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I used to think we were very much the same and I wanted to live in the US for the weather. But as we go often I have found the atmosphere and attitude has changed greatly in the last few years. People we used to be friends with don’t speak to me anymore as I called them on their awful beliefs. I know it’s not everyone but those beliefs have become way more common. The US used to be more global but now has become way more worried about themselves. \nYou can not talk about politics in a way that’s just a calm exchange, the hate is palpable. I went to an event the morning after a mass shooting and was visibly upset, not one person there talked about it or really thought about it. I asked someone about their thoughts and said “I don’t know why we have so many shootings here in the US” \nEducation is my next thing. The people I talk to know nothing about Canada and that’s not such a surprise but I know more about the US than most Americans I’ve talked to.\nI agree with a comment previously 26:29 that the north east is better educated and less dangerous.\nI feel bad for you as this is harsh but even on the news when Americans talk about being the greatest country etc on earth it feels arrogant. Maybe some years ago but now….. not so much.\nI’m afraid for your Democracy and I think so many people are just not listening

I find the misinformation when comparing our ( Canadian) heath care system to yours is is huge. Firstly there is NO copay-NONE for anything. Secondly there is NO limit on cost of surgery or treatments-NONE. Sometimes there are new drugs that are very expensive and not yet covered but that is it. I have lived in the US for the winter for he past 13 years and the concept of no copay with our system just seems to be beyond their grasp. For the life of me I cannot understand why the US citizens do not want universal health care like ALL of the rest of the developed nations of the world. When someone says they have health care in the US that all comes with possibly thousands in copay fees.

It's a misconception to assume that the US medical care is always better, or that the wait times in Canada are a lot longer.\nWhile there's no question the quality of care depends on where you live, rural areas in both countries don't typically have specialists or all the latest equipment. Major urban areas are much better served.\nAlso, the measured outcomes for many types of surgical procedures are often statistically better in Canada, with higher success rates and better recoveries for many types of procedures. The big difference is because more Canadians have regular check-ups, problems are typically caught sooner, before they become serious. That's a big reason why our life-span is several years higher, and our infant mortality is much lower than the US. Because of the extra co-pay costs or because they don't have insurance and cannot afford basic medical care, many Americans put off doctors visits until they're really sick. \nDuring a routine check-up I was diagnosed with a minor heart condition last September. Was able to see a specialist within 5 weeks. That specialist sent me to a heart surgeon a few weeks later who scheduled an Arterial Ablation day surgery in December. (I walked out 6 hours later...) Lots of pre-surgical and post surgical testing and follow-up. As it turned out, the other side of my heart also required the same surgery, and by March that was completed successfully too. Again, multiple follow-ups and tests, and I've got a totally symptom-free outcome.\nI had a hip replacement a few years ago that went well and resulted in a totally pain free hip that allowed me to return to normal activities I could no longer enjoy before surgery.\nTotal cost in the US for both these types of surgeries would have likely been well over $100,000. The most I paid was for the hospital parking...\nIs it better in Canada? - Absolutely...!!!

Canada is a great country if you wanna be a dependent slave to the government. No guns, free speech is policed and your children can be taken away if you dont agree with them taking hormones and having their genitals mutilated. America isnt perfect but id rather the US then living in a country run by far left wing idiots. Also Canadian healthcare is very overrated. Sure its free but you might die waiting for life saving treatments because the government doesnt want to allow any form of private healthcare if its already “provided” by the government. Most of the gun violence in the US is in the lower income neighborhoods and at least you’re allowed to defend yourself. In Canada if you defend yourself, straight to jail. If you have evidence of self defense youll be ruined by the legal fees. Its sad, Canada used to be great but after 8 years of terrible liberal economic policies the prices have skyrocketed and now canadian kids are being told they’ll never own a house. Who would want to stay here? Most canadians dont care though, as long as they get to smoke their pot they’ll always remain complacent.

I can't really speak to living in the US, but my poor brother is trying to move there- he married an American, so her and the kids have already moved in down there, but immigration has been jerking him around for more than a year for... reasons? Dunno about the rest, but your immigration system is incomprehensible, and, frankly, awful.

