Close Reading

I don’t even think Canadians want to live in Canada anymore.. Canadian businesses don’t value their workers period. Just look at the wages they are offering.. No wonder why “nobody wants to work anymore”. ??

This is not a bad thing, I miss the Canada of 10 years ago. It is unrealistic for immigrants to think that they can take a job away from a Canadian citizen. Ask yourself, as a Canadian in a foreign country, would I be treated as well as they are in Canada. In most cases, no.

I’m Canadian and making plans to leave. There’s just no financial future to stay. My parents won’t be able to retire here and I won’t be able to afford a house and I don’t even want to think about what my kids will have to go without.

Tired of aiding them all then they whine now canadians aren’t being allowed to leave gaza Canada needs to think more like the states

I was born in Canada and live here currently. I have lived in Asia, Europe and USA. Canada is my least favorite country to reside, by far, to be honest. Canadian health care is not free, it is just that Canadians are brainwashed to think that working months a year (slavery) for the government healthcare is acceptable. Like children wanting mommy and daddy to look after their allowance. The services a pathetic! As for the politics comment; that fellow is also typical of many (but not all) Canadians....most people in Canada ONLY talk to people that they agree with therefore there will not be any arguments...people even ghost their own family if you don't agree to worship the government.

Its funny when people talk about the quality of Canadian health care. For example, BC Cancer is one of the best in the world. Canada is on the cutting edge of many health care procedures. Yes, its hard to get a primary care physician but that is because the US is throwing enormous amounts of cash at Canadian doctors and nurses. Canada still keeps up pretty darn well especially when considering Canada has only a FRACTION of the US population and much fewer resources and funds available. My family has never suffered from our health care system in the past 60 years. 1 family member had a quadruple bypass - no bills 2) cancer - no bills 3) emergency c-section w air transport to city 400 mils away - $360 for air ambulance 4) emergency appendectomy - no bills 5) Heart atttack w stint - no bill 6) MRI and CATscans - No bills 6) 3 ADHD diagnosis w mental health care support - no bills 7) industrial accident with crushed hand - no bills 8) Electrical accident with burns throughout body - no bills 9) burns from an oil fire - no bills 10) fall into fire pit w subsequent 3rd degree burns on leg - no bills 11) leg amputation from type 1 diabetes - no bills. And then there are all the little things that happen day to day. In each event, we received top notch care and services. So, you might earn more in the US but we save more in Canada and very few suffer from it. A lot of complaints? Most bad experiences are shared whereas positive ones are not. I think if people on both sides really looked, the US health care fails many more people per capital on a daily basis than in Canada. US insurers are known to abandoned people when they become overly expensive and its not unusual to not have choices in drugs or care options.

Thanks for this video, thinking about moving to Canada, not for nothing just hate living in NYC and feel I can't live in SF or other west Coast cities. I have some good Canadian friends so im considering...

Most Canadians think the usa sucks

Have resided in America for a period of time...in a smaller community.. the Americans are beautiful warm people which I met..Canadians are quick to bias there opinion of america..if your free enterprising I had a wonderfully time there..and willing to understand Americans think quite different . Americans say what they need in negotiations Canadians say what are you prepared to give me outta the deal.....as for other respondents fear of safety and socialist needs..there are general laws in both countries which protect all.......Canadian see is legacy media accounts of violent events... America's population is 10 x s that of Canada are greatly inflluenced buy Canadian legacy brand media . Accounts people should really factor that into the equation..there have been some absolutely crazy violent events happen in Canada involving guns and other instruments... Love your channel Tyler .it's interesting how many Canadians watch it trying to appreciate what Canada looks like to american

We live in usa since 28 yrs, We are ok as our whole family is in abroad, but We recently took a trip to Canada, in Brampton and we were shocked nothing to put down but we felt it’s India except fee things, as everywhere u see Indians, employees are Indians, jn my uncle’s street 99% were Indians, my cousin told me in his class all students are Indians even the teacher and there were some more things that I can’t explain in words, because during childhood when we took trip to same place we felt we came to Canada but not anymore, I think Canadians are tired of Indians they mostlyhave diff ares where most Canadians live and areas where Indian community and we felt lucky we are only traveling here, so it’s better to live in India instead…

unlike may Indians, especially those who immigrated recently, you seem to be very objective and fair about your assessment of Canadian way of life. Liked what you said about the health system here. It absolutely drives me crazy when many ignorant and self-centered idiots show up in emergency for very trivial discomforts and expect to be served immediately. If that does not happens then declare Canada's health system worse than any third world country. Wish you well but I think you may also regret your decision to return back to the land of andhbakts on one hand and spineless& voiceless on the other.

