Close Reading

Was in Vancouver last year, legit didn’t see a single white person I swear, thank god I didn’t stay there for the trip

Re: War on Fenttanyl, it’s a bit late after all these years of relax drug enforcement, I got such a shock visiting Hastings St. Vancouver last May 2024!! However, as saying go - Better late than NEVER ?. God bless Canadians ??

I left Canada last month, sold everything, Vancouver/North Vancouver...lived here for 20 years. Back to Germany where family is and moving to Portugal next within the few months. BC is just not affordable anymore, specially if you have kids. I love Canada, financially not doable tho, at least not for a single mom...tuition is a thing too... don't want to rent forever either...

Every generation will have a very different life if they grew up in any metropolitan place. My grandfather came to Vancouver 1896. His family of five lived in garages while he built houses. No communication with the outside world. My father went to war in 1940's and experience things many will never see. He worked in Vancouver his whole life. My generation saw the first home computer, cell phone and color TV. and the internet was born. I was always taught hystory in school. My kids tell me , they don't know how people lived the last 100 years other than first nations people, and historical figures. Its not taught. They have no idea how people struggled to survive. My kids and their friends are fascinated by the pictures I have from the past 120 years in Vancouver. People now want everything. They are not willing to sacrifice life style. Even my own kids feel this way. Luckily i taught good values and work ethics to my 3 daughters , so they are very successful.

Thank you for summarizing these key changes! Many problems are actually the Canadian immigration system not learning from the mistakes of the US system and now it’s suffering the same consequences. If Canada cuts down on those selected immigrations but still takes in refugees, it’s only going to make anti-immigrant sentiment worse. Selected immigrants are allowed into Canada to help alleviate Canadian issues…or at least people who come through Express Entry are less likely to become a burden. On the other hand, refugees, given their unfortunate circumstances, really need to rely on a lot of social services and resources to help them resettle. The US has eliminated pretty much all non-humanitarian immigration that’s why immigrants are so demonized there. Americans only feel the drags of refugees and asylum seekers (even though ethically we need to protect them) and there is no selected immigration to balance that out. Yet this round of Canadian policy change is heading exactly that direction.\n\nIt used to be international students in Canada are not paying a lot more tuition than Canadian students. But Canadian universities saw how much money universities in the US are making so they asked the federal government to change the policy to enable them to charge international students several times the regular tuition (whereas in countries like France, international students actually pay less than citizens). So now Canadian universities rely too much on international students to operate and it becomes an exploitative relationship even before students step foot on the campus. The new PGWP eligibility is awful because students can make contributions in every field. It might (and that's a big if) address the pressing problems, but it won't help Canada grow.\n\nI thought the new language requirement was interesting. Some Canadians who immigrated decades ago when the bar was really low still speak English poorly and now they are saying people can’t come to Canada because their language skills are not sufficient. Another point about language is if you apply through Express Entry now, even if you scored the highest language score, given how competitive the pool is, you still won’t get selected. So it’s a given that you need to be fluent in one of the languages at least to get an invitation. Express Entry also selects only the top people, I saw the head of The Institute for Canadian Citizenship in interviews talking about those top-tier people only expect the best treatment/lifestyle when they come to Canada. That's why many of them leave after seeing these Canadian problems play out. But I believe a good Canadian life is not about living in a high rise in Vancouver and Toronto, driving an expensive car, or buying luxury items...it's about the communities, nature and middle-class comfort. So the system is giving PRs to the wrong kind of people (just like mismatched people when hiring that don't align with company values).\n\nThis brings me to the last frustrating issue. There were so many people who attended “fake” universities and bought “fake” jobs to earn points to get an Express Entry invitation. And it's clear that the government wasn't proactively catching these abuses. They are taking up spots from those who try to earn the points fair and square. If I understand correctly, Canada doesn’t send these people away if they are found out (since some of them were scammed). So they still take up immigration quotas.\n\nI have wanted to move to Canada for a long time. I have visited Canada many times, hiking trails through the coastline and fjords, climbing mountains and glaciers. I lived in Montreal for two months to improve my French and I was told by my homestay family that I was the first student they had who didn’t complain about the cold (I wish the winter never ends so I can skate or xc ski in the parks year-round). I have probably seen more Canada than many Canadians and I love every bit of it. But the opportunity for me to even get a shot to move there is pretty much nonexistent now. If only there was a way for the system to allow people who really care about Canada to get a shot at being part of this beautiful country.\n\nThank you for making these videos.