We do have our issues here in Canada. You won the lottery if you have a Family doctor here. I've been waiting more than 7 years for one as it is a wait list thing. Even with that, I'd refuse to pay to see a doctor in the US.

I am Canadian, my husband is American. I moved to the USA 11 years ago. I live in a liberal state (by American standards) with little violence (by American standards). I like where we live and enjoy most of the people that I interact with. I would move back to Canada in a heartbeat. I must confess that I felt like I stepped back in time 20 years when I moved here - labor standards in the US are so behind the rest of the world (maternity leave, paid time off, job protections, etc). To a Canadian, US culture feels accepting of racism, violence, us vs them mentalities, gun culture, religious and political fanaticism. I still can’t get over how “normal” Americans think their healthcare system is…. most other countries think it is absolutely nuts! I have good insurance, but if I ever develop a serious illness….I will move back to Canada where I can attempt to keep my health AND still have a house to live in. On the surface, Americans and Canadians look alike - but I still feel the cultural differences every day. I’m sure that America feels safe and wonderful to Americans who grew up here - but it can be difficult for people who grew up with different values to agree that these things make America “great”.

I have a good friend who spent a good many years living and working in the US. He summed it up as being very similar in many ways, with some frustrating drawbacks, but overall it was far better in many ways. Don't beat yourself up. We might have a few things going for us, but those who have the will and determination to pull their weight have a far better shot in the US. \n\nRemember that. Americans get out of America what they put into it. Canadians get what they get out of Canada no matter what. If you like the feeling of the reward of hard work and perseverance, you're only limited in America by your own ambition. If you like the comfort and safety of a network of social systems, then Canada is the place to be. On the flip side, if you want to have the peace of mind that the government will take care of you if you can't take care of yourself, then don't go to the US. If you're ambitious and creative and want to work hard at making something of yourself, Canada will crush your hopes and dreams like a bug.

I used to spend 6 months a year during the winter in US. While in the US I had a stroke... two days in the hospital would have cost me $25,000 but luckily my Canadian insurance covered it. Everyone in the south seemed to own a gun, and they couldn't conceive of the idea that I didn't want one... I didn't need one... I didn't want to see theirs. The day Trump got elected we put a FOR SALE sign on our trailer and never went back. I would rather spend winters in Mexico... I feel safer there and the medical system is affordable.

I had friends who moved to the US in their job. The property values in Houston were lower so they got a much nicer house. They had a a great job and really good Health insurance through work. They enjoyed houston. The people they worked with were good. The weather was great. One couple is still down there. The others moved back in ten years. I think their experience was very equivalent to the one they had in Canada and the move advanced their career. If i was moving to the uS I'd want/need to have a very good job I was going to.

The United States is somewhat confusing to Canadians, as we are aware of the United States through interrogation of American media in Canada, with access to US TV channels and news networks. Yet we don't fully appreciate the differences until we live fulltime in the US and yup the it is significantly different in some distinct ways.\nWith that said we pay co-pay for doctor visits in Norway for the first 2000 kroner, which helps reduce abuse of the Norwegian healthcare system. After you pass the 2000 kroner, you get a free card for the rest of the year.

If I Iived in the US and everything was okay with my pregnancy, I'd give birth at home with my sister's help - No Question ....Women did it this way for hundreds/thousands of years. ?????

Police in Québec must study for 5 years before they work..that why we don't trust usa cops: they are just random guy whit gun compared to us

I'm surprised there weren't more comments about racism. I haven't been south in years, but racism was so prevalent it was one of the main things I remember about going there. There was a beach in Milwaukee where the white people used the sandy area and the black people used the rocky area. There were no signs saying who belonged where, but it was obvious all the local people knew the score. Racism exists in Canada, especially with the first nations people, but it doesn't dominate your experience as a visitor the way it did for me in the US.

between this year and last I spent about 2 weeks in the US with it being NYC and Houston can say the nicest people are uber drivers. ya health care is always on the mind when visiting US since we hear how much things are. Brooklyn really is sirens 24/7. Houston flash floods in Toronto that is not a thing

