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I am a Kenyan living in Toronto for 8years now. Most people coming from outside who did enough research on the cost of living and getting work often find success. Having met a few of the Kenyans who were featured in the newsclip (which was totally gaslighting type news) the common theme is that they moved to Canada - first on refugee status, without sufficient research on cost of living, the timeline between their refugee status and getting a work permit to start working and expectations of the kind of jobs they can get as a new immigrant to Canada. I moved here as a student and even with over 10years prior work experience, I had to start from the bottom and worked up. And this happens even to people moving here from UK, Australia etc, its not a bias toward people of color. Things are hard everywhere !!

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.

Canada has been ridiculously good to me and for me, even as I appreciate that this is not the average experience. I came here 36 years ago, when there were jobs looking for people, and not the other way around. Back then we had the choice to skill up some more or go in full force in careers, which worked for many of us. I can see how tough it would be for new immigrants now, especially professionals who were already established back in Africa not wanting to get re-validated in order to practice here. That is a journey best played out by new engineers, doctors and other crucial professions where they have time on their side and not feel like they are giving up much to start from scratch. Canada is great but each person has to weigh their reason for wanting to be here. If the scales tip this way, then one has to fully commit to the move to make it work. Otherwise, truly look to make that success happen wherever you are ..... Africa, Asia or Australia. It IS possible!

He is spot on\nMost of us came because of family. \nMy family has been in Canada for the past 9 years, I was visiting 2x a year, had an awesome job back home in Nigeria. \nI had to make the tough call to join my family because I was losing them, especially my kids. Having experienced love, growing up in a loving family, and with the passing away of my Father, I took the leap of faith. \nGod has been faithful though, yes, the system takes back all you've worked for. \nAt the end of the day, it's all about the kids ?

Them democrats doing this. They can easily send the National guard. I believe the republicans in on it to. I don't trust Nobody but JESUS.. America use these people to. And don't pay them there rightful wages. America owe them reparations to. I remember America moved this good job. To Mexico. Where a lot of black people worked at. America is roting. I knew a few people that worked there. They had good benefits. Good retirement. A lot of black people worked there. The company was a blessing to many black families.. mostly black people worked there. And liked it. And they moved that company to Mexico to pay them less..oh that was horrible.

A friend asked me to post this\n\nI came to the US when I was 18, went to college, and earned an MBA. I worked for 15 years with an H1B Visa and finally one day, I received a letter and had to leave the country in 60 days. It feels weird cause I feel like a stranger in my own land. I now make 10% of what I used to earn. I'm considering moving to France or Canada in 2024.\n\nPS: I spent 5 years in college and 15 years as an employee years in total

Healthcare workers in Canada are over worked and underpaid especially since the cost of living is so high and increasing and because I work in healthcare nearing retirement and haven’t had a raise in over five years !

I'm Canadian and worked in Dertoit for almost 10 years, I crossed the border daily working for GM. I've also done work in Louisiana, Indiana and all around Michigan. \nAmerica has some of the nicest people I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. It's a beautiful country and has a ton to offer anyone with an ounce of drive. The variety you have in your economy is amazing, we don't have a lot of choice when we buy stuff, you guys have so much more to choose from, take restaurants for example, I've never seen so many chain restaurants in one place, we have a handful of them. \nFrom what I've seen, there's also a lot of poverty, crime and violence, but that's literally everywhere right now, even here in Canada, we don't prosecute violent crime anymore. The gun issue is probably the biggest problem...I always felt extremely vulnerable out in public, especially driving, because I assumed everyone had a gun on them, I seen so many random guns on people, it just blew my mind. I always had to keep in mind when I was driving not to road-rage...That's how you get shot. The health care industry in America is nothing but a business model designed to bankrupt people. Our system isn't great at all...nothing to boast about. If you have to visit the ER at any hospital, you'd better bring food and water, you'll be there at least 8 hours before you're even seen by a doctor. Our health care is free yes, but we're taxed to death here because of it. I do indeed wish we had a 2-teir health care system, I want the option to pay to get seen soonest. America and Canada have free(ish) speech. We're both being ruled by leftist loonies, but that's all changing in our next respective election cycles. Biden and Trudeau will be shown the door and we can hopefully get back to healthy debate and more conversation in society...Instead of automatically dismissing each other, vitriolic badgering one another and hating each other. We had unity for a brief time, we all saw it, after 9/11 happened. We put our petty crap aside and saw each other as brothers and sisters. That didn't last very long and we've been in a constant state of crisis ever since. The media has driven a huge nail right through society, and takes a blow at every single issue we face, making it Left vs Right...\nIt's unfortunate to say, but it's going to take something truly devastating, possibly on a biblical scale, for us to come together again.

When i was getting my Canadian permanent residence around 2015-2016, they didnt just automatically give it to you if you stayed and worked for 3 years after graduating. You had to gain at least one year of work experience in canada at a certain managerial level of seniority in those 3 years in order to qualify for permanent residence, which is very hard to do as a new graduate. I didnt manage to gain that full year in time before my 3 year work permit expired, so had to go through a very stressful experience of getting a temporary work permit for one more year tied to my shitty employer at the time. Only after that was I able to complete that required year as a manager and eventually qualify for PR. If they removed that rule since then, thats awesome

Ashir bai i m your fan being an actor and writer. I had to take handshake from Novartis (working in sales and marketing) 2 yrs ago because the division of co in which i was working discontinued. After that i worked as dairy farm manager. But right now i m free planning to start my small business. Can you guide me how I can apply for immigration of cannada. I always believed in honesty and doing my work with my own hands but I always found myself misfit in this society bec never got any undue favour from anybody. Plz guide. \nTariq Gujrat Pakistan.