I live in Canada for last 48 years, and it’s a wonderful place, but problems started when liberal government started giving “immigrants” free money, that was burdened on the system.. and Chinese were buying houses in Vancouver and left them empty.. we don’t have corporations, bribery but values of time is very important… yes we do have some problems with economic issues… hopefully will get sorted out when new government will come next year.. not with EVM

It doesn't always snow in Vancouver; some years like the last 2 years we had NO snow at all. But yes, it still gets cold and sometimes icy so make sure you have a winter coat, mittens or gloves and boots. Ear muffs are used by some while others wear a warm hat and sometimes there's a hat attached to your coat so that makes it easier. Stock up on either regular table salt or you can buy a heavier type of salt especially used to sprinkle where you want the ice to melt; like your driveway. Your car will need winter tires too and the guys at any gas station can put them on for you for a reasonable price while you wait. I'd also recommend buying a heating pad for your bed....one that covers the entire bed....it's just oh so nice to turn it on to high a while before climbing in; it feels like heaven and you'll be asleep real fast. When there's 2 people in a bed they can each adjust their side to whatever the degree of heat they want. Good night.......

I think the vast majority of those Reddit posts and are overrating the difference. \n\nNow, admittedly, I am Canadian and have lived here my whole life. I’ve only been to the states a handful of times and not recently (last time was like 5 years ago). But nonetheless, I think Canada and America are about as similar of countries as you can get. I think the bigger difference is going to be the different regions of each country. Like, Seattle is going to be more like Vancouver than Miami. Also, you mentioned you live in a small town/city, I imagine if you moved to rural Canada you’d notice little difference. Just my $0.02 though

I am a born and raised Canadian and have seen my country go downhill for at least the last couple of decades.\nHealth Care: doctors and nurses are moving Stateside in droves. No, the US doesn’t have universal health care but there are insurance plans and the care is enormously better. My girlfriend had 4th stage throat cancer. In Calgary the doctors at some point told her there was nothing more they could do for her and to get her affairs in order. Her father sent her to the Anderson Clinic in Houston - yes it was expensive but they treated her, saved her life and that was 24 years ago. \nIt’s common in our emergency rooms to wait up to 12 hours to be seen. \nOur system isn’t progressive and doctors and nurses don’t get paid near as well as in the States. That being said, I am happy that I don’t have to pay to see the doctor or have a stay in the hospital. \nCost of Living: Once upon a time it was good - housing was cheap and many companies had the full range of benefits and salaries were equal to the cost of living. Now these same companies have stripped the benefits by hiring people under contract so they don’t have to give them benefits. \nRents are through the roof and in Calgary there are no rent caps. Buying a decent house in a decent neighbourhood is impossible unless you inherit or make a six figure income. This, in no small part, has created a homelessness crisis that never had been seen in such numbers before. Crime also is getting worse by the day. Canada was once known as a safe country. This is no longer the case.\nEverything is very expensive and the tax very high. Plus, we have to suffer winter! Where I live, the joke is that we have two seasons - July and winter!\nI still like my city (not love) but I am retired and own two houses - one inherited and the other bought when it was affordable (32 years ago). Calgary would not be a place I would live if I was a newcomer. Vancouver is beautiful but you really pay for it. \nTrudeau has helped make a big mess of things with immigration and lax criminal laws. My beef is not with immigrants I must state - it is with the lack of jobs for them when they come, thereby forcing bad living conditions and an over reliance on the social systems. I add that the immigration population is much more willing to work in jobs they have to take (despite a high education) than our natural and bloated citizens.\nSo yes, Canada has increasingly gone downhill. On a positive note, hand guns at least are not legal and our country has beautiful natural land.

My daughter is nearing the end of 2 great years in Canada on an IEC (backpacker) visa from Australia. She’s loved the people, the landscape (mostly lived in BC and Alberta) , and working there…. She picked up interesting jobs, worked very hard, just about made ends meet, has been great. \n\nShe was even offered a permanent job by a major Canadian co last year (she was working for them on a one year role at the time) that would’ve paved the way for her to apply for PR…but she turned it down without a second thought….. for all the reasons you would know about \n\n- Wages aren’t great (maybe 20% less than australia), \n\n- taxes are high (incl having to pay CPP…in australia the employer pays all pension contributions, on top of wages), \n\n- groceries prices out of kilter, \n\n- rents consume most of what’s left…. \n\n- AND, even if you could save a deposit for a house, or shoebox apartment….what’s the point, could never afford it. \n\nShe’s seen nearly all her Canadian friends resigned to their fate of being perennial renters, of being perpetually skint. It’s no life. She’s sad to see it - coming from a country of perpetual optimism and opportunity, to learn over time how such a (on many levels) similar country isn’t like that, that has somehow got it all so wrong. \n\nIf you are thinking of “australia” as your answer, it’d be a fair call\n\n- Avoid Sydney if you can (a less expensive Vancouver) but rest of the place is “workable”. \n\n- Average wage in Perth is $100k (C$90k) and average house (full size…not an apt or townhouse) price is about $700k (C$630k) …so do-able, if tight to start with, for youngsters (like you..!) \n\n- I’ve been to Vancouver’s East Hastings St, and so can confirm is nowhere close to that in Oz. Are sketchy parts of all cities, but it’s definitely not community wide\n\n- are small pockets of homelessness (esp but not only indigenous community) but the governments are mostly (sort of…) “on it” \n\n- sun, sea, sand… and the sharks rarely come close to shore!

