Close Reading

My father lived in California in the sixties . He was a refugee from the war , an orphan , shipped to Canada as a child . The USA sent him a draft card during the vietnam war . He said nope I'm not going , I'm a landed immigrant in Canada, he left back to Canada. Glad he had me here in the great white north. My mother's people are from here .

I live in Toronto and I am not rich. I am regular person. \nIf you are an immigrant and especially if you are considered from visible minority group aka not white, DO NOT leave Toronto at all ! Work hard and make it work for you. I am sure the majority people from your coutires in Canada are located in Toronto and its close cities. If you chose to live outside this multicultural heaven called Toronto then expect to deal with deep racism. Yes people in Canada are rasicst althogh it is not openly like USA.\nIf you are into education and you want to do your degree, move to Montreal. Tuition fees in Montreal are way more cheaper than in Toronto or other parts of Canada. I lived in Montreal before and I went to university there. Montreal is great for education, aba rent are cheaper than Toronto but not for living there if you are visible immigrant. You will never feel you belong down there. Where as in Toronto, you will feel you belong to it within 30 mins max of you arruval. Toronto's motto are : you belong here and we have been waiting for you.\n62%of people in Toronto weren't born in Canada. You will find your community from your country in Toronto and the people are well established. I have been in different cities in Canada and I always felt stranger, even cities as close as ashawa.\nIn conclusion I would say to the visible minority immigrants stay in Toronto as much as you can for work and if you want to study in university go to Montreal. There are two major English universities in Montreal :Concordia university and McGill university, where McGill is one of top 10 university in the world.\n\nFor you Alina, I understand what you are saying and you can go somewhere in Canada and try it out with no racial or inclusiveness issues. Good luck and I hope you will come back to us again one day and I am sure you will. You belong here and we will be expecting you to come. No matter what enjoy your life wherever you are, darling.

When you think about why a country would keep its doors open to immigration, you can kind of picture the life as an immigrant in that country. Though Canada is not a coutry that's been around for a year or two, population still at only around 38 million, they still need a lot of labor force and tax payers to further develop as a country and maintain the current level of welfare I assume. As everything is give and take in life, what you look for in immigration is well matched with what you can offer as an immigrant, everything works out fine. If you want leisure and take advantage of their civilization only, however, you either need to have enough wealth to cover or contributed to the society so much that you deserve a life of those that have already contributed building that country to the level that it is at. I think that only makes sense.

its not home so dont expect it to be the same. canada has had too many immigrants too fast destabliizing the housing market . If you dont like it planes leave every hour from the airport..

Born and raised in Ontario, from immigrant parents. What I can say is Toronto was holding on before the pandemic and once it hit things fell apart. Parts of Toronto look like a Batman movie. What's wrong with Toronto? People who live in the city don't want to pay higher property tax like every other municipality surrounding it, so they can't pay for everything. Maintenance is neglected, very few rental buildings being built, a safe injection site at a tourist area (Younge-Dundas Sq) isn't really smart. Add the fact Canada was coasting on a good reputation internationally, so all types of people coming here seeking refugee status, which fine we are compassionate helpful people but at a certain point its too many people. Things aren't being run to benefit people and improve their lives, it more feels like we're patching things with duct tape and saying its fixed.

I'm genuinely shocked that immigrants make more than 75% of the average permanent US citzen.\n\nIn Canada, I haven't heard of many wealthy immigrants. I mostly see only immigrants working in retail stores (which stores like walmart only have immigrant workers, and they speak Hindi over the pa) or other minimum wage jobs.

You could not fit in the canadian society. You both had a problem at this. If india was so good, then you wouldnot have left india in the first place. Well -it is good you are gone. Other immigrants will get a chance at the jobs. Lots of punjabis come here with a good mindset and that is why they succeed eventually. I hope you did not expect that canada was going to give you a red carpet treatment. Here all have to start from scratch and then become successful

This started because canada accepting Sikhs as refugees In 1984 Canada lost court that illegal have right to go supreme court so canada allowed illegal or rejected refugees for immigration More undocumented started to come canada They are accepting Sikhs as refugees So problem started India never cared that why canada accepting indian as refugee They shout against india so that immigration judge should understand there are problems India govt should close Canada High commission New Delhi and problem will solve Real Canadian indian can get OCI which is not available on refugee passport Indian govt see IMM 1000 what ground he came canada family business jobs or refugee

I think Madam went to Canada on a vacation but vlogged it as if it was potential immigration. Maybe they did the recce this time and will return. But the points about her landing a job and her children getting admitted to school etc. sound bogus.

