Close Reading

Considering half the population is Saudi’s I’d think he’d be a little nicer to his people

I came to Canada as a teen back in the early 80s, and can say the the problem with Canada is it's a small country pretending to be large.\nSmall population, large land mass. So we bring in more immigrants, most of which are low value.\nMost companies don't manufacture or do R&D here. They just cell into a small market. Large land, small population will not support efficient supply chain based business. Telecom, insurance, and many businesses charge high fees, due to small market.\nWe stick our nose in world affairs that have little to do with us. China, Europe, and the middle east.\nOur economy can support some amount of population effectively, so why grow beyond what we can support.\nWe should be like Norway. Healthy rich economy, small population, no issues.\nNo we have to pretend we are the US, or Germany or China.\nThat's what's wrong

Yea well as long as Hamas owns, operates, and moves thru Gaza the Palestinian people will never be truly free. They will continue using the Palestinian people as pawns in their pursuit to decimate Israel. That’s the main goal. All the while using propaganda as sympathy towards the west to align them to their agenda. If Hamas would just be honest about what their true intentions are instead of being cowards they’d have a little bit more respect

I'm leaving because I want to start a family and Canadian women are giant zeros for starting families. I have dated too many women in this country, it's crazy, I never thought I'd be that guy but I cannot find a decent woman I'd marry here. 50% of the women are infertile or have uterus problems. 35% are on SSRI's or psyche meds. I'm only dating fit decent looking women, and the pool here isn't that big because so many women are obese and refuse to exercise or eat properly. The weather is terrible too. The politics are awful too. It's become so expensive. The tax money is wasted, you get very little value for your taxes. Canada feels like a slave colony that they stuff gullible immigrants into, and hope they can trap them.

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.

An immigrant friend of mine told me how high the cost of living is and how little people tend to earn. You can't do that with the US next door. People will surely leave.\n\nAs a South African, I'd only be interested in staying in Canada until I get citizenship, so that it is easier to get citizenship or work permits elsewhere.

I was born in NYC but moved to Canada over 20 years ago, I now have dual citizenship. In the space of 1 year my retired father had a major stroke and my wife, pregnant with our first child had a full hemorrhage, was rushed to the hospital and gave birth to our premature son who required open heart surgery at 3 months of age. The quality of the health care was top notch, it didn't matter who I was or what I earned, we promptly received the best health care I can imagine. I was maxed out emotionally; I can't imagine worrying if I could afford the monies involved, was it covered under my current health care plan everything was 'just there'. There was no waiting for our legitimate emergencies. I don't know what the math would be on costs but I'm guessing I'd be broke for the rest of my life if this occurred in the States. \nOf course, what countries could afford universal health care except, maybe: Australia, Canada, France, Germany, United Kingdom, Sweden, Spain, Switzerland. Italy, Israel, Greece and 22 other countries. Why is almost every other country paying less for drugs developed by American companies?\nYou pay slightly lower taxes... but what would your income look like if your employer paid you what they are paying for your insurance premiums?\nI'd say the richest country on earth has a little catching up to do...

I have had a home base in Toronto for the last 20 years, traveling almost consistently for work until covid hit. While I am not a fan of the city tbh, I have stuck it out there this whole time as I have not been able to figure out where else in Canada I'd rather live. The way things have gone in the last little while however, I'm now making plans to leave Canada altogether. Even though I am unaffected by high housing costs as I've owned a home in the city, the general cost of living across Canada is now extortionate for what you get. Toronto was fine for me to use as a base for my traveling lifestyle in the past, but with crappy weather much of the year, a left leaning electorate that keeps voting ultra woke politicians at all levels of government, the now increased cost of living there is no longer worth it to me. I'm headed for the exit. All this said, I don't feel that your coverage about crime in the city was balanced. Yes the news stories you used actually did happen, but I do not feel unsafe in the city. A handful of incidents in a city with the population of Toronto - this is a blip.