Last time I checked cape Breton was the #1 ranked island in Canada for like 20 years straight more like ?Vancouver Island isn't even close

I look at faces in cars and all I notice are an abundance of East Indian, here in Halifax, do the test yourself, seams like every second vehicle, Go to Mall, go to the Park all I’m seeing is East Indian, these people are not compatible with the natural born Canadians. I. Spent the last thirty years in Vancouver (Priced OUT) This summer we have had a surge in Chinese Immigrants and the East Indians. What are the numbers ? Inappropriate action to allow this surge in this University City, Student will struggle finding accommodation. The established home owner won’t even notice but renter’s will, take a drive on moving day. There are 6 unrelated East Indian adults in a two bedroom unit, across the hall from my two bedroom. A Senior in low income housing. It’s all about MONEY MONEY MONEY ? Now tell me I’m a Racist !

We noticed that there's a lot of Indian Nationals when we visited Vancouver last year and this past June in Toronto. You see them as soon as you arrived at the airport. We thought we were in India not Canada

Hello Alina,\nHow are you? I just arrived in Vancouver, and I've decided to live here now. I'm from Brazil, by the way. I can understand your feelings because I've visited twice in the last 10 years and can assure you of the changes you are talking about. It's a pity. Let's pray for the better, right? Thanks for sharing.

My family came from Japan in 2007 (I had just turned 13). I have spent the second half of my life in Canada, turned 30 yesterday and got married in Vancouver last weekend the, graduated high school in Vancouver, got my PharmD degree in Nova Scotia. My family owns businesses in Vancouver and my parents are selling EVERYTHING and leaving. They abruptly dropped this news last month. My husband and I have already made our plans to leave too and already own a home in Japan, because we were returning for the last trimester of my pregnancy, but decided we are not returning to Canada. We will stay in Japan for about 5 years, then relocate, depending on western politics \n\nI am sad because Canada became my home, and my parents have added soo much to the Vancouver economy, and created numerous jobs for Canadians.

Being born in Saskatchewan as well I agree that Canada has suffered immensely in the last decade. I spent the majority of my adult life in Vancouver back when you felt safe everywhere you ventured. Not now, I'm socked at the decline especially the violence and drugs. I've lived in a few other countries over the past 30 years none have surpassed what has happen in Canada. I currently live in the middle east and have never felt safer. The taxation is crazy, the health care system is substandard and getting worse. For those who want to retire, Canada is not very friendly and typically way overpriced. I'm seeing a trend over the last 10 years of people opting for a warmer more friendly climate to spend what should be your years to enjoy life. Something I fear impossible in Canada's current climate!

I am 16 years old and I'm worried for my future. I think all of my friends know in the back of their heads how unaffordable Vancouver is and it terrifies me knowing how hard it'll be to just make it by as an adult. When I was younger, I wanted to move out of Canada because I wanted to explore the world. Now, I want to move out of Canada to afford to live. Regardless of where I go, Vancouver is the last place I want to be.

Living in Vancouver, Canada from last 7 years. Everything is true. My tax dollars are used to fund “safe supply” aka drugs for junkies. Its sad

