Close Reading

In Australia I had someone guess that I was Canadian. He said afterward that he based that on his experience that Canadians tended to be offended by being mistaken for Americans, but Americans didn't seem to mind being mistaken for Canadians.\nA couple of days later I mentioned that to a Canadian. He was a little surprised and told me that it would never occur to him to be bothered by that. I asked why not and he reminded me that Canada had over 30 million people while the Untied States had over 300 million. It's not personal. If you honestly have no idea and are just rolling the dice with your answer then your odds of being right are ten times higher if you guess Untied States.

I will be leaving Canada within a year or so after declaring non-residency and bring my business with me. My view is that Canada is a good place to live a normal life. Healthcare covers your peace of mind, even if the waitlist is long and bureaucratic. Social benefit is not as generous as people suggest sometimes (at least in Canada unless you're on actual welfare where you can't work but you can't rise your way up easily and you're forever stuck in 1.5k CAD/month... which would be ofc much better than other struggling countries but immigrants often aspire for greater things than that. \n\nEven though I was an Asian immigrant, I never faced significant racism afaik (I could be socially naive however), but there are definitely limitations of opportunities. It's not too difficult to find entry to intermediate jobs, at least for me but that's probably because I did schooling here in Canada. And I was able to network aggressively and learned to be an extrovert, so that also helped. But still, Canadian living cost is high (and I'm saying this from Calgary... imagine what it's like in Vancouver/Toronto). Is it doable? Ofc. 50-70k CAD/year is quite doable ESPECIALLY in Calgary, Alberta. But it'd be difficult to achieve financial independence and true wealth. This is true everywhere ofc but more so in Canada compared to, say, USA where living cost is lower and wage is higher with more opportunities. It's a great place to live normally. If you wanna become exceptional (wealth, customized goods and services, etc), it become harder and costs more. \n\nEven now when I now own business after struggling to get here over 10 years that generates income that I need to achieve financial freedom, tax becomes frightfully bad. Alberta (that imposes lowest tax rate compared to other Canadian provinces (not including territories for obvious reason) is comparable to California in USA that is among the highest in all US states. And let's be real; Alberta is nowhere close of being California. Imagine the taxes in BC/Ontario shiver. \n\nOnce my tax rate becomes high enough to justify moving, I will pull the trigger. Still window-shopping where I wanna go and I have some lists but it's gonna happen especially as Canada will have to deal with their struggling economy, further distancing from US and their government mismanagement that continues to cost the society. I will not have any part in it. I may come back once in a while for visit or potentially retire depending on what the future looks like but right now, I just don't see my longterm future here.

Canada is going down the toilet. I’ve lived here most of my life, born and raised, and it’s just a disgrace now. Forget about all the obvious things that have been stated like ridiculously overpriced homes, high taxes, crap weather etc. \nOne thing I’ve really become more aware of throughout my years here after travelling abroad is that Canadians are truly boring people. Everybody sticks to themselves in their own bubbles and no sense of community or fun. \nBilly Bob Thornton said something many years ago on what he thinks about Canada in an infamous interview on the CBC:\n “Mash potatoes and no gravy”\nDude is crazy and messed up but, you know, he is right in what he says. Perfect description.\nA lot of people here are mindless drones. People are so scared to be speak their minds. \nIt’s a messed up, almost “1984” Orwellian type of society in some ways. Disturbing stuff going on here. But, yay, free healthcare...which has horribly outdated facilities and overcrowded hospitals and waiting lists for certain surgeries where you can wait for years....oh and a lot of doctors who are very cold and no empathy...??

I do not mean to be negative here but anyone of you who is well settled outside Canada, don't come to Canada!, unless you want to do labor work. I know people who have done Masters in Software engineering are working in a Pizza shops. If there is one job opening there are 10 thousand applicants for the same job. Companies showing fake jobs to satisfy govt. pressures. Automated refusals replies of your job applications are common.\n People get hired on sources and within companies. Racism exists, results are killings every now and then. Go and watch news channels like CP24. Thieves are here. Things do get stolen. Recently mass graves are found near schools in multiple areas of small children of indigenous people who were tortured and killed by white supremacy in the past. Recently a whole family is killed by a maniac. No capital punishments so killers, rapists walks free after 10-15 years tops.\n\nAshir sahib is being a little dramatic. I guess the agony of Pakistani bureaucracy has influenced him so negatively that in his mind he is comparing Pakistani life with Canadian life. He himself was driving truck initially. may be now a days retired or staying home or may have sufficient funds. But don't get too excited with his kind words. He is only showing the good side of Canada in some sort of excitement. \nThe bitter truth is that unemployment rate is too high here. Govt hides the truth. They couldn't even handle the pandemic properly. Alcohol is cheap marihuana (Hashish, Charas) is legal now. Every 3rd person is smoking weed. Drunk drivers kills innocents on roads often. Every region have different rules and regulations and policies. I moved to Niagara region and they charged me $200 deposit for water $200 deposit for hydro plus monthly bills separate. $1800 to $2000 is the rent of one bed apartment. Burlington where he lives has $2800 to $3000 rent monthly for a house. Go check online! Price of buying a home is in millions of dollars. Go check real estate.