I've traveled and worked in many parts of the USA. In most cases, I've found people to be more friendly, helpful and outgoing than Canadians because we tend to be more reserved.\n\nThe exceptions are when Americans feel afraid or threatened for some reason. Then things get really scary very quickly. The gun culture is one reason for this. At a coffee break in Houston my coworkers started talking about guns because one of them had been held up at gunpoint. His car was in the shop to repair a bullet hole in his front fender. This triggered talk about where people kept their guns at home, in their cars and on their persons. A small pile of 3 handguns ended up on the table while we talked, two of them from women's purses. All but one of the people had never used their guns except at a shooting range. The exception blew out a neighbor's over-loud outdoor speakers with a shotgun. He felt this was justified because he paid his shocked neighbor double the destroyed equipment's value in cash. Most of the Texans didn't agree with him but understood his rationale.\n\nI can handle a rifle and shotgun. Many Canadians hunt, but I can't think of a place in Canada where I could have had this conversation.

I worked in Maryland for a couple of months (stayed in Havre de Grace) and absolutely loved the Chesapeake Bay area. I could happily live in that area if I had some sort of health insurance. I'm saying this as a white male, though. If I was an ethnic minority, woman or LGBTQ my answer would be a firm 'no'. In any instance, the US would certainly not be my first choice; I would pick any western European country, Japan, NZ or Australia before the US simply because of the better, more progressive societal norms and much lower rate of deadly violence.

I have two brothers living in the states. The one in Wisconsin is my big brother and he means the world to me. He does have his foibles about race and he tolerates me bringing him to task for some of the things he's said. He was brought up in Kentucky. He seems to be seeing the light now. I have spent time with him and my sister-in-law, and my nieces and nephews in Florida, Illinois, Kentucky and Indiana. We are close now despite being brought up worlds apart. My next oldest brother lives in West Virginia. I haven't seen him on over 30 years. He had a habit of moving without telling the rest of the family. I didn't know he had divorced and remarried. I worked for the Canadian Military as well as some of the American contingent where I worked. I had to renew information for my Security Clearance just after 9/11. He refused to give me any info because Rush Limbaugh was telling Americans the terrorists came to the U.S. from Canada (they actually were taking flight training in Florida). I suppose I could easily take up American citizenship since our mother had dual citizenship but I think I'll decline. I'm too much of a Canuck to change now. I don't think I could get used to politicians winning an election and immediately starting a new campaign. The process seems exhausting to always be bombarded with things politic. Here our electioneering is held to 6-8 weeks before the election and strict limits are placed on funding and contributions. Besides, I live in a small city of 58-60 thousand (North Bay, Ontario). In the close to 70 years that I've lived here, I can recall only 3 murders, so you'll under if I find mass shootings shocking and abhorrent and truthfully scary. I'm a little long winded today....Sorry.

Been to USA several times. NYC,Florida,Boston, Virginia (includingDC) Houston, Michigan and LA. Never really had a bad experience except at 6 Flags in Springfield. The teens would walk 6 or 7 abreast and literally run you down. I finally said to my wife we need to stop thinking like Canadians and stand our ground . It worked. My son was 17 at the time and at the end night show was amazed by the rabid cheering as all the branches of the military were named. We always carried extra insurance. Overall We found the people to be really friendly and interested in where we were from. The comment on Nova Scotia was usually “oh wow”. Not sure if they thought we were from the ends of the earth or had no Idea where it was. No i would not live there but the USA is full-of really nice people and it’s a great place to visit.

No question there are many things thatAmericans can enjoy that are not available for Canadians. For one, the variety of consumer goods is more plentiful due to the size of your population. Our population is one tenth of the U.S. so the consumer market is much smaller. Having lived in the US for a dozen years, I missed so many things about Canada. Now living back here I appreciate our universal health care and the fact that everyone isn’t walking around with a weapon. Those were the two things that really bothered me about the US. I had a great job and worked with great people and we continue to be friends. And now the political climate in the US is teetering on absolute chaos. ????

Racism happens to a lot of races here in Canada and around the world and I think will always be the case. My mom came from the Philippines and worked two jobs back to back for 17 years and was bullied so badly by East Indians because they ran her work place but she had to stay strong and deal with that among other things while growing up but is still grateful to Canada until this day. My ex girlfriend of many years was Congolese but grew up in Kenya and yes I felt racism on her part when we were together and it was frustrating and sad but again it came from all races not just white people. She is still grateful for Canada and always stayed strong and didn’t let these idiotic attitudes tear her down. Hopefully things will change in the world but the state it is in right now doesn’t seem to be the case.

Damn. White folks loved me out there. I had all good experiences. Sorry it's bad for y'all. But I like fishing n shooting guns n drank mad beer with them so I dunno they liked me. Took me fishing n on speedboats. I had a great time there. Maybe you got an attitude issue. You look kinda b*tchy. I was in Drayton Valley too. Millionaire boss took me fishing and treated me to lunches. Shot guns with em, drank beers, worked on their houses, let me stay on their land, super nice ppl. In actuality some of the nicest ppl I have encountered in life thus far.