I am Brazilian, also an immigrant in Canada. In my case, in Quebec. I lived similar experiences here too. It's tough. But if it's really your dream, don't give up. Make your efforts and people will help you on the way. Keep on trying and make good loving friends.

I moved to Canada over 20 years ago from Kenya, and it's safe to say that this has been the best decision I ever made for myself and my family. Today, I want to share some insights with those who are considering making Canada their new home. \n \nCanada boasts one of the world's most robust social systems, but let me be clear: it won't be a stroll down a red carpet from the airport to your dream life. You will need to put in the effort and work for it. \n \nIf you're a nurse from your home country, don't expect to land in Canada and start working as a nurse the next day. You'll need to go through the process of becoming registered in this country, just as you would in any other part of the world. \n \nWhen you arrive in Canada, give yourself time. Follow the established systems, and trust that these systems are designed to work for you. Fortunately, there are no shortcuts or backdoors in this well-structured country. \n \nWhether you're coming to Canada as a Landed Immigrant or a refugee, understand that there are distinct pathways to follow. Canada has a well-defined system for both. \n \nNow, you might have heard stories of people sleeping on the streets of Toronto for a brief moment. But let me clarify that these instances were temporary and not reflective of the broader reality. The media may not always provide the full context of such stories. \n \nIn major companies and hospitals across Canada, you'll find a significant number of employees who are immigrants, just like us. This illustrates the opportunities that exist in this diverse and inclusive nation. \n \nFor those planning to come to Canada, it's crucial to have access to the right information and cultivate the right mindset. With patience, perseverance, and a willingness to follow the system, your journey to a brighter future in Canada is well within reach.

Have you seen the ones (refugees) being bussed around New York and other US states? If you come in the right way (to any Western country, Canada or otherwise) your assimilation will be much smoother. Moving to a new country (or even city for that matter) is always riddled with challenges, not just financial, also social, technological etc. As an East African immigrant to Canada, I meet a lot of newer immigrants with over ambitious and dreamy expectations, most having entered the wrong way!

100% correct assessment. I am here for last 25 years, came with family leaving a good job at early forty. It is tough for 1st generation of immigrant but good for the next generation. There is opportunity of growth and success if become a canadian professional and hard/smart work habit. My children are wel settled now. So, if you are well off in india and not ready for facing tough life initial years, then pl.dont venture ,as to have better life in canada you need canadian education and the cdn. experience. Good luck.

Nitish Bhai ne jo immigration jugad kaha vese hi gujrati log bhi bohat log Gaye he Canada me

Y ur always so biased while uttering words, like army ne akal takht ko nuksan pahucha Diya tha lekin Indra Gandhi ji ka murder ni death hogai thi. You kuch acha to Sikh kuch bura like illegal immigrant to Indian. You are so biased and always try to portray your own agenda, while acting up like sacchai ki murti. Don't be biased for factual terms if Sikhs are majority in Canada than those are Sikhs who are majority in illegal migration to Canada.

I have been living in Toronto for more than 2 year now and in addition to their contribution to India, I have huge respect for the Punjabi/ Sikh community in Canada. Despite whatever derogatory comments the locals might have, reality is they are honest and extremely hardworking people. The seva offered to everyone at various Gurudwaras is just so emotionally overwhelming. Unfortunately, there is one section- mostly the international students who have recently arrived seem to be influenced by Punjabi pop music and try to emulate which looks absolutely cringe and stupid. The situation now is their stupidity gets recorded and posted on social media which has resulted in local stereotyping the entire Punjabi/ Sikh population as destructive immigration.

100 percent correct. Canada is very small economy as compared to India. Jobs are small and they need to fill up low salaried jobs with immigrants. Best of luck to you.

Thanks Lynn at least it was an eye opening information. Am longing to immigrate to Canada but now i need to do a better research before i weep or rejoice.

