Close Reading

My family came to Canada 30 years ago. My father and siblings worked very hard to build a business that provides services to the public. My spouse works harder now to provide half of what I grew up with. I wonder how they will provide for their families. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to live a decent life. It’s not the Canada I grew up in. It makes me sad my children are not growing up with what I had. The taxes are high and expenses are high. Trying to own a home is near impossible. It’s a challenge to keep going. I don’t have anywhere else to go let alone my kids. Hope things change for the better for our children’s sake.

0:48 He admits HIS POLICIES of having a high number of immigrants let into the country, coupled with the lack of houses being built has caused this...I feel so bad for those immigrants who were promised a better life in Canada and who are living on the street...the winter is not going to be kind to them :(

Money making industry and then let the immigrants decide which type of Canada they wanna live in. That happens when you sell your soul for money

People immigrate to have better lives. When they come to Canada and realize it will take years for them to find the same job they had back in their own countries (if they are lucky enough to find one), they decide to return. People immigrate to build lives that they would not have been able to build in their countries. They don't come here to start from scratch and live in conditions that are worse than what they have left behind. They don't want to have to wait months for a simple medical procedure. They don't want to pay such insane rents. People immigrate to live more comfortable lives. If they work and pay taxes, they want to see the effect of their tax money on improvements. If the medical system is free but people have to stay with illness for a long time because wait times are too high, then what is the benefit of it? We bring in doctors and don't let them work. We bring in nurses and don't let them work. The same goes for teachers and many other professionals. If a country needs immigrants, it also needs their expertise and knowledge. You either need people or you don't. Stop this double standard.

I say let them go. We don't need them. Although it is getting harder to live in this Country we are the highest taxed country in the world as far as I know.

It's good that people are moving back to their own countries since canada is getting worse day by day as a country to live in. After being educated all you get to do is labour and they just don't want to let us grow. The taxes are so high, half your salary is gone to the government. Housing affordability is worsening. Plus the Canadian government just calls international students for their money but doesn't provide them with jobs because all canada has is labour so it's good that people are leaving Canada.

Good, maybe we can now focus on the ones who live here, go back to our roots, get people working again We got ourselves in this mess of immigration and all it did was cause headaches for our country. Homelessness is a big problem, social handouts, and hospitals that can't keep up. We're not the only country with this issue even the US is feeling the squeeze too. So let's stop it and get to work!

