Close Reading

Where do Canadians go. Born and raised here. It’s not Canada anymore. Where else am I supposed to go? It’s only going to get worse. The damage Trudeau did we will never recover from, and if we do it won’t be in my lifetime.

I am Canadian born citizen, unemployed, 2 and a 1/2 years. Because I didn't know that the Trudeau government in 2022 when I lost my job due to the pandemic was allowing them to import T.F.W's as executive assistance my level of experience into my industry. I couldn't figure out why I couldn't get an interview withe almost 20yrs of experience and I was trying every trick in the book but a week ago I learned that they brought in over 2 years 300,000 admins at all levels from E.A's to receptionist now. So imagine my horror and shock to learn that 5 days ago. But you walk in everywhere. And it's just Indians from every part of South Asia and I am all for immigration I'm a child of an immigrant, but immigration is a science When dealing with a country like Canada, where it's designed to be many cultures like a 20 bean soup. You're supposed to try and keep it at being a 20 bean soup and within 3 years it became like a 2 bean soup. It's a science where you're replacing your dead, and then you bump it up like 10% to grow the population slowly with GDP so that you don't have so many Canadians. Unemployed and temporary foreign workers that come are employed. So everybody's contributing but the way they did the open door everybody bum rush. And over run the country. Our economy is now 60% dependent on people who aren't residents. They're temporary which means when they leave our fake economy is actually only built on 40% to 30% of Canadians. That's an economy that will crash because it's never supposed to be weighted that way, Canadians are supposed to be 60% to 70% of the economy and foreign workers are to be the rest. So we're in trouble when they finally go home, but they need to put a moratorium on PR's, Work permits, LIMA's, T.F.W's and restrict all educational institutions on how many Students they can accept so private schools don't scam students by taking their money then telling them they don't have a seat for them to attend class that is just criminal and do so untill end of 2025 and then review status again for 2026. So Canadians can have a shot at getting work and then slowly introduce them back in as needed for proper slow population growth and not just a free-for-all ability to work anywhere in the whole country. Major cities and everything like that. So people like me can finally get back to work.

Hey,\n\nI don’t know how popular you are but I am hoping that you (or someone else reading) can make some short shareable etiquette videos for Indian immigrants. I am constantly annoyed by the following, but because I was born in Canada, I would be cancelled for saying the things you can. I am also Indian. Here’s the list that comes to mind. I might come back and edit this because I am sure there are things I am forgetting: \n\n- coughing into your elbow instead of your hands (literally watched a guy yesterday on the bus cough into his hands then put his hands onto the support bar)\n\n- Standing to the side and letting people off the train so you can get on instead of trying to walk through people who are trying to get off \n\n- Standing up and moving to the side to let somebody off on an inside seat of the bus. I have a butt. I don’t want to be squeezing by you \n\n- Taking off their backpack while standing on the bus and putting it between their legs\n\n- Moving to the back of the bus instead of crowding by the doors\n\n- Standing in lines to get onto the bus instead of crowding\n\n- Not littering. Either put your garbage in the bin or take it with you. Stop leaving it on the beach or on hiking trails.\n\n- Learn about hiking before attempting it. We have people going up in jeans and flip flops in the evening and getting stuck on mountains or injured. Some wear running shoes but they don’t have enough traction for the trail\n\n- Shovel the sidewalk in front of your home when it snows\n\n- Stop dousing yourself with axe body spray. \n\n- Understand that Indian food makes your clothes smell. It gives off oils that get stuck in everything. Open your windows and doors when cooking to minimize this as much as possible. You won’t be able to resolve this entirely but do what you can. The skytrain now smells like Indian food even when empty. \n\n- Stop riding your bikes and scooters on the sidewalk. It’s illegal and you have a responsibility to learn the rules \n\n- Stop hiring everybody that you know. Before nepotism was all about networking, but nowadays, it seems to be about hiring Indian people that you know. I am being discriminated by employers because they think I will do the same once I am in. Diversity in teams matters. Indian immigrants don’t seem to believe in this and think all that matters is the most qualified get the job. This is how you end up building facial recognition models that don’t recognize Black people. \n\n- You work at McDonald’s. Stop blasting Indian music. The McDonald’s by my place is blasting Indian music from the back and it overtakes the restaurant music. \n\n- In a work environment, even if it is all Indians, speak English. You ostracize your fellow colleagues and customers. You are also not improving your English skills by speaking in your primary language.\n\n- Make an effort to make non-Indian friends. It’s really intimidating even as an Indian to see large packs of Indian men\n\n- Learn how to swim. Every year we have multiple drownings at a lake because Indian people are unprepared for the reality of the water. This is a basic safety skill.\n\n- Stop staring at women. Even as an Indian woman I get stared at by these guys. Just stop. \n\n- Get headphones. Playing music or having conversations on speakerphone in public places is rude and very inconsiderate of others \n\n- Stop cheating. Whether that’s cheating the system or during classes. We grow up here and environment that even though we can cheat, the culture makes it completely unethical and you just don’t. The consequences are significant. I get it that you come from a country that doesn’t have enough resources for its population, but you give the entire Indian community a bad name when you cheat, lie, and do other unethical things.\n\n- Learn about Canadian values. The Canadian charter of rights and freedoms exists. Under it cases were won supporting equality for women, LGBTQ rights, etc. this is built into our constitution and it’s so ridiculous to come across people who don’t adopt Canadian values. Why choose Canada if you want a culture of what’s back at home. \n\n- I get it that our healthcare system needs to improve but am disappointing reading advocacy for private healthcare in Indian Facebook groups in Canada. Tommy Douglas was voted as the greatest Canadian. He is the founding father of our nationalized healthcare system. For the most part, Canadian are happy that we don’t have a healthcare system like the United States, where your access is determined by your employer or your income. We don’t go bankrupt when we have a health emergency. Go back to India or go to another place where you can pay for private healthcare, but stop advocating to transition our healthcare system to a private system. While you’re at it go look up who was determined to be some of the greatest Canadians.

