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I migrated from Kenya to Canada with my family when I was 13. When I turned 26, I left Canada and moved to Australia. It took me 5 years to settle here and get my papers sorted. I almost gave up a couple of times, because as you have stated moving from one country to the next is super hard. However, I can say that I have a much much better quality of life. I visit my family from time to time, and can definitely say the Canada I left in 2017 and the Canada now has deteriorated significantly. It was extremely sad for me to see it in 2023. Hopefully, Canadians will have a change in government within the next year. This will help in turning things around.

I visited Toronto this past week from the US. The city has definitely declined since I last visited in 2008. I was shocked to see how devastated Yonge Street looks.

The racism against Germans that is so openly expressed in the comments here is unbearable. Yes, there are some bad people in Germany (basically in any country on this planet, unfortunately) who are themselves racist or discriminatory. But that is by no means the majority of Germans. I have lived here for decades and have met the most warm-hearted people. From the comments I rather gather that many who come to Germany simply extremely overestimate the demands they can (and may) make of Germany (or pretty much any other immigration-friendly country). If you come to Germany it is obvious that you have to learn German (or the local language). That is the case everywhere, including France, Italy and Korea - you name it. And if you can't do that straight away that's okay too, most Germans speak English and are very forgiving when it comes to language learners. Nobody shouts at you for not knowing German. Furthermore, Germans are very direct and don't care much about artificial and feigned friendliness. What you see is what you get. And I think that's honest and quite refreshing. \n\nThe thing is, YOU have to approach Germans and can't just expect them to roll out the red carpet for you just because you think they are in need of your workforce. The simple truth is: the standard of living in Germany is very high. The culture is diverse, and anyone who doesn't recognize this should broaden their horizons. Cities like Munich, Berlin, Stuttgart and Hamburg are beautiful, extremely multicultural and anyone who describes them as 'dull' will probably not feel at home in any city on this planet. The people are also nicer than many non-germans claim - that's obvious, because if that weren't the case, Germany wouldn't be the most popular country to immigrate within Europe amongst immigrants. Of course there are problems on the German side too. Bureaucracy, language barriers and discrimination. But they definitely don't deserve the unreasonable racism they face here in the comments. You can't criticize Germans for their alleged discriminatory behavior by unreasonably attacking and generalizing Germans themselves. Anyone who approaches Germans with prejudice and racism should not be surprised if they do not receive a friendly welcome there...

I am a Serbian and Canadian living in Canada for the last 24 years. I love \nthis country I respect this country but my God is so much different than it used to be or it is me. This summer I went with my kids and wife to 6 different countries in Europe Eastern Europe and Central and have seen 2 alcoholic then I come to Canada I see thousands of drug addicts on the street. everything is overpriced ppl do not enjoy in here. When I came in 2000 Serbian economy was low due to the war now it is better and Canadian economy is worse so the gap is very small. you need to make 6000$ to live just ok and I do live well but there is always but. I call it a pressure cooker, I wish all Canadian travel abroad a bit just to realize that they were lied too and that there's a lot of bs. I can give you an example: Condo in Belgrade same size property tax is 200$ per year condo in Qc Gatineau 2500$ plus condo fees 400$ per month basically 7000$ wasted for what? no dr wholes on the street broken system. It will be for sale. I agree paying taxes on my house where I live but for rental property when you deduct all the expenses you invested so much money without any profit. the one that works and the one that scams the system make the same amount of money and we live approx the same. something is wrong there. I will live for many years to come but definitely not spending my whole life here due to many circumstances and expenses. Family values are getting killed and I have issues with that. The more I was pushed to change the more I went to church and believed in old fashioned traditional values. As you said I will always be grateful for what I made but working hard for two jobs in the last 20 years I would make that somewhere else too. Canada has changed too much since I came that's for sure. What triggers me the most fake approach when ppl say I make 100k wow then you didn't get that, that is only on the pay stub. how much did you get 50k that is the real money then you need to add deductions house tax this tax, sewage, water it comes less and less and then you realize that in reality you make more but you spend so much more with less quality of life. who cares how much you make the question is how do you live with the amount that you make.?

I have noticed some comments from unhappy Physicians... leaving Canada. You are paying 150 K if you make 1MLN a year. Corp taxes are 15 %. And still unhappy with the rest 850.000 left?\nI am physician in Canada as well. Love Canada and my job \n Will never leave. Beautifull nature. Friendly people. Excellent medicine. Opportunity to travel and see the world. What not to love here? Like anywhere in the world is better??? Warm countries have their pitfalls: poor medicine, higher criminal rate, high humidity, huricanes, rainy seasons. Well, I have immigrated from Ukraine 23 years ago and was adult enough to compare life there and in Canada. Definitely, appreciate what I have here. Alina, you came as a child and you just do not realize what you have here. If you would live in poor conditions with lines everywhere, crazy red tape routine, poor medicine and salaries so small, that you would barely survive, you would see it differently. Ask your parents

Can’t blame you. I’m telling my kids they will have to leave because I see no future here. The country has definitely gotten worse, not what I came to.