You're a good guy, Tyler...and very brave to take on such a dicey subject as comparisons between Canada and The United States. We are two distinctly different cultures. Currently, America is more than frightening. The political system has really become a total mess. A two-party system (basically YES or NO) does not cater to the many grey areas of politics. The choice right now seems to be Fascist or Liberal. That's it! It was not like that during most of my professional life. Thanks to my job, I had a Green Card. But, I also could travel with little difficulty...especially in the South and Mid-West. Why? Well, because I had blonde hair, blue eyes and pale skin. I never got used to states where everyone was walking around with a gun. It scared the hell out of me. As a commercial film director and writer, (unique services - hence the Green Card) I worked just about everywhere in the US. The North East is the most similar to Canada. But get down south, and people were literally walking around with holsters and revolvers on their hips. I never felt completely safe. But America is also a great country full of opportunities and if you are educated and a professional, the money is also great. All Canadians love their Healthcare and Social Safety Net. Generally, I think Canadians are more socially evolved and better educated. Your educational system is awful. And the Bible Belt States are anything but Christian. It's hate and fear-based. But the past 7 years have been the worst since the Trump Cult era began. Trump and his Mega Cult could destroy what was once a wonderful country.

I lived in the US for 4 years. I was 12 when I moved with my parents. I had a teacher who expelled me from school on my first day. I refused to do a pledge to their flag. The teacher went nuts. I said I was not pledging anything yo a flag of another country. The teacher then tried to tell me that I was lying and that Canada was a state, not a country, so I had been pledging my whole life. This was a teacher, and I did not know Canada was not part of the US. He called me a traitor and that I should be charged, then had me expelled. When I came back to Canada, I had to take an extra year of school because my grade 11 from the US was so far behind. The US school system was bizarre. The had clubs where people dressed like the military and marched around. They were taught to fire guns, and it was all part of school. They spend more time learning about their history and never learn about so much of it. It was like an oxymoron. The teacher did not know about the War of 1812, did not know that Washington was still trying to stay with in the British Crown even months before the end of their insurrection, and that Canada was a major contributor to the US moon race. It was a very confusing tome for me. Thing I had learned in elementary school, where just being taught in middle school, and other things were so far a head I did not follow like things about their Presidents. They could not spell, yet I got makered wrong for it and I found the teacher were either very nice or true demons, and they knew nothing but their own subject. I also felt like I was treated not as a student but as a criminal who had just not commented on a crime yet. Very strange.

11 years ago a trip to the ER in Texas cost close to or more than the cost with insurance than a the cost for an ER visit in NS (for those out of country who are not covered by our provincial program). \n\nWe would pay $50 copay at the ER, then over. The next few days we would receive a bill for the physician, then from pharmacy, then from the facility, then from X-ray, etc, every separate department would have its own portion. \n\nAnd then there was the unpleasant surprise when the doctor who saw you in the ER was not an “in network” doctor even though the hospital was “in network”. Our insurance paid 70% of (approved) in network costs, but only 50% of out of network costs. Keep in mind that “in network” hospitals and providers had lower negotiated rates with the insurance companies. Which meant you would have coverage of 70% of a negotiated lower rate for in network but out of network was 50% of a higher rate.\n\nMy neighbours were lovely people. The culture was much different than I expected. The gun culture really hits you in face. For the first while it seemed to be so obvious - signs on pharmacies, hospitals, and schools that state that guns were not allowed, even with a conceal and carry permit. Very quickly, that became “normal”….\n\nFood was amazing. Gas was cheap. Politics was everywhere. Christian mega churches were everywhere - along with some very vocal overbearing people who force their beliefs and opinions on anyone who is near them. \n\nI was surprised with the number of people who felt it was appropriate to discuss religion, politics, and money with virtual strangers. A lot of very personal questions as well. I am guessing it is the difference between what is considered extremely rude in Canada, vs what is just a regular question in the US (or that area of Texas). \n\nAnd another very different thing was how hardly anyone swore. I had the bottom drop out of a bad carrying glasses when I was in San Antonio, the glasses broke, and I said “Shit.” I have never seen so many heads turn towards me. Most of the females looked at me with complete disgust and a lot of the males laughed. I expect that the American who heard me swear, were thinking I was the rudest person. One of my children’s friends was from Australia and when their mom came over one day, she said something to the effect of “so glad you are Canadian” because she sis not have to worry about offending me if she said fuck. That was a relaxing afternoon.