Canada is a beautiful multiracial country. But when you ultra mass import an endless flood of immigrants simply to pump a population ponzi scheme you turn the country into shit. It is a pure numbers game, too many, too fast, and it is just the same demographic we already have here. Our multiracial population is all equally being screwed over. Trudeau and his fools did an EMERGENCY extremist immigration ponzi pump last year when the housing bubble was finally popping. It managed to actually prevent the pop, but it is looking like the other downstream effects may finally cause the house of cards to collapse anyway. Too many people, too fast, no infrastructure.... destroyed country. Idiots.

Consequences of filing the country with immigrants, refugees, students left, right and center thereby destroying the ecosystem!.. Not sure why Canada wants to import record number of immigrants when they were doing just fine before ? And even if we buy the BS logic that Canadian population was declining etc.. keep the numbers manageable

You are supposed to move to the worst provinces with no services so you can build these empty places in Canada. You are not supposed to take all the houses, take all the food from the poor and take all our jobs. Move to the Yukon. Stop moving to over populated places, there are too many immigrants and you are ruining our country.

People in Toronto are rude and soon this city will be like Detroit US not safe to be there .Very very expensive living for nothing special !I hate this city .All Canada is going down the hill not just Toronto .Governament should creat programs to make live attractive outside major cities so the new immigrants can spread and disparse all over the country that still empty ,not all fight for a studio to live in already crowded cities .

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.

Toronto has changed because of the immigration policies of inept Prime Minister Justin Trudeau... since he took power... Toronto is full to hell... bringing immigrants from Pakistani India and other countries that do not have the culture of people born in Canada…they only come to destroy the country and bring them with citizenship papers so they can vote for him and remain in power

To survive long time in Canada, one gotta be a criminal or smart person. A smart person plans ahead and avoids putting themseves in situations in which one gotta depend on handouts. Canada had always used immigration to prop the economy(legal Ponzi) and one can get nowhere without work/work permit.

My nana is from the UK originally and she has been living in Canada for 40+ years now and still has not become a Canadian citizen, not because she couldn't but because she never had to. She gave birth to my mom in Canada making my mom Canadian. I was born in the United States but since my mom was a Canadian citizen I was also a Canadian citizen. A lot of people like to bring up the housing crisis as a potential downside to having a bunch of immigrants but that just isn't the case. We have one of the lowest population densities of all of the countries in the world, and yet we all choose to live in high concentration areas and those that own the land in and around those concentrated areas know they can charge whatever they want because if you're not near the main 1-3 cities in your province it drastically cuts down on your land's value as far as housing goes so there is no incentive for anyone to build housing out there. Build more houses, we have the space. Figger it out.

Sadly, you have essentially described Vancouver as well. The elephant in the room is immigration. When you count refugees, immigrants, international students, etc. there are about 1 million people coming to the country annually! Even in the 1990s, CSIS even warned the government that high immigration would lead to a housing crisis. And that’s really sad as immigration has now tuned into a net negative for Canada. I personally think it is an invasion at this point. And things are far worse than the 1990s. Honestly, if I wasn’t settled in a place I bought near Vancouver 20 years ago, my family and I would have to seriously make other plans!

The Canadian government is using immigration to increase the amount of taxpayers. Quality of life is diminishing in Canada. Don't go to Canada.

Canada needs a cooling off period from immigration. We have a lack of housing crisis and unaffordable rentals. To bring more people into this country will further the problem, and continue to have higher inflation. This is not acceptable!!!!

I am a Kenyan living in Toronto for 8years now. Most people coming from outside who did enough research on the cost of living and getting work often find success. Having met a few of the Kenyans who were featured in the newsclip (which was totally gaslighting type news) the common theme is that they moved to Canada - first on refugee status, without sufficient research on cost of living, the timeline between their refugee status and getting a work permit to start working and expectations of the kind of jobs they can get as a new immigrant to Canada. I moved here as a student and even with over 10years prior work experience, I had to start from the bottom and worked up. And this happens even to people moving here from UK, Australia etc, its not a bias toward people of color. Things are hard everywhere !!