I've been living in Toronto for over thirty (30) years with a little two years try in Halifax, which didn't work due to the lack of meaningful jobs.\nWhen I arrived here in the late 80th I was very impressed with all the services provided and the speed to see medical professionals.\nI'd spent almost 10 years without a family doctor since my first one retired, and now I'm fortunate enough to have one who is so busy that I have to wait months for an appointment.\n\nIt is painful to notice that already paid services are disappearing and how dirty and dangerous this, once an amazing city, is today.\n\nI'm retired now just waiting for my wife to do the same to move out of this country, with the hope that our very low combined pensions will be enough to live somewhere else.\nMoving out of the city, even out of the province, it is not an alternative since anywhere out of here, includes having a car with all the expenses that this include.\n\nSad reality for retirees and specially for young couples with children in tow.\nSoon we will see this beautiful country devoid of human qualified presence to support all the neglected refugees that are coming.\n\nWho knows, maybe this is a new experiment on how so many homeless people can survive the harsh winter.\nGreetings from Toronto.

6 feet South African guard took two of them aside for a cavity check :D :D :D ...and pooh is wondering what's gonna happen to two of his little prince :D

I'm really enjoying your dive into all things Canada. Have you been up here yet? If not, why not give us a shot. From what I've seen so far, I know you'd enjoy it, and you're always welcome. Also, count me as a no vote on moving south. Every time I've visited, I've found that the urban decay made me sad and a little bit scared.

With Trudeau at the helm Canada is F’d. Constant “woke” slight of hand theatrics and well as the “American right wing extremists” safety valve, Canadians have little chance of seeing through their own governments failure.

As a Canadian I don't mind paying a little more tax to enjoy universal health care. I despize Republicans and their gun culture. D. Trump has ruined America for me and divided the country too much.

hi tyler. another Canadian here. I'm gonna have to state the obvious stuff healthcare. gun control. woman's rights. But i want to go into a little more detail. My nearest hospital has a air ambulance helicopter. In America a Regular ambulance can cost you up to 5k and An air ambulance in the USA can go upto $36,000.\n\nin Ontario i'd pay NOTHING for a regular ambulance and 45 Dollars for the helicopter You're not even in the hospital And we're already talking stupid amounts of money

I'd just say as a Canadian we have all of the best the US has to offer with very little of the negatives it has. So why would we go to somewhere where it only becomes worse.\n\nMost people in the USA are not ok when it comes to healthcare. The minor stuff sure, but if you have anything serious happen most likely your healthcare will only cover half or a quarter of the costs. The USA also has some of the worst healthcare care out of almost all western countries.\n\nTo put into perspective of kids and gun violence. From 2019-2023 on average 9 kids get shot dead in the USA per day, so 3 285 per year. If we look at 2019 specifically we have 73million people under the age of 18 exist. If we use the average of 9 shot a day and put that to 18 years of life we come up to 59,130 shot over the 18 years; however out of 73 million it means you only have a 0.081% chance of dying from being shot. Doesn't sound too high, but it means you're more likely to get shot dead than almost all other forms of death, more likely to be shot as a child than someone to win the lottery.