where do you start with people like this. She really believes that Canada belongs to her. Did you go to an all white Canadian White School. When you was a kid growing up. ? At what point did you start to notice that you was a different colour to other people. When you can answer that question honestly..... then you will probably realise your the one with the problem. \nIf we are to follow history it was the white man that started to travel and from there on it was nothing but destruction. \nI wonder what will be written on your urn when you pass away and you are no longer apart of this world..... \nIn this urn lies a true Canadian . Oh s#¥t you've gone back to the earth. \nWhat you don't seem to realise is all this crap is politics \nWhen someone says to me go back to where you come from. (I'm already there. ) and my reply is take your small mind and what you claim to be your country. And shove it where the sun doesn't shine because the world belongs to me. \nI don't think you'll understand what that means and here endeth the lesson. Drops the ? Oops

What I love about both countries that religion doesn't play much of role . Btw Canada is 60% non religion . And USA is 40% no religion . But the most important thing is that the secular identity in both nations . Christians in both countries are not traditional Christians . But secular Christians . That's why Americans and Canadians marry other people like non religious and other religions \nAnd they are very open minded nations . I just hope if I can marry a Canadian or American because Its my dream to marry and settle down in there for a very big part of my life . I don't care what's my partner religion as long as I love and her it's enough .

Me being an international student in Montreal some times feel the opposite way people don’t follow me they actually pretend to ignore and talk less bcuz I don’t know French and and I m a brown beard guy lollllll.....but I never mind ...........though 90 percent of Canadians are really polite people at least that I could say after 10 months in this city

Do yourself a favour. Don’t read the comments...a lot of toxicity coming from toxic people...being a Punjabi Indian living in Ottawa, I don’t mind people of any background (white, black, brown, etc.) as long as all respect the bylaws related to driving, house maintenance, garbage...what pisses me off is that people from my community (not all) are actually creating troubles...seen that...seen indians trashing on the streets to talking shit about white and black people in their language be it hindi or punjabi, rash driving, seen some good indians truly respecting the laws...maybe it’s time for the Canadian government to realise that laws should be tightened and people disobeying the laws should face harder penalties...

$10M of criminal proceeds, $900k fined. Only 7 years in jail. A criminal that defrauded honest Canadians net $9.1M to retire on at the expense of the citizens he took advantage of. Mind you, an average Canadian don't even have $1M to retire on. While the consequences of this criminal will cost millions in health care costs, old age security for the people who didn't spend a dime on income tax. Us Canadians are punching bags of the world.

This is a pretty misleading video.\nYes, our minimum wage went up to $14/h compared to the rest of Canada, however keep in mind it had to accommodate to the cost of living. You're lucky if you can even find a LEGAL small 1 bedroom basement for $800/month. Its not common. \nA car? Brampton has the highest insurance premium in all of Canada. \n\nDon't get me wrong. I LOVE Canada, I couldn't see myself living anywhere else because it is my home. \nHowever, when you compare it to india, in India you're only paying for electricity, gas, and food that you need to buy at the grocery store. \nBut if you really needed to budget and save money, food is LITERALLY growing in your backyard! All the veggies, fruits, etc. You just need to buy the grains and proteins! \n1.5 lakhs sounds great per month. But 1.5 lakhs is realistically not enough to live in Canada. \n\nDon't believe me? Google cost of living in Canada. Google how much a family of 4 would need to make to survive per month in Canada. Also, make sure to check out CANADIAN WEBSITES for this data. (.ca sites or try Global News or CTV news since they have this data)\n\nThe problem is everyone that comes to Canada always comes only to one area which is usually Toronto! However this makes the cost of living go up to accommodate this many people. Compared to Regina, or St. John's not many people immigrate there! It is a smaller city compared to Toronto but at least it's more affordable.\nDo you're research before coming here. Find out whats the best situation for YOUR FAMILY and what YOU can afford. \nCanada is a beautiful place, and yes, Brampton does have a lot of the Punjab culture, but don't be fooled. Be prepared when you come to Canada so you don't have such set backs once here. \n\nHope this helps!!