It’s been 5 years for me here and I honestly can say I have achieved nothing in my life yet. It scares me when I think I can’t return whatever my parents had invested in me. The fact is you’ll never have a good paying job in Canada being an immigrant. When I say this trust me I mean it. Most you’ll get is a minimum wage job which can make you survive the life here. Taxes are high definitely and what I feel is you’re working to make someone else’s life easier. \n(P.S: people who’ve stayed in Canada will understand who I’m implying to)\nNo one wants to be your freind, scope of socializing is zero coz mostly it’s cold round the year so everyone hardly come out, especially in Northern provinces like Yukon, Saskatchewan, Manitoba.\nHealthcare is a joke. If you feel sick and not well and you wanna see a doctor be prepared to wait for hours and hours. I once had stomach infection and I had to wait 5 hours till someone could see me. I asked for painkiller at-least so I could bear the pain but they refused that as well. You might well see someone you love dearly and with whole heart die in-front of you and you could do nothing. (I’ve experienced it myself hence saying)\nYou’re a lone survivor who’ll always keep fighting. \nThe only person who can make money here is businesses and high paid jobs which are reserved to Canadians. That’s how Canada’s job market is. Canadians’ first and if there’s something left they’ll look at you. By the amount of money people invest here they can establish a nice business back in their country itself and earn accordingly on own terms. \nMost importantly you’ll cut yourself from all emotional supports like family, freinds etc.\nI was social person back in India who liked making new freinds and memories but it’s nothing like that here. \nAnd it’s the same life, no different.\nYou wake up, dress, eat, go to work, come back, eat, sleep. No different.\nNo fun and nothing. You actually don’t live in present, you live in an expectation of a better tommorow.\nYou’ll always have a smile when you greet someone but I guarantee you no one’s gonna check on you to if you don’t start a conversation even with a simple “Hi”. Mostly Canadians are nice but again some will systematically judge you and say nothing but you’ll see in their actions, the way they’ll talk in a twisted way etc.\nYes I’m not saying that Canada’s bad or it’s no good but trust me it will take forever to build a life here especially with the number of people moving here from round the world. \nIf you’re well off financially from back home Canada’s a paradise for you. Indeed it’s a beautiful country with lots of beauty and lots to explore but remember everything comes with a cost here. Everything comes with a cost. People need to stop believing in this fake illusion and come only if they got a purpose here. The only reason why they’ll let you in the country is for money and once you’re in you’ll have to keep spending, doesn’t matter if you’re broke or whatever you have to.\nOnce I earn I’ll happily give up my PR status and go back to India as i very well know what the situation is how it’s gonna be in future.\nSo just one piece of advise to every middle class person like me, guys please invest and spend your money wisely coz we know how hard it is to earn and it’s high time Canadians start appreciating what immigrants like us do for them by burning ourselves day and night and start realizing that their past generation once came from some other part of the world as well and settled here. Being white doesn’t make you a nice Canadian, you’re actions defines you more than your words. \n90% of this country is built by immigrants and that’s how it’s gonna develop in future, so if they keep treating us the same way good luck to them ?.\nAlso a plus note to anyone thinking that Asians are stealing your jobs, go get outside and have the balls to face them and take it away from them. Staying home and ranting and abusing us that we’re taking your opportunities and blah blah isn’t gonna work. We are so successful round the world because we are hardworking, honest and respectful to everyone. Even if we’re earning minimum and barely surviving here we always make sure we’re not burden on the government or anyone else and won’t keep crying.\n\nA big shoutout to all you guys who came here in the hope of a better future but are still struggling.\nKeep hustling and you’ll reach there, if not step down and go back and start your life again on your home soil. There’s no shame in experimenting continuously rather than sitting ideally and crying about future. \n\nAll the very best my people and lots of love to you ❣️

Why doesn’t the Canadian government focus on its own citizens to grow the population and economy if that is their major goal. Why not make it more affordable for young Canadians to start a family? We spend $6B a year on bringing in immigrants, why not increase the child benefit with these funds? Why not teach good family values in Canadian schools and promote healthy relationships? Instead our government lets in young adults who aren’t vetted and want to work in retail/tech and bring their parents their grandparents their uncles and aunts over from their home country who then live off of CPP after not paying one penny into it. (This is what I have seen in my town, may not be representative of all of Canada)

Some come, work, don't pay taxes and leave s soon as they send enough money home. It's like a rig hitch for a lot of them in construction. Would you want to live in an unaffordable hell while you send all your money back home? Probably not let's be serious

Let’s break it down\n\n1) taxes are way too high \n\n2) cost of utilities and housing are insane compared to other nations offering similar standard of living \n\n3) wages aren’t covering people basic needs In order to survive and even thrive \n\n4) Health care is an absolute joke considering the taxes being payed \n\n5) government is always trying to take more of the money you work for \n\nAll of Canadas problems really comes down to the utter incompetence of the political class in this nation running fiscal policies that an kid in JUNIOR kindergarten could probably run better! & progressive ideologies that aren’t based in reality

Gee, let me list all the reasons why immigrants would be leaving Canada:\n- Justin Trudeau. \n- Unprecedented encroachment by the government on individual rights and freedoms.\n- Over immigration. \n- Uncontrolled illegal immigration\n- High cost of living, including food, energy, and housing.\n- Low wages.\n- Broken healthcare system.\n- MAID\n- Open drug use in our cities and near schools.\n- Increase in violent crime in major urban centers.\n- Idiotic LGBTQ and sex education taught in primary schools.\n- Ahistorical narratives taught in schools, emphasizing Canada's past as a racist and genocidal country.\n\nEven if I could leave Canada, there's no Western nation that isn't going to Hell. But, I guess it's better than living in a war zone.