I worked with a Pharmacist who Escaped Canada almost 20 years ago, now he wanted out for Tax Purposes , he definitely was not a Typical Canadian and he probably didn't see this Coming, he just wanted to keep a Much higher Percentage of his Check and knew from his Parents that would never happen in Canada

I will definitely watch this period of your videos because I think it is something that a lot of people are. Considering. Or at least wandering about. It will be intriguing. To see the process. And to the necessary decisions.

Canada has to start recognising degrees from other countries. Here in B.C. we have emergency rooms closing overnight due to lack of staffing. We need doctors and nurses yet the barriers for those immigrating to get their degrees recognised mean many never qualify.\n\nCanada also needs to look at who we are admitting in and to terminate the family unification policy. When immigration was helping the country grow there was a different demographic coming in. Often it was single men or young married couples. As they came by themselves they assimilated into the mosiac of the country. When you concentrate on immigrants from one country instead of assimilating they setup ethnic communities. \n\nLook into what study groups have said that is contributing to gang violence. It's ethnic groups that have the grandparents, parents and grand kids all living in one home. The grandparents want the grand kids to adhere to their native culture. Unfortunately by time you get to the grand kids they are Canadian. They speak English/French depending where they live with little interest in speaking their ethnic language. There is cultural conflict within the home hence street life is where they find love and caring.\n\nSome cultures are not as community minded. Part of the high cost of renting/housing is based on greed not need. In my own community I know of apartment units now renting at 2,500 - 4,000/month owned by the same people that even five years back you could have rented for 500 - 800. There is no justification for that percentage of increase other than greed.\n\nJob opportunities. Summer employment for school kids is going down yearly. You see local business that use to hire students over the summer month claiming they can't find any workers. They bring in TFW yet Canadian students can't find work. You can tell the owners nationality of a business by the nationality of the workforce. A local store bought by a east Indian two years ago which at the time had a diverse workforce is now entirely staffed by east Indians. Yet who screams racist? \n\nCanada definitely needs to reconsider its immigration policy and bring in major changes.

It's genuinely exhausting to watch even so-called progressive outlets like the guardian foment fear and anger against migrants and refugees rather than someone, anyone, possibly questioning whether the incentives for property developers and landlords might, in-fact, be a potential factor in the ongoing housing crisis. But sure, it must be immigration to blame for the exact same housing crisis happening across Canada, Australia, the US, the UK and half of Europe, must be just that one simple factor and definitely not any other systemic or economic factors which might underlie how housing, governance, and migration are linked. \n\nBecause all of those countries certainly have one thing in common, and you're all correct, they all have identical immigration policies, right? Right? Couldn't be the hyper-commodification of housing and development rights stoked under the neo-liberal systems of governance which ACTUALLY forms a shared commonality between these countries. But that would be hard to think about, best just to blame the immigrants, makes life easy breezy. Can't see any problems down the line with that line of thought, right Britain? We'll just keep doing race riots every decade then, instead of actually trying to agitate against any of the problems at the heart of this issue. Solved. Too easy.

If you travel through Indian villages mainly in Punjab, Mumbai, Delhi and Southern states every KM you will see study/immigrate to Canada. They will tell you it is very easy as you need to spend only INR2.0Million( CAD 35K) to get there and balance you can work there as part time. Majority of Indians coming to Canada is from low income families who want to become middle class in India . High time Canada regulate its student intake and restrict only to selected universities and courses and stop allowing part time work. High skill immigration is still ok as they are coming based on their merit and point threshold and definitely contributing for Canadas economic growth. Student intake must be controlled .

Honestly as an Immigrant I was definitely lied to by the country of Canada, and tbh this concern is lined with racism to an extent, but there are some valid concern for the most part. \n\nCanadian universities came to me high school, one of the academically successful high schools on my island and tried to take every single high performing student. Honestly immigrantion is an issue for everyone, but it won’t stop until the bigger western countries stop making oppressive laws forcing people out of their country. \n\nThis is not the immigrants problem, Canada is the problem. Also I lived in Toronto, the biggest issue is NOT immigration, the issue is the fact that they are tearing down cultural institutions to build condos. condos are a bigger problem than immigrants. Canada is pricing Canadians out of housing, then blaming immigrants. You guys need to see that for what it is, because a lot of us were lied to, Canada is lying to all of us, its citizens and its immigrants.

Canadian here, born and bred in Toronto. Just where are you getting those housing prices for Canada $550,000 per house??! As I live very close to Toronto just to get into the housing market now you need at least $1 million Canadian. I think it down payment now is $50,000 or more. I don’t think you could find a house in Canada for $550,000 unless maybe a live weigh in the sticks maybe Tim or talk to Tuck and the northwest territories.\n\nI have visited America and, I definitely would rather live in Canada. No one is packing a gun here in Canada, unless you’re a criminal. I feel safe in Toronto even walking around at night time, can you see the same in the US?

Definitely best for you to live in a Muslim country. If you think Canada is hard then it will be interesting to see what your experiences will be in other non Muslim countries

I am currently in Waterloo, Ontario. Definitely Canada is one of the beautiful country. However, the points you mentioned in this video are infinite percent correct. Sometimes, Canadians get fed up so much of seeing Indian students and they start abusing us. It certainly is not correct. But, some students literally occupy, do parties with loud music and act as if they own the place which riles up the natives. In addition, the health care is not responsive. The doctors are so scared of loosing their license that they do not even care of other than their patients (even if some one is in emergency). This is very scary. Sometimes, I think, India is so much better in health care.

