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Bahahah what a disaster Canada is in. Highest taxed country in the G7, with lowest productivity , Debt to Income ratios that make the US 2008 blush, and now they are bringing in 3% of the countries population every year, only a few other countries have immigration levels higher in the world, Sudan, and Syria... lolol, oh, and the government by Liberals have completely lost the plot, increasing taxes on April 1st with record homelessness, food bank usage, and it looks like they used COVID to enrich themselves substantially. Brutal situation.

Canada uses Newcomers to pay pensions of old Europeans through tax

Canada uses Newcomers to pay pensions of old Europeans through tax

In my 60 years here in Canada I have never seen things this chaotic or confused or angry or bigoted. I am guilty of some of this myself and I am ashamed. I feel frustrated at the lack of opportunity and success that we used to have here in Canada. I have placed the blame on others, instead of on a government that has no direction or sense of how to do anything except raise taxes continually only to waste it, embezzle it, or allow it to be stripped from the country and taken to other countries. Corporations and criminal enterprises complete the triumvirate of evil, and turn us all against one another. I think we need a change in government, a healthy corporate tax rate, many more small businesses( that are not franchises ), and a return to making what is needed and supplying it for a fair and cheap price. No more billionaire money hoarders or corporate fat cats. None of us have benefitted from this system they created.

Keep them tf out, they ain’t gonna be using out tax money

100% True! Very well researched. It used to be better but a 2023 study showed that US salaries for the same work are 46% higher while the US also collects much fewer taxes on both salary and sales. On top of that nearly everything other than education is much more expensive in Canada! We have much less variety of products available too and even imported goods are sold for higher prices. Waiting 10+ hours in an emergency room is considered normal which is really shocking considering that Canada is numerically one of the richest countries!

Canada uses Newcomers to pay pensions of old Europeans through tax

Canada is like that job you get to use it as a stepping stone to go somewhere better. Our politicians want to keep people broke and in debt so they continue paying enormous taxes to fund their spending sprees. Don’t believe me? Work here for a year and see how much money you lose and how terrible the services are. People I work with from India say they had better health care back home. Wake up.

Yea conservative politicians are horrible. They privatize everything and use taxes like the USA giving it to the middle man than that middle guy charges us. Its a classic double dip cons have gotten extremely good at in the US. Less funding in social services leads to this nonsense. They are grab fed funds and also use it to privatize as Ford hands it off to his rich buddies development co's like the last toronto mayor he gave millions to. Ontario is boned if we keep going conservative.

Lynn Ngugi am so grand you touched on the taxes as a factor and how they work in other countries where people actually do pay taxes . Unfortunately our fellow citizens will fight tooth and nail because they don’t want to pay taxes . Even those who can afford to pay will fight to be exempted from paying including going to courts just to avoid paying taxes . \nLife in Diaspora may look easy and smooth running to those not living there that is because the mechanism of running the economy is well put in place .\nHowever our people please remember the residents in these countries are actually paying taxes and in turn their government uses this tax money to run the economy . \n\nSo in these countries that we are running to as refugees ?believe you me if you are legitimately employed earning a living and with a paycheck then you automatically become a tax payer as well no body is fighting that . \n\nSo our people let’s stop fighting our own regimes on every policy concerning paying taxes , otherwise we are doomed and will be on exodus status for eternity. Let’s start at home and borrow a leaf from these other Nations where the systems actually works for the sake of the people that are calling those countries home ! What are we doing wrong in our own home country ? ? that should be a very important question in our minds. \n\nRunning to other peoples countries in search of green pastures instead of building our own countries and economy we are actually by choice or design shortening our lives and future generations ? \n \nMay our good Lord and creator give us generational grace , love , wisdom and power to change this trajectory . \nThis is my wish and prayers for future generations in every corner of this our great CONTINENT ? Salaam .

??REAL TRUTH THE ??GOVT USES TAX$ FUND FOR CENSORSHIP #FORCE_FEDS_BBC_FAKES_NEWS TO LIE ?ABOUT THE TRUTH & SEND TO SUPPORT THE NAZIS IN UKRAINE TO BOMB INNOCENTS PEOPLE

We can call it what it is - population replacement. There will be nothing left to discuss in 3 to 5 years. No amount of money printing will offset when the international students and temporary workers send their earnings overseas and leave a hole where the economy used to be. They are also not going to pay taxes to support an aging population that's left noting for future generations via inter-generational debt from boomer addiction to free handouts.