Bro, I'm living in Vancouver from last year. Took 40 Lakhs of Loan for My MBA, chipped in money for fees. Till date I've got no benefit from Canada, except for bills and spending money on taxes and rent. This is damn true! - Work permits are getting queries, PR files are getting rejection. No job part time opportunities.\n\n1. Renting a room, especially for boys is the hardest if you are looking a private room. (my rent is 950$ for a private room, i struggle to pay this every month - without having a job)\n2. All banks want you to get enrolled as a student, then give credit cards, so you can easily buy things and pay them more and get you involved in the loop. \n3. I've applied in almost every job for part time, got rejection due to no available positions (Reasons : too many applicants)\n4. You are not gonna get a job in your field, unless you are into finance or IT with a found background.\n5. I DAILY SEE OUR PEOPLE ALSO GETTING ATTRACTED TO THIS CULTURE, SMOKING WEED ON A DAILY BASIS AND DOING MANY THINGS WHICH I FEEL STUDENTS MUST NOT DO. \n6. For my chest pain, they kept me waiting 4 hours in a line. Asked me that if i can stand and sit for a while then i must not worry. I was completely weak at that time, shivering and going through 101 fever.\n7. 75$ monthly for MSP insurance we pay as temporary residents -> still waiting for 4 hours to meet the doctor.\n8. Current situation of students is worse here, no opportunities for many students who come with hope, especially if they are coming for PGDM, or bachelors. Currently at this time only, MASTERS is given a priority.\n9. Don't think about applying for PR, unless you are filthy rich, unless you have exceptional skills in the industries which IRCC is looking for.\n10. Racism is at its peak, especially only on students** sad thing to say but yes this is the reality of international students.\n\n\nI hope all my brothers and sisters here come with a planning, strategy and best and worst case scenarios preparation. Life here is not easy, if you once come here, institutions, your own people will get you involved into buying things, showing you dreams and holding you on paying the EMIs monthly.

To be honest this is not just a Canada problem, I work in recruitment in Canada across from Ontario to Vancouver remotely from South Africa. Its pretty much the same here. Most people live paycheck to paycheck. I manage to save despite also studying still and working, and life, but if i was working like my peers jobs here. I'd still live at 33 at my parents. That a lot of people do. \n\nI think its an international issue. But the reasons like safety, winter and cold, religion, definitely look at asian countries for sure. \n\nWent to Vietnam last year, the level of safety was amazing there, if you could keep Salary from Canada and move to a country like that you can live extremely comfortable.

Thanks for the great video guys! I just uploaded my experience as an international student from the US and immigrated to Vancouver, Canada and became a Canadian Citizen last year. \n\nStressful and long 8 years but definitely worth it ❤ \n\nLiked and subscribed to your channel!

Thanks for this informative video! I just uploaded my experience as an international student from the US and immigrated to Vancouver, Canada and became a Canadian Citizen last year. \n\nStressful and long 8 years but definitely worth it ❤ \n\nLiked and subscribed to your channel!

lol\n\nIn area, Canada is the second biggest country in the world but unfortunately it is managed as a small country like Monaco, Andorra or the Vatican. \nThe housing issues we see in Vancouver and GTA is caused by the lack of high-speed trains like we see in Tokyo, Seoul and many Chinese or European cities, where lots of people can live 300Km away from their jobs. \nThe government need to build in Canada these urban high-speed train lines: \n- Vancouver island-Kamloops-Calgary-Edmonton \n- Quebec city-Montreal-Ottawa-Toronto-Windsor \n \nThese two high speed train lines will serve more than 70% of population in Canada, allow them to live hundred of kilometers away form their jobs, buying houses where land price are cheaper. \n \nThe second factor that makes Canadians houses not affordable is manpower price, and that can be easily with temporary working visas like we see in the agricultural sector, but this is not easy to do because the unions in Canada are strong, and will force electricians, plumbers, drywallers, etc. of years of training and certifications, when in other developed countries a professional engineer signatures to certify the construction is the only thing that is needed. \nIn lots of Europeans countries, professional engineers train their trades apprentices to build houses, and sign and become responsible for the quality and safety of the construction. \nMunicipalities also employ professional engineers that visit work sites to check if all construction rules are being followed. \n \nCanada cannot implement this plan because that will bring ruin to the Ponzi scheme we see in the housing market, causing million of mortgages payers going under water, and multiple banks to collapse like we saw in USA and Europe during the 2008 Great Recession. \n \nThe only solution for this situation is a communist regime implemented by the NDP, replicating the quiet revolution that started in Quebec last century (1960).