I am most certainly in the minority here, as a Canadian. There are a number of things is dislike about the USA; I hate the political climate(but the Canadian one is turning into a dumpster fire too), I dislike how separation of church and state is not existent and how in some states religious beliefs influence policy to infringe on personal rights of everyone, and health care is shit if you don’t have money or a job that traps you. \n\nBut I also love that individual states have more rights than our provinces. That means you can find a state with values that fit yours more so than finding a province. I, personally, would find a state in which I was allowed to carry tools to defend myself(Canada does not allow self defence tools at all), and I would find one that values personal autonomy. \n\nIm definitely an outlier in Canada and the USA. Let me have my guns, don’t tell women what they can do with their bodies, make sure the poor have healthcare, and leave me the hell alone. I’m neither right wing or left wing. There’s are aspects of some places in the US I love, and some overall national themes I don’t. But I wouldn’t move to any other country than the United States. I hate the bad, but I can see the good despite what our media tells us. However, the system is beginning to collapse, and the average US citizen needs to see it.

I see that you are both working for yourselves... THAT is why you need to consider how much you will owe the taxman.\nEVERYBODY who works for a paycheck gets their income tax deducted at the source, gets lots of deductions and rebates, and sometimes gets a refund...\nAlso, the HIGHEST tax bracket in Canada, for income above 247K$ is 33%, NOT 53%...(THAT is a really big discrepancy, don't you think???)\nCheers... Thanks for all of that disinformation... It was a lot of nonsense, but you seem like nice people, so who cares... \n\nPS: WE Canadians pay LESS marginal taxes than the USA... THAT IS A FACT!!! I make about 58K$ and I definitely pay a LOT less than my 20.6% tax bracket after every refund and rebate is applied. I mean a LOT less...

Live in toronto, all the above issues mentioned are 100% correct. My wife cut her finger last week, and the cut was really deep. She got 4 stitches. she had to sit for almost 2 hours covering her wound with paper towel, to see the doctor. Plus immigration will get very difficult in coming years in canada. If you know french then you will have chances. And houses which are just made up of wood should not be this costly. I work as database developer and i get paid good for now, but jobs are also not guaranteed and scares. With salary I earn, i should definitely afford house, but Canada have Rahul Gandhi in power, which is making everything impossible for Canadians, so Indians you can figure out what are your chances.

When you get undeserving/unskilled people in the country, you will definitely face the consequences. See what has happened to some of the cities of the great great Britain.

Its a simple thing. Folks are trying to leave for a better life, they then got to know about Canada giving 3years postgraduate work permit to international students who studied for two years and, there are permanent residence programs you qualify and can apply for after getting one year Canadian work experience. This is what encouraged many international students to head in this direction. Unfortunately, half of about 800,000 international students admitted to Canada came from India (if i'm not mistaken), many of them had to borrow the money to pay fees or their family sold their ancestral land or used it borrow money with the hope that when their child who they sponsored with the money is done, he/she will be the family's hope to not only pay back, but help them relocate too. However, the picture is not looking like it anymore as the demand for jobs surged and many are not able to get jobs or can't find the kind of jobs that can make them get PR and, their current work permit is about to expire, which means they may be faced with going back home with nothing so, they are pulling every string they can to stay back because, returning will mean they are a failure and can even cause their family a lot of emotional damage. Infact, i have heard of some of them who committed suicide as they are not meeting up and are not ready to go and face the shame back home. So, what you are seeing is the definition of desperation!

Honestly seeing this and knowing how some other EU countries are with similar problems, life in Serbia doesn't seem so bad, yes the purchasing power is lower but life is much easier and you definitely don't see people living in cars...

First of all...\nThat guy who's talking all this gibberish, I think he's definitely high on something!\nAll those racist comments, and talking like he owns this delivery guy, I seriously salute this boy's maturity and patience. God bless him. \nI don't know, had it been someone else he might have ripped that stupid customer apart.....\nJust see the arrogance of that man. He's talking like a lunatic continuously and recording the whole incident himself. He's genuinely not concerned when this video will go viral, what might be the repercussions of it....\nDon't worry boss, if you go on like this I can assure you, that you will face the music very soon and someone will teach you a very good lesson. Don't worry.

Believe me it's not calmness in the delivery guy we see here rather its the responsibility to earn, succeed and send some money back home. He is not scared of that tone... Just tell him he won't be deported and he will definitely put some manners in this racist phuck.

I moved here 16 years a go (6 years in Calagary + 10 years in Toronto). I've witnessed the high and low of Canada, about 6 years ago, I already started seeing the dwindling quality of life. Limited job opportunities/security, deteriorating health care and public safety, skyrocketing rent/cost of living, and people are becoming less tolerant/welcoming. Of course the pandemic made it worse, and it exposed the social ills in the country. Still better than a developing country, but definitely not Canada I used to know and experience.