Born and raised in Canada. My advice to anyone thinking of immigrating here, come with a LOT of financial support base established AND a gameplan on longterm income. If you come here with just a dream, you will find yourself in a nightmare. Things are changing here and it is going to get much, MUCH more challenging before it gets better.\n\nSource - a random canadian viewer @ 70k/yr who lives pretty humbly and still struggle financially.\n\nNot a very good time to move here.

The quality of life in Quebec, despite the fact that Quebecers are not as well off as residents of other provinces, such as BC, Alberta or Ontario, is far better. Life in Montreal, Quebec is far superior to that of Toronto or Ottawa in many ways. Having lived in these two capitals, I prefer to live in Quebec, despite all the bad things Canadians in other provinces think of it. The fact that I am perfectly bilingual has favored my integration into this distinct society, I must admit.

Nice candid video Tyler. I have a good friend (a Jusey Gurl) who moved to Canada like 20ish years ago I think mainly because of an ex. I think she appreciates the health care as well with my talks with her over the years. She and I've been thinking this lately that Canadians have either changed or that Canadians are more friendly stereotype is going down .I think with more immigration, the cost of living and frozen pay and higher and higher taxes Canadians are increasing discouraged with politics and Canada in general. You noticed many of the woman mentioning health care and social programs as well? Police... We have a lot here as well maybe more so because of pay. The police are well looked after and paid well here. I think politics are getting more polar and more divisive here as well. The liberals have really really done a stellar job with two terms of sheer WEF CCP hogwash to destroy the country. Another general stereotype is that Americans are obnoxious and unpleasant isn't true as well. I'm in tourism and find most of the Yanks to be friendly and polite and GREAT TIPPERS. Ha many US servers don't like it when Canucks go over there because they're stingy. I think if everything works out without saying more, your country, like it or not , will ultimately start the big liberation finally of humanity hopefully for the better. You folks generally have a bigger love of freedom and you're ARMED. You have the mindset and the LEVERAGE to change the system. And we as Canadians are always looking and following the US why to the extent because things are a little different here I don't know... I await with hopeful yet bated breath with the big changes coming in the following years. Love, freedom and the pursuit of happiness good neighbors eh!

As a Canadian I am actually going to set up a business that's taking advantage of America's horrible healthcare system. I actually wanted to move to the United States every since I was a teen ager. I went to the Detroit area and they failed me in nursing school. I found white Americans to be quite feral and maintain sadistic tendencies and arrogance as necessary cultural value. Regardless my life in Toronto, Canada has turned into nightmare and I still think America is a better place simply because you have more options and job opportunities. Would I prefer to live in the United States? The answer is YES!!

The pregnant woman, the reason she probably moved back is because all Canadians get paid maternity leave for 1 year, and I think extended coverage you can get up to 18 months, after having a kid. It's not your full pay, but a good chunk of it. As long as you were employed for a certain time before giving birth, or reaching a certain stage in your pregnancy Im not sure EXACTLY how it works. America you get 3 months off... unpaid. Forcing most parents with no benefit from work to struggle financially just to watch their kid, or hire expensive help, and have a stranger watch and raise your 3 month old for half the time.

What's with this guy's weird accent. Sounds like an American pretending to be canadian and doing one of those canadian accents Americans think we sound like.