I am from India and been living in Canada for 18 years. I am living here with my family and I am so grateful to this country and respect the country and the freedom I have. The thing is homelessness is a fact that is coming from the most broken families. And here cannabis legal. I could see most white peoples don’t want to go to work, even there is enough work for them. And as a country to grow, they need youngsters for the workforce, but unfortunately Canadians people don’t have enough kids to support the country. And the kids are grown from the broken families maybe ending up in the streets. Indians are most of them only marry once and keep their marriage life till the end. So many divorce can ruin the life too. So the students coming here in Canada, how they get visa, Government don’t know that. We can’t blame them, because this is the offer they get from here. \nBut even though I am from India, I have enough from Indian people here in Canada. I always questioned the people from India either you guys respect the culture here or please go back. The reason I love Canada is Canadians are so pleasant and so helpful. I don’t like not only Indians but anyone who is coming to Canada, if you love the country that the country you are not living please leave and don’t mess up this country. Leave your Culture back home. Your festival do it inside of your house don’t block the streets. Keep your Gods inside your home, everyone is not enjoying that what you doing. The worst thing I felt, no respect nowadays and nuisance, late night parties no respect for neighbours and no cleanliness. Because of some people we all are get treated same. Hindus wanted to bring their religion here, Muslims wanted to bring their religion, buddhists wanted their religion here. Can’t blame Christians because Canada is a Christian based country and I never saw them blocking the Road or streets. So anyone so obsessed please leave and enjoy your religion at home where you born.

This is SUCH a puff piece completely one sided that dismisses legitimate concerns as the only reason being xenophobic......Canada has always welcomed people but it was done at a lot slower pace where people had a chance to assimilate and build a life. You can't add over a million people a year with different cultures and pretend it's going to be ok. Ignoring the massive housing crisis, it's a culture crisis. A lot of the people coming do not share Canadian values, period. Canadians are noticing a massive change in the country they love seemingly overnight. You go out in any city and you barely see white people anymore. It's jarring. It was made into an amazing country by certain people and now it seems new immigrants are treated better than citizens. Everyone is in favor of immigration done the right way, but that isn't what's happening and natural born Canadians have every right to be upset that the country is being ruined in a way they don't want.

I was born in Canada in the 80s. My parents are from India. So call me racist if it gets you off. My ass is browner than yours probably. \nMy parents, and my uncles and aunts who came here in the late 1970s had to work their asses off to prove they were worthy of even ENTERING Canada, let alone to live in the country. ALL of my older male relatives who came to Canada at that time had a PhD in a science related field or was a medical doctor. EVEN then, they had to go through years of re-training in Canadian schools in order to have a shot at PR. And they persevered and did it, and did well. \nNow, anyone and their dog is allowed in, and it's kind of an insult to all my relatives had to accomplish in order to build a life here. They had to earn doctorates and medical degrees TWICE (once in India and again in Canada).\nWell, that generation did well, and now we're the kids who are grateful and enjoying the sacrifice they put in. What will the kids of illiterate, minimum wage workers be like? Probably not so good.\nCanada's probably done. But does the average Canadian have any desire to do anything. Nope. They used to value hard work and ambition when I was growing up but Canadian culture has become lack of ambition, and entitlements just for existing. \nSo, at least I was raised with the idea of working to no end and sacrificing in order to accomplish something in life. Now, I have the resources to live where I like and do. Canada's just a place I visit now if I feel like it.\nThose of you who like to sit at Tim Horton's every weekend with your beer and weed every night complaining about how your employer should pay you more obesity privileges, enjoy being served by the migrants who WILL take over as you approach the counter in your government funded scooter. You all reaped what you sowed. Most Canadians WELCOMED socialism and their wish came true. Peace.