Canadian born citizen here. I am almost done my degree. Once I'm done well I have been saving up for tuition well before starting university so I will pay that in cash and then head out to perhaps the states. I get it that they have the same issues as us but there is definitely room for improvement. You can't progress in Canada like you can in America. The most you will make in Canada is what you are paid for a few years of experience in America. Have several years of experience? You will make double. It's sad to see what it has become but if no decisions are made on the federal level most will have no choice but to go somewhere else.\n\nEdit: I also have family in America that will allow me to stay with them until I get settled as well. It's a no brainer. But probably will be here for a couple of years to save some cash

Nice video. I watched it as I like to learn from other perspectives.\n\nI was born in Toronto, and I must say, this “no time for life and fun” is a new thing. This lack of access to health care is a new thing. I agree with your assessment. It now seems lonelier in Toronto. \n\nCanada used to be different because anyone with a good job could afford at least a condo, but life became unaffordable not just for immigrants, but for everyone unless you are in your 50s-60s and own a home. \n\nI have friends working double jobs supporting family back home in other countries, but for some of them the family back home sound like they are doing better than them and own a home. It’s like they are sacrificing their life to be in poverty or full of hardships and their families get to go out for dinners and drinks with friends. Not them. Not true for everyone, but for some yes and I worry about their own retirement because retirement in Canada without lots of savings means you might be homeless or forced to live with family even if it’s not your preference. \n\n without investments and savings, it will be hard to beat inflation. Getting into debt and getting bad credit can mean not getting an apartment. \n\nThe birth rate is going down because it is expensive to have kids and income isn’t enough to match with living costs. Getting help from government is really not something everyone gets access too. One person might get housing support, 10 others may get nothing. Different governments offer different things. Programs end and change often. \n\nIn Canada definitely bargain and shop around for good phone plans. one idea is to get a pay as you go until “Black Friday” then every year or two when your good offer expires there will be many others. It’s the time with the best deals saving almost half. For instance, I have 50 gigs for $25 for two years from a large provider. Telephone companies are the one place where people must bargain and even ask for better deals as a must.\n\nThe people you see living in big houses, will have kids that can’t afford the same. This is because prices keep rising. The system protects the very rich, but will also drain the middle class often within 1-2 generations. Do not link your business to your personal finance, or creditors can take your home. Some not knowing this lose everything and rich people know better. \n\nPeople live until they are very old, so inheritance is pretty much meaningless to rely on, so no matter what your parents have you must hustle in life. \n\nI do think Canada can become what we want over time. Citizens need to fight the trend of great community spaces, restaurants and bars going out of business and dumb corporations move in with bad boring restaurants. Like a McDonald’s where maybe a popular cultural hang out was. \n\nPart of the problem is a lack of mixed income housing areas, so it’s hard to stay living where you grew up. Artists and musicians help make a city great, but many cannot afford to live here.\n\nFamilies and communities staying together means more support for those with young kids and older relatives when they need help. Yet how is this possible in a city that is always pushing out lower income people when wealthier people desire the area. \n\nIn Toronto, every time you move you have to take what is available and that might mean moving an hour away from everyone you know. This weakens communities. Plus, if you live too far from your work you will have no time to socialize for most the week due to travel time. \n\nI think those who grew up in Toronto do have a certain culture of acceptance with others from many cultures, because your friends at school were from all over. But with new migrants sometimes it isn’t until the second generation that their social circles get diverse. This can be isolating and it’s even isolating as those from Toronto eventually leave dreaming of staying in one spot and not forced to move constantly when a landlord investor sells every house you move into. \n\n\nToronto really needs to protect affordability of housing for at least some housing in every section so that people can save money if they live in the city, and not have to leave their communities and be far from their friends and family. \n\notherwise eventually people get sick of the hustle and it’s too tiring to travel 1+ hrs each way to visit someone during Monday to Friday. \n\n20 years ago any professional could at least buy a condo. Not today. There is too much competition now and investors are allowed to buy up all the most affordable housing that once was a pathway to owning a home. \n\nRich policy makers got greedy and destroyed canada and hopefully diversity in leadership will help make Canada better. But they perhaps people knew to Canada can reject this lonely structure and help us rebuild Toronto into an amazing place. \n\nWe need to make sure everyone can afford housing with 30% of their income. I think that will help

I was in Toronto last week. I definitely did see some of this. Yikes.

I’m surprised you never saw me. I’m homeless in a shelter and I hate this city.. well I hate all the cities like this. The people are heartless and sacred. The homeless are high and sad… I wander the streets like all day every day. When I have money I try to help the street people. Or I end up smoking weed on occasion. But there’s a lot of garbage and garbage people out there. I’m basically the rat king. I wander round doing anything I can. I’m pretty crazy tho I have bpd and doctors don’t really help anyone. I just live in the shelter and during the day I wander the streets trying to learn the city and help people. Sometimes I’m rude and angry and insane due to the state of the city and all I’ve seen. I yell and sing as I walk around just to hate everyone who is the average scumbag citizen. You know who I mean.. and I call them out on their bs. But only during my bpd episode or whatever. Otherwise I try to help all the street rats. But lots of them are helpless addicts like it’s hard to find the proper way to help. You gotta be careful who you help I suppose, because your good intentions of helping can lead to harming them. They end up buying drugs I guess sometimes. I am very easy to spot. I’m zooming down the streets. I usually walk so fast and everyone is so brainwashed brain dead slaves of society for real… they don’t care or help no one. I mean some do but it’s extremely rare…. I’ve probably walked literally everywhere you were. That park on Jarvis. I see those security guards lol they were dicks to you and definitely lied about not being on camera. I see them like almost every day. And all the other places. I slept outside a few times not often. I’ve been to all these spots I walk by them all the time it was crazy to see it all. That’s my life haha it’s awesome. I do the best I can and it’s definitely better than everyone else who has a job and a place like…. They’re all just selfish shallow heartless scumbags. Harsh truth. Keep it real.