I have travelled to the US a lot for over 50 years. I do not feel nearly as safe there now except for post 9/11 NYC. I am terrified to discuss politics there now. It is a country that has some spectacular natural attributes like Yosemite, Big Sur, Adirondacks etc. I used to think Florida was great but am really hesitant to go there now. Culturally it has a tremendous amount to offer, I was shocked at how incredibly sleazy Hollywood Blvd was. Overall I am really concerned about the deterioration of moral values that seems to be happening.

When you say that most people get along fine with your system of healthcare, it should be pointed out that statistics indicate that 500,000 families a year in the US go bankrupt due to medical expenses.

If you are lucky enough to have a job in the US with a good health plan, you are trapped - and bosses know it. Even if you find another job with the same healthcare, you will likely need to work there for several months or a year until benefits kick in. \nEven if you have a family without many health problems, do you gamble and go for months without coverage in the hope that nothing goes wrong?

3 years 3 months in the US and moving back in 2 weeks. The absolutely hardest thing is a lack of community. Add a very materialistic society, little social support, $500/month for insurance where youre limited to what doctor or hospital or dentist you can go to, all the red tape to do literally anything....its unfortunate. My mental health took a sharp decline, and a lot of other people are in the same boat.

We talk about moving back to the US, but the medical coverage stops us dead. Haven't seen a health care bill in 19 years, since moving to Canada. Its freer in Canada. \n\nIt's freer in the sense that our basic needs are seen too. We pay high taxes in Canada to have a social umbrella, that is not available in the States. I lived in MA and worked in human services and in the education system. They have to fight for every nickel every year. The tension in these environments is high. Lots of fund raising, lots of volunteer duties, low pay. Not that way in Canada.

I moved to Canada over 20 years ago from Kenya, and it's safe to say that this has been the best decision I ever made for myself and my family. Today, I want to share some insights with those who are considering making Canada their new home. \n \nCanada boasts one of the world's most robust social systems, but let me be clear: it won't be a stroll down a red carpet from the airport to your dream life. You will need to put in the effort and work for it. \n \nIf you're a nurse from your home country, don't expect to land in Canada and start working as a nurse the next day. You'll need to go through the process of becoming registered in this country, just as you would in any other part of the world. \n \nWhen you arrive in Canada, give yourself time. Follow the established systems, and trust that these systems are designed to work for you. Fortunately, there are no shortcuts or backdoors in this well-structured country. \n \nWhether you're coming to Canada as a Landed Immigrant or a refugee, understand that there are distinct pathways to follow. Canada has a well-defined system for both. \n \nNow, you might have heard stories of people sleeping on the streets of Toronto for a brief moment. But let me clarify that these instances were temporary and not reflective of the broader reality. The media may not always provide the full context of such stories. \n \nIn major companies and hospitals across Canada, you'll find a significant number of employees who are immigrants, just like us. This illustrates the opportunities that exist in this diverse and inclusive nation. \n \nFor those planning to come to Canada, it's crucial to have access to the right information and cultivate the right mindset. With patience, perseverance, and a willingness to follow the system, your journey to a brighter future in Canada is well within reach.

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.