Such a slap in the face to homeless people who were born, worked in, and lived in America all their life. Where is their “free ticket” to housing and resources? America makes it hard for their own; especially Blacks, to survive. Always some kind of impossible agreement they want you to agree with to obtain help. As a Black American, homeless and disabled; worked low wage jobs here in America over 30 years; was blocked from receiving my full lump sum disability because they knew it would have been enough to buy myself a home; Have been homeless over a year now and can’t agree to America’s rules for fair housing because their rules aren’t fair for Black Americans altogether. America have set Blacks against Blacks; put them in positions to turn other Blacks away from houses and resources; but all they care about is their job. They know their job requires the impossible for many Blacks to agree to, but they easily and intentionally overlook it. How can I agree to volunteer or work if I’m disabled? I applied for disability because I can no longer work. And…It took forever for me to get that. My long, steady work history will prove that I’m not lazy which is used as their excuse for not helping Blacks. America will bend over backwards to help foreigners while we sleep on the streets. That’s the reason why they went out on a limb to employ people from different countries. They called it diversity when they clearly knew it was racism. They had rather employed foreigners to keep Blacks from progressing. America is reaping its seeds right now. Say good bye to America because it’s about to become a new foreign country to all Americans. You reap the seeds you sow. You must be fair to your own first, but you disclaim your own. ❤ And by the way;…..Reparations to Black Americans may be a good start in the eyesight of God who have watched how you treated us for so very long. Nobody in America should be homeless regardless. When God says enough; wickedness and injustices must stop. Not tomorrow but right now! In the name of Jesus; Blacks shall receive reparations so they may live safe and peaceful lives in measures of ours and our ancestors works. Father I pray a special blessing for these people that’s crossing over. Only you know their situation as you know ours. All we want to do is to live in peace on Earth as you intended for all. Amen. ❤

I came to the states when I was little unfortunately I had to start working I was 15 I worked in a restaurant so i could support my sick mother in my country then I learned English and moved into a different job I never had the opportunity to go to the school since Noone would supported me !! I fall in love with some US girls we have 2 kids she worked sometimes I never pushed her to do so ! I tried to fix papers but the lawyers took my money and never did nothing about it ! I got into a traffic incident I got a ticked and fine once I payed off I get caught and sent back to a place I should call home !! I don't know nobody here don't know the place anymore !! dangerous people crazy !! my kids abandoned in the states now probably their mother asking for help to the government? who knows the last thing I heard is she was selling what it used to be our properties! I don't have contact with my kids anymore ! is horrible then we have this people just going there and getting asylum??? not fare!

My parents came to this country in the 70s from a small country in SAmerica. they brought me 3 years later and my handicap brother 2 years later. The USA embassy made my parents sign a paper stating that my brother will not used any government assistance ( he had polio when he was little so he has to walk with scratches) and that's what my parents did until my brother got a job. He worked for 40 years in the same job until he retired 6 years ago. With the exception of the mass rehab center for job training, my brother never used government assistance. \nI remember my mother and I we used to wake up at 4 o'clock in the morning to shovel the snow from the driveway so it would be safe for him to walk to his car to go to work at 5 am. I am very proud of my brother. \nSome people think that receiving government assistance is smart, but we think is not bc it makes you a dependent, you loose your sovereignty as an individual. And these people don't realize that. Personally I think these people are getting paid to do this bc this is not normal. \nIn the other hand, the USA government in the quest to protect its interests ( mainly the corporate interests) support candidates that will go along with what the US says. \nI would like to point out that in this country, there's plenty of corruption, do u do anything about it? ! Jan 6 is the only time that I see it happening ( for me, Jan 6 will forever be a very important holiday)

They need to go home\n I have had to fight all my life to live here. I have worked hard, raised my kids with no help from the government.\nThey should never be allowed in here like this

I will say I have been lucky in Calgary (moved to Alberta in 2011; became perm res in 2018) with my healthcare. I have a great liver specialist and family doctor as well as a backup. I just fell and cut the back of my head Monday (2 staples but nicely done; I do not feel any pain). I know that is not common for people. I think some of it is timing based on the comments. It will only get better if we quit USing it (i.e. politicizing it). As an ex-pat watching that dumpster fire, moving to Canada in 2010 (first year in YVR) was the right step for me (however, that said, being that I am plain white looking male, I know that made it so easy at least until I applied for Perm Res. Then, being a white american worked against me). Luckily, I had been involved with a Canadian citizen several years whom sponsored me for Perm Res. I really enjoy seeing your POV in your videos. Thanks for posting them.

My friend is from Mexico who came to the US legally and has been a border officer for many years now. He has a very hard time telling Mexican migrants that they cannot enter the US illegally. But the law is law and it is the same if you enter Mexico. It's just a matter of Mexico doesn't have many opportunities for jobs that pays well and it's a better life in the US. I grew up with migrants all of my life. They worked 3 jobs for many hours per day but would rather have that than go back to Mexico - with no job. If Mexico had a flourishing economy, I feel migration isn't an issue. But then there's history - California belongs to Mexico but someone sold it to the Americans long ago.