Yes, the biggest regret...I was just forced by my husband here. All I say after 14 years....No Values...Heartless....95% Ive seen are Sad miserable people that are merely existing and never know the definition of quality life. Its like a prison ....when you step in to any store or clinic you always see the signs...VERBAL ABUSE WILL NOT BE TOLERATED ,POLICE WILL BE NOTIFIED. ....but these people are the first ones to treat with disrespect and they hate you when you ask questions!

Canada should definitely see what kind of an image they have made of themselves. They have shown themselves to look like an illiterate government. Its like the Indian government which has always no good to making its country a better country the way it could have decades ago. Canada too has been ridiculous in maintaining better standards, yet sat in a their own bubble keeps boosting about how they think the country provides some of it best services. like i said in its own bubble and not taking a reality check.

?? from comments here, im glad to see there r still sane Canadians?\nshould have been honest, yo #3 reason is actually yo #1 ? \nthere r no hate crimes against muslims, definitely not in the ghetto you live in?\nyour way of life is incompatible to the Western lifestyle and that is a perfect reason to go to a country with the same cultural agenda as yours

I got out permanently, right before the big crash, in 2014 and never looked back. The grass is definitely greener anywhere on the other side of the fence, when your side is just snow, ice and slush. And since I've left, every time I hear or see news about Canada, or talk to family there, I just shake my head. Then I go enjoy my palms trees.

I lived in Toronto for almost 25 years but moved to Berlin, Germany, a few months ago. I found the last few years to be really sad and also scary. There is such a huge mental health crisis. The TTC is not very safe feeling. I have friends there who travel with dog or bear spray in their purses. The cost of rent is definitely a huge issue. A lot of friends can never move into a new place and I don't know anyone there who can afford to actually buy a home.\nThe positives are the food options (groceries and restaurants - some of the best in the world), the nice social life, so many things to see and do around the city, and the various beaches and islands.\nThe city is definitely looking uglier and uglier, though, with all of these boxy, glassy condo towers and now with Ford doing things like turning public space into a foreign-owned inaccessible spa.

You forgot to mention one big reason: the cult of gender ideology, enforced by the government. It is appalling to see that there is no parental authority anymore and they can put you in jail (it happened to a father, R. Hoogland because he refused his 12 year old daughter take testosterone to 'become a man'). They brainwash your kids into thinking they are born into the wrong body and when they demand to 'transition' and you, as any responsible parent, refuse, they take your kids from you and put you in jail. Pure madness, cult mentality and definitely NOT democracy! If you want freedom, don't think you will get it in Canada. Do your homework before you decide to move there.

I think any sensible person with common sense, would agree Canada has become a dump. Definitely seeing myself leaving this place inshallah!

Moved to Canada in 2017 and looking to leave in 2024. I was lucky to come here with a job and I’m making a six figure income even though I’m far from being successful. However, the problem with canada at the moment is even if you have a decent job and not too bad salary, you still can’t afford a home and the rent keeps going through the roof. Canada’s obsession with immigration is lazy and irresponsible. The politicians and elites see immigrants as cash cows and instead of creating companies that generate jobs and wealth, they speculate in the housing markets which are fuelled by immigrants. Immigration is not necessarily a bad thing but you do it with a plan, definitely not as radically as Canada did under the liberal government. The massive immigration only helps the rich, the already haves and the investors. Ask middle and lower classes how they feel about their life quality in Canada, do they really benefit from the immigration? They fight hard for jobs with minimum wages, pay for ridiculous rents, wait in the long line at the emergency rooms, get into bidding wars in the housing markets …. If you are not rich, simply don’t come to Canada. It’s not worth it unless you enjoy living from paycheck to paycheck and owning nothing.

It’s definitely a closed border. Nothing to see here. The white house spin!!!!

I am American, but became Muslim about 4 years ago now. My husband and I got married a year and a half ago and now we have a baby girl alhamdulillāh, but we’ve talked about leaving the US. We live in a huge Arab community, masjid in walking distance, signage is in English and Arabic, halal everywhere, masjid all over the place. I wear niqaab and I regularly see other niqaabis where we live. BUT… it’s SO EXPENSIVE TO LIVE HERE. But we don’t want to move because it’s such a perfect area for Muslims to live. Once I finish nursing school we can definitely afford it more easily, but it’s something we still may consider. I’d love to not be so different just because I wear hijab and niqaab. I’d love not having to explain not shaking hands or not wanting to deal with men, and having accessible Islamic education for our daughter.