Well, as a Canadian, I guess i'll pitch in.\nWould I move to the US? The short answer is no. But I will explain more in detail.\n\nFirst, I do not see any advantages to the US compared to Canada. Americams often tout their country as the beacon of freedom and the land of opportunities, but I don't feel that Canada is so different there. We're actually higher on the world freedom index, and its not like our economy was in shambles and everyone dirt poor... We pay more taxes, fine, but we also get more services in return, and that last part has the advantage to remove a big layer of worry. Like, for healthcare, I don't have to worry if i'm covered by insurance or not, or if the insurance carrier will drop me on some technicality. I'm a citizen. All the basic needs are covered; no questions asked (and the healthcare quality is not half bad. We just prioritize urgent cases over non-urgent; so if you go to the hospital for something non-urgent, you will wait, and more urgent cases will pass before you. Annoying when it happens, but I understand and agree with that in the end)\n\nSecond, I do see a lot of disadvantages. All the points raised in the video are valid, from the private-sector healthcare system, the gun control laws (or lack thereof), the social policies and legislation in some states; they don't agree with me.\n\nI think it comes down to some specific social and cultural ideas that are prevalent or at least present in a substantial manner in the american society. Bear in mind that I am generalizing here, not every american believes these points, but many do. I'm talking about ego, nationalism/patriotism, secularism etc.\nI feel that the US often has a really overinflated vision of itself. Like, the idea that America is the best. At everything. Wich is factually not true, but this idea also poisons the debate on many issues, and tends to limit social introspection that could lead to real advances.\n\nI've also noticed that the american basic school system is strongly patriotic. Everyone in the US is taught a lot about the US themselves in school, but not much about the rest of the world. Not great for open mindedness and introspection when you have little comparison points.\n\nAndlets not delve into the religious aspect. I've seen a poll somewhere where 48% of americans were AGAINST the separation of church and state. For me thats not only insane, its dangerous. It fits the individualistic mentality where people can more easily start thinking that their way is THE way. It creates a very polarized society much more prone to high volatility.\n\nSo, yeah, no, I wouldn't live in the US. I'd much rather stay in Canada where i don't have to worry if I get sick or hurt, if some agressive drunk idiot in a bar is armed, or if some fundamentalists from some religious congregation is gonna be able to try to politically force their point of view.

person living in Canada; I would consider least for a while, my reasons are most people I've met from US on the internet have been mostly pleasant(Minnesota, California, Florida, or Pennsylvania all seem great:) )...I agree with a little bit more flexible gun laws(if there was a happy in between I'd go with that:P)........ don't think the political scene would completely bother me(centrist at heart; mostly accepted by Conservatives and get along with Democrats/etc); I'm ok with the contrast....

I see this done a lot but there's a big difference between correlation and causation. Your Rbc example shows the top people all white, including women I may add. It's very ingenuous to claim racism based purely on who has risen to the top. Would you call the NBA racist because blacks overwhelmingly are represented or did they get there because they were the best? It's really exhausting having to correct leftist talking points based on nothing.\nThis is the problem today, racism is used so much that it's become little more than name calling because people, usually on the left, call anyone they disagree with racist.\nYou dislike illegal immigration? Racist. You can be pro lawful immigration but have the wrong opinion and your a racist.\nHate crimes? These are incredibly rare and are often skewed politically, largely for reasons I just explained but if an indigenous man assaults an Asian lady, it's less likely to be labeled a hate crime as, say a white male doing the exact same.\nNot so common here but in the US, there are numerous examples of blacks assaulting Asians and orthodox jews and the media will cleverly imply it's whites by saying white supremacy is on the rise, then give the stats on hate crimes, most of which were not committed by whites. It's this kind of media manipulation that creates an inaccurate impression.\nNow, for the indigenous, yes, there is systemic racism. We have an entire governmental system treating natives differently with reserves, different taxes, hunting rights etc by definition it's systemically racist although many are a benefit.\nI also agree with your comment on Quebec with it's strong almost nationalist attitudes towards maintaining it's French heritage at the expense of individual rights.\n, please don't label someone or an organization as racist just because a bunch of white people occupy top positions without evidence that racism was the cause when it could just be they were the best candidates. Is it not best to not always assume the absolute worst before coming to a conclusion? It's like our legal system based on a biblical tale of choosing to let a 100 guilty go free than condemn a single innocent man. A founding principle to modern western countries that should apply here.\nBeing racist is a serious and nasty accusation that should be thrown only when it's established. I don't call someone a child killer just because I disagree with their politics and to do so is an a front to genuine victims. \nI'd argue Canada is one of the least racist nations on Earth. Name a country, you think is LESS racist, I'm curious, what would you suggest? I would counter that racism or xenophobia is far more common in non western countries.\nI would suggest countries in Asia, Africa and others with less multicultural populations harbor more racist sentiment towards other races. Visit Japan, very xenophobic but no one dares call them racist because it doesn't promote the leftist stereotype of white man racism.\nThere's a reason you never saw racism but had to be lectured by holier than thou self flagulating liberals about the scourge of racism, it's mostly a fabrication. These same people can never give a factual example beyond what you provide with the Rbc example. If it's that bad you would think they can provide real evidence.\nHave you actually met or seen racism in Canada? You probably have a better chance being struck by lightning.

