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

A compelling documentary, thank you. Why is it that black people continue to be so demonised and de-humanised? It is such a shame that follow Asians and even American Natives play such a role in perpetuating racism against African descent people, but I guess they have their issues of identity. Real shame nonetheless, but one thing at the time, we still have a bigger hurdle to overcome.\n \nOf course, it is still not easy to be a black woman, man or child today. Sadly our mothers are still crying for their children being killed or overly punished by the police institution, our kids are still targeted if not simply despised for being beautiful, bright, talented, lively and brilliant beings with deeper skin tonalities, and hair that speaks for us otherwise. It is still dangerous because there is so much hatred across the world against us as we are coming to understand. And hatred is unpredictable. It comes in different ugly shapes. \n\nAfrican descent people are institutionally exposed to a lack of opportunities based on race, leading to the disproportionate poverty levels in our communities, and poverty brings your far closer to crime. That should not be so difficult to calculate. We're faced with higher mortality and disease rates, covid 19 has rubbed that to our eyes, care systems medical world is in less favour and neglect black communities. On a day-to-day, I am so insulted about the security guard that follows me in the shop, it is so disrespectful and embarrassing, that makes me move suspiciously indeed, yet so low and ignorant I don't even want to have to confront the issue. \n\nI agree with the writer who writes about his experience (and shame?) of being a black man in Canada- the same is institutionally reflected in Europe and across the world let's not be naive, we're not welcome but they should know they have no choice. I believe what he really is trying to express is based on the fear of being a black man in a hostile environment, but we should certainly have nothing to be ashamed of. \n\nOn contrary, we should be very proud because we are still here, like any other citizens paying our taxes and playing positive roles in society by major. We have positive role models are everywhere, from the single mother raising her children with force and determination to the black father who teaches at a local school, from the black girl who's achieved top grades to university to the black young man who's been headhunted from the medical school. And all of us who are just trying. \n\nLook closely. While the media will continue to do its good job demonising and stereotyping us negatively, let's not forget that we are real people with real accomplishments who have always made impactful contributions to society. \n\nHere's the thing, we are admired, loved and celebrated because of the brilliance, talent, charisma, swag and wealth we bring to contemporary culture. Everyone consumes black culture, from the filler lip service to the quick fix tan, from rock and roll to hip hop and RnB music, to sports athletes to the amazing creators out there, no need to mention names. But, we also are doctors, politicians, judges nurses, waiters, carers, scientists, builders, bankers, entrepreneurs, employees or unemployed. \n\nSadly on a day-to-day, we are not viewed as equal people, with equal rights and needs, who, by large, just want the good for our children, our families, neighbours and indeed countries. STOP INSTITUTIONAL RACISM. We are real mothers, real fathers, real children who have a birthright to equal treatment, respect and human dignity, whether or not you choose to disagree.

Deport them all, it's one thing to assist those that are seeking refuge and another to give people the luxury that our forefathers have granted us off the backs of hard work, sweat, blood and tears.\n\nThey need to band together and do it the right way, start a business, change the system, make their country one to be proud of rather than suckle off of people that are already working hard... the purpose of denying is so that those that want a different life can make a difference instead of making life hard for those around them and living off their backs... go home and dig deep to provide for your family... stop suckling off my wifes tit like you're one of my damn kids

What is wrong Canada?\nWe are a country who welcomes legal immigrants but we are now starting to live in a country of fear.\nOur borders are allowing illegals and dangerous ones at that.\nOUR MEDIA are staying silent and putting lives at risk.\nI am so proud of THE FIFTH ESTATE for not silencing us on the only thing we ask for TRUTH.\nKeep up the GOOD WORK....\nPlease help Canadians and do an episode on the ISIS TERRORIST.\nWE ARE IN SERIOUS NEED OF TRUTH AND SAFETY.

My experience in Canada has been largely positive, with only minimal racial difficulties.  As a teenager, I do recall some kids making blatantly racist comments, when I was the only minority in the room; but they were silly girls, popular and full of themselves, and most of the students who heard did not laugh with them. We all knew it was wrong.  Another time I was told, by an agent, that a potential employer claimed she would not hire me because of my race.  I did not hear these words firsthand, though, so it was impossible for me to verify the truth. In the end, I let the matter alone. Other people,  I realize, have endured severe injustices; such have not been my experience, but this does not subtract from their reality.  Indeed, racism does exist, and shall remain as long as there are imbeciles wallowing in the mire of ignorance, people who cling to an absurd sense of superiority for lack of something more meaningful to hold.  As well--and it must be said!--quite likely, we all have, at some point, entertained discriminatory thoughts. 'Tis not a 'black and white' problem but a human one, and we must be mindful of it beginning with ourselves.  Canada, then, with its many inhabitants and complex history, will never be the exception. We can't expect perfection among people, here or anywhere else in the world.  Even so,  I believe there are enough fellow Canadians who strive to treat people as individuals and are happy to make friends across cultures.  My life has been and continues to be a testament to that!  Whatever our troubles, we still retain a proud heritage of diversity and progressive ethnic harmony.  We do try, and for this reason I love my country.  I am deeply patriotic and immensely proud to be part of it!