I live in NYC, and have been to Canada at least four times, but the last time I was there was quite some time ago. I always had a good thought about Canada, because it seems like some of the problems we have in this city, Canada also has in some way. Right now the city is a complete mess; at post pandemic and with a bit of a recession and a noticeable increase in groceries to basic things like cat food and tissues. That's not the biggest problem, it really is the legislation or lack of for people who not care for themselves. Those homeless people are almost not helpable and I don't feel threatened by them, but other people definitely do. The way the government has handled these undocumented migrants is a complete disaster and couldn't have come at a worse time. We have a serious housing crisis as well, and people can end up paying for high rent, for not the best places, but they want to live in a certain location. The migrants are coming in at about 60k in the last two weeks. You see mothers with little kids or babies selling candy all over the trains and it's becoming too much. Many see it as a form of child abuse or exploitation and we do not respect it at all. I think they feel we are weak and will just pay double for something we don't need. At one station today I must have be approached 3 times and interrupted 2 times while using my phone. It's just too much and we already have a lot of immigrants here, so I'm not sure where these people believe they will find any meaningful employment and the cold is coming. I wasn't born here, but came legally as an infant. I think the border situation is a disaster and it's obvious to a lot of people that the government lets things happen that will definitely effect citizens in the next couple of decades. The city is crowded enough and I do not know where this is all going, people do not want undocumented migrants house a few hundred feet from a childrens school. I just don't understand how they let this happen....I guess this is how Biden does things and all the groups that cheered buses pulling in when it first started are dwindling down....they just want them passed on to someone elses responsibility, but wouldn't want them as neighborhors necessarily. It's a lot of hypocrisy here. Canada seems better in some places, and the same in others.

Assalamualaikum :) We couldn't resonate more in terms of what you're planning for. My wife and I have been in the same boat and would love to see what options you come up with. With all the points you mentioned in the video I definitely see Qatar and Malaysia as better options in terms of the Islamic way of living, influence of western culture and their geo political stances on the recent matters.

You should do what is best for your family. But I don't really understand your first reason. As much as Western countries are complicit in what is happening, so are many Muslim countries like UAE, Saudi, Bahrain. And I assume you are definitely planning to move to one of the countries in the Gulf. Leaving aside the government, I have seen more support for the Palestinian cause among the general population in the West that in my whole life in a Middle East country. I was born and brought up in the Middle East. I learnt more about the Palestinian cause infact living in a Western country now. Living in a gulf country, I have infact seen less regards for the underprivileged amongst my Arab friends that I see amongst western people. It is true I am a good Muslim living in a Middle East country, but I realise I am a better human being because I live now in a Western country.

I am right there with you guys but not for the reason you guys are leaving I hate the fighting. No matter who they are I hate seeing people that are innocent being hurt... Our problem here in America is Donald Trump! I am so fed up with that man and if he wins again I'm definitely moving to a different country but the same reasons you guys are freedom... Because if he gets back in office we will no longer be free unfortunately I have grandchildren and children and I don't know what to do about that, makes my heart so sad that I don't know what to do about them and I can't do anything for them but I try to keep my options opening hope and pray that we don't get him in office again.... May God be with you always finding your place to land is going to be fun, your family is beautiful your girls and your son to serve be free to practice your religion just as much as you are! But please let us take the adventure with you I can't wait to see where you land?

The answer was perfect. I've never been into geo politics or the dispute between Israel and Palestine but, the more I learn of it I'm stuck in the middle just now as I still don't know enough facts about everything, but I definitely think his answer is correct unless there's an underlying agenda that Israel sees which I don't. At the end of the day its all about power and each side will fight to the death for that power.

most provinces are big with lack of diversity = expensive to move and see other landscape ; last 5 years realestate and cost of living gone bonkers - everywhere in the world it went up but canada definitely was one of the most significant- even with rise of salary its not as good anymore… fairly average health or care system - average political standing in world ( india china in a pinch usa 100% while usa doesnt seem to be canada 100% ) but we have lot of ressources tho costly to operate and not nature friendly - other than that - its a good country and better than most overall and a country you van have opportunities for sure but its not a paradise or eldorado

It definitely has to be lifted by the Arab world, they are the ones bordering Palestine, and are brothers in faith with them. Not only have the Arab nations due to their corrupt governments refuse to get involved due to ties established with the apartheid state, but they expect that these blockades will cease just like that? Without any action? The Arab world has to get involved rather than give flowery talks, that results in nothing but oppression continuing. The apartheid state is seeing action from america and europe aiding them. The Same cannot be said in regards to the Arab nations providing aid to their brothers, for their governments refuse to provide any aid whatsoever.

You are lying to the people about Canada or you don't know. West Africans, aka sub Saharan African are not the favoured group selected for immigration to Canada. For some reason the immigration policy favours Indians from India. 90% of the people favoured now for immigration into Canada are Indians and secondly Latinos from Mexico or some other Latin American country. People from West Africa are a trickle. All this information is on line, Google it. Also Canada is experiencing inflation and everyone is crying about the very high cost of living and finding housing. The housing market is now going through a depression and the amortization rate instead of 30 years is now leaning towards 40-60 years owing to high interest rates. People do your homework. \n\nDo not listen to people who want to blow up themselves making false claims. Also there is not overt racism but it definitely THERE, try promotion to the highest level of management in the work place and see how many years you will plateau till retirement, aka HIT THE CONCRETE SEALING. Bro, I don't doubt your experience but you are definitely an anomaly, aka an exception as you are saying that you are here in Canada living the good life. So many West Africans in Toronto are working with InstaCard, Door Dash and doing Uber and Lyft. It is called the GIG economy. You are not in a stable job. The living standard is high in Canada, meaning even the poorest has access to a quality life through the Social Services govt system. Maybe you think that is living the good life equivalent or on par with a person of European ancestry who is at least 3rd generation Canadian and in over 75% of the cases have had a transference of Generational wealth.

