|
magdaleine -> RE: Any Canadians here that can offer assistance? (5/13/2008 4:14:55 PM)
|
I'm Canadian and have lived here over 50 years. You will have to apply for either a work visa or an immigration visa before you can even think of applying to be a Canadian citizen. You will need one of those to come and live in Canada. Then you have to live here for three years before you can apply to be a citizen. Canada uses the point system for assessing potential immigrants and you would have a better chance of success if you have pre-arranged a job in Canada that will be waiting for you. The thing is that the employer may have to prove that he needs YOU and that he can't get a permanent resident or citizen to do the job. You can learn more about the process here: http://www.canadavisa.com/
College (we call it university) is not universal. You must pay tuition but our tuition rates are much lower than those in the US.
As far as how things compare to the US (keep in mind I'm biased toward my own country) we tend to be far more liberal than Americans. Canada does not pretend to be a Christian nation and while Christians aren't persecuted, Christianity is not allowed in schools and such. A Christian has to be a bit bolder here to talk about being a Christian at his/her job.
We do not have the racial prejudice against blacks that exists in the states but where as the US has been called a melting pot where everyone eventually becomes "Americanized," Canada is called a mosaic because the various ethnic groups tend to keep to themselves. The big cities are more cosmopolitan with an incredible diversity of countries represented. Sadly, our aboriginal people are, in many ways, marginalized--not because they aren't welcome as much as, well, I'm not sure why.
I would like to say that people in Canada are more polite than Americans but I've travelled a lot in the US and I've never come across anyone who was unpleasant to me. I think we tend to be more tolerant, which means, among other things, that litigation is nearly unheard of amongst ordinary folk. I do not know anyone who has sued or been sued.
As far as health, you will see fewer obese people here than in the US--and thus fewer clothing stores for the overweight. Because health care is universal, everyone has access to regular medical care. Some of the stories I hear from my American friends and from Canadians who've spent extensive time in the US make me shudder. American healthcare is superior to Canadas FOR THOSE WHO HAVE INSURANCE or medicare. But I've observed that the average American is NOT covered with insurance and so basic health care is out of reach for them. If I'm sick, I don't have to worry about whether I can afford to see the doctor or go to Emergency. I just go. Everyone can have an annual checkup and so I would say that Canada provides better preventative medicine because of universal access. On the other hand, we have a shortage of doctors, nurses and technicians because they move to the US where earnings are more lucrative. This means that if you are in need of a particular test or surgery, you may have to wait quite a bit longer than were you in the US (and had insurance there).
There isn't as visible police presence here, even in my city which is the worst in Canada for violent crime. I remember two American friends who visited for a week commenting that they never saw the police about.
Economically, I think Canada is currently doing better than the US--at least our dollar has become much stronger so Canadian dollars can buy a whole lot more of American goods than previously. Our political system is considerably different from yours and an American friend of mine who has been living in Canada for the past couple of years says that our Conservative party is more like your Democrats. We also have more than two political parties.
I'm sure there is more I could say but that will do for now.
|
|
|
|