Yes and if these people truly believed in God and Jesus they wouldn't run from their countries but actually stay on the ground and stand strong in their faith that God and Jesus are going to help them persevere through all this. As a fully disabled American citizen with a child that doesn't even get $1,000 a month and there's no available housing at all where I live no waiting list to go on people on SSI disability don't get any extra housing help we're not offered separate housing are put on separate lists and low-income Able Body people or the migrants jumping the Border but I was born and raised here paid taxes and worked until my body literally couldn't anymore but I don't hear anybody bitching and screaming and crying about the fact that my son and I would be on the streets if it hadn't been for one of my family members stepping up and giving his housing after a lifetime restraining order issued during my pregnancy on my son's biological do do with domestic abuse situation. I'm also US citizen that spent time in the Wards in Houston and projects and other cities and if you don't think that we don't have the same gun violence drug trafficking human trafficking gangs take it over cartels taking over neighborhoods and communities than you're freaking lying to yourself and everybody else. The same s*** that's taken over these countries is taking over the inner cities have been for decades and these are the same communities that most of these people will end up in. No it's not about not being good Christians part of being a good Christian is reminding people to stand their ground and have faith in Jesus and God and their own home territory and not to give it up to the crime people in the bad politicians. You can't say you believe in God and Jesus Christ and then he's got your back while you're running and that's the truth in the reality that nobody wants to hear the more people run from these countries the more the bad people are able to take over and then we get complaints here in the states about the cost attacks is rightfully so. For those people screaming and shouting that everybody should go out pick up in my grant and bring them home to their house and feed them and take them and I challenge you to do the same thing for homeless before you even do the migrant do homeless American citizens go out and really educate yourself because I'm totally tired of hearing from Americans that the only people that live on the streets are people with mental health problems that need mental health treatment or people that are stoned out and that's where they want to be you guys are so f****** wrong and this is coming from someone that met homeless people spent time around homeless people and understand we have a society that wants to paints a very different picture than what's truly going on because then it allows for hey it's not our problem they want to be there. I will say there's two I'm sure a lot of people are attracted to come into the United States I mean it's kind of turned into the Devil's Playground don't you think I mean look at how ostentatiously people live the projects on the backs of taxpayers selling dope holding down dead-end jobs to make it look like they're working all while going out and getting their hair did and their nails done and their eyelashes done and pimping out their cars and all that b******* and buying all this you know high-end tennis shoes and f****** clothing and Handbags and s*** and then we have the part of the United States that justified of themselves all the time or it's okay to have this huge palatial house or have multiple houses I'll we have United States veterans living on the streets or people that truly have disabilities that have been a waiting list for 2 and 3 years for housing. I remind people all the time and they hate hearing this s*** Jesus never had a house as a matter of fact Jesus basically live like a homeless person after he was an adult particularly and God made sure he was provided for. I mean did you all forget the night they came to take them away they were asleep in an Open Garden it wasn't like they popped up tents or glamper camper sites had some little Adobe type cabins they were sleeping in. As a matter of fact if you pay attention to most of the stories about Jesus and talking about him sleeping he does a lot of sleeping Outdoors. Remember God is a father that's how he's been represented and talked about in the Bible and Jesus was a man without a doubt no biological transgender question ability there. People need to remember that part of being a fair and loving. Is also teaching and discipline and these children following rules. I don't believe hearing God and Jesus telling all these people run from your countries and not have faith that I'm actually going to fix things for you and go run to somebody else actually go run to the United States where all those stuff is traveling through. I never understood the logic of that it's like rats run from the country where they're making the drugs to the country that supplying the globe with it and we're all of these bad people have thousands of people in planted everywhere with guns and hookups. I don't know why people don't understand that we have dirty lawn forcement in dirty politicians that are in bed with the dirty drug cartels that's as much as they are in the country. You don't think that there's not decisions made in the United States based on drugs and I'm not talking about how to put it into them but how to keep them flowing. I have Fred still in Florida and we were all making jokes about how quickly Sanibel Island all the way up to st. Pete got Mainland access so quickly after the last major hurricane that took everything down and we all know what it's from is because that portion of Florida is used to bring a lot of drugs in from South America, Central America. So for all of you that want to post your personal assumptions about homeless people because that's all it is unless you've actually been homeless or spent time around homeless you really have no clue what's going on in the homeless population except what you've been told by the same political talking head media bulshit that's been lying to everybody about a bunch of other stuff too. Don't you get it the politicians don't want people knowing that a lot of the people that are homeless on the street are people that are disabled and aren't disabled because they have mental health problems I know that's the narrative they've been trying to stuff down people's throats.

I can't believe we're taking in Asylum seekers from the US are you kidding me? This Country is a mess it's lowest but our Government just keeps sticking us with paying for anyone wanting into Canada. We shouldn't have any homeless vets & why does Canada think we can afford more people? Our small house we worked for & had 2 children in won't be able to keep it because the cost of living & taxes keep going up. Hours being cut & not enough money to put away. Building supplies doubled after the pandemic. I can't find the medical help I need. God help us as our Government isn't going too. No more people we should start a movement like the truckers that took over our City last year.

Others had worked to build that country and yet stabilize. I think it is paying it forward. I take the uniform access to care, a way of ensuring health sector is funded because the rich also know that is the place they may use even at old age. A country that ensures every dime goes back into the system is laudable. When in Rome behave like the Romans. Leave the place better than you met it but never worse than it was.