I am an international student, just wanted to ask Canadian people, why target international students, i am from India, i can guarantee that any Indian student coming to Canada brings at least 100k investment that directly gets used by the Canadian economy. My problem is why target us rather you guys should look for people who are coming to this country like refuse and use candian tax payer money and get all the benefits Canada offers, but us on the other hand we pay taxes like normal citizen. Just ask this question to each and everyone.

Actually it is really simple, the main reason that educational institutes (businesses in reality) and the country have been bringing in international students (whether India or elsewhere) is that *the international students pay 4-5x more in tuition* and so *educational institutes and the country wants to bring them in as cash cows, to milk them for the money!* *They have been using them as cash cows and milking them* There are so many institutes where there is such an imbalance, where 80-90% are international students and the local minority, the reason again is, $$. \n From international students and imgs there is a boost in the economy because of the high tuition they pay and the tax that is collected from that tuition, they spend on rent (crazy expensive as you know) transport, basic cost of living like food etc, entertainment etc, so the economy did benefit from immigrants and international students, but I completely agree that there is way too much influx. It is not good for them nor for the country, as everything has become so expensive, rent and housing affordability is gone crazy, due to crazy demand and low supply. \n So the problem is greed! I totally agree with True North's the Timz example, and the other places mentioned, and I really think that the government should work on affordability, the housing crisis, health care, sustainability, and fair and equal employment.

Canada uses Newcomers to pay pensions of old Europeans through tax

Mass Immigration = New name on Slavery.\n\nCome over, work min wage jobs, maybe pay a mortgage, pay rent, pay car payment, pay inflated taxes to useless, corrupt government, these people are being used. Simple as that.

Canada use immigrants just as tax payers. no respect whatsoever.

Sadly, Canada is not longer the country it used to be! \nAffordability is a huge factor, plus the difficulty to enter the job force or find a good job (not only in academia in every field) which so necessary to pay for housing, food etc\nBut also the social and cultural changes has been huge in the past decade. \nAs we see the decline in USA, we can see Canada is following closely and in some areas, we are doing worse.\n20+ years ago Canada have quality of life, that has dropped drastically in every area health services, schools, security, transportation, housing, infrastructure etc. although we pay higher taxes than other countries we do not have the same services.\nLaws restricting liberties and going to the extreme on protecting and impossing other ideologes erosion of freedom of speech, freedom of conscience, freedom of religion etc. \nOn top all that is the huge public debt, lack of transparency, abuse in the spending of many politicians, and corruption.\nAll together has turned living in Canada less disarable for many immigrants and also nationals. Many Canadian are choosing to live abroad or retire abroad.

Been working in Canada for 11 years now. Used to be a safe place to live but not anymore. The health care system is stupid, more more taxes, the rent is so high, everything is ridiculously expensive. Now i am sending all my money back home, and leaving Canada in a year

Unfortunetly this is what happens when we let too many i n. And they are given WAY more help and funding than our own citizens. Funny how they come here, use our resources, get our education funded by our taxes then once the gravy train ends they take off......start helping our own citizens FIRST

This country sucks now. It used to be a great country, now everything has gone up the roof and the usual suspect (salary) hasn't moved an inch..Taxes, Housing expenses, winter, not sure why anyone in their right mind would want to come here..

People are not getting value for the taxes they are paying. Government is using the tax money to encourage illegal immigrants.

Moved my business to a red state in US. Pay half of what I used to pay on housing and taxes.

Canada, where we are told to go green, while they tear down millions of trees. Where we pay taxes on used items that other people paid taxes on already, In BC, where we pay the highest booze prices, where the working man struggles, while Counceller's and politicians buy $200 wine, on our money. Where heritage houses are torn down, where we are becoming a minority, where land and older homes are disappearing for million-dollar homes with a small patch of grass. Surrey B.C. has become little India. Wildlife murdered through development; no wildlife assessments being done anymore. B.C. the province of monopoly, high car insurance. Where government attacks on the homeless instead of helping. I see more and more homeless and drug usage. More litter in the streets. Canada the socialist country. Canada with laws that protects immorality. Say one bad thing go to jail. Canadian government, they freeze peoples bank accounts. Canada has political prisoners, Tamara Lich (Trucker Convoy). Canada where they sell horses to be slaughtered in other countries, Canada, where dog meat is legal. Canada soon to be another China. Canada one of the most expensive places to live in the world!