I was really offended by this video! I am Canadian, live in Canada and absolutely HATE CANADA!! \nEverything said about USA and how bad certain things are, it’s the exact same here in Canada! Canadians can’t have a normal conversation about politics or religion! Look at what’s happening here? Locking up pastors or anyone preaching the bible! And don’t get me started about politics here! Absolute disgusting politics here and the insane amount of bat shit crazy left wing people that believe everything on msm as if it’s golden. Liberal government here has got to be the worst government in the entire world! Once upon a time they were normal and like all other political parties but now since the plandemic they are all insane! These left wingers think that the vax was a good thing and line up to get pics done with our top criminal Justin Trudeau! It’s sickening! \nSo there is absolutely no difference between Canada and USA! We have horrible cities that are dangerous just like USA. We have horrible pathetic cops that are power hungry and out to destroy lives. I know cops in Canada who were put through hell because they stood up for doing the right thing against other corrupt dangerous cops! They are a gang that wear uniforms and have the rights to abuse their powers. \nThis bothered me so much as it’s certainly calling the kettle black! People thinking they are better than others! \nIt would do the entire world some good to pick up the bible, read it and repent! Every single person on this earth needs to!

As a Canadian it’s hard even for the people who been here for generations so I don’t understand why immigrants think it’s a gravy ride it’s not for anyone living here

I've been to 30 states in my many decades of travel. The US has become a scarier place over the past 20 years. The politics is very partisan, Evangelicals have expanded their influence resulting in less tolerance of others, gun violence is insane, the poor are very, very poor with no way out, the very, very rich don't want to share at all (contrary to Christian teachings), the US version of capitalism verges on slavery (certainly not what Adam Smith envisioned anyway), the race issues are becoming simply stupid, the MAGA supporters and the socialist far left and wokeness are simply beyond comprehension . . . overall, tolerance for differences is becoming lost. People on the left and the right are equally are to blame. \n\nOne of Canadians' favourite activities is to crap on America(ns). This is unfair. There are wonderful places in the US and wonderful people. Collectively though, I think the US is coming apart at the seams. Canada certainly has its warts and our politics and society is becoming polarized too. But overall I'd say, Canada is friendlier, less violent, not as bigoted, more open minded, fairer, much less hierarchical, and more educated with regard to what's happening in the world. I do like the entrepreneurial bent to the US but its version often comes at a huge cost to people.

Lol you think 10 000 is a normal for childbirth in your country. Why are you so uniformed. I know more and I’m Canadian ?

Lol you think 10 000 is a normal for childbirth in your country. Why are you so uniformed. I know more and I’m Canadian

Even with our stupid C-19 rules (at one point, we weren't allowed to leave our house after 8 PM except to walk the dog ?), I think I would still rather be Canadian than American.

I am Canadian, my husband is American. I moved to the USA 11 years ago. I live in a liberal state (by American standards) with little violence (by American standards). I like where we live and enjoy most of the people that I interact with. I would move back to Canada in a heartbeat. I must confess that I felt like I stepped back in time 20 years when I moved here - labor standards in the US are so behind the rest of the world (maternity leave, paid time off, job protections, etc). To a Canadian, US culture feels accepting of racism, violence, us vs them mentalities, gun culture, religious and political fanaticism. I still can’t get over how “normal” Americans think their healthcare system is…. most other countries think it is absolutely nuts! I have good insurance, but if I ever develop a serious illness….I will move back to Canada where I can attempt to keep my health AND still have a house to live in. On the surface, Americans and Canadians look alike - but I still feel the cultural differences every day. I’m sure that America feels safe and wonderful to Americans who grew up here - but it can be difficult for people who grew up with different values to agree that these things make America “great”.

Pros and cons for both. Alot of Canadians think the US is way worse than it is.

While the Canadian health care system isn’t perfect I’d much rather have it then to not be able to afford to have any healthcare. I also think once you monetize health care it’s not longer about health but about profit