How about letting these hard working doctors and nurses from other countries help out our health care system when in a lot of cases they have higher education and standards than we do here. Makes absolutely NO SENSE. But then again Libs don't make a lot of sense either. Trudeau venture singles, gets people in just long enough to secure thier vote. Then these people realize you can't live here because Libs spend like drunken sailors. The only thing that is Rocket science is Rocket science..

Well it’s something good that you have shared , yes you can’t have the privilege of keeping a maid / can’t have the cake and eat it too , India has its own pros and cons and so dose Canada . I have lived and worked in UK never had any issues , as had to come back home due to family reasons but it all depends on an individual plus if you are ready to accept challenges even I am planning to migrate to canada in my early 30s with a kid let’s c how it goes , but I have kept my window to return back in case if I didn’t like it . Luck plays a part plus what you imagine is what you create … simple

let me guess...... they can't afford the 2 million dollar 3 bedroom house?..... Canadians living here also cannot afford the cost of living.

Let me tell you the truth about the situation, my ex-girlfriend she wanted to get a pension for her dad, even though he didn’t live here and as soon as that pension got through for him, he went back to Iraq to live there the rest of his life they sent his checks to him there that was their plan. They scam us.

There was an asian ESL language teacher woman in 2016 in west hill high school who was 100% rassist vs white students she went so faar she forced an older student to sign a paper about he not wanna parcipiate in ESL school anymore. Another catholic school Mary Ward LINC & ESL Centre 44 Kelvinway Drive, Scarborough, ON M1W 1N6 had teacher woman who forced jewish and muslim students to parcipiate in christmas celebration. So half of that class leaved that catholic school. there theyre went so faar theyre not let an israelite student to study there and forced the best teacher to go to go to her early pension status becouse she was liberal and backed many students there before. Theyre even maybe sent message to other catholic school to bully that student. He not went to any catholic school anymore in toronto even if those were at last not so faar from his living place.

Instead of taking care of born and raised Canadians they want to take care of new comers. If they just dropped the crazy high tax rate all across the board and made it easy to start business here maybe Canadians would start having children if they seen a future. But no lets just make immigrant's work for nothing and hope they don't leave. We don't get paid enough in Canada that is why educated and talented born and raised Canadians leave this waste land. We could go across the boarder and make double and be able to afford a home in our prime working years. Why would I buy a home and pay it off in 30-40 years when I could pay it off in 10 years and have my wages go into living life and investments. Canada is done They stole the future of millennials and Gen-Z here don't fight just leave. It will be 30 years to recover from this time we don't have and our kids don't either.

Sky high taxes, low wages, sky high cost of living, most foreign education isn't recognized, far too much immigration causing problems finding jobs that pay a wage you can survive on let alone live on. Racism, divisive politics, very racist police, selective policing. I could go on and on. Many reasons not to move to Canada and even more why we Canadian citizens should leave.