I really love Canada\nLast year\nI made 130000 dollars\nI paid 40000 tax\nHowever my employer have private pension\nSo technically I paid 30000 dollar tax\nI take 6 month off every year for vacation\nPeople are asking how\nWhat I do\nI work overtime and use it to take time off\nFor example if I work 1 overtime\nI can take 2 hour off\nIt is safe and clean countries

Thanks so much for this ma, please ma my question now Is my uncle will be sponsoring my study, can he use his business bank statement to sponsor me,he is the sole signatory to the account , the business has CAC certificates,tax clearance certificate and i have his ID card and birth certificate that matches with my mom as a proof of relationship but can't find any pictures of them together because I have lost my mum long time ago.i hope i can use him ma. \n\nSecondly ma, can i apply together with my kids with this sponsored account, this account has more than enough to sponsor us ma.\nThanks so much your response means a lot to me ma.

When you believe in the climate Change environmental scam, you are set up for failure. For the longest time Canadians believed in the environmentalists propaganda where they must protect the environment and get rid of oil production. This means more tax on new buildings and it makes it more and more expensive to build. As well, governments use their power to protect monopoly lobbyists from outside competition. When you have government interference and carte lobbyists using government protecting their profit, no wonder Canada is on the decline. The government loves to use immigration as a propaganda to promote diversity, inclusion and multiculturalism while masking the rampant corruption within government. Now we are seeing Canada for what it is. Don't be surprised Canada will be the next Zimbabwe. Of course Trudeau will blame it on Nazi fascism far right MAGA Trump because he won't admit it was him and his diversity hire government who led the country toward destruction. Klaus Schwab WEF is proud of him.

Canada uses Newcomers to pay pensions of old Europeans through tax

I pay over $4000 mortgage on a 420k house I bought 7 years ago, used to be $1300, worked so hard for 18 years to be able to buy a house. Property taxes are $350 a month, groceries are tripled.. every single person is suffering. I’m thinking it’s about time to have a change in the system.

It is not environmentally friendly to migrate to a cold country. This is because a person needs more fuel to survive (eg heating from minus 30 to 25 degrees needs far more energy than cooling from 50 degrees to 20 degrees. Also: in such hot countries, one can make use of sunshine to use cooling devices; but one cannot create heat from cold... Such migration to cold nations must come with a global tax..