Okay, as a Canadian, I've been watching all sides of the stories. All of your points of view are heard, and particularly the past day's coverage rings true, in some senses. In others, not. \nAlways, people say this, and people say that, and the truth is somewhere in the middle.\nHowever, please explore this topic before digging down and making up your minds based on this interview. \nPlease do a smidgen of more research, hear more than this opinion and do a lot more listening? \nI know you all are going through a very difficult time.\nAs a Canadian, most of us are very comfortable with what our government is doing. \nWe are not afraid of 'others'. \nWe are not afraid of Americans.\nBut this reporting choice, and your choice to jump on, and believe this interview as true.....\nThat does give me pause for concern.

He expects the Canadian People to pay for the illegals. What about tourist industry? He's out of his mind. All the money all the countries spending on these illegals. Why don't they send them home and use the money to help them be self sufficient.

nothing to sympathize about this story as is what it seeks when our country can not afford those who illegally migrate here as this statement I raise is clearly speaking for and needless taking to excuse the truthful facts for what the reality greater stands for reasoning with as it is for the cause even as I to welcome all raises regardless of were they arrive here as from yet only as by the means to apply for legal refugee status as anyone with common sense would see reason to deny entry into Canada as the wiser point being there is a great difference as who is properly vetted are those who do legally apply therefore I do show reason to empathise yet never to fear who are legally entitled to live in Canada without such our legitimate Canadians having the reason for causes to fear and there are no exceptions as excuses as reasons to have cause to fear are endless and were as the truth is our country is letting them in as Justin Trudeau is doing and not as this video is telling the truth as fake as I in my city in Canada and as others are being over run by Justin Trudeaus Illegal immigration movement and that is fact backed with prof all as seeing is believing and who can find reason to speak much less as think of it otherwise then what is a truthful fact best afford the flight fares to send them all back to their countries as they first came from not to USA but their own homelands to keep up with our greater relations with the USA as Canada cant afford to let our misleader Trudeau cripple our countries economy any further then his plans for those he is serving his globalist partners and their evil plan for a new world order as are the real intentions as his plans been exposed in attempt to shape Canada into their own image and it is the Canadian poor a are recognising this while those without time to invest as preoccupied by their senseless demand seeing to their time as is money dismiss their cause to get informed afford their time show of an interest those are of poorly minding excusers of the cause taking to worth held above sense of values as most are those of the ignorant people who voted for Justin Trudeau as it is a majority government after all that stands for a lot of brain washed deceived fools and it only goes to show how much of them as they are total libtards

I would very much like the muslims to tell us real Canadians what contributions that they are making to our country as a whole. How are they making life in Canada better? How are they bringing stability and growth to our country? They spend time teaching their silly little book to the people in their flock but nothing about Canada, our values, our hopes and aspirations for the country. The silly little book does nothing to further the common good of Canada. It only forwards the wants of the muslim community.\nAnd finally, religion is the bane of intellectual thought. No one and I mean no one, can know about the mind of a god that does not exist.

As a Muslim living in Canada, I don't see the harm in a woman wanting to cover herself, I wear the head scarf myself, but in my opinions I don't feel the need to cover myself to prove I am more modest or a better Muslim.  I believe everyone has free will and has the right in this Country to dress the way that the law has allowed them to.  No one has the right to tell someone how to dress, not even the Prime Minister himself.  Telling a woman what she can and cannot wear is oppression.  I truly believe that if Muslims want to live in Western civilization, then they should refrain from covering their faces because the face is our identity and People have the right to know who you are and what your face looks like.  You cannot vote with a covered face, you cannot cover your face in a passport photo, you cannot cover your face for your driver's licence etc... I am a Muslim woman and I say this.  It truly is a shame how the media is portraying Islam and the Muslim people as a whole, and it truly is a shame that Canadians have become so ignorant.  I see more ignorance and racism in Canada than I do in America and 9/11 took place in America.  If you want to know about Islam, learn about Islam from a Muslim, a Library, google Islam, or offer to spend a few days with a Muslim family for research to get a better understanding of Islam and Muslims.  As a Muslim myself I can understand the hatred and the ignorance because we act according to how we were taught and raised, and yes we have many extremists claiming to follow the Islamic faith.  These extremists are not only hurting Western civilization, but they are also hurting the peaceful moderate Muslims that value their rights and freedoms as Canadians.  I do not appreciate ISIS hijacking my religion, I do not appreciate Hamas or Hezballah hijacking my Religion because I am a very accepting person and a very open minded Muslim and to be defined by media as a problem or a terrorist is very hurtful and a shame.

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!