As many people has said in the comments section. Foreign countries are not easy especially for new immigrants. One has to have the right documentation to be able to live and work. People definitely has to do their research before paying those agents thousands of dollars and empty promises about Canada. Jobs are there but you have to be skilled, otherwise one will end up in factory Jobs where they pay minimum wages making it extremely difficult to make ends meet.

I watched a similar video some time ago but it was a lady and she made the comparison and she left Australia to Canada, after nearly more than 20 minutes, she states that she could not get the permanent residency in Australia and applied to Canada and got it, so after wasting more than 20 minutes listening to her, she decided to leave Australia to Canada, what a dumb stupid person. That lady did not decide, the decision was made for her. I will not watch this video so not to fall into this trap, people make these videos to get the views and ratings. I will not watch it at all, it is better that you left Australia. Australia wants smart people, as I was an immigrant and now a proud Australian.

I live in Edmonton Alberta, Canada my friend who is a Real Estate Agent in Toronto called me last week to ask about the situation in Edmonton with housing because there are lots of immigrants coming to Toronto and there is literally no houses. Lots of people are on the streets. There are also lots of scammers claiming to have apartments that do not exist and they are getting people.\nYes the cost of living is extremely high. Is mind blowing how families survive here .

Basic tip : if you travel legally, with the right channels into Canada you will not have to struggle. The government will even ensure you are getting support while at it. Once you 'cheat' your way in please expect repurcussions. The canadian government is as transparent as you'd like it to be. I came here with no agent, followed the guidelines from the government immigration website, got a visitors visa for 6months, immediately applied for temporary workers visa got it within 45days, upgraded to permanent residency and got it within 60days. My point is usidanganye kwa makaratasi. Where its not clear what they are asking, they will walk you through it. Am now a citizen bila hustles. Once you breach the guidelines of Canada immigrations don't expect mteremko. The laws here are the most friendliest and yes Canada is made of immigrants. If you can come please do it the right way. Wacheni kulipa agents your savings jameni. Agents live off your hard earned money and they provide no guarantees. You are protected when you do the right thing huku. Currently Alberta is loking for pharmacists, nurses, doctors and caregivers for kindergarten age. Its all on the website for Alberta government. Its straight forward. Bottom line do not expect magic to happen. Once you make into Canada you must get a mind shift, Be willing to start over and have laser line focus. Hukuu hakuna party after party ni kazi after kazi. Hata we don't know our neighbours..

Guys you should note, the western powers are creating artificial problems such as immigration crisis ( canada, mexico-us border & libya-europe crossings) for them to do fundraising through international donors UN etc and their tax payers. People should realise most of this countries are on the brink of debt crises eg US is 34 trillion in debt. So this is a global fundraising scheme and africa as usual is the scape goat, just like the slave trade.

Too many immigrants in Canada and Australia. They have to start thinking about something else!

Kenyans kenyans kenyans ? you have started with canada the same way you guys did with saudi ikafungwa sasa back home people are suffering even more? if it doesn't suit you let those who can do....Canada is the best country to immigrate to ? now since the media us meddling your government is about to shut this thing down ?? FYI hao wako down town Toronto they are asylum seeker's and lazima wakue hapo ndio wasaidika and they are not all kenyans wengi ni Ugandans na west Africans

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.

What I know is yes life in Canada is hard for Canadian. \nThey always complain why immigrants keep coming.\nCanada has enough people to work here they don’t need you to come from out to work. \nWorking in Canada need good skills and Canadian diploma.\nBut cause people will continue to come anyway let me tell you what to do. \n1 . Be a refuge and process a permanent resident when you still in Africa by using HCR that one is good\n2 . Family members ho live in Canada and working can bring you true government. \n\n3 . Work can bring you too but that one you need to be sure. \n\nI do follow news of Canada every day yes no body is happy about what is happening right now.