Perhaps I will not name the most popular destination for relocation, but I suggest coming to Russia, there are many positive reasons for this (I take Moscow as an example):\n1) Affordable housing with reasonable prices. The price for a one-room apartment in Moscow, for an apartment with a good renovation will cost you about $500 Plus utility bills with the Internet will be 50%. (The most surprising thing for foreigners is that in winter you can wear a T-shirt and shorts in apartments, and sometimes it will be hot), my cost of heating in a three-room apartment is $35 per month for 95 sq.m.\nDo you want a house? Please! House 435 sq.m. 3 floors for $100,000.\nAre you a young family? Get a preferential mortgage. Got a baby? Get money! A second one appeared. Get even more! Third child? Children's camps, travel card, free school meals, as well as a lot of benefits.\n2) Developed infrastructure, accessible public transport ($30 pass for all types of transport in Moscow and the nearest Moscow region), unlimited travel pass. 783 parks in Moscow, numerous shopping centers, countless child development centers; in winter you can ski and snowboard in these same parks. In general, you will definitely find something to keep yourself busy.\n3) Affordable medicine. Russian citizenship can be obtained after 5 years of permanent residence, BUT foreign citizens have the right to obtain a medical policy for themselves after obtaining a residence permit. The price comes out to be approximately 30-60%, depending on what risk group you are in. After obtaining citizenship, all medicine is free, seriously, a foreigner I know from Australia asked me about this: “What do you mean it’s free?” All this is included in taxes, and the cost is peanuts compared to yours. The level of medicine is high, this is a separate topic for discussion, I don’t know why, but our medical centers are compared with India, this is not so. The current clinics look like Cyberpunk 2077, seriously. In the regions, unfortunately, it is completely different. In December 2023, I was hospitalized with double pneumonia, and I didn’t pay a single ruble for treatment.\n4) Security. You can calmly walk around Moscow at night and not be afraid of anything. There are cameras everywhere in Moscow, on shops, on poles, and video recorders on cars. Everyone knows perfectly well that if you commit a crime in Moscow, you will be punished, and no one in their right mind needs this. Here I advise you to look at the channels of your fellow countrymen. Banditry is an echo of the past, in the 90s people survived as best they could, then the ruble depreciated and everyone fought for food as best they could, now the situation is different.\n5) Racism. I won’t rant, here you should also watch the video of your fellow countrymen who live in Russia, not those who accuse us of racism while living in their country and who have never visited us, but those who live. If you feel other people’s eyes on you because of your dark skin color, excuse me, it’s out of interest, well, there are few of us like that. On a personal note, no one cares what color you are, as long as you are a person who lives within the law as a peaceful citizen. If you act like an asshole, behave inappropriately, use insulting words towards other people, you will feel it quickly. In general, if you are a good person, you can forget about this word.\n6) If you receive a residence permit, education for your children is free. Our state generally cares excessively about children. And I still remembered! Summer holidays for children are 3 months, so where should they go? Summer camp, give mom and dad a break from your nasty whims))\nIf you want to send them to the Black Sea, if you want to send them to Altai to a health center, you can send them to a city camp (They brought the child in the morning and took them away in the evening). Previously, I was constantly sent to the black sea on a permit that was given to my father at work (Shipyard). Now this is only possible in special cases.\n\n7) Vacations. You are required to go on paid leave for 28 days a year. 12 public holidays.\n\n8) Sexual minorities. Having seen enough of cancel culture, where the minority opinion became higher than the majority opinion, these communities were cancelled. When people are openly threatened for their opinions on gender. Fire teachers for using the wrong pronoun. Where pedophiles try to legitimize themselves. We are not on the same path with this.\n\nNow there is an acute shortage of IT specialists, maybe this will be interesting for them.\nFarmers like to settle here; 100 hectares of land can be bought for $16,000. Compared to Europe at $5000-6000 per acre. A well-known foreign representative is Justus Walker if anyone is interested.\nIn general, Russia is open to new citizens of the country, the state gives everything to create a unit of society, on your part you just need to be a law-abiding citizen and live a quiet life. We have problems in the country, they are the same as in any other, but nowhere will there be freedom to implement your plans as in Russia.\n\nAll the best!

*I hope your NOT suggesting giving addicts FREE TAX COVERED DRUGS and NOW MAKING IT LEGAL FOR CHILDREN TO USE FENTYNAL, IS GOOD!!?* If I lived ANYWHERE ELSE I would NEVER move here. BTW, racism is BARELY a thing, it wasn't until Trudeau started calling everyone racists. Quebec had its reasons for banning hijabs, they also banned any other religious dress in GOV positions. This video is ridiculous.

Good for you. I think what you are talking about many muslims are feeling. So my advice is find out where you are going and make it an easy place for muslims to get into despite their finances, then help others to do hijrah. Like to be a support. I am up for it. Sana I know you from Senegence. I am doing a global business now, if you want info please reach out. Everyone should have multiple streams of income. I used to think Jordan but that is so close. What about Indonesian? Qatar? UAE is expensive otherwise that would be our choice. Not just the political but the banks, visa, capital one, taxes, and maybe even pensions have funds supporting there. Being brown didn't make me feel like an outsider but when I started to wear the hijab is when I felt I didn't belong. What a sad reality. Canada was so nice. I feel sad so so many going homeless and such. The poor pensioners having to not have enough for food because rent is so high. There is good people here. Oh and the injustice of hate crimes, like really?

