etc. and someone has to pay for it! (fun fact, all the population\nof Canada could fit in a country like Poland... it shows how empty it is here). Finally, and I heard this many times, maybe the people or the part of the\ngovernment to blame is Immigration Canada. Maybe they give to much of an idealistic image of Canada! I truly hope that all will be fine for you here.\nDon’t forget that you can make a change to the society; if you don’t like it, you can make it better! Cheers! (Sorry for this long message)

You say that both countries are very patriotic but I must say, as a Canadian, I really don’t see the same level of “patriotism” here in Canada than in the States. It’s definitely not expressed the same way. Maybe being from Quebec is influencing my view on this a bit haha, but no I don’t think I would have used the adjective “patriotic” to describe Canadians in general. I don’t mean we hate our country, but it’s not like at the centre of our thoughts constantly.

I find that the majority of the Muslim people who have been brought to Canada. Are very rude to Canadians, and seem to want to change Canada into their controlling and abusive ways. I think it's disgusting that they can come here, and try to change our system and take advantage of Canada's services. We need to stop these people from coming to Canada, as they've proven already, that they are not willing to conform to our Canadian way of life! If you don't like it, get out of Canada!!!

you need a certain amount of money to live on for 2 years plus job prospect plus no criminal record a good edjucation to come here legally so Canadians that pay super high taxes do not need to worry about taking care of people that think they can just come here and exspect its people.to support them and there families .You cant get welfare for 2 years either.We need to keep Canada a.smart and wealthy country .Yes we can help some in very bad situations but we are.only as strong as our weakest people . We need the best to be the best.To many people.think they can just come here because they feel like.it and they think they will have a easy life.\nWe.dont want any blood suckers only.good hard woking people.If that isnt you dont come because you wont be welcomed .If you are a good person then welcome to Canada and help us build this country and leave the bs that you left where you came from becauae we dont want it here..\nthanku

I'll lay it out for you: Me: typical middle of the road liberal oriented Canadian. Non white, immigrant (I wasnt born here) I worked in a Refugee housing for over 4 years in Ontario. Most were not war areas refugees (Yes I know there are other types of refugees). I only encountered few refugees from war areas. ONLY 1 person from Iraq, about 2 families were from Afghanistan, 1 couple from Pakistan(I doubt they were real refugees they spoke fluent English, maybe political refugee), and a most from African countries. Its too far for real refugees to get here. Its Easier for them to go to other countries nearby or Europe. MOST SEEM TO BE ECONOMIC REFUGEES. Most were coming from Africa. Some are coming from Latin America, which shouldn't be happening. Once they showed up at our doorstep and we processed them into the system, they were immediately in the same class as a Canadian resident homeless person if they were making a refugee claim. We get money to house and feed them (from the government), and they are given a stipend for basics from the government processed through the Social Assistance/ Welfare system (they get less than a resident/citizen I think.). They then have to get their case processed by the refugee board, and most seem to get in. I've only heard of few getting sent back. One person I know at our facility, was given a subsided social housing apartment after a year in our facility. So they went straight from a shelter to a government/city owned subsidized apartment. (Didn't seem like it was a issue for the housing worker...they didn't report it (if they were not the ones that helped the person to get it), they were white, the housed person was Latin. This refugee claimant, and then month or two new Canadian resident person was given an apartment in a prime area of the city, instead of the 1000's of Canadians, those who came before them, and born Canadian citizens on an extremely long waiting list. How this was allowed to happen I don't know. The person was probably sucking on someone's straw. I'm just trying to think the barriers these people have to go through to get a job here. We are far removed from the time of the 80's and 90's., and housing and jobs are so hard to get. Lol the "Canadian government asks them to repay the traveling cost to Canada if they are sent back"....I wonder how much the government recoups?.....more like 0 probably. What a bunch of crap. How do you demand someone to repay their flight cost when they get back to their country?

Lady you reacted wrong right from the start even if someone says something to you stick and stones may break your bones but names will never hurt you. What a low end way to react. Canadians don’t act that way we pride our Selves of all being from some where else and living as a happy easy going country. I was born and raised here also and listening to you made me ashamed that you were born and raised here. You would think you learned a thing or two and apologized for your actions but instead it’s poor you no one heard the other side. That’s who you are not Canada we should deport you

growing up in canada, i felt left out in the blk community b/c i am a 5th generation blk cdn on mom's side and 3rd on my dad's - when other black ppl not canadian born met me - i tell them i'm cdn, but i always used to get the question - where are you really from - they were looking for me to say the islands - when i told them my paternal grandma was born in 1901 in canada - that's when the questions stopped. i've been told that b/c i wasn't from the islands, i had no culture in college, but a mbr of the black student society put him in his place i heard he got into a lot of trouble. i was asked what do we eat as in food as canadians what kind of music do we listen to - at our blk canadian weddings, the only carribean song played was hot hot hot by arrow - we played straight up r and b and motown. i hv been rejected by other blk men b/c i'm not west indian enough...it was hurtful. even with 'friends' they made of my cdn heritage but i used to think, why are you making fun of me knowing that my family and ancestors were in canada first - they were 1st generation - i live in the usa now and i'm with an african american man - he has never treated me as if i were different and he loves going w/me to canada. my parents told me it was jealousy on those ppl's parts - one guy i used to be friends with in college, when i went to his house, his mom was from the islands, when she met me - she said, 'you cdn ppl are loud' and that did it for me - i didn't date her son but when he met my parents, they never said any of that crap to him. in the usa, the african americans don't treat differently at all - my ex mom in law thought we were american but decided to live in canada - b/c she was surprised that blacks do live in canada. her other daughter in law's family were from the islands - but she gravitated more to my family and felt comfortable around them more than her family and this ex sis in law would brag about the islands this and that and she would make comments about my looks being skinny and such but it was jealousy - i didn't care much for her b/c she was very insecure. i felt once again, i was a young girl in college again - being around island ppl....i would love to meet drake and ask him did he feel left out and isolated because he wasn't from the islands - he makes me very proud being a blk canadian - his dad is african american and his mom is jewish. i still hv dealt w/racism not much with wht ppl, but with my own ppl - which is quite sad and on top of it-colorism, that also played a part from my family - being called pygmy, chocolate dip, nappy hair - it hurt but these so called relatives, they aren't all that anymore, they had hard lives as children...when ppl see something in you that is special and they don't have, that's when their ugliness shows -