You're a good guy, Tyler...and very brave to take on such a dicey subject as comparisons between Canada and The United States. We are two distinctly different cultures. Currently, America is more than frightening. The political system has really become a total mess. A two-party system (basically YES or NO) does not cater to the many grey areas of politics. The choice right now seems to be Fascist or Liberal. That's it! It was not like that during most of my professional life. Thanks to my job, I had a Green Card. But, I also could travel with little difficulty...especially in the South and Mid-West. Why? Well, because I had blonde hair, blue eyes and pale skin. I never got used to states where everyone was walking around with a gun. It scared the hell out of me. As a commercial film director and writer, (unique services - hence the Green Card) I worked just about everywhere in the US. The North East is the most similar to Canada. But get down south, and people were literally walking around with holsters and revolvers on their hips. I never felt completely safe. But America is also a great country full of opportunities and if you are educated and a professional, the money is also great. All Canadians love their Healthcare and Social Safety Net. Generally, I think Canadians are more socially evolved and better educated. Your educational system is awful. And the Bible Belt States are anything but Christian. It's hate and fear-based. But the past 7 years have been the worst since the Trump Cult era began. Trump and his Mega Cult could destroy what was once a wonderful country.

11 years ago a trip to the ER in Texas cost close to or more than the cost with insurance than a the cost for an ER visit in NS (for those out of country who are not covered by our provincial program). \n\nWe would pay $50 copay at the ER, then over. The next few days we would receive a bill for the physician, then from pharmacy, then from the facility, then from X-ray, etc, every separate department would have its own portion. \n\nAnd then there was the unpleasant surprise when the doctor who saw you in the ER was not an “in network” doctor even though the hospital was “in network”. Our insurance paid 70% of (approved) in network costs, but only 50% of out of network costs. Keep in mind that “in network” hospitals and providers had lower negotiated rates with the insurance companies. Which meant you would have coverage of 70% of a negotiated lower rate for in network but out of network was 50% of a higher rate.\n\nMy neighbours were lovely people. The culture was much different than I expected. The gun culture really hits you in face. For the first while it seemed to be so obvious - signs on pharmacies, hospitals, and schools that state that guns were not allowed, even with a conceal and carry permit. Very quickly, that became “normal”….\n\nFood was amazing. Gas was cheap. Politics was everywhere. Christian mega churches were everywhere - along with some very vocal overbearing people who force their beliefs and opinions on anyone who is near them. \n\nI was surprised with the number of people who felt it was appropriate to discuss religion, politics, and money with virtual strangers. A lot of very personal questions as well. I am guessing it is the difference between what is considered extremely rude in Canada, vs what is just a regular question in the US (or that area of Texas). \n\nAnd another very different thing was how hardly anyone swore. I had the bottom drop out of a bad carrying glasses when I was in San Antonio, the glasses broke, and I said “Shit.” I have never seen so many heads turn towards me. Most of the females looked at me with complete disgust and a lot of the males laughed. I expect that the American who heard me swear, were thinking I was the rudest person. One of my children’s friends was from Australia and when their mom came over one day, she said something to the effect of “so glad you are Canadian” because she sis not have to worry about offending me if she said fuck. That was a relaxing afternoon.

I'm one. I moved to the U.S. in 1995, though I still vote in Canadian federal elections, and I have family and property there. I'm still very much Canadian, regardless of what some think. I donate to my university (Carleton) alumni association, and I'm an associate member of the Legion. My career was floundering before I left, so I accepted a job offer in the U.S. I haven't stopped working since. I'm very grateful for the opportunities the U.S. gave me.

Both Canada and America have huge problems right now. As a 73yo Canadian I have NEVER seen so much hate for our Government. Everyone has the exact same complaints, like it was scripted. Our press is constantly stirring the pot and it makes unsatisfied Canadians more angry every day. The negative press pounding on our PM never ends. There are YouTube channels that take every little Canadian fault and make it into the crime of the century. Worse, they make money doing it.\n \nCanadians have been spoiled with our social services and lack of crime, and our beautiful country etc. I'm so tired of the complaining and whining that makes my life more miserable than the cost of living does. Canadians have been spoiled rotten, and now that the candy is less sweet, more expensive and less plentiful, Canadians whine and complain like spoiled children. \nMost countries in the world have the exact same problems and Canadians seem to think our problems are unique and directly connected to our Government only.\n\nAll said and done, I would still rather live in Canada with all of our faults, miserable people, and the haters. When I look at our American cousins there isn't any place on earth that I would rather live than Canada.\n\nI enjoy your channel Tyler, as it's light hearted and enjoyable to watch. It shows us that our Countries are the same, but so different.