Canada is built on false promises to lure in immigrants to have them work for cheaper while ignoring it's own citizens. Treadeu doesn't care about his job and only uses it now to take tax payers money and fund his lavish lifestyle he's a rich egotistical douche that will only ever operate in his best interest and will lie and say what he has to for people to believe him he doesn't care about Canada or it's people only about keeping himself wealthy off tax payers dollars. If there was more of an effort on infrastructure and technology Canada could have been similarly valued to the states but treadeu ruined all major relationships and is a laughing stock globally it's very clear no world leader even respects the guy and hurts canadas trading potential massively along with how we're viewed. Canada tried way to hard to be it's own thing and different which also helped shoot the country in the foot. The government is extremely corrupt outright denys separate parties from speaking, underhanded tactics to win elections, control over media. Canada is a first world country but a declining one at that and if something doesn't change it will easily become an impoverished country where we will only be used to have our resourced sucked dry and sold to other countries to profit off while the elite remain powerful in Canada. Canada is seriously wasted potential. Canada should have high speed rails that connect the major cities but doesn't, we don't have actually good energy infrastructure due to projects being abandoned under trudeau that would bring a lot of money back. I used to love this country but as it is now I despise it because it's become crushing to live here as a bachelor making 32k and renting

you are using taxes to pay for refugees staying in canada. but reducing the international students who pays 3 times higher tuitions, and might be become young, well educated labour staying in canada. trudeau is so screwed ., canada is becoming third world country in north america .

I’d like to think I could watch the whole video but frankly within the first 3 reasons people are “leaving Canada” - not something I’ve notice although in and election season I am not surprised this may be getting blown up In conservative press, you have left out any real context. Yep we pay taxes - but you don’t speak to what services those taxes do our don’t deliver. The complaint that employers want to hire people with experience is as old as time. I’m 70 and when I tried to get jobs as a kid and later as a university grad - it was the same story. Whether the job really requires experience or the employer is just using it to keep entry level wages down - that just goes with the territory and also feels universal. Lastly - you speak of “the Canadian way” without giving any examples. What is “the Canadian way” or is that just your euphemism for racial or cultural prejudice? If it is you should just say what you mean and stop bandying ill defined terms around that let viewers arrive at conclusions you don’t intend. So already being pretty annoyed with your Masters degree opinion piece - I had to stop you and move on. You thoughts here are not very meaningful and feel like they are full of grievances and intended to be asking for audience validation of your grievances which pretty much invalidates your disclaimer at the top of the video.

I’m a born Canadian and Canada was once the envy of the world. Cost of living was decent and plenty of good paying jobs. I couldn’t imagine being an immigrant here now. Cost of living is skyrocketing and our government does nothing about it. We are taxed so high and get little in return for the high taxes. Though our healthcare system is free and We do have state of the art facilities and skilled doctors it takes forever to get treated due to high wait times and staff shortages. There are many people immigrating to Canada with high education and experience but Canada does not allow them to practice here because they were not educated here. They are forced to take lower paying jobs. Many young people are leaving because it just too expensive to live here and the political climate is not what it used to be. Growing old here is very difficult unless you have support from family or have a large enough pension account to live in a retirement community

the border patrol is useful, I reported a group of foreigners, illegals', robing fraud and they didn't do anything, I gave all the information they needed and all the crimes they committed so far and still they have not been deported not even CRA is doing anything on tax fraud

The infrastructure across Canada is not in place to handle a large influx of population. The health care and education systems and housing across the country are underfunded and the federal gov. which rakes in 86% of tax revenues is not giving the provinces their fair share and expects them to keep the infrastructure functioning effectively anyway. The universities are using international students to make up the deficit caused by the lack of funding and help form the federal government. In the process the Canadian students are being shafted because they pay less tuition even though their parents are still paying for most of the upkeep of the institutions of higher learning.

I work for the BC provincial government, and part of my job is to hunt for homes to house women who are escaping violence. After spending 3 months searching for homes in Surrey, I've seen anywhere between 10-22 individuals living in a modest sized home. These homes are often very well run-down, have poor plumbing, and many illegal suites, and I've literally seen people sleeping in closets. Landlords can get away with this because the students from India don't care, don't have a choice, or are used to this standard. What the federal government is doing is unbelievable, allowing many people into the country. Just because international students come from places where they can sleep on top of each other doesn't mean they should allow it to happen here, reducing the living standards for everyday tax-paying Canadians. Despicable.