1) Toronto is poor value. Getting housing of any kind (buying or renting) is stupidly expensive. And the quality you get for the price is lousy. Especially the newer builds, which are just thrown up as quickly as possible and sold to investors. Policy measures generally all seem to serve to just inflate the price of housing further. The occasional lip service given to affordability is amusing, but ultimately sad. There are lots of people who really do not want the housing bubble to pop. They will fight against it with all they have.\n\n2) It has become kind of boring. There is lots to do if you have money, but it’s harder to find entertainment on a budget. Even the free stuff like parks are filling up. Stuff like sporting events, eating out, going out is very costly across the board. Even the “cheaper” stuff is expensive. It seems like a lot of local culture is disappearing. Even the cool neighbourhoods are filling up with the same chains. I think the high commercial rent and bureaucracy is deflating a lot of would-be entrepreneurs. Most landowners seem to just be banking on cashing out their land for condos.\n\n3) Canada overall has a high cost of living compared to salaries. In the US you can find lower cost of living areas that still give you a real city experience. And in Europe you can be poor but still live a decent, if no frills, life. In Canada the basic necessities are all expensive. Phone bills, grocery bills, rent, insurance are through the roof. Domestic travel is expensive. And the dollar sucks if you want to travel abroad. Health care is free but good luck finding a family doctor or waiting 8 hours in the ER these days. It’s expensive to be poor, or even middle class.\n\n4) Most of the Greater Toronto Area, outside the core, is soulless suburbs with awful transit - very “American” except with worse traffic congestion. You will need a car, which is another huge cost. Row upon row of old cookie cutter suburbs with the same crappy houses. Good luck walking anywhere, and if you do you will need to walk down boring, treeless arterial roads with cars zooming past right beside you, and cross giant eight lane intersections that were never built for humans on foot. In a rainstorm or on a fall evening you have to be really careful not to be run over by aggressive drivers.\n\n5) It is hard to raise a family in an apartment here. You can do it but it’s not very easy, and also you are still kind of judged for it. Lots of young people are feeling stuck and are deferring or avoiding starting a family. Buying any type of house, even a basic townhouse, requires pledging your soul to a bank by taking a massive mortgage with eye watering debt in a volatile market. But few apartment buildings have the kind of sensible gentle density, the family unit sizes and the common amenities, like little courtyards with jungle gyms, that you might find in Europe. No one ever contemplated that anyone would ever desire to raise kids in an apartment. It’s just a cultural thing that has worked its way into how things are planned and designed.\n\n6) The transit system is ok by North American standards but awful by international standards. There are only two real subway lines, one stub line, one line that is permanently out of service after a derailment, and another line that was supposed to open a couple years ago but still has no date for opening. The subways go out of service frequently, sometimes for the dumbest reasons, and then it is a zoo of shuttle buses. The streetcars are nice but so slow. The buses are fine if you find yourself dreaming about riding a daily herky jerky rolling tin of sardines. They are building a lot of transit but it will take decades to get done.\n\n7) There is still a lot of cool multiculturalism and opportunities to experience different foods and cultures - one of the best things about Toronto. Increasingly though it seems to be losing the fun vibe of the 90s, when everyone celebrated each other’s backgrounds and was chill. It seems the immigration is not as broad based anymore and also people are importing a lot of their “old country” grievances here. The immigration system also kind of preys on people abroad by selling them a false fairy tale, so they end up dejected when they arrive and see how things really are.\n\n8) This one might be controversial but it’s kind of an ugly city. There’s nothing particularly of historical meaning or value. Some of the older neighbourhoods are kind of nice, but the last 25 years they have only built giant glass skyboxes, one after another. There aren’t the cool “missing middle” walkups like in NY, Chicago or Montreal (or even LA). There are very few buildings with much architectural character. Some of the buildings they deem “heritage” here are an embarrassment.\n\n9) For safety, honestly on this score I think Toronto is not bad. There are not too many real “ghettos” and it’s night and day compared to much of the US. With that said, there is more vagrancy and social issues these days, with tents and such. It’s very sad but the shelters are full, lots of homeless go into the libraries, parks and transit system. It does make it harder to enjoy these public amenities safely. It is nowhere close to Europe where you might let your kids run free around town. Canadian parents still helicopter their kids and the place again is not designed to really be safe for kids, in the same way as Europe.\n\n10) Finally, a bit of a double edged sword. Toronto had a lot of youthful energy - people coming here from all over. It is definitely not as sleepy as many parts of the world. With that said, it is becoming a bit of a transient place (minus the world class experiences like London or NY). If you are from elsewhere you might find it hard making and keeping friends. I’ve seen lots of people struggle because it’s is hard to build a strong social network. We have a very “shallow” culture here - people are extremely polite but not overly warm and hospitable. We treat one another kind of like neighbours - meaning we’d like to have a cordial, drama-free coexistence and otherwise kind of stick to ourselves.