Don't think the upstate New York was aimed at New York City. When Canadians refer to upstate New York, we usually mean cities like Albany, Syracuse, or Buffalo. We don't consider NYC as upstate New York.

A lot of Canadians who do move to the US, do so for career development and advancement. My cousin moved to the US and works in IT. He makes like, 5x what he could staying in Canada. He, with his family, is staying and never plans to come back.\nAdditionally, I think the thing that Canadians appreciate about our health care is that we don't have to think abut it. We don't have to assume that giving birth or going to the doctor will cost and that the cost may have some variability. It jut makes it way less stressful, as health scares are stressful enough as they are. But it is true that availability is an issue. I'd say our quality of care isn't too far behind, but I'm not particularly knowledgeable on that.

These discussions always make me wonder if it is that Americans think locally (everything is good in my town), whereas Canadians think nationally - the government should ensure similar standards for all citizens under its flag. There are fewer desperate people under the Canadian system, which reduces crime and the need for so many police.

I think greed is the main reason for the problems in the USA. Canadian doctors don’t make the,only American doctors do. But the are very comfortable and happy. Big pharma gouges the America people. Not fair. You shouldn’t have to make a choice of paying groceries or brining your child to a doctor. Can that be the reason for their state of mind. They see the upper class living in huge beautiful homes and drive big luxury cars and they are stuck in their poor area. Not fair. Maybe things need to change at the top.

I live in the GTA but not IN Toronto, and I gotta say... I feel unsafe whenever I have the displeasure of going into Toronto. Part of that is growing up in rural northern Ontario, but the cost, the abysmal failure of our fed and municipal governments to help Canadians with the housing crisis.... I think I'll keep putting my class 4 vest on whenever I'm heading to Toronto. Probably overkill but heck... makes me feel safer.

For the first part of the video - I think you need to understand that the British did not give preferential treatment to their Canadian colony. Infact all the whites there were Britishers or Frenchmen. They treated Canadian indigenous people way worse than Indian subjects to the point that they became largely extinct

Its really bad in Canada right now. I can't visit any Gurudwara because all have turned into Khalistani haven. If you speak in favor of Bharat, they target you and even beat you up. Health care is very bad. I had severe tooth pain but did not get any support . I was asked to come after 4 months. I came back to India for a holiday and I can't convince myself to go back. Khalistanis are making it hell and even threatening Hindus. Govt is supporting them so there is no hope for future. Except for some big Canadian Universities, most are scam and are targeting Indian students. They know Indians want to migrate there. I have seen students waste their money at these crappy Universities, after which they did not get any job and ended up coming back to India. Think and Research a million times before you decide to go to Canada. India is much better than Canada and most probably I will move back. I will have to go back once to pack up everything but I am leaning towards living in India. I might look for jobs in USA and UK but I am done for Canada. It is too much hype

How many hits do you think we can take? If you think it is par for the course for Canadians to be driven to destitution , then you are well on your way to being a slave. If you think we were born to be in shackles, then you don't know our history very well. WE WERE BORN TO BE WARRIORS. WE WERE BORN TO BE FREE. + IN CHRISTO VICTORIAM +

If you are living in a decent life in your home country and there’s no war you might want to think twice about coming to Canada. If your a skilled professional and you want to work abroad I can tell you theres better options. USA, Switzerland or uae are all better choices. I say this as a born and raised Canadian.

If Sikhs are patriots then why they votes for Khalistani terrorist Jagmeet Singh Dhaliwal's Canadian party? I think, Very few (5 to 10%) Sikh are patriot. Mostly support Khalistan. These traitors are backed by ISI.\nOur government should white wash traitors Khalistani.