I made about 65K in 1999. Paid just over 40% in total taxes. Are you sure it's 22K taxes on 100K income? I left Canada a long time ago (not enough jobs, etc. all the reasons you listed, thanks!). Tired of Canada's overly woke politics too :( I used to be progressive, now I'm conservative. I have not changed much in my views, it's just that Canada (mainstream) has shifted so far left :(

I lived in TO for 20 years. Didn’t like the climate much and was looking to move somewhere south but not to the States. Ended up in Merida, Yucatan, purchased lovely furnished colonial house with the pool, former AirBnB, 1km away from the main cathedral. No need for a car. Paid little 6 years ago for the $$ most people can’t afford to renovate their kitchens in TO. Monthly bills are $140 CAD including all the services, property tax, excellent internet, electricity and yes we use AC when sizzling hot outside. The best of all there are some direct flights to TO and we do visit in summers exclusively ?. Overall ….we are born again, the best decision ever. Still love TO but too pricey for us as we need more than $140 daily for survival!

I lived here since 1961. The biggest negative changes have occurred over the last 25 years. Yes a million condos bringing tons of new city tax revenue (wasted) but so unreasonably expensive, as so many new immigrants naturally flock to Toronto and need housing. Which\nmeans traffic sucks, too many downtown roads closed, unused bike lanes steal car travel lanes. Toronto is generally dirtier and meaner than in 60s, 70s, 80s, even 90s. People are less friendly, less polite, less caring, and reside in self contained cultural enclaves. I used to ride the subway daily till 1990s, but i was shocked by my recent ride, with delays, so overcrowded slow service and bummy looking passengers now, scary. Quite a negative unwelcoming transformation!?

Yes depression very high and physical health problems due to the stress of life. Highly corrupt and selfish govt..i dont agree canadians are racists..i think they are highly taxed, struggling and feel that the govt is using immigrantion to support their own agenda and get support for socialism..

This is exactly why we need to support the Texas border. They get a stop the problem. Instead of using up our resources. On helping illegal immigrants. Because once they're here, we gotta deal with this s*** and pay for it. What we need to do is submit a tax to Texas. To help financially fund whatever resources they need to do with the problem down there.

Toronto is no paradise its expensive overlytaxed the people are miserable and selfish and is getting more and more violent the city hates god it keeps poor people down so you can't own a home it is rasist in passive way just too give impression like its not\n Free health care was in the past in toronto doctors in toronto just use your health card as a hustle you go in their office early in the morning sit whole day till evening then im lest than 5minutes you out then they try too experiment drugs on you and you still sick if not the drugs causes other problems. It's a city of lawlessness and only very wealthy people dont see the troubles most taxpayers face . Tax payers are taken advantage of by politicians in toronto now people cant afford housing . I wouldn't advise people to come here its gotten very difficult too live.

Born and raised in canada it growing up i never saw open opiod use ..until it was presented by our governments as acceptable..again when it comes cost of living inflation is out of control due government over spending and money printing combined with over taxing...glad to see immigrants drawing to light there perspectives

Humanitarian aid meaning taxes from hard working people helping iran's weapon against Israel making more tunnels?\nOr how about nurturing the war between Palestine/Israel by keeping Palestinians where they are and cheering their refusal to accept the 4 peace treaties Israel gave them?\nAnd lets use this man's answer as a solution to most of the world's problems, let every troubled nation sort out their troubles instead of invading cultures that work through broken immigration/refugee policies. \nWin win for everyone right? \nArabs won't take refugees, neither should Western Nations.

People have to stop using rental prices in cities like Toronto and Vancouver. That's like Americans using rental costs in Bel-Air California or Manhattan as an example of what rent costs in America. It's not a realistic portrayal of rental costs. \nHere in Quebec the the annual tax rate is between 26.53% and 53.31%, depending on income. Then you have to consider all the socialist programs that you are forced to pay into, which also sucks up a significant amount on your weekly salary. After that, you must consider that you pay 15% sales tax on almost everything. It's safe to say that half of your yearly earnings, give or take, are taken in taxes and socialized programs. As for salaries, less than 20% of the Canadian population make a 6 figure salary. We're not talking about household income. I am talking about individual income. You're not going to become rich here in Canada! The majority of people who do become rich leave Canada to avoid taxation. Canadians live a life of debt. You will live just balancing your debt to make sure it doesn't get out of control Few Canadians have money in savings without debt. The ones who do have money saved, most of them have debts on top of their savings which is counterproductive in my opinion.

My girlfriend and I live right downtown in what used to be a really nice area near a park. Now we have homeless doing drugs on the street every time we go out. We are planing to move away to USA next year and can’t wait. Being a citizen of Canada is not worth the cost. There is no reason to pay so much in taxes and to be stepping over needles and seeing the gray skies and the country falling apart.