Well Canada is a great country, my grand parents were able to get here in 1957 with their 3 kids, after going through and surviving WWII, work in Europe was scarce and employers were abusing their workers everywhere. My dad was one of those 3 children's, he met my mother here, they had me and my sister. Today i have 3 boys of my own and my sister has 2 girls. Canada has any country as their plusses and minuses, but i wouldn't live anywhere else. I've lived my whole life on the south shore of Montréal, worked in and around Montréal for 35 years. Never ran out of work as long as i was willing and able to work. I've worked in all my life, 65% immigrants and 35% Québecer's. There both are kinda racists in some way and they have there own reasons as well. I was bullied in school till i was 11 years old, i had an accent and dressed differently since my dad made our clothing. Being ridiculed, pushed, punched etc, and then one day the bully of the school approached me and wanted to fight me. I was scared, everyone else were laughing, so i clenched my fist and punched that kid right on the nose. Everyone got quiet and the principal came out, we went to his office and then he asked me straight away : Are you gonna do this again or was it a one time thing ?? I said it will be one time thing unless someone else wants to fight me again, then i will have to defend myself again. He said ok and now go back to class, and that was that. But in the 1970's with the augmentation of people moving here after WWII, people in Canada were scared immigrants would steal their jobs etc. My grand father worked all his life till he died at 82 years old. Worked 6 days a week, 12 to 16 hours a day. My dad had worked all his life 70 hours a week and sometimes 85 hours a week. People complaining about doctors or hospitals, a lot are going in for a cold, the flu, headaches etc, for sure take 2 aspirin or tylenol and stay home, no need to see a doctor for that. If you have a broken limb or were in an accident, you go right in and get fixed up without issue really. Any country as it's inconveniences in the end ?

This happened 20 years ago in China. I was one of them. Back then, there was no work permit allowed while studying. I worked under the table for $4 per hour in a restaurant. Luckily I had tips to compensate income. It got me through university. I was lucky to get a good job after graduation. Everything was good afterwards.

Born and raised in Québec City, I think it's really special but each province/city has its own places of beauty. I worked in Toronto as a student and I had a fabulous time there. Different culture to Quebec but still nice and so welcoming. I swam in Georgian Bay, it is so huge, what a beautiful place. I also visited New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and parts of Nova Scotia and I couldn't believe the scenery and how friendly the people were. Unfortunately, it's often easier and cheaper for Canadians to travel south then east-west.

When I lived in NJ, people would work in NYC but wanted to live in central or southern NJ. I had a job that paid me $22/hour back in like 2012. But I worked with a guy who quit his job in the city because he couldn't stand the commute. Him and his family moved to a cheaper area of NJ (still nice, but cheaper) and he took a job where I worked. He told me that if I was driven, that same job paid $40/hour. And even then, he couldn't really afford to live comfortably in the city. But eventually he found it most beneficial to take a lower paying job closer to home and find a cheaper place to live. That is city living though. It's always way more expensive. But I agree, living in a city in the US is ridiculous when it comes to cost of living.

I lived in Newark nj and worked and shopped in Newark nj..Only had to take 1 or 2 buses..But then I moved to Hershey pa! The culture was different,the vibe was different and the people was so DAMN FRIENDLY.. I lived in pa and Georgia,they hated me because I had that NJ “attitude” that they say..But the areas I was at had absolutely no transportation!! That part of pa and Georgia I was stranded..

I moved from the U.S. to Canada. Some observations:\n1. It's unbelievably safe in Canada. The most dangerous places in Canada are still very safe compared to much of the U.S.\n2. Outside of DC and New York and I guess Chicago and L.A. in the U.S. and Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver in Canada, you need a car. I disagree that city planning is that much better in Canada.\n3. The maternity leave in Canada is great \n4. The unemployment insurance in Canada is great too\n5. I prefer the Canadian health care system. I never experienced any long wait times. My wife had literal brain surgery and it was free whereas it would've been hundreds of thousands of dollars in the U.S.\n6. Canada is further to the left and is much more woke than the U.S. Everything here is about equity, diversity and inclusion. Even many Canadian conservatives would be moderates in the U.S. but most people know this already.\n7. There is a better work life balance in Canada. I worked a lot more when living in the U.S.\n8. Most Canadians live by the U.S. border  so the weather is not that different than most northern American states. But once you go to northern Canada, it is as cold as they say it is.\n9. The U.S. is better for making money.\n10. It is much more racially segregated in the U.S. \n11. Outside cities like Montreal and Toronto, Canada is very white.\n12. Things are much more spread out in Canada. When I lived in the U.S. driving for 1 hour to go somewhere was a long drive. In Canada, that is normal.\n13. Canada is pretty great if you like the outdoors. There's only 36 million people here and outside the major cities, you find small towns and the wilderness. \n14. Canadians are quite friendly. I know my neighbors in the country. I never knew my neighbors in the U.S.\n15. Canadian politics is boring and I like this. However, in the rural areas, it seems that people really hate Justin Trudeau.\n16. Since Canada is so similar to the U.S. it is very easy to adjust to life here.\n17. Outside of Quebec, you really don't need to speak French. \n18. The nationalism of the Quebecois is very surprising. There is no group in the U.S. this nationalistic.

Wanna see real, disgusting, vindictive racism? Go to Saudi Arabia. I worked there as a teacher in a univ. One day, the univ admin where I was working, called prince sattam univ, decided to suspend the annual increment for non-Saudis because the univ was going thru economic hardships. Saudi employees' salaries weren't affected by the economic hardship, but the foreigners did not have rights, so only they had to foot the tab! Sure enough, I resigned. Many other foreigners chose to stay, unfortunately. Maybe they had to; they had families and financial liabilities probably.

To the lady who is in the video pointing out all the bad stuff, where are you from? Let's talk about why you left your country. I don't get why people are so shocked we have homelessness in Canada, I guess people from other poorer countries overlook this part. Homelessness has been around for many decades now. Money doesn't grow on trees, you have to earn it my dear. I have lived in 2 cities and never had a hard time finding a doctor. My parent's immigrated here legally and they came from small mountain villages. They learned the language (not easy) they worked hard, and they never had to go on assistance. They bought their home paid it off had 3 kids and lived their life and never complained, maybe its because they came from a different generation. You have to look at the big picture.