I am sorry and politicians will not tell us the truth, but in all reality what impoverished people need to do is remain in the countries they love and have there own little civil ear , riot , over throw there evil and corrupt governments. \n\nYes people will die , but it will be for the right reasons .\n\nThey are struggling , leaving there roots , leaving there homeland .\nI'd rather see them find happiness in there own back yard

I don’t know why they want to come here… it’s just as bad and there is little to no help lol homelessness is at an all time high. I’d go towards South America

Living in the city of Vienna for me, in an already safe country-with everything else that’s an advantage-I have never seen myself moving to the US: kindergarten, School, University and Healthcare is part of the national budget. The poor are housed, high minimum wage, mandated and protected leave, 14 full checks a year, very little homelessness and crime, tap water is literal spring water extracted straight form the mountains, food is so pure and organic I never gain weight, I don’t know why I’d ever leave Austria.

I would still take our medical system over the American system without a second thought. Though I would be in favour of a parallel paid tier that's integrated with the public tier so that the public tier benefits from the profits and investments.\nRegarding financial technology, the perspective here is slightly short sighted, although to some degree, I agree. Compared to the US we have had debit (Interac) at retail point of sale since the late '80s/early '90s, and email money transfers (Interac eTransfer) since the late '90s/early '00s, long before the US had anything comparable such as PayPal, and apps like CashApp or Venmo effectively have no marketshare in Canada because of the long history of having email money transfers.\nLastly, for the cell phone plans, you are 100% correct, though we still don't have true unlimited, and only on plans including 5G service. However, there are some mitigating factors such as the high ratings of the network quality and stability for all major cell carriers despite wide swaths of our geography having little to no population and rugged topography. It's not an easy country to cover properly or reliably without it being expensive. Though Canadian telecom and cableco profits are through the roof, as are those of the big 5 banks. We definitely need more competition, though I'm not sure foreign companies coming in are the way to go with this.\nAlso, technologically speaking many important technological and scientific R&D is being conducted here and innovations are made here all the time, but in many ways, these companies get traction outside of Canada long before they get traction here.

i'd still like to go live in canada for a little bit. seems like a beautiful country.\nand spekaing of which, both of y'all are VERY beautiful

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

I don't think Canada is boring bcos of places to go, it's boring bcos ppl can't spend the little they have aftr d government takes vat and high tax rate.

Damn , if I knew 100% I’ll be home on time I’d go see them . It’s a little risky if I bought tickets rn for November 8th .

I lived in the US for 9 years. I used to work at cafes and sections of the library with most traffic of people just to see people. Otherwise, I’d spend days without seeing people. So I turned back to my hometown. I am better off with family. I am off the daily 400mg of antidepressant they gave me in the US. I can sleep easily. I have very little stress. I am off any pills and doing better than I did in the US.

Paying high taxes is good if everyone gets adequate medical care! Us people with few exceptions get little outside of a big military! Medical care is a basic human right! I'd rather not live in a tax phobic country!

There is always something dull, bland and general lack of vibrancy in these American streets videos. I am an introvert but I prefer some little noise and bright weather?,, I don't think the US is a place I'd want to live unless its for work purposes.