Interesting. My brother lived in Alaska for 15 years. He was born and raised in this country and he's white. He rode his motorcycle to Alaska from the lower 48 where he had it stored. The Canadians made him unpack his entire motorcycle, looked through all his things before they let him drive through their country going to Alaska and that wasnt the only time. They did it every time! But yet these people can just cross over into their country to come her AND WE JUST LET THEM IN. wow is all I can say. Why do we even have borders. Apparently anyone can go anywhere that is unless your from America!

Canada is also a place where being a criminal is far more honorable and beneficial to local communities. Because that illegal money flows into local economies. Not to mention their medieval justice system, you can be charged for crimes based on some random persons complaint even if they're wrong, basically depending on your demographic you can have the system weaponized against you. The problem is greed stupidity and corruption. we think that voting for some other vegetable in a suite is going to change anything. we flip flop between 2 parties that both serve themselves and their buddies. We need to start over and build a system that has rules based on logic and totally blind to who they apply to. Canadais a joke and the people are powerless and don't do a thing about it. Lazy cowardly little sheeple. I was born here and I hate it... Ya wanna know who thinks canada and canadians are loved worldwide and who think their country is the most liberal and advanced.. Canadians do! And them alone. I renounce my Canadian citizenship. If a revolt ever rises up I'll be there. it's time to do something or we might as well all just crawl into our overpriced cages and just sleep and forget about equality and freedom and all those nice things. We have to get over ourselves and do the hard work that is required of us. Stop squabbling over the crumbs that are dropped onto the floor for us and go after the whole thing!! I dare you Canada, to stand up and actually take responsibility for all the dumpster fires that are burning out of control all across this shit show of a country!!!

The definition of a canadain is an american without a gun and public health care... otherwise it is hard to tell the difference.... Canada has almost 9 months of winter and 3 months of bad skating... The province of Quebec which is still part of canada (don't tell them that) has the language police to be as anti-american and any democratic as possible, they only tolerate english if it is in US$ and tax other taxes with the most expensive bloated government of any state north of Mexico. The cartels are envious... all things purchased are imported (except animals and greenhouse tomatoes)are american with the exchange rate of almost 33%... If you are a doctor or nurse or medical specialist trained in western medicine like Europe, Australia, etc. You almost have to start over.... SAD. Like América, big cars/trucks are king, public transit is not a thing... yeh there are some buses in a few major cities, more of an after thought... The only positive thing about coming from another country climate is you have something to compare with.... Personally i was born here so where do i go... A few friends have travelled to the US but have not returned... its warmer in Texas i guess... Canadians are suspicious of Asians because they come with money and buy up property esp in Vancouver/Toronto hence the concern... As for you making friends, you seem to be very Americanized, speak English well and not so traditional except for being married... you would make a lot of people comfortable among traditional Canadians... just my after thoughts...

As a Canadian I find this utterly terrible. These migrants will either add to the chaos of the mass housing crisis, crime and antisocial behaviour Stateside which will ultimately spill onto Canadian borders. We just shut down Roxham road a few weeks ago yet these ILLEGAL ALIANS KEEP CLIMBING ACROSS CANADA US BORDER. CANADIANS AND AMERICANS NEED TO UNITE TO KICK THESE MIGRANTS BACK TO WHERE THEY CAME FROM. WE DONT HAVE HOUSING OR THE SOCIAL ASSISTANCE THEY REQUIRE AND WE DO NOT WANT THEM AS ILLEGALS. IF THEY WANT ENTRY APPLY LIKE NORMAL HUMANS AND STOP ACTING LIKE RATS. IM TIRED OF THESE REFUGEES COMING INTO CANADA TAKING UP ALL MY TAX MONEY YET I, A CANADIAN BORN WHOS FAMILY IMMIGRATED PROPERLY INTO THIS COUNTRY IN THE 1940 HAS TO SUFFER AND TAKE HOME LESS THAN HALF OUR PAY CAUSE TAXES EAT THE REST THAT GO TO THESE IDIOTIC MIGRANTS. I HATE THEM.

the part where the one student in India is asked why he wants to go in Canada and he says he wants a white collar job and the life he dreamed of which I would imagine entails a Canadian wife as well? In other words, shouldn't Canada try to attract people to do work in building homes and things we need instead of rent seeking industries like banking, insurance etc... that doesn't improve the lives of Canadians already born here (and in some cases go generations back)

I Was born in Canada and I agree and disagree with some points you've mentioned. How can you come to Canada and not expect to wear a jacket ? lol... The price of living is going up all over the world, the last 6yrs has become very pricey in all western countries. Hospitals are overrun in major cities in Canada that's very true, but not in smaller locations. Boring (are you crazy ? lolol) I completely disagree. You just don't know where to go lol ... however everything you do in Canada cost money ?. And I completely agree when you mention that Canada won't allow you to become filthy rich (very disappointed about that one) ... There is racism, but not just from the predominant Canadians. There have been many times when the racism is from someone new to Canada. But i also know as a black person i will experience this anywhere in the world. (They're portraying what they normally would towards me while in there own countries) ... anyway nice post, it's nice to hear what it's like from your perspective. Find yourself a good Canadian man (or woman) to show you around ???. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder but you still have to find the beauty in order to behold it :).

@ Make That Change, you are missing some topics!! A person who is born and raised in Vancouver before the 1980's and where both parents were also born and raised in Canada. Since the year 2000, the cost of owning a detached home has risen 10 folds. You could buy a corner lot house in a nice area and good location for an average of $160,000. Now that home would cost 10 times that cost in the last 20 years. Why? Foreign investors and immigration based on supply and demand as this also includes the increase in rent cost. People spend on average about $1000 to 1500 for a room to rent not their own suite in Vancouver. Twenty years ago, you could rent a whole house with a yard for that price on the waistcoats of BC. \n\nAnother issue, there are Canadians who do travel to USA due to people being in desperate need of care. USA has a wider spectrum of medical options in comparison to Canada. Canadians travel to USA because the waiting list is often way too long. Canada is nota complete free medical system as people hear and rehabilitation expenses are not free unless it is inside a hospital. It was from at one time as Medicare was founded on the grounds in the 1960's by Tommy Douglas, former premier of Saskatchewan, who initiated Medicare but it was no sustainable. \n\nJust because a person gets referred to a doctor, particularly a specialist when there are very few doctors in that area of care, it does not guarantee you will receive the treatment. I waited 2.5 years for a treatment in a hospital, only to be told that I was not a candidate for that treatment even though they did not screen me as a precursor before making a rational decision. DEVESTATING! Canadians if they have money often go to USA or Mexico when in desperate need. \n\nThere is a lack of doctors as many people do not have a family medical doctor who know their case personally. Complex diseases do not receive proper care as Canada does not have an integrated medical system of care amongst other doctors for patients. It has been on the news media where people have died being on the waiting list, returning back to hospitals where the hospital emergency because the concern of the disease was undermined with the overcrowded medical system.\n\nThere is a increased gentrification in the metropolitan cities that is an issue as the richer are now richer and the poorer are more poor. As there is an INCREASED immigration there is a huge stress in cost of living as there is not enough affordable housing and increased homelessness in Vancouver and Toronto. Vancouver is the worst place in North America as it is known as the drug hub called Skid Row. You can google this information as there are article written for 2021 and previously. Expo 86 and the 2010 Winter Olympics skyrocketed tourism and immigration that many people who are born and raised here before 1986 are very angry and resentful of how drastic the decline of how the quality of life has become.

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

there is racism and prejudice everywhere. on every level no matter gender, race, religion, culture. etc. no matter where you go. but if these guys take a trip to any of those corrupted third world backwards countries they would see how good they really have it. us foolish americans canadians dont know how good we have it. we are living in the freest country nation and society ever seen in the history of the world. at least our country creates new laws every year to make our people feel safe. but other islamic countries continue following laws made in the 15th century. do you see and appreciate the difference.\n\nsure people will label you based off your skin tone and your demeanor. BUT WHY? because they have had bad history with those that look just like you. i have had REALLY REALLY bad experiences with asians in everything. so i naturally stay away from all asians and i do not trust them. HOWEVER, i feel when foreigners come to this country they ruin it for the rest of the citizens that are of similar foriegn race eventhough they were born there. WE NEED TO PUT OUR NATIONS CULTURES first. and thats what we have to teach everyone. we put our canada america pride priority and whatever culture we came from LAST. THATS WHY its best we learn to fix our people in a whole in our country before bringing in anymore foreigners who do not respect our nation. lets stop third world immigration and work on making our country great again. so we can stop all this crime in our neighborhoods. because it hinders our progress. once every race color ethnicity of people are acting right then we will have no prejudice based off color or even gender because everyone is giving everyone respect. but because CRIME IS HIGH in all foreign races, and we continue to disrespect eachother. nobody feels safe anymore. whether your light skinned white or black.