this is scary. we don’t even know who we’re letting into our own country. and with everything currently going on, who knows how many of them are sleeper agents or terrorists sent to destroy the country from within? especially with a vast majority of them being fighting age men? islamic extremists, terrorists, all people we’re letting cross into our country FREELY, and supporting and encouraging BETTER than our own citizens?!\n\nmany of them hate the very country, people, and values they’re illegally entering and eventually overpopulating and mass influencing. eventually these same people will hold positions of power, and the sheer number of them is absolutely overwhelming and can’t be ignored, with the number increasing each day our borders remain open, and security and stricter laws aren’t enforced. and with the constant display of weakness and incompetence from our “leaders”, they may just be emboldened. i’m afraid that one day, they may just rise up and commit mass terrorism. looting, murder, are all possibilities. and with the sheer number of them, we wouldn’t be able to do anything about it. they would be the ones in power now. thing is, our country supports and helps the illegals who hate them more than their own citizens. it’s absolutely treasonous. the longer our borders remain unprotected and wide open, their numbers will only increase, and so will their terrorism. \n\nnot only that, but the amount of illegals we constantly let in and those who are already in, are absolutely negatively impacting our country’s economy, living conditions, population is increasing, many of which are illegals and are a danger to our society, their numbers increasing by the day and taking over our country from within and them holding positions of power, homelessness and cost of living is rising, debt and inflation also keep rising, etc. it’s all bad. \n\nmass deportations must be enforced, but even then, im afraid that too many of them have already infiltrated the country. and considering how our own government hates us and spends billions on everything else BUT their own citizens. it’s not looking good and has huge potential to explode into something terrifying. \n\nthis is already a massive ongoing threat in america, and the possibility of it happening here in Canada becomes more likely the longer our borders are open, and the longer stricter laws and more protective and security measures aren’t being enforced. canada must be canada FIRST with the safety, security, and well-being of our citizens FIRST. \n\nthough with the constant numbers, and the continued ignorance, evil, and corruption in our government, i’m afraid they’re already here waiting for the right moment to strike us. \n\nthat’s why above all, we can’t rely on our leaders to do anything or bring us peace. the only one who can, is Jesus Christ. the one who gave His life for us and gave us the free gift of salvation. all we must do, is follow him, pick up our crosses, have faith in him, and have a relationship with him. \n\nwe must all repent of our sins and lovingly follow him. that is all that matters. God bless you all.

So I was born in Russia, then moved to Toronto, then lived in New York for 5 years... Let me tell you waits in emergency room in New York aren't nearly as bad as in Toronto... but costs... 300 dollar copay when my employer in New York was giving me one of the best insurance available in US... But I just didn't like living in US... I moved back to Toronto eventually to lower pay, mainly because my relatives are here... but having social safety net and stuff like that is nice, even if my salary in Toronto is lower than in NYC...\nP.S. both USA and Canada are way better than living in Russia tho

We are fine as we are, there are less problems here who go around doing such illegal activities. All this is for those people who are earning crores by doing such work sitting in Canada. We will have to work hard no matter which country in the world we live in. Let us live in peace, this is our request. Do not do politics by making people fight on the basis of religion, we all are brothers and human beings, no matter what the religion is. Jai Hind, Jai Punjab ????????????????????????????????????????

I'VE NEVER CHALLENGED YOU BUT ON THIS TOPIC, LET THE OGs TALK ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR TOPIC AS A HOLDER OF CANADIAN/DUTCH/GHANAIAN PASSPORT WHO LIVED AND WORKED IN 11 COUNTRIES ACROSS 3 CONTINENTS - YES THERE'RE MORE OPPORTUNITIES IN THE NORTH AMERICA BUT ALSO IN EUROPE AND THE SCANDINAVIA - DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY STORES ARE OWNED BY AFRICANS IN THE BIJMEER AMSTERDAM? DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY PROFESSIONALS WE HAVE AT THE CORPORATE LEVEL IN THE UK? THIS IS REALLY NOT YOUR TOPIC - YOU MUST LIVE IN EUROPE TO SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCES - THERE ARE AFRICANS ALSO MAKING IT IN EUROPE/SCANDINAVIA - WE NEED TO HAVE A PODCAST TO SHARE EXPERIENCES - YOU CAN EASILY BUY PROPERTIES IN USA/CANADA BUT ALSO STAGNANT AS ALL DEPENDS ON THE INDIVIDUAL - CONTACT ME AT info@kwamekuewor.com THANKS!

Canada was good, but it has gone downhill immencely in the past decade or so. We are now in the top 5 countries on earth for housing cost to income ratio. Many Canadians can't