What are the pros and cons of moving to Canada?

Question

I'm from New York & I met a girl from Canada & the way she described it made it seem like it was better than the US. I've always wanted my parents to move to Canada. I don't know why but there's just something that I like about it from what I've seen. Plus, the country seems less hated than the US. & please if your Canadian, please don't say anything mean like "stay in the US" or "we don't want you here" etc... Thanks :)

Answer 1

Kiana,



I would never tell someone to stay in their country or that we don't want you. The only people we don't want here are criminals and haters. So we try to keep out the people convicted of a crime, the scammers, and white supremacists....that sort of people. They would not be welcome.



So you met someone and are looking at moving to Canada? Congratulations. The only difficulty with moving to the country is the immigration department tends to want to know what value you bring to Canada. It's sort of like that famous JFK quote but with a variation on it. Think of it like "Ask not what Canada can do for you, but what you can do for Canada."



Because we have so many people applying to come to Canada every year, the Citizenship & Immigration Canada (cic.gc.ca) service can be pretty selective and pick the BEST people to let in each year. And we decide who is best by looking for certain characteristics. Here are things that help you:



1) Do you communicate in English or French fluently? Or both? These are pluses.



2) Do you have a university level education? Any degrees? Again, this rates you higher than the other guy.



3) Do you have trade skills that are in demand in Canada? If we have a shortage of people who can handle a certain job (doctor, nurse, plumber, carpenter, etc) then there is an emphasis placed on letting people in who have experience in those fields.



4) Do you have a lot of money to invest in a business in Canada, or start your own business? While money does not buy happiness, it certainly helps show that you are self-sufficient and won't put a burden on the taxpayer.



5) Do you have family who is already in Canada? This helps to show you will have help if you need it from relatives, and might be able to adapt to Canadian living better.



Canada has a lot of the bureaucracy and silliness that US politics has. Take a look at the latest news headlines from Canada to see what I mean. But in general, our government tends to be more functional, our economy is not on the verge of defaulting on loans, Canada is somewhat respected around the world in most circles, and you don't hear about random gun violence and mass shootings like there are in US on almost a weekly basis now.



We are not immune to violence. We have had our shootings:



- Dawson College shooting, Montreal (2006)

- Boxing Day Shooting, Toronto (2005)

- Polytechnical School, Montreal (1989)



We have had our psychopaths and shocking incidents:

- Luka Magnotta (2012)

- Russell Williams (2010)

- Karla Homolka and Paul Bernardo (1992)



But overall, the level of violent crimes in Canada are extremely low. You say you are from New York? Apparently the murder rate in NYC has dropped to the same rate it was in the 1950s. There were 409 murders in 2012 in NYC, a rate of about 5.0 per 100,000 people. Compare that to Canada's WORST city for murders in 2011 (last year we have statistics for) which was Thunder Bay, Ontario which had a rate of 4.2 murders per 100,000 people. (And it's a small town... they only had 5 murders that year!)



So if you manage to qualify, I wish you all the best if you plan to come here. Maybe check out this website to see what your requirements are.



http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/eligibility.asp

Answer 2

This assumes you *can* move to Canada. Canada has some serious immigration requirements and it enforces its immigration laws. For the vast majority of people this is simply not possible. I recommend you start by looking at the Citizenship and Immigration Canada web site to see you can have any hope of qualifying.



In order to even apply for permanent residency, you need to meet specific requirements -- such as: marrying a Canadian able and willing to sponsor you; a highly skilled job offer (doctor, engineer, nurse, specialized trades, etc.) and then complete for one of 10,000 positions based on education, work experience, age, English and French language testing, etc.; have a net worth of $1.6M and invest $800k in Canada; complete certain university degrees in Canada and find skilled employment shortly after graduating; be nominated by one of the provinces (doctor willing to work in a remote community, buy and run a farm in some provinces, world class performing artist, etc.); etc. You need to pass medical, background, and financial checks. In most categories the process takes three to five years.



While there are advantages and disadvantages to living in Canada, these are typically pretty minor for most Americans when faced with the decade or more of education, work experience, job searches, applications, tests, etc. needed to immigrate to Canada. In most cases, if you have the education, skills, work experience, etc. needed to even apply to immigrate to Canada... you probably already have a good life in the United States. Other than marrying this girl and her sponsoring your for permanent residency... its probably not possible.



You can visit Canada for a maximum of 180 days per year at the discretion of CBSA. You can stay temporarily in Canada if you obtain a study permit (apply to a Canadian university/college, page $25,000+ per year) or a work permit (get a job offer from a Canadian company which has specific permission from HRSDC to hire foreign workers, i.e. shortage of Canadians in that profession). However, both are unlikely to be in the same city as this girl and both are temporary (a few years or until you complete your degree or your job ends.)

Answer 3

Kiana, Canada "is" a beautiful country, we are less hated, we do as much as possible not meddle, in other countries affairs.



We do not shoot first and ask questions later. If you feel that the United States is hated, who's fault is that? Kiana, you have decent Americans that travel overseas, I come across them in my line of work. But Kiana, you have also a lot that travel that give you folks a bad name, with their bad attitude, and making out that people should kneel to them.

Answer 4

Immigration to Canada is based on education, work skills and experience, health and a clean criminal record.

.

I've lived in 4 countries and Canada is the easiest to live in,



Here' some reading material:

Answer 5

How is Canada different than other places.



Just like the USA each town city and village is different. Canada has a small population in comparison to many other countries. It's footprint on world affairs is much smaller than other LARGE countries.



The Canadian view may be called Right is Right not MITE makes right. Canada does play its part in World Affairs and conflicts.



Politics in Canada is much different than the USA two party system. More parties requires a little more cooperation and reaching a consensus on doing things.