I am currently living in Canada, but wanted to move to California to get a “higher pay” in my field. \nWhat’s holding me back is the healthcare in Canada. In my union, I get 100% insurance in Vision, Dental, Check-ups, Drug Prescription etc.. \nMind that I NEVER waited for months nor years to get any Health related appointments.\nIn the US, (My friends in the same field) says that their health insurances are not 100% covered unlike in Canada.\nBut, I’m also thinking “If I could get a higher pay, then I could pay for the remaining balance” \nWhat I’m scared of is, until when am I able to pay for that? Even if I get savings, and I get seriously ill my savings will go straight to my medical bills. ++ The shootings. Whether the gun is registered or not, Shooting is a shooting. Once my child goes to school, It will surely make me paranoid of school shootings.\nAside from health benefits, both US and Canada has benefits. Both have support for low income families, both get child benefits, Food stamp(free food) for low income families. Etc..\n\nI really wanted to move to US tho.\nI want to gain more experience, and more money Lol.\n\nI need all of your opinions!! Haha!!

I moved to US 20 years ago, and it's the best decision I made! America is full of opportunities,!

Thank goodness I chose the United States for my education. In 2010, I had two options -Texas A&M University and University of Waterloo. I thought of Waterloo at first (being top university in Canada vs 15th in US) as I was naive, but Texas A&M gave me teaching assistantship which meant 100 % tuition scholar and monthly stipend. Being from a lower middle class family in India, I took the option. \nEven 13 years down the line, that was the best decision of my life. I had chance to work with best researchers and professors in world, work in highly funded research labs, publish papers and patent and later get good job in my domain. \nI never aimed for green card and moved back to India. I applied for Canada and even received ITA but didn't go ahead. Things are not perfect but even today in India, most people are impressed by some niche work I did in US.

Agreed. We came to Toronto in 1989. It was a clean and safe city. It has turned into Gotham City - dirty, crowded, construction everywhere and worst of all yes, the homelessness has spiked. Winter months are brutal and I cant imagine what they go through. Our government has failed us and now with Olivia Chow as the Mayor, its going to be worse. We live well away in the suburbs but I occasionally have to go downtown for appointments and I detest taking the subway and going down there. We plan on moving out of the entire province in hopefully 10 years from now but until then, who knows what will happen to Toronto and York Region at thus point

This is just ELECTION NARRATIVE once more, like every 4 years. The US CANNOT AFFORD to stop immigration, legal or illegal, PERIOD. Fertility rates in the US are way below 2.1 for many years now. Canada alone needs to welcome 300,000 new immigrants every year (legal or illegal) just to continue existing as a country.

As the child of immigrants, i think this is a perspective a lot of Canadians are facing. I could never bring myself to leave, most people my age are the same. All your friends are here, the neighbourhood you grew up in is here and you're simply not cut out to go to where your parents originally came from (half of us come from parents/grand parents who immigrated) because the climate is probably 1000x different lol (I just know I couldnt survive South Asian/Middle eastern weather).\n\nI just turned 18 though so I haven't experienced the insane rent and stuff (as it's literally impossible for me to move out). Things will be better I know it, but the question is how long will that take? Id personally give it 5 or 6 years. We need to put a cap on immigration and just completely cut off the GTA from receiving any for a set amount of time (think 2 or 3 years?). We also need to amplify our construction industry (incentives/rezone some areas for development) and the government should start subsidizing urban development projects with an agreement that prices will be lowered, or offer money to people who are purchasing condos/houses (think iZev but for urban housing and not electric vehicles). \n\nAlso stop taxing us and simply start slowing down/cutting non-essential social services; a specific government program should be created that closes all of these at once for a set amount of time (think 2 or 3 years as well) and they'll be able to redirect the money to more important causes.

@LynnNgugi I am a Kenyan-Canadian-American, and my family and I lived in Canada for over 6 years. It is a wonderful country if you have the right documentation and career. Life is more expensive in some provinces, so you have to do your homework. But we loved living there and even owned a home. We moved back to the US so that our kids (American born) could grow up closer to their grandparents and cousins. But I am proud to be both a Canadian and American citizen ❤

I currently reside in the USA, and I can confidently say that moving here has been the best decision I ever made. I managed to achieve in less than 5 years what might have taken me 15 years in Kenya. My perspective on living outside of Kenya has shifted significantly, and I believe it's time for us Africans to reconsider our perceptions. \n \nIt's worth noting that the requirements for moving to different countries can vary significantly. For instance, a Canadian government website has explicitly stated that you typically need to be a professional in your career to work in Canada, or else it might prove to be quite challenging. \n \nBefore you decide to make such a move, I strongly recommend conducting thorough research and understanding the specific requirements and opportunities in your chosen destination. Moving abroad is a significant step, and it's important to be well-prepared for the journey ahead.