In my opinion if you move to Canada without taking the proper steps and expect everything to work out for you then you are very naive and cannot complain. First off a lot of Kenyans are applying for visitor visas instead of work visas which are harder to get and thinking once they are in Canada they can look for work. You are not allowed to work on a visitor visa and most employers will not even consider your applications if you do not have either a work permit, refugee status, or permanent residency/ citizenship. Work experience is also very important here and many employers will not consider someone even with canadian education that has no experience. Another thing is Canadian benefits such as subsidized health care etc is only available to people that are on long term work permits with no conditions, refugees, and permanent residency holders and government housing is only open to refugees and permanent residency holders/ citizens. So in short if you move there without a plan, the correct papers, and the willingness to work even lower income jobs until you get Canadian work experience and expect the government to help you just because you landed then you are sorely mistaken and will very easily end up on the streets. Another thing is just because you are granted refugee status does not guarantee you a home as we have seen, the government housing waitlist is very long and even Canadian citizens that cannot afford their rent end up on the streets because there are too many people applying for housing. So please do not think just because you were allowed to stay as a refugee life will be sweet. \nHowever if you do your research and take the right steps so you are fully prepared, put in the time and effort even though things may not be happening immediately then you can have a success story.

I am a South Sudanese Canadian who pretty much grew up in Kenya before travelling abroad. Life in Canada is not easy.. especially after Trudeau came to power.\nI make pretty good income in IT, but i pay like 30% in taxes...30% of my money is gone. I dont see it. I know others who pay more than me in taxes. The grocery is also high, as are the other bills. Rent is really high. In my city, an average house costs 800k. Even my cousins in the US are shocked at the prices of homes in Canada. My rent is much higher than the mortgages being paid by my cousins in the US. In places like Toronto or Vancouver, it is worse.\n\nI went back to Africa last time and saw so many opportunities, that i made my decision yo transition slowly back home. \n\nThe problem i find with most Africans is thinking of finding jobs in the government or private sector. If you are a Kenyan, or Ethiopian or South Sudanese, etc, think of creating jobs instead.\n\nThe opportunities for entrepreneurship in Africa are endless because alot of the problems in society have not yet been resolved. You dont have to have alot of capital to start farming for example. So many Africans have access to free ancestral lands that they can farm and make money from. But many want to spend time in the cities instead. A change of mindset is needed.

I moved to Europe from Toronto back in 2009 and I am thinking of moving back to Canada. Which city would you recommend for a non-resident Canadian who wants to move back to Canada?

I have been in Canada for more than 20 years. The cost of living is very high. Housing in Toronto is very expensive, it is better in small towns.\n\nThe most important thing is to come here as a skilled worker. The Canadian immigration website has all the information. \n\nLife overall in Canada is not bad. The government really takes care of the people. Schools are free, and so is health care. The unemployment rate is very low. If you want to work, you will get a job.\n\nMy advice especially for those who are doing fairly well in their countries to stay. I think it is more suitable for young skilled people and those with young children. \n\nWe should also start paying taxes in our countries to develop infrastructure and start holding our governments accountable.\n\nThe young lady in the video is a bid overdramatic. She is earning more than the average worker. She should be managing fine except if she lives in expensive cities like Toronto and Vancouver.

As the child of immigrants, i think this is a perspective a lot of Canadians are facing. I could never bring myself to leave, most people my age are the same. All your friends are here, the neighbourhood you grew up in is here and you're simply not cut out to go to where your parents originally came from (half of us come from parents/grand parents who immigrated) because the climate is probably 1000x different lol (I just know I couldnt survive South Asian/Middle eastern weather).\n\nI just turned 18 though so I haven't experienced the insane rent and stuff (as it's literally impossible for me to move out). Things will be better I know it, but the question is how long will that take? Id personally give it 5 or 6 years. We need to put a cap on immigration and just completely cut off the GTA from receiving any for a set amount of time (think 2 or 3 years?). We also need to amplify our construction industry (incentives/rezone some areas for development) and the government should start subsidizing urban development projects with an agreement that prices will be lowered, or offer money to people who are purchasing condos/houses (think iZev but for urban housing and not electric vehicles). \n\nAlso stop taxing us and simply start slowing down/cutting non-essential social services; a specific government program should be created that closes all of these at once for a set amount of time (think 2 or 3 years as well) and they'll be able to redirect the money to more important causes.

Why are you making a big deal about Fergus being black? He’s a Canadian, period. Do you think he wants to be Canada’s taken black speaker?