Some USA actions in other countries are not known for their bringing peace or some good thing.



Just making money for the USA company is not good for the other place.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banana_Wars.



Most Canadians live in Urban areas so there are large parts of Canada that have not been paved over or been commercialized. It has its experts in many fields and contributes to the world in many small ways.



Maybe you have used a zipper or telephone. Maybe you know a diabetic that uses insulin.



Many United States citizens have not travelled outside of their country and really do not know much about other places. Even the neighbour.



You can walk from New York to Canada. Maybe you need to just visit and see for yourself.



The social network of community and government is just different. The taxes paid and what you get for them is just different. Living in a big city is just different than living in a small town.



Your Lake Placid hosted the World for the Olympics(twice) and banned cars for miles around and only a few could get tickets. They still have UNSOLD Tickets in the Souvenir shops.



Nations participating 37

Athletes participating 1072



Canada hosted them too.

Calgary

Nations participating 57

Athletes participating 1,423



Vancouver

Nations participating 82

Athletes participating 2,566



Maybe that shows how other countries view the United States and their welcoming others to visit their country.



The USA has only two large neighbours and most citizens do not know much about them other than news stories and 20 second sound bites from TV news.



The average Canadian does know something about other countries in particular its neighbour.

http://www.canada.gc.ca/aboutcanada-ausujetcanada/peace-paix/menu-eng.html

http://can-am.gc.ca/relations/index.aspx?lang=eng



557,500 New York jobs depend on trade with Canada

38,300 New Yorkers are employed by Canadian-owned businesses

New York sells more goods to Canada than to any other country in the world

Total Canada–New York goods trade: $32.2 billion

http://can-am.gc.ca/business-affaires/fact_sheets-fiches_documentaires/ny.aspx?lang=eng

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bV_041oYDjg



A New Yorker's Comments on Canada from World War TWO

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YV8fef0pvoQ



Compare that to recent "News" from the USA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9tf0-BIyU0

Canada response to Police killed on duty in the USA.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHL8juUZsH8



You can easily learn more about Canada from a simple Google search or an in person visit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQrTIC7T-mw



Something not seen often in the USA.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNvj2kaVD7g

.

Answer 6

Education in general will be less expensive and you don't have to worry about health insurance.



Downside is that you will have to leave your country, shopping in general will make your choices limited compare to choices you have in New York. Public transportation will be more expensive, cars are more expensive to buy. Also wouldn't you miss Broadway shows?

Answer 7

Here are some things that the rest of the world have rated us on.



-The world's best advanced economy.

-The world's soundest banking system.

-The world's most tolerant nation.

-The world's most multicultural society.

-The world leader in educational attainment.

-The highest quality of life in the G7.

-The safest G7 nation to live in.

-The G7's most fairly-administered judicial system.

-The G7 leader in providing equal opportunities for individuals.

-The only G7 nation fully-recovered from the US-caused global financial crisis & recession.

-The world's best country for business.

-The strongest fiscal position of all G7 nations.

-The best G7 nation for business over the next 5 years.



And Canada's also rated as:



-One of the world's 10 safest countries.

-One of the world's 10 most peaceful nations.

-One of the world's 10 happiest countries.

-One of the world's 10 least corrupt nations.





'Canada: Richer than America and more powerful than Europe'

'Canada to lead G7 nations in average growth for next 50 years: OECD'

'Canada rises to Top Five in world economic freedom ranking as U.S. plummets to 18th'

'Canada Trounces U.S. In Best Countries For Business'

'While the rest of the world sinks into despair, Canadians have never felt so upbeat about the future'

'Obama in Canada Finds Worlds Best Financial System'

'Canada Named The World's Most Educated Country'

'Canada is best G20 country for females'

'Best Country For Kids: Canada Best Place In The World To Raise Children'

'Canadian banks rated safest in world'

'On free trade, Canada leads the way'

'Free trade with Canada has become a global aspiration'

'Canada leads the world in research impact, shows study'

'Canada leads the world in technology adoption'

'Canada leads G8 in keeping promises'

'And the fastest-growing G8 country is Canada'

'Crime: Canada's common sense approach trumps America's zeal for incarceration'

'Canada better than U.S., U.K. at protecting citizens' privacy: study'

'Canada: Constitutional Superpower'

'Vancouver, Toronto and Calgary picked as three of world's top five most liveable cities'

''Vancouver voted as city with world’s best reputation''

'Canadians are the most tolerant people in the developed world: report'

'Multiculturalism has been Canada's solution, not its problem'

'Canada poised to claim ownership of vast underwater territory bigger than Quebec'

'Canadian salaries to jump 2.9% in 2013'

'Canada can fairly claim to be the best-governed country in the world'

'10 Most Reputable Countries and Canada Takes Top Spot'

'A great time to be Canadian'

'The World would love to be Canadian'

'Canada tops global expats survey of best countries'

'Jerusalem Post Calls Canada The New Leader Of The Free World'



And that's not even counting the sights and scenery that bring more tourists to Canada each year than Canada's entire national population.



On top of all that, Canada's particularly attractive for Americans because of this stuff as well:



-Canada's Constitution provides more rights & freedoms than America's does.

-Canadians pay fewer taxes per person than Americans do.

-Canada's average net worth per person is a whopping 70% higher than America's.

-Canada's national debt is measured in billions. Not trillions like America's.

-Canadians are healthier & live years longer than Americans due to universal healthcare.

-Canada's Triple A credit rating was reaffirmed, not downgraded like America's was.

-Canadians have more property & privacy rights and greater economic freedom than Americans.

-Canadian minimum wages are higher than America's own. So even poor Canadians earn more.

And if you do come leave your gun at the boarder we pride ourselves on a very low crime rate thanks to gun control.