Very nice video .. wish I had seen it way b4 …. Canadian culture once u explained it is so good .. something I always wanted .. but I carried my same mentality that worked in my prev jobs and really got ghosted in the new work place\n…now I get to know why after seeeing ur video

You're not correct about the Quebec government banning the hijab - actually they ban all forms of religious expression in clothes worn at work by public servants - so don't criticize us unless you get the facts straight. All countries are facing public health crisis especially in the aftermath of a global pandemic, you mention how long it could take to get an MRI - weeks/months, but it's no worse than in the UK, or other western countries. I do agree with you about limited competition in banking and tech - but we're still a young and growing country, however, look at the global recession that took place in 2007 - Canada was least affected by mortgage default, the US was hit the worst and hundreds of thousands had their homes foreclosed by the Banks, yet in Canada because of our strict banking policies we were saved and the Banks worked with defaulters to try to keep their homes. Taxes, well most countries require you to file your own taxes at the end of the year - what's so strange about that? Yes sales tax is added onto the sales price depending on what province and what you are purchasing, same as US, just because it's not the same in Europe doesn't mean it's worse! Listen, when you're a newcomer to any country you need to fit in when looking for a job, put in the effort, take the time, do the work, any country is going to expect you to be able to speak the language and know the lingo, so I don't agree with your analysis that Canadians are risk adverse! You are 100% correct about the housing crisis, listen it's been going on everywhere for decades, and international investors in the past 10 years or so woke up and noticed that Canada was a great bet for investment, so the problem got really bad. The government just passed a 2 year moratorium on non Canadians buying real estate - as have many other countries, so fingers crossed no more new foreign landlords just regular Canadians buying their first homes, let's hope so!! I've lived many years in Europe - and I loved it! But the quality of life in Canada is better. If you don't live in the crowded city you can have a nice property with lots of space, good roads, not bad school system, very friendly and helpful people. Quebec has some of the best food on the North American continent, we have clean air and lots of water in Canada - I'm very happy here, so don't be so negative please!

It made me really sad to hear stories like this when I went to school. We had 3 Indian students in our class and I became good friends with one of them. He was 16K in debt with the recruiter that sent him here, and was expected to pay for his brothers upcoming wedding. His dad used to be a farmer but he was disabled now so his parents couldnt contribute anything. He worked 3 jobs and lived in a house crammed with 6 international students. He is now back in India and married with a beautiful baby, but I dont know if he has paid down that debt. I worry about him

hmm .. when I worked in Japan for about a year locals told me that if I wanted to obtain Japanese citizenship I had to either perform a heroic act saving lives, marry a Japanese woman or officially employed in Japan for at least ten years. Just residing in Japan doesn't count. I have also heard that the notorious Nigerian crooks of Tokyo marry Japanese women to obtain citizenship. Reading the comments, I am stunned Canada hands out citizenship like napkins, are we talking about dual citizenship here??? and what about when they don't like the cold and decide to leave, they still can keep that citizenship like some sort of collector's badge? Like, I said before, this is stunning.

I was born and raised in Canada. My family immigrated in the 70s. Growing up I was proud to be Canadian but after living in other parts of the world I can tell you, Canada isn't it! \n\nFirstly our Prime Minister is a puppet he works for the Commonwealth and whatever they say goes, they profit off all of your hard work. \nThey keep you sick so you rely on the health care system. Medicate you instead of solving the problem. Doctors are exhausted, rude and over worked, emergency rooms are a disaster and if you book an appointment to see your doctor...be sure you're waiting at least a week. If you go to a walk in clinic you risk getting a doctor that seems like they paid for a fake degree.\n\nYou know when you go to a mall in one town and then hear about a mall in another town that has really cool different things??? Ya, not here! Everything is monopolized! Same stores everywhere you go. there's a mall in Toronto called Vaughn Mills mall, when I was in Calgary they have an exact replica just a different name. Small businesses are hard to keep because everything is so expensive. There needs to be more indoor things for people to do in the winter. \n\nWhoever said Canadians are polite, has never been to Alberta!!!! I've never experienced racism in my life like I did out west, not just Alberta but also Northwest Territories and Manitoba. \n\nOn top of that they want everyone to be gay and not believe in God, they push the agenda so hard in the schools, they institutionalize and confuse your kids. If you believe anything different they literally hate you. The children are hypersexualized...teenage girls looking like they're 30 year old drag queens. They bully kids so badly in school, especially boys. Parents have no time to get involved because they're busying working multiple jobs to pay for their 4000 dollar mortgage, husband and wife barely see each other. And because they're not involved the children have no respect for their elders or teachers. the teachers don't care to get involved like they used to because everything's a liability...a problem. We had a 13 year old girl call a male teacher a pedophile for pushing a little girl on the swing. He quit on the spot, because now he's worried for his career. Kids have no shame anymore. \n\nIF YOU WANT QUALITY OVER QUANTITY (WHICH YOU MIGHT NEVER GET), DON'T COME HERE! or, Come here and send all your money home but don't educate your kids here unless you have enough money to put them in private schools and there are good private schools. If the only thing you want out of your life is freedom, freedom to just be left alone and no one hounding you...you like being alone. Then, that you can have here. \n\nIf you are from a colonized country we are all slaves to the system!