In area, Canada is the second biggest country in the world but unfortunately it is managed as a small country like Monaco, Andorra or the Vatican.\nThe housing issues we see in Vancouver and GTA is caused by the lack of high-speed trains like we see in Tokyo, Seoul and many Chinese or European cities, where lots of people can live 300Km away from their jobs.\nThe government need to build in Canada these urban high-speed train lines:\n- Vancouver island-Kamloops-Calgary-Edmonton\n- Quebec city-Montreal-Ottawa-Toronto-Windsor\n\nThese two high speed train lines will serve more than 70% of population in Canada, allow them to live hundred of kilometers away form their jobs, buying houses where land price are cheaper.\n\nThe second factor that makes Canadians houses not affordable is manpower price, and that can be easily with temporary working visas like we see in the agricultural sector, but this is not easy to do because the unions in Canada are strong, and will force electricians, plumbers, drywallers, etc. of years of training and certifications, when in other developed countries a professional engineer signatures to certify the construction is the only thing that is needed.\nIn lots of Europeans countries, professional engineers train their trades apprentices to build houses, and sign and become responsible for the quality and safety of the construction.\nMunicipalities also employ professional engineers that visit work sites to check if all construction rules are being followed.\n\nCanada cannot implement this plan because that will bring ruin to the Ponzi scheme we see in the housing market, causing million of mortgages payers going under water, and multiple banks to collapse like we saw in USA and Europe during the 2008 Great Recession.\n\nThe only solution for this situation is a communist regime implemented by the NDP, replicating the quiet revolution that started in Quebec last century (1960).

Hey thanks for making such an informative blog. My son is draging me back to Canada next year. He wants to move there, but doesn't know where to settle. Now if we fly into Vancouver with our dog, what are the prospects of renting an apartment in Langley or area.? What are the prospects for finding an job in tech repair? And if he finds a job making 30 CAN an hour, will that be enough to live on? We are Canadian citizens and living in New Zealand for the last 20 years

Correction: Vancouver, while facing extreme difficulties due to a lack of affordable high-density housing, is doing a LOT to try and fix this in comparison to other cities in the infrastructure sector. Just over the last couple years, we've had some pretty extreme zoning policy changes, we have a yearly rent increase cap (which backfires once tenants move out, but that's another story) and we're building new transit infrastructure which now, legally, requires only high-density housing build in the surrounding areas. \n\nThe population growth here has wildly exceeded the amount of housing growth in the last few decades. Not to mention the insufficient wages, high cost of living and a broken healthcare system. Our people are struggling but if you have to live in a city right now, I'd choose the greater Vancouver area. Down the road, I see us improving the most infrastructure-wise out of any Canadian city, which will hopefully benefit social sectors as well.

When I was a teenager my dream was to live in Canada because it seemed like the perfect place to live, beautiful natural sights, a nice, respectful and advanced society and affordable housing. Now Canada is very expensive and full of immigrants, specially asians which I find odd no one seems to talk about it, I was in Vancouver last year and I saw more Asians than white people or any other race, what is that about? At moments it felt like I was in some Asian country.

I see these vids and try to compare with the UK as people do, but just struggle to see it. Yes its expensive here, yea London has some wild areas like Kensington or wherever, but you can be half an hour from Central London and rent a house for under £1k a month. I lived in Reading, 30 mins from Paddington in a 2 bed house with a small garden for £900 a month until last year. \n\nI question if thats what these numbers reflect, extreme cases of $7k rents in central Vancouver, rather than a norm or is it genuinely that wild? If so, thank God Im over here.

I visited Vancouver last year. I thought I was in mainland china ??.

Great video and hits a lot of real pain points\n\nI for one am leaving Canada, born and raised in Alberta, lived in BC most of my adult life. Sorry but see ya!\n\n1 I am tired of the weather -40 is a no no and most of our country hits it a few times a year. 52 years and this is my LAST winter. What a Relief!!\n2 I am tired of the MASSIVE greed in real estate that has been allowed to flourish. No way most of Gen Z will ever be able to own homes, if the are lucky they will get one passed down to them, shame you have to wait for a family member to DIE to own your own home :( Benchmark prices for home in Victoria 1.2 million, Vancouver 1.18 million, Kelowna 1 million. Very few people can afford a 6k+ a month mortgage. Shame on our govts that allowed this to happen.\n3 I am tired of the degradation of the family unit. Western morals have gone for crap, crime is up and people are happy to threaten each other. \n4 I am tired of the lack of available health care. All i can get is a 3 minute phone call after booking 4 weeks in advance??? wow \n5 I am tired of the people too, but in different ways. Way too much like USA now, people that pride themselves for ignorance, willfully ignoring science and safety or even common sense.\n6 I am tired of the governments, provincial and federal. ALL of the parties suck and will not do what is needed here. We are getting as bad as the USA. (which will soon tear itself apart!!)\n\nCanadians are a LOT more xenophobic than we might show. Most of us from the prairies (Boomers/GenX) never saw anything but seas of white people and native Americans. You probably never saw a foreigner maybe you knew someone that did... This is not the same country i grew up in. Good or bad I do not know, but it is way different!\n\nGrowth and thinking Growth will make a country flourish is a lie, and it destroys country after country. Canada is next. It populace will continue to grow with no room, no jobs, no hope.