I am a Toronto Native, a nurse that used to work in Critical Care at Sunnybrook, but moved to Dubai as my husband received a job offer. That was more than 10yrs ago. I must say that every time I visit home, things are definitely worse. I notice that ppl are very negative and also rude. It's quite startling. I also see how much the demographics have changed as well. The city is also dirtier and not as pretty. I can say that if I ever returned, I would consider Vancouver, somewhere outside of the city, or on the island, but for now, I can say that I will never return to live in Toronto., We will go someplace else like Mexico where it's close enough for family to visit and it's close to home. Btw, Toronto is NOT the most diverse city in the world, it's Dubai, and UAE as a whole, where 85% of the population is born outside of the country.

We left Toronto in 2019 after having lived there for almost 20 yrs (separately and as a couple). The city seems to decline a little bit more every time that we come back to the city to visit friends or for entertainment. It's truly saddening to see the state of things, since I remember first moving to the city in 1998 when it was a very bohemian and vibrant place to live. A room cost me around $350/mth, and I was able to live quite comfortably as a student. That's definitely not the case now, with mega-corporations ruling the rental market and charging a small fortune for much needed housing, as well as the constant mismanagement found in city hall. I'm glad that we left all of that behind for a small town on Ontario's west coast

It’s been 5 years for me here and I honestly can say I have achieved nothing in my life yet. It scares me when I think I can’t return whatever my parents had invested in me. The fact is you’ll never have a good paying job in Canada being an immigrant. When I say this trust me I mean it. Most you’ll get is a minimum wage job which can make you survive the life here. Taxes are high definitely and what I feel is you’re working to make someone else’s life easier. \n(P.S: people who’ve stayed in Canada will understand who I’m implying to)\nNo one wants to be your freind, scope of socializing is zero coz mostly it’s cold round the year so everyone hardly come out, especially in Northern provinces like Yukon, Saskatchewan, Manitoba.\nHealthcare is a joke. If you feel sick and not well and you wanna see a doctor be prepared to wait for hours and hours. I once had stomach infection and I had to wait 5 hours till someone could see me. I asked for painkiller at-least so I could bear the pain but they refused that as well. You might well see someone you love dearly and with whole heart die in-front of you and you could do nothing. (I’ve experienced it myself hence saying)\nYou’re a lone survivor who’ll always keep fighting. \nThe only person who can make money here is businesses and high paid jobs which are reserved to Canadians. That’s how Canada’s job market is. Canadians’ first and if there’s something left they’ll look at you. By the amount of money people invest here they can establish a nice business back in their country itself and earn accordingly on own terms. \nMost importantly you’ll cut yourself from all emotional supports like family, freinds etc.\nI was social person back in India who liked making new freinds and memories but it’s nothing like that here. \nAnd it’s the same life, no different.\nYou wake up, dress, eat, go to work, come back, eat, sleep. No different.\nNo fun and nothing. You actually don’t live in present, you live in an expectation of a better tommorow.\nYou’ll always have a smile when you greet someone but I guarantee you no one’s gonna check on you to if you don’t start a conversation even with a simple “Hi”. Mostly Canadians are nice but again some will systematically judge you and say nothing but you’ll see in their actions, the way they’ll talk in a twisted way etc.\nYes I’m not saying that Canada’s bad or it’s no good but trust me it will take forever to build a life here especially with the number of people moving here from round the world. \nIf you’re well off financially from back home Canada’s a paradise for you. Indeed it’s a beautiful country with lots of beauty and lots to explore but remember everything comes with a cost here. Everything comes with a cost. People need to stop believing in this fake illusion and come only if they got a purpose here. The only reason why they’ll let you in the country is for money and once you’re in you’ll have to keep spending, doesn’t matter if you’re broke or whatever you have to.\nOnce I earn I’ll happily give up my PR status and go back to India as i very well know what the situation is how it’s gonna be in future.\nSo just one piece of advise to every middle class person like me, guys please invest and spend your money wisely coz we know how hard it is to earn and it’s high time Canadians start appreciating what immigrants like us do for them by burning ourselves day and night and start realizing that their past generation once came from some other part of the world as well and settled here. Being white doesn’t make you a nice Canadian, you’re actions defines you more than your words. \n90% of this country is built by immigrants and that’s how it’s gonna develop in future, so if they keep treating us the same way good luck to them ?.\nAlso a plus note to anyone thinking that Asians are stealing your jobs, go get outside and have the balls to face them and take it away from them. Staying home and ranting and abusing us that we’re taking your opportunities and blah blah isn’t gonna work. We are so successful round the world because we are hardworking, honest and respectful to everyone. Even if we’re earning minimum and barely surviving here we always make sure we’re not burden on the government or anyone else and won’t keep crying.\n\nA big shoutout to all you guys who came here in the hope of a better future but are still struggling.\nKeep hustling and you’ll reach there, if not step down and go back and start your life again on your home soil. There’s no shame in experimenting continuously rather than sitting ideally and crying about future. \n\nAll the very best my people and lots of love to you ❣️