Lynn you can’t tell Kenyans the truth about Canada they think you don’t want them to come here. Can you just explain to them immigration it self right now it’s crazy. Doctors from Another Country drive buses here Canadian government doesn’t recognize any education from outside Canada.

Hi Lynn, this is a very interesting conversation. I moved to Canada in 2003 went to college and became a nurse. First of all it was not easy paying for college I was lucky that husband was supporting with the bills as I went to school. So I would say that I have skills that are very marketable. Our combined family income was over $100,000 CAN. We mortgaged our first home which was very basic for a LOT of money. We had our kids and we had to struggle with childcare as most young families do. By North American standard, we were doing good. We each had a good car ( loaned), we made trips to Kenya every so often but in 2016 we decided we wanted to move back home and we sold our home and we did. I HAVE NO REGRETS. There were several things that made us reach our decision. First, I truly believe that for the Canadian system to work as it does, it has to entrap its residents. Even after 10 years of work we did not have money in the bank. Everything we owned really belonged to the bank. The light bulb moment for me came when I evaluated my net worth. A primary school teacher in Kenya after 10 years of work with good financial management will own a plot, a simple house and will start to invest for retirement. After 10 years of work, there wasn't much in the account, our house would need 25 years to finish paying mortgage and to be honest there wasn't much to show for those years of work. Quality of life really sucks the amount of stress will definitely send you to the grave sooner. This is the case for most first generation immigrants. You might say you are sacrificing and building a future for your children but, my observation was since our diaspora children have not grown in Kenya to see the need for money and what life really looks like without the comforts they are used to, they do not have the same drive as the parents so they often do not excel they are just ordinary. There is also the struggle of growing up as a minority group. A lot of our children because they are seeking acceptance will struggle with self esteem, will have depression or will join the LGBTQ community where they get sense of belonging regardless of their colour. The morals are also different from their parents and they are shaped by the society they grow up in. When I looked at what my life would look like if we kept living there, lets say we eventually pay off our mortgage, when we are old and requiring care, our children will not be able to support themselves and support us because they have to work to sustain themselves so we would to move to assisted living or nursing homes. The cost of senior care is not covered by the government unless you have no money. so we have to sell out home which would be old and outdated but still very expensive and we would have to pay $5000-$10000 per month depending on the type of care we need. so as you can see if we ended in a nursing home for 5 years we will have depleted all the money we made from the sale of our home. So by the time we die, we would not have money to leave for our children. So we worked really hard, supported the economy, and die leaving not much at all for our children, we sacrificed our quality of life, and ended up with children who don't think much of themselves or have very distorted morals. I still remember in my mind as we drove to the airport on our way back to Kenya, I thought of the story of Lot. He was pretty successful in Sodom but I'm very sure on his death bed he had lots of regrets why he ever went there. I know its tough being in Kenya but if you have a job or any way to make ends meet, be like Abraham. God will bless you regardless of whether you are in the dessert.

Happy birthday Lynn! I’m so happily amazed you touched on this subject. I am commenting from Canada and seeing people getting frustrated coming on visitor visa to look for work/convert visa to work permit. Even employers with LMIA approval are asking for work permits. Anyone coming to Canada should preferably secured a job or school before coming here. It is so so so expensive and jobs aren’t easy to get without Canadian credentials or experience . Any Canadian credentials including a certificate will up your game in getting a job. Meanwhile while in school you can now work unlimited hours but ensure you stay in school and finish. Be careful with agents promising jobs . It is hard here but once you get into the system hard & smart work pays. And getting into the system can only be done front door. What one pays an agent for visitor visa, you might as well do a one year certificate that’s approved for post graduate work permit. Less headache and better opportunities. When a deal sounds too good think twice- agents are really smooth talkers and super salespeople from what I’m told by those coming here through them. Be wise….I have no regrets coming here I wish I did it earlier as I’d have gained more through longer school options in my youth ?.

It's hard if you move through the legal paths work or as a student. It's going to alot harder trying to immigrate as a tourist and trying to claim refugee status or converting to a work permit. I don't think people should blame Canada or the Canadian govt. if they are already breaking immigration laws. People need to do their due diligence. At the end of the day an agent is only interested in what's they are earning from you