Thanks so much @Lynn for bringing this discussion, first I would like to say I think all this thing depends on your luck, coz even in Kenya things are very very hard but some people life is very okay they can afford everything, what I can say, before you move, do your due diligence, have your facts right, be courageous, be ready to take risks, don't be demoralized by what people say, lastly, I would request @Lynn if she can get some examples of people in these countries to give us some insights, and also if she can get these agencies that are taking people in these countries so that they can explain further the procedures and what to expect, . Me God willing by next year I'll be moving to Canada, still doing my research

1. Canada's immigration is primarily skilled labour. Non- skilled labour is imported mostly from the Carribean countries especially Jamaica and you have to leave every year and come back in the next. So, that can be disruptive, but I've met Jamaican's who've been on those programs and done well as well as those who haven't.\n2. If you come to Canada illegally utakipata. Be prepared to hustle for long.\n3. Since Covid everything has become very expensive especially housing. \n4. The videos you've shown of people sleeping outside is because of an increase in the influx of refugees wanting to come to Canada. Refugee shelters are allocated money in the budget for what the Govt estimates will be the number of refugees they'll take in, but there's been an influx lately.\n- A point to note though, ALL refugees Canada received from Ukraine had jobs within 2 months. Why? very skilled labour.\n- Canada's refugee policy is much more lenient than in the US and thus most refugees have been coming to Canada even from the US. The US ones have since been blocked by an agreement signed by both countries.\n5. Are there jobs in Canada? YES, but they require certain skills. The good thing is that once you get one, its the beggining of good fortunes.\n6. If you have skilled qualifications, be prepared to start at a lower level than you are used to and claw your way up. Just don't expect to start where you left off. A Nigerian friend of mine who had performed several surgeries in Nigeria could not be hired until he went back to get certified here in Canada. He has since joined the medical field after going back to school.\n\nAll in all, research, research, research before you make any move.

Life has become very expensive worldwide. Whether in Kenya or in Canada, the cost of living hits you hard. I have lived in the US for the last more than twenty years. When I first came here $50 would be enough to buy food for a whole month. Today $50 cannot buy you food for even a week. A gallon of petrol today is over $5. The same thing is happening in Kenya, I believe. There are a number of problems when you land in Canada as a visitor. One: To covert a visitor's visor to a work permit is a process. Two; where do you want to land in Canada? If you land in Toronto, Ontario, you get stranded because everybody is landing there. People dont want to go to the north. All those pictures you are seeing are in Toronto. Because of the influx of people arriving there, the government has spent the budget for visitors and refugees. Three; the choice of jobs. When somebody promises you a job in Canada and helps to get a visitor's visa, think twice before you leave home. If somebody promises you a job in Canada, let him help you to get a work permit before you leave home. That way you are surered of a job. There are so many things to consider before you leave home.

The problem with majority of us is that we are not doing any research, personally I wanted to go to Canada 3 years ago and after a year of doing research I came up with three findings that changed my mind completely, first the taxes their are crazy, cost of living in Canada isn't just manageable and thirdly the climate there is crazy especially during winter, am so happy still working in Qatar earning my 160 grands kenyan money tax free

I immigrated from Africa to the US then I made my way to Canada 20 years ago. Life has changed from the time we first moved here. Before with 5k Canadian dollars you would put down for a mortgage and get into the housing market. From 2015 when the Liberals came in power housing market has gone downhill for most even those earning middle class income. \n\nIf you desire to come make sure you have the right paper work. If you are coming as a foreign trained professional. You are okay. Otherwise, make sure you have immediate family willing to help you untill you get on your feet. DON'T COME as a visitor without family to ask for refugee status. You will suffer. Most of those stranded in Toronto are those seeking asylum and shelters are full with those who came from newyork when the borders where shut.\n\nOtherwise if you can pay your bills in Africa just stay there, atleast you have morals. Our elementary schools ? are terrible here with those LGB****%$# stuff pushed on children.