Everyone has their own opinions, thoughts and preferences. I did not listen to the entire video but sharing my story.\n\nI came to Toronto Canada it's been 22 years and I will leave here and die here despite its expensive to live but people stay where they belong, where their soul is at peace and where there is their happiness.\n\nI moved here with my abusive husband at that time. Back home as divorce was taboo, I would have remained married n suffer. He moved on and left me and my child of 5 years old on the street but thanks to Canada, no one judged me, no one talked about me. I did not ask or took any help cause I worked 2 jobs for few years to make ends meet. With time things got better, now my child has graduated and working.\nHe worked n paid for his studies.\nI have not been discriminated or faced racism despite I come from African continent and of colour but my son has as he was young but he learnt from it.\nCanada gave me my freedom, my peace, my happiness and I am no longer discrimated by my own religion, culture and people who thinks if you are lighter you are prettier.\nWomen were and are still considered secondary compared to men.\nHere we are equal.\nHere they love and respect me for who I am and not based on looks.\nBack home my c-section was f up and I am still paying the consequences. After an accident, I had to go through a leg surgery. Back home hospital lost my file and made me wait for years.\nHere I was handled with love and care when the hospital staff learnt that I have no family here. They stayed with me and watched on me after my surgery.\nI love Canada and my Canadian friends and all adopted families.\nThis is the best decision in my entire life that's why when I die I will donate all my organs and help others.\nI am allowed to keep dual citizenship but I don't care about back home.\nI am Canadian, I have a good job cause I worked for it, I speak 5 languages including French. I work for the govt and we have a balanced life.\n\nHappiness is within us, you just have to find where your heart belongs, mine is Canada. \nMerci a Canada ??

Most Canadians of European heritage understand that those of African or Caribbean heritage will almost never actually like the cold of a Canadian winter. But we sure do, we love snowmobiling, ice hockey, ice fishing, skiing and snowboarding and all things winter. As for the long lines in an emergency department, That's called triage, and it's the same in every developed nation, granted it's a headache and discouraging, but it's the price you pay for free healthcare. I had a kidney stone flare up a few years ago and a friend that was with me drove me to the hospital, I had a morphine shot within 5 minutes of entering and left within an hour, It all depends on how big your boo-boo is that dictates your wait time. Jobs? Yes we have different standards than other country's and need to ensure the applicant is up to Canadian standards, and the last I checked our unemployment rate was around 3.7 %. Unfortunately, Canada has dropped from 9th spot in the world's happiest countries down to 14th, but still way ahead of the US. Oh, and Canadians almost never immigrate to the US, we head there sometimes for a vacation to Florida, but most of us when we have worked a lifetime and are retiring either stay somewhere here or head to Belize or Costa Rica Or portugal where housing and food is much more affordable. So in ending and a small counter to your video title. Reasons to stay in Canada are Freedom, free healthcare, social safety net, tons of winter activities, large job market for motivated individuals, Fair elections where you can vote out a party that you don't like, The peace of mind that you can walk down the street without worrying that you will be shot, robbed, mugged or molested. That's my Canada and I love it.

And if you really want a little Canadian treat go visit a serious British Columbia it has all four ecosystems in it I think it's the only place in Canada that has that at least it did when we used to stop there for lunch on our way to Vancouver maybe with climate change and everything that's gone too who knows but yeah the healthcare sucks I worked in the field got out of that field and now I'm very sick and need help and guess what no doctor I have no doctor and no doctor will listen so you guys are absolutely right if I had a way and the means and the money I'd be gone

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.

Hello Joyce, am happy to listen to your videos . I did o levels and the l did typing. I have worked in a clinic for ten years as receptionist and a helper. I have a family and both of us no-one has a job now. My daughter is in class 7 now and 2023 she will be a candidate. What job can l apply because l really need something. \n\nMy friend had invited me to US over the Easter holidays but l was scheduled for next year's interview of which am seeing it's very far . Please advice. Thanks

I worked with a guy from Ghana in Newark NJ. He had married an American woman who bossed him around and didn't really care for him. He lost a lot of money in a church pyramid scheme and I think the American diet contributed to him having a heart attack and later a stroke that killed him. I saw a video on Ghana and I really thought he would have been so much better staying in Ghana and probably would have had a much better and longer life.

It takes me 3 months to get a doctor appointment in the US here in Seattle and I was just told several months to see my eye doctor. Depending on medical plan the insurance means you do not go to the specialist without a referral. So Canadians may not have as much to complain about. My parents were immigrants to Canada because it was easier (my father was in Danish Merchant Marine and was in China Sea when his appointment would come up in New York). They did not have it easy because they did not speak the language and worked hard to learn. Working as a housekeeper was the norm for females and my mother's education meant nothing when she expected to work in a bank. Danes stuck together and helped each other to get jobs, with carpentry (most had apprenticeships like brick laying), to socialize, etc. and this is normal for immigrants. Working multiple jobs was normal and having a great home was their American dream instead of a government apartment. It is true for all immigrants that their kids will do better than the parents. The kids will have no accent if they learn English by age 12. There are age cutoffs on learning a language in child development. During the hiring process the jobs are given to people the interviewer perceives as being like themselves. This is proven by psychologists (I am one). This puts immigrants at a disadvantage unless they have a rare skill without competition. Dad got his house and Mom took my sister and went back to Denmark because of health issues and the US has garbage medical care and social services for the elderly (poor sister didn't speak Danish because it wasn't allowed in case it impacted our English skill). As a daughter of immigrants I worked 20 hours days and weekends almost all my life. I put myself through school and have been successful despite being female and making much less than men. Immigrants need to realize that it will be their kids who make the big bucks and succeed while the parents who immigrated will struggle. As a cultural mix (US, Canadian and Danish citizen because of wacky sexist rules) I have had a lot of confusion over the years trying to fit in and figure out what my values are. I have had to ask my US husband is that behavior normal? Of course different states in the US or going 200 miles north to Canada means a different language to speak (Canadian or Spanish in the South) and different values, ways of dress, etc. so being an immigrant can mean just traveling 200 miles north or to an insane state like Texas or New York. Culture shock is everywhere but most of us move for the money. I am thinking of going back to Canada but my home was Vancouver and that now looks like a hell hole. My husband had over a million dollars in medical care and I really do not wish to lose all my assets to medical costs in the US. So now I am trying to choose between death by earthquake in BC somewhere or death by tornado or perhaps fire storm in Calgary due to climate change.

