HarrisFeb2002
Registered Users (C)
I am a proud Canadian living in the US, i am Canadian by naturalization, I have lived most of my life in that great country. I would like to share objectively the canada advantage and would welcome questions for anyone interested in migrating there or just simply curious:
1) Canada is by far the best country to live in on this planet. This statement applies especially to people with ordinary earnings, a population base that tends to be the majority. This claim in also well documented in news publications and supported by the basic metrics of education, healthcare and employment as a whole.
2) Employment opportunities.
The employment opportunities in certain parts of the US are far greater than probably the 'hottest' areas in Canada. However, there are many regions in the US that would NOT compare so favourably to most Canadian cities. In Canada the general populace is based in the city, there are only so many cities in Canada from large well known centers like Toronto and Montreal (most US people on the east coast that I run into consider these two wonderful cities as Canada - not true). There are lesser known centers in the west that are absolutely thriving. The salaries tend to be lower, this is true if you are comparing NY to Winnipeg. Admitedly, I would concede on the salary debate, ie: pure dollars in your pocket, are greater in the US than CD, more on the social security benefits later. Although, there are well qualified individuals not finding jobs in their profession of choice (choice because it pays more), I speak from personal experience here. It should be noted that to have a decent life style in CD a much lower salary base is needed, the cost of living much lower. I have often metioned couples with what people on this forum would call sub-par jobs being able to afford a home and raise childern in healthy nuturing environment.
Transportion systems are better integerated and getting around from one place to another is less time consuming and therefore more time is available to spend with family and friends. A point often not addressed when discussing salaries.
3) Health care
A wonderful health care system. I would offer to pay more taxes here in the US for something of equal value. I have been unfortunate enough to know people with the most grave diseases and their treatment has been excellent in CD healthcare centers - without any burden of fees to be concerned about.
It is true that certain procedure may have lines or waiting periods but the serious life threatening issues are treated immediately, without delay.
4) Education
Non-private School systems are usually Catholic/Public. I believe you must be catholic to send kids to that school system. I studied in the public system. It is free, you decide where you would like to allocate your tax dollars to public or catholic systems. Schooling is good, if you live in a different neighbourhood the schooling may be even better, the general curriculum is the same throughout the province (state). Of course, education is much more than curriculum judged, the quality of the student around you amongst other things would contribute to your eductional experience. Post secondary education is divided into Universities, Colleges and vocational schools. Universities offer the broadest education, the have the authority to grant degrees. Colleges are more practical curriculums. Overall education in the universities is top-notch. I don't have experience on the college or vocational front. The cost of University education today, I am guessing, for tuition is probably $3K per semester for tuition. You need 8 semesters to complete an undergraduate degree.
More later...
Now some of you may think, what the heck am I doing here if Canada is so great? I often do ask that question myself and am satisfied with the response. That's worth a separate thread. But for now if you are interested in migrating to Canada pls. discuss those issues here and I promise I will answer that question in a separate thread if anyone is interested.
cheers,
Harris
1) Canada is by far the best country to live in on this planet. This statement applies especially to people with ordinary earnings, a population base that tends to be the majority. This claim in also well documented in news publications and supported by the basic metrics of education, healthcare and employment as a whole.
2) Employment opportunities.
The employment opportunities in certain parts of the US are far greater than probably the 'hottest' areas in Canada. However, there are many regions in the US that would NOT compare so favourably to most Canadian cities. In Canada the general populace is based in the city, there are only so many cities in Canada from large well known centers like Toronto and Montreal (most US people on the east coast that I run into consider these two wonderful cities as Canada - not true). There are lesser known centers in the west that are absolutely thriving. The salaries tend to be lower, this is true if you are comparing NY to Winnipeg. Admitedly, I would concede on the salary debate, ie: pure dollars in your pocket, are greater in the US than CD, more on the social security benefits later. Although, there are well qualified individuals not finding jobs in their profession of choice (choice because it pays more), I speak from personal experience here. It should be noted that to have a decent life style in CD a much lower salary base is needed, the cost of living much lower. I have often metioned couples with what people on this forum would call sub-par jobs being able to afford a home and raise childern in healthy nuturing environment.
Transportion systems are better integerated and getting around from one place to another is less time consuming and therefore more time is available to spend with family and friends. A point often not addressed when discussing salaries.
3) Health care
A wonderful health care system. I would offer to pay more taxes here in the US for something of equal value. I have been unfortunate enough to know people with the most grave diseases and their treatment has been excellent in CD healthcare centers - without any burden of fees to be concerned about.
It is true that certain procedure may have lines or waiting periods but the serious life threatening issues are treated immediately, without delay.
4) Education
Non-private School systems are usually Catholic/Public. I believe you must be catholic to send kids to that school system. I studied in the public system. It is free, you decide where you would like to allocate your tax dollars to public or catholic systems. Schooling is good, if you live in a different neighbourhood the schooling may be even better, the general curriculum is the same throughout the province (state). Of course, education is much more than curriculum judged, the quality of the student around you amongst other things would contribute to your eductional experience. Post secondary education is divided into Universities, Colleges and vocational schools. Universities offer the broadest education, the have the authority to grant degrees. Colleges are more practical curriculums. Overall education in the universities is top-notch. I don't have experience on the college or vocational front. The cost of University education today, I am guessing, for tuition is probably $3K per semester for tuition. You need 8 semesters to complete an undergraduate degree.
More later...
Now some of you may think, what the heck am I doing here if Canada is so great? I often do ask that question myself and am satisfied with the response. That's worth a separate thread. But for now if you are interested in migrating to Canada pls. discuss those issues here and I promise I will answer that question in a separate thread if anyone is interested.
cheers,
Harris