Here in US average house mortgage is sh210,000 a month. Average income sh400,000 a month. Then you have bills and taxes. My niece who just came from Kenya last year on work visa is making sh13 million a year as an RN. That’s sh 1.1 million a month. I think she’ll be just fine! My advice, get a bachelors degree in Kenya , apply for masters program over here, graduate and apply for a work permit. Or get a two year nursing program (can even do online internationally), work in Kenya for 2-3 years, then come here through work visa. Or apply for green card and come with a work permit. People who suffer the most are undergraduates and visitor visa holders with no work permit. They work for minimum wage under the table.

Hi Lynn, this is a very interesting conversation. I moved to Canada in 2003 went to college and became a nurse. First of all it was not easy paying for college I was lucky that husband was supporting with the bills as I went to school. So I would say that I have skills that are very marketable. Our combined family income was over $100,000 CAN. We mortgaged our first home which was very basic for a LOT of money. We had our kids and we had to struggle with childcare as most young families do. By North American standard, we were doing good. We each had a good car ( loaned), we made trips to Kenya every so often but in 2016 we decided we wanted to move back home and we sold our home and we did. I HAVE NO REGRETS. There were several things that made us reach our decision. First, I truly believe that for the Canadian system to work as it does, it has to entrap its residents. Even after 10 years of work we did not have money in the bank. Everything we owned really belonged to the bank. The light bulb moment for me came when I evaluated my net worth. A primary school teacher in Kenya after 10 years of work with good financial management will own a plot, a simple house and will start to invest for retirement. After 10 years of work, there wasn't much in the account, our house would need 25 years to finish paying mortgage and to be honest there wasn't much to show for those years of work. Quality of life really sucks the amount of stress will definitely send you to the grave sooner. This is the case for most first generation immigrants. You might say you are sacrificing and building a future for your children but, my observation was since our diaspora children have not grown in Kenya to see the need for money and what life really looks like without the comforts they are used to, they do not have the same drive as the parents so they often do not excel they are just ordinary. There is also the struggle of growing up as a minority group. A lot of our children because they are seeking acceptance will struggle with self esteem, will have depression or will join the LGBTQ community where they get sense of belonging regardless of their colour. The morals are also different from their parents and they are shaped by the society they grow up in. When I looked at what my life would look like if we kept living there, lets say we eventually pay off our mortgage, when we are old and requiring care, our children will not be able to support themselves and support us because they have to work to sustain themselves so we would to move to assisted living or nursing homes. The cost of senior care is not covered by the government unless you have no money. so we have to sell out home which would be old and outdated but still very expensive and we would have to pay $5000-$10000 per month depending on the type of care we need. so as you can see if we ended in a nursing home for 5 years we will have depleted all the money we made from the sale of our home. So by the time we die, we would not have money to leave for our children. So we worked really hard, supported the economy, and die leaving not much at all for our children, we sacrificed our quality of life, and ended up with children who don't think much of themselves or have very distorted morals. I still remember in my mind as we drove to the airport on our way back to Kenya, I thought of the story of Lot. He was pretty successful in Sodom but I'm very sure on his death bed he had lots of regrets why he ever went there. I know its tough being in Kenya but if you have a job or any way to make ends meet, be like Abraham. God will bless you regardless of whether you are in the dessert.

The truth is Canada USA uk this countries are going down because of the influx of immigrants seeking asylum, they have tried years and years taking in people.\nThe living conditions have collapsed and everything has just become expensive.\nPeople back in Africa need to understand that when we tell you not to come to the west is because we’ve experienced hardships and are trapped. \nIt’s easy to get in but difficult to come out,so it’s better you don’t enter at all because now you face challenges of exiting. \n\nIf you’re doing well at home, have a car a house/piece of land and a stable job, stay at home, don’t make the same mistake that some of us made and now we’re trapped.\nOn the other hand if you’re unemployed and young you may come and test the waters.\nJust so you know , it’s not easy being a foreigner.