I just think there is alot of problems where kenyans are concerned\n\n1. Rely on fake agents and their short cuts. There are accredited agents from developed countries who source in africa and asia but not the other way round. These are sometimes listed on official government websites. \n\n2. Don't fully undertand skills. They think acdemic papers and some random corporate jobs equals skills. Lets call skills, trades and ICT expertise; carpenters, plumbers, nurses, teachers have a better chance than some bank manager in Kenya. \n\n3. Rely too much on youtubers with random clips on things they need to train in like nursings and such over a short period then land in Canada and get a job. It doesn't work like that. First of all, has canada said they need Kenyan nurses? Immigration in developed countries is based on policy. So even when they give visas, they know what they are doing and who they are letting in and for what jobs. \n\n4. Do not go to official government websites to confirm random research and advice\n\n5. Are still dishonest and think it's about trickery and knowing people. Well, not always. At least be able ans willing to yo flip burgers and clean toilets if it comes to that!?\n\n6. There is no affordable housing in developed countries. They too are struggling on that front.\n\n7. Last but not least, kurukwa na host..yes, betrayal from a Kenyan and that of Judas Isacriot ni bumper to bumper\n\nLynn, harusi tunayo ama tulikuwa nayo? ?????

Canada is too big for you to fail. I don't live there but 10 years ago I would jumped at every opportunity to be there. Canada has the strickest visa rules most Europeans cannot even immigrate there even if they want. They can enter as tourists but it's residency permit is tough for anyone. I don't know why Bantu think it must be easy for them.

Hi, I am also from Zimbabwe, and I have lived in both Australia and Canada. I left Australia 2009 because I felt the place was not an open society. In Canada job opportunities can also be tricky for immigrants. I moved back to Australia after 10 years in Canada. At the end of the day the choose is yours but the grass is not always greener on the other side. Calgary is just identical to Perth. I would advise you to live in Toronto. In Australia I live in Melbourne now.

An immigrant to Canada and I am so HAPPY I never thought of moving to Toronto. And I couldn’t be happier where I am now. \nIf you are an immigrant, move to Regional places where Canada needs you. Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver don’t need more people. Don’t believe in stupid Trudeau.

Can someone explain how the city is broke if they imported 400,000 newcomers on a year? What is the purpose of these immigrants if not to enrich our country? I see Canada now as a dumping ground where people come to get easy passports and/or park money - contribute nothing, develop nothing. Look at advanced cities in Asia with Technology and investments. Canada or Toronto doesn’t have that. Nothing is new, nothing is unique. People don’t come for a better life.

Feels the same.. Immigrated to Canada - GTA(Oakville) 10 years ago. I'm considering my self as successful person, but Toronto and Canada in general are in decline..... ?

Canadian immigration is a government run scam to lure migrants and rob them their money showing some good instagram pics of Canada

If wasn’t for Toronto we wouldn’t have Trudeau and the dumb NDP, who have propped him and liberals up for the last three years. \nThis is what you get, they ramped up immigration. It’s tripled since 2015 annually. Last year we had record number population growth, over 1 million and 90% of it was immigration. Flooding Toronto and major cities in Canada with immigration, no simulation. Just imagine we have a recessional, how bad it will get. Pushing all this liberal nonsense like legal marijuana, how is a more drugged out society help anything, euthanasia it’s become the fourth cause of death in Canada. No value for actual life but all woke nonsense, flood more and more people into country, cities become crowded and expensive. Quality of life goes down . There’s no social cohesion, there’s nothing that holds a society together when you just like a hotel.\nWhat will happen in a decade when 70% of jobs are gonna be going to AI and automation. What are we gonna do with all these people?.

Canada is money sucking vampires who wants menial job done by well qualified immigrant and Starve the native country of their skill with false promises

I came to Canada fifty years ago,at that time you had to comply with the immigration laws ,you definitely had to qualify,and had to speak English or French .\nIn the last 10 or 15 years the government open the doors wide open to two class of immigrants,the very wealthy from around the world and the desperate , very poor from around the world .\nThe result ; the wealthy investing in real state and becoming wealthier and the uneducated migrants struggling.\nThank the liberals for this .

This is the results of Governements “giving” money to “eveyone” (under certain wage) and mass immigration. Go ask someone at minimum wage in 2010 vs 2023 if they had or have a better life. Socialists wanted minimum wage increase and money for all. They never understood why Cubains, Venuzellains and others are espacing their countries. We are turning out juste like them. It’s a crisis and now they are diverting the medias with “climate crises” or the “transphobia” crises. Pollievre will be able to do so little with Universities formatting “experts” to be like the ones in power right now that has destroyed Canada.