I was chatting to a guy a while back , when I asked him if he was from Canada he was sooo pleased I hadn't thought he was American, didn't have the heart to tell him it was only because I'd spotted a little red maple leaf on his bag?...... Lovely sketch lads?

Life is excellent in Toronto and southern Ontario so I'm not going anywhere. If I were forced to move, I'd pick Ottawa or Kingston (both also in Ontario, of course). Out of province, my first choice would be Halifax for sure (all of Nova Scotia is pretty special) and probably St. John or Charlottetown next. On the west coast, Victoria just edges out Vancouver in my books. A little surprised that Quebec is first in your ranking but I do love visiting there. Alberta is gorgeous but culturally it's vibe is more American than Canadian. Anyone else find that?

Im a pediatrician, from Ecuador, South America, Im 36, my english is 6/10. Im a bit lonely and I find it a little difficult to be sociable, plus im not a fan for cold wheater but i can adapt\nFor the other hand: \nI'm good at problem solving \nI like to help everyone who needs me and trusts me\nI love children, of course\nI prefer to do things myself to know that they are well done\nIf I cant do something or dont know the answer, i will find it.\nHere my country is full of corruption and insecurity, in general people dont respect other... Always think in leave to a first world country, Do you thing Canada will be my chance? =D

I'm of Scottish/Irish descent and few people are whiter than I am plus I have freckles and auburn hair. I had just moved to Orlando and dropped off several prescriptions to an Eckerd's drugstore. Rather than leaving and returning 30 to 45 minutes later decided to look around and see the store layout for future reference. I wasn't wearing a coat and I never opened my purse. I got my prescriptions and left the store. An alarm beeped and the manager came outside, grabbed my arm and yanked me back into the store. A security guard watched as I was taken into a little office, had my purse contents dumped on the floor and was told I must have stolen something. I pointed out the teenagers who were blatantly stuffing things in cargo pants pockets. They ignored them. After pawing through my things I was told I could put the stuff back in my purse. I demanded the manager pick up everything and put it on his desk and then I'd put it in my purse. As I left the alarm rang again. We realized the Stone Mountain metal label on the front of my purse set off the alarm. He never apologized. I called the corporate office and was told he'd get a reprimand. I could have charged him with assault. Grabbing me and forcing me into his store and office against my will violated FL laws. I never set foot in that store again and warned everyone I met not to. It may have been a coincidence but the store was shut down within 6 months. Others of different races said that manager had harassed them, too.

I'm white but discriminated against at a doctors office because I wasnt dressed nice and had insurance but hadn't met my deductible. She tried to refuse me and said right in front of me, shell never pay. I threw afit and refused to leave until I got treated. I have been discriminated against alot because I dont blow my money on the nice hair, nails and clothes and all the other nice things everyone else has.But that's ok because everything I own is paid for. Alot of sacrifice but I'd rather have my little place in the woods then to fit into today's society.

At around 18:20\nHe feels uncomfortable for receiving more friendly attention, and assumes the woman's reasoning.\nWhat if she wanted to sleep with you and not the others?\nHe admits being a very friendly guy, does he expect his friendliness to be met with insistence?\nHe'd complain either way, as he does in all the examples.\nToo much attention, too little, and just right are all wrong when compared to the other 2 guys ?

canada has become little asia ... the amount of indians, pakistanis, Philippines, koreans and Chinese here is staggering ... you'd think after getting off the plane you where in some asian country ... in canada they make up 42% of the population where African Canadians makeup less than 7%

Canada is VERY VERY merit based don't get it twisted. It took my parents years to get a visa to leave Nigeria and come here, Canada is not some paradise, it's a country chances are if you can't get legal citizenship in the states, you'd be VERY lucky to get it Canada. Basically your chances are little to none.

turns out from that test i got little to no automated profiling for them :D

Canada has an army? whats that all ahbult? just f n with you d man you are a great addition to this humble little country and what about maple syrup ?