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 ?? ❤️

Happy Birthday ?Thank you Lynn for what you do, may the Lord bless the work of your hand. I was a very good volleyball player, I used to play for this company in kenya, I will not mention their name. Guess what? Every time we won the games, they promised to employ us. They will tell us to apply and write an essay to why you needed that job. I suffered for 4 years writing essays and applying. Little did I know, the secretary would hide my application in her drawer and bring in her family member. It happened I got a scholarship to play and go to school. I finished school, I work out of the country and never regret again. My point is, some of us left kenya because we were pushed to the edge, it is difficult to get a job and people are very mean in those offices. If you try to invest, you get conned too.

Most people have sold their souls to the devil in the name of living abroad esp canada, us, uk, austraila, germany etc. Let me tell you what they do, they go with visitors visa then go and surrender to government seeking asylum. They are told by their lawyers to say they are members of lgbtq and they are not accepted in africa. That way, cos wazungu wanapenda lgbtq people, they are given assylum. Isnt that selling ones soul?. My 24 years daughter had chance to go to canada and i would have afforded the agent and ticket but when we heard about the plans once she landed there, nilisema shidwe, i can NEVER SACRIFICE MY CHILD IN DEVILS ALTER FOR MONEY HOWEVER MUCH SHE WILL MAKE WHILE THERE. God made us born in Africa Kenya with a reason. He will prosper us here. Mimi siwezi omba God watoto and then i hand them over to devil for money, wacha ikae. Infact God honoured our faith and gave us a very good opportunity to make money here and shes doing better than some of those abroad. Heri kwa Mungu, hakuna hasara.

Lynn some of these people say it is a trap but if you ask them why they are still in Canada, they won't tell you. He left Canada and was back after 7 years. Why not buy the properties in his country. Why go back to Canada to buy those properties? For some reason I feel bad that those who have gone have found a way of discouraging those who aspire to be there yet themselves don't want to leave. I am yet to meet a Kenyan in the streets of Kenya who will tell me that he/she came back because Canada, US, or Canada is a trap. They all say that in the streets of Canada. And those who come back, benefit a lot from the knowledge and money they made while in Canada,US, Australia, or UK. I think it's too much now.

The us could easily fix these peoples’ problems by invading any Western Hemisphere country and in the new constitution say that no head of state or assembly members can serve more than 10 years before a new leader was elected by the people in elections monitored by the Western Hemisphere states! It would save billions of dollars and countless families hardships.

Grew up in Weston and did live up in Scarborough for a number of years however even in 1989 I found it to be too much and overcrowded at that time, and so I decided to leave, I left and never came back so much better on the west coast, nice weather, less snow less salt on the roads . Less population lots and lots of wide open spaces. Vancouver come anyone and check us out.

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.

Maritimer here: I remember going to a small town in Maine for my cousin's funeral a few years back (half my family is American), and when we were checking-in at the hotel, there was a couple taking their suitcases out of the trunk of their car. The man had a handgun tucked in the back of his pants, and I remember the feeling I got seeing it when he bent over. It was pure Fear. In my mind, this man could kill me or my family in an instance if he wanted to. To me, that was the scariest thought, it felt so wrong that it was normal to carry a weapon. \n\nMind you, we have guns in Canada, they are mainly used for hunting or gun ranges, and you need a licence, which you need to pass a test if you want to go hunting with it. I guess growing up in Canada made me think that guns are dangerous and should be kept away from people... so hearing about the children's safety concerns around guns.. is probably because to us, guns out in the public is inconceivable... even worse around children. \n\nWhen there's a shooting in Canada, it's not a feeling that is reserved for the town or city where it happened. The country in its entirety mourns, it becomes Our issue. Anyways, I know my response is months late, but I felt compelled to share. :P

In the next 10 years India is going to be a well developed nation.I am amazed by the positive changes happening in India every time I visit India.I am seriously contemplating moving back to India from the US to start a business . Remember kids,the grass seems always greener on the other side .