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

As an older Canadian who was educated in Canada with a B.Ed. - then worked away from Canada for thirty of my forty years. There is no way to say that any country is the best one to live in; every country has strengths and weaknesses- that especially relate to your specific needs and wants. Coming back to the country of my citizenship was also extremely hard for me after working away for so many years. The way to do well anywhere in Canada, is to build up credibility/seniority at one job and stick with it. Whether you are university or self-educated- which is considered just as valuable in today's job market- you are going to face an uphill battle unless you are fairly established. Canada has a high level of unemployment and some sectors, have an overabundance of trained workers. When my Middle East friends tell me they would like to live and work in Canada, I give them the advice I would give anyone. First, think about your family or friends that you want to have around you in your daily life- that is number one. Nothing is more depressing than being alone. Weather is a big factor, but it can be tolerated if you are with your core family or friends. One hundred years ago when my ancestors fled war and revolution, they had no choice but to do their best to make a life in a very difficult climate (literally)- culturally and weather-wise. There are a number of refugees today that are in similar circumstances. They do their best to get past the difficulties for the sake of their children's futures. If you are not literally refugees, think hard about you choice to leave your core culture and people.

I like how y’all have created this video by not applying a negative undertone rather more of an informative approach to caution prospective movers of what potentially awaits them. All I would like to highlight is the fact that some people will experience all these points as negative aspects or maybe even one or two that might lead to the breaking point.\nIt all depends on where you come from and how life was in your “home” country.\nYou might come from a higher tax environment with non existent healthcare and education. From that perspective, 40% taxes might look better and the healthcare might be great or crap depending on what your health issues are. I personally haven’t had any struggles with most of these aspects - finding a great job was relatively easier, (key word - relatively) the healthcare system worked for me when I needed it to, I was mentally prepared for the high taxes, I culturally adapted to the point where people thought I was Canadian and didn’t realize I came in from a very different environment. I’m sure this cultural adaptation helped me with my job and made it easier to live here.\nAll in all, you can say I’ve had the “perfect” immigrant experience that most people would dream of. But what do i think really? Personally, I have come to realize that Canada at the moment does not fit into my personal goals and values and that is okay. Loneliness away from people you love can be tough. It just isn’t the same feeling making new friends and hanging out with coworkers who are much older than you are and in a different place in life. I’m very close to my family and friends who I’ve grown up with and are on the other side of the world. My parents are getting older and I want to spend as much time with them as possible. For that reason, I might consider being somewhere closer to them. I’d perhaps consider coming back here some day when I’ve got my own family and kids which I currently don’t have. To me, that’s a personal value high on the list. I guess my only takeaway from this video and advise to people looking at each of these points - take each one and compare it with your home country. If you think you’re better off in Canada, then move - it’s a great place! If not, think about it real hard and weigh out the pros and cons.

Pretty good Adam I'd just mention a few of those things are...I don't want to say inaccurate but way more diverse. For instance French. Yes Quebec is the only French province BUT New Brunswick is the only Bilingual province and basically half and half. This is good for things like federal of provincial services because by law they must provide service in both languages but not so basically everywhere else. The problem with this is you can have an almost completely English town almost nobody speaks French and drive 15 minutes and be in a town where nobody speaks English. Research on this might be hard because a town with a French name may not have any French people in and vise versa. Also this problem is multiplied in the fact that if you Do want a French area we don't speak standard French or Quebecois but instead Le Chiac which is a difficult and confusing mix of old French and english (almost exactly like the Cajun dialect). Second part of this is that Montreal is easy to live in if you don't speak French and is so multicultural you are just apt to hear Swahili as French in public. Last part is be very careful where you move on the prairies as they have may isolated towns some that speak French also. Next is tipping I've never had to tip anyone for a haircut outside of the military and all other forms of tipping here on the east coast are purely optional and wait staff don't get upset if you don't leave a tip unless you were a jerk or left them extra work like making a big mess (I worked as cook for a while after I got out of the army and I rarely ever head staff complain) HOWEVER....tip a waitress well and she might accidentally give you 2 pieces of pie lol and tip a taxi driver well and he will not only get you the cheapest fare he will find ANYTHING you may need no questions asked. Lastly on the nice thing....we are nice for sure especially compared to our southern neighbours BUT there is a lot of passive aggressive nice that happens and this also varies greatly. For instance as a city boy of course you answered the way you did but a guy who have lived all over this country in big and small, French and English places who now has retired to a rural town I can say I find the cities quite snobby and the French and the English can be quite snobby to each other and where I live now if you asked a random stranger for 5$ chances are you would get it also driving down the road people you don't know will just wave at you as if you were the closest friends. Canada is certainly a weird place so many extremes and my advice to anyone wanting to move here is do your research and then visit and travel a bit if possible because even us Canadians can be surprised by thing or two across this gigantic country