The entire thing is a lie. We don't need people...we're a Country whose GDP is built on Natural resources...Not Tim Horton workers. And now with AI we'll need even fewer workers but it's too late...they're in, and they can now bring in all their relatives. Canada is already gone...I was born and raised in Vancouver and it began right after Expo 86 with China flooding Vancouver. It's all part of the plan...it's planned to collapse. It's clearly an agenda at this point. Not once in the history of Canada have we built more than 200K new homes, yet here we are with a 500K per year mandate on new immigrants, with last year bringing in 1.2M? How can you as a Government deliberately do that to the citizens of your Country? We were all sold down the river for new votes and tax dollars...and of course the eventual realignment for a one-world currency.

Canada is now full of non Canadian citizens of convenience- chinese, indians, arabs, africans, latinos - all there for the benefits. Last visit to toronto and Vancouver saw and heard only non canadians. Glad to hear they're all leaving. Population replacement is never a good thing. For the next 60 years evety stays in their home country and improves it. Will be a more pleasant world.

I was bornin Canada and lived there for 45 years up until last November. I left to South East Asia and it's so much better out here than in Canada. I only go to Canada for 3 months back to White Rock just outside of Vancouver for the Summer. Canada is now just a Summer Vacation place for me.

I was born in bangladesh and lived 18 years of my life there, then I moved to The us which is where I went to university and spent the next 7 years of my life. Then in 2004 I moved to canada and spent the next 13 years there before finally moving to oceania. Let me tell you why I left canada, in the later years there I was noticing how much I was being treated like an immigrant yes I am an immigrant but living 13 years of your life in the country and not being treated like a citizen but new people come into the country brand new and are treated more like citizens then you are hurts a lot. When I was new in canada I felt much more welcome by my coworkers and the citizens then I did after living there for so many years. But there's two more major reasons I left canada and these reasons are just as big as to why. In vancouver where I lived, the homeless crisis as you may know about was getting out of hand, it was a major problem even when I first settled in vancouver but now people were scared to even go the store as mentally ill homeless people were terrorizing everyone. And the last reason to top it all off was that the prices for everything in vancouver were simply ludicrous, It was insane how high the prices went up and taking care of my family was a struggle. I moved in 2017 and never once looked back, where I am now everyone and everything is sane and it hurt to leave canada at first because of how long I lived there and the memories I had there but let me be very clear I do not regret leaving canada.

Canada in general has changed, and not for the better in the last 15 years. The cost of living has gone through the roof, and salaries are not any better. This is from the point of view of someone from Montreal, so I cannot even imagine how expensive Toronto and Vancouver must now be.

A big part..........at least here in Vancouver why the healthcare system is broken here is due to the ongoing opioid crisis. The downtown eastside where many of the homeless and drug addicts live is known as the vortex because it sucks in all 1st responders across the lower mainland. Yet when someone who lives somewhere else in the city needs an ambulance you are screwed. Last year I had to wait over 8 hours for an ambulance........I live less then 10 minutes away from the nearest hospital. Because I couldn't move I had to sit there while my roommate had to call 9-11 over a dozen times to get me an ambulance. Doctors are even telling people to take a cab to the hospital if they can walk, because it's faster. \n\nAnd even when I finally got to emergency I had to wait hours to get looked at. The doctor didn't see me for almost 6 hours while i'm lying there screaming in pain. And this was on a Tuesday night, not even a weekend.

I have been in Toronto since 1990 - used to love it but now... we're bankrupt as a City due to all the immigrants and homeless migrating here - thanks to our Federal Gov't not doing their jobs. I am disabled and was attacked 4 times on the TTC last year. Really hating what this city has devolved into. But where to live? Moving back to the UK is not an option as it is much the same there. Vancouver again? Not much cheaper but at least there you have more opportunities to get away from people.

Unfortunately I was born there and wasted 23 years of my life there...but I made up for it spending the last 24 in Japan. God works in mysterious ways. :D It's just fucked up that I own 13 homes in Japan and even if I sold ALL of them, I could probably barely afford a DUMP in Vancouver...or maybe just an old condo. But yet somehow propaganda says how expensive Japan is..and how great Canada is. Fuck that shit. The West's propaganda is just messed. Thank God I broke free from that. I can barely handle a 2 week vacation when I go back to visit family. :(

I just moved back to the states after living in Vancouver and Coquitlam, BC for 7 years. I was very unhappy the last 3 years and it’s good to be back.

This is a very thoughtful and balanced review. As a retired Canadian who had a good job for most of my life, I'm saddened by the decline in almost all areas of life, lifestyle and and people's aspirations in this country. This decline actually seems quite rapid, I would say from 2015 onwards. Housing in major centres was expensive, but it has skyrocketed in the past decade. There has been a decline in many institutions: 1. health-care, especially noticeable since the pandemic that coincided with many boomer medical staff retiring, but also by our sclerotic institutions refusing to enable foreign-trained doctors to work here. Many foreign-trained doctors in the Vancouver area are doing jobs way below their qualifications while many people cannot even get a family doctor. Crazy. Econonically, there seems to have been no plan at all from the government as we exited the pandemic. At least the US had a plan, to 'build back better'. Our government just floats along as if everything is fine, when the decline is very visible especially to older Canadians. We have admitted 1/2 a million people a year from overseas, so our economy should reflect this and show an upswing. But no, we're in a 'technical recession' as of December and probably a real recession as of last week. I have never voted Conservative in my life, but Trudeau is a flaky dimwit with a famous name who has no clue what he is doing. A fool, in fact. He's mismanaged our foreign relations beyond belief, and nothing has improved domestically. When Pierre Poilievre says 'Canada is broken', I believe it. We deserve much better leadership; in Canada's case, the rot does come from the top. Justin the entitled idiot is much more like his mother than his father.\n\nLong rant. Anyway, I just wanted to praise your balance, and your decision to stay for now. Moving from one country to another is a huge life-change and you have worked hard to be here. I only hope conditions improve for you and your husband in the near future. Will look out for your future videos.

Been dating a Canadian for last 5 years. This is Vancouver focused.\n\nPros: \n-Nice people\n-Easier to get in top schools. Cheaper schools\n-Safer than US \n-cheaper medical (non mental health)\n-is a cultural salad; components stay intact from origin (vs U.S. is cultural soup)\n\nCons\n-expensive car insurance \n-low pay relative to cost of living\n-expensive housing\n-lack of work opportunity \n-def money laundering going on\n-hotbed for crime lords\n-Richmond drivers

I'm a 70-year-old Canadian man, Born and raised in Vancouver BC and back living here now...I'm happy being a Canadian and Just wondering why all these snivelling, complaining people who hate my country don't just pack up and go live in another country..The population of Greater Vancouver has probably increased by 500% in the last 30 years even though it's one of the most expensive cities in Canada. A lot of the ruSSian bot farmers are commenting and liking the BS comments on this thread..I love Canada, My dad served in our RCN during WW2 Helping to preserve our freedom and way of life ...All you Haters please leave Canada and don't come back....

Great decision to leave Canada, and I couldn't have been happier for you and your family.\nWe moved to Qatar last year from Vancouver, BC, and our move was driven by almost the same reasons. It was a big move, but we made istikhara and went with it. I would suggest that you think about Qatar as one of the options.

We vacationed in Vancouver last year , it was crazy how block by block houses were being forced to sell. Condo buildings were going up, a cab driver pointed this out to me and made a joke that BC now stood for “ Bring Cash”.

All the friends I had in Vancouver who had immigrated to Canada within the last twenty years decided to return home. All of them. The one friend sold their house for over a million in Vancouver, and is now living like a king back in Slovakia, having bought several properties back home. One couple hated Canada so much that they returned to South Africa, and you know how bad it is there! The living wage on the southern coast of BC is $24-$27/hr. Most jobs in BC don’t pay that well. How anyone is surviving is beyond me.

I was shocked going back last year visiting family in Vancouver. I noticed it was a big ask to get people to go out and do things like a movie or bowling. People seemed to be talking about money issues alot in general conversation.

It boils down to the Liberal Party, which has been in power since 2015, e.g.:\n- high immigration targets and housing/jobs/healthcare/etc can't keep up.\n- decriminalization/destigmatization of drugs (especially in Vancouver)\n- political correctness, censorship, gender ideology, health mandates, soft on some crimes but harsh on thought crimes, etc.\n\nAs for other things like weather and challenges in finding a job, these were always the case but Canada really started to go down when Trudeau became PM.\n\nI migrated with my family as a teen. Parents (engineer and nurse) couldn't find a job in their field. Mom had to start as a care aide while she re-certify as a registered nurse even though she has a masters and taught nursing in a college in the Philippines. Dad had to settle as an appliance technician.\n\nThe 4 of us lived in a single-bedroom basement suite, but we bought a half-duplex in Vancouver in a couple of years, which would be practically impossible these days.\n\nI make a decent amount niw and own 3 properties, but if I have to buy my house at its current market value ($1.9m), I can't afford it. Even that half-duplex, my parents sold it at 6x during a down market years ago.\n\nThen there's crime and drugs: I've worked in the downtown east side of Vancouver since 2006 and the last couple or so years has been really bad - it's like a zombie apocalypse. Glad I work remote and have moved to a suburb around Vancouver. That said, I'm highly considering moving but it's hard with kids and aging parents.

For years, I've been drawing comparisons between my life in Canada and that of my American friends. Having lived across three provinces—20 years in Ontario, another decade in Quebec (learning French along the way), and a decade in Vancouver—I adopted a modest lifestyle that saw my savings grow to £40k. However, unforeseen circumstances, like my father's passing, led to financial strain. Despite a good job with travel perks, I found myself yearning for a change. Learning about an Ancestry visa, thanks to a colleague, revealed my eligibility due to my grandparents' immigration from the UK to Canada post-war.\n\nAfter gathering paperwork, I took a leap: severance from my job, selling my condo, and relocating to London, England. Initially hesitant due to the GBP exchange rate, I was pleasantly surprised—my savings lasted three years in England. While my childhood dream was the USA, I found London surprisingly affordable. Though my income was a third of what I earned in Canada, in three years, I found a partner, bought a home within five years, and established a savings account for the first time.\n\nLife in London meant exploring the world, negligible worries about expenses, affordable living costs (from phone bills to dentistry), and accessible public transport. The quality of life, housing affordability, and healthcare in the UK surpassed my Canadian experiences. The lifestyle contrasts were stark—five weeks of paid leave versus minimal vacation time in Canada, affordable education, and fewer societal issues like homelessness or drug abuse.\n\nMy advice? Explore the Ancestry visa for a life-altering opportunity; it’s tied to grandparents' lineage and offers a path to citizenship. The UK's supply and demand dynamics, along with its lower taxes, provide a different economic landscape compared to Canada. And here, what you see on price tags is what you pay—no hidden fees. This shift has transformed my life, and the possibilities seem endless. Check out [the Ancestry visa](https://www.gov.uk/ancestry-visa) for more information!

For years, I've been drawing comparisons between my life in Canada and that of my American friends. Having lived across three provinces—20 years in Ontario, another decade in Quebec (learning French along the way), and a decade in Vancouver—I adopted a modest lifestyle that saw my savings grow to £40k. However, unforeseen circumstances, like my father's passing, led to financial strain. Despite a good job with travel perks, I found myself yearning for a change. Learning about an Ancestry visa, thanks to a colleague, revealed my eligibility due to my grandparents' immigration from the UK to Canada post-war.\n\nAfter gathering paperwork, I took a leap: severance from my job, selling my condo, and relocating to London, England. Initially hesitant due to the GBP exchange rate, I was pleasantly surprised—my savings lasted three years in England. While my childhood dream was the USA, I found London surprisingly affordable. Though my income was a third of what I earned in Canada, in three years, I found a partner, bought a home within five years, and established a savings account for the first time.\n\nLife in London meant exploring the world, negligible worries about expenses, affordable living costs (from phone bills to dentistry), and accessible public transport. The quality of life, housing affordability, and healthcare in the UK surpassed my Canadian experiences. The lifestyle contrasts were stark—five weeks of paid leave versus minimal vacation time in Canada, affordable education, and fewer societal issues like homelessness or drug abuse.\n\nMy advice? Explore the Ancestry visa for a life-altering opportunity; it’s tied to grandparents' lineage and offers a path to citizenship. The UK's supply and demand dynamics, along with its lower taxes, provide a different economic landscape compared to Canada. And here, what you see on price tags is what you pay—no hidden fees. This shift has transformed my life, and the possibilities seem endless. Check out [the Ancestry visa](https://www.gov.uk/ancestry-visa) for more information!

Most of the issues mentioned in the video are common in cities the size of Toronto elsewhere in the western world; I have family/friends all over and they have similar gripes about cities like London, Berlin and NYC. The precipitous decline in the last few years is indeed due to the fall out from COVID, both economy-wise and mental health-wise, and most countries in the world are still recovering from it. It's tough everywhere you look, but I do hope it's a temporary situation that will blow over sooner rather than later. Having said that, one thing that's probably worse in Toronto (and Vancouver) than most cities their size (I know that Toronto is much bigger, but Vancouver is a big city in its own right) is the housing situation, which had already been a problem before COVID in those two cities and it has only gotten worse since so it's now a real crisis that needs the municipal, provincial and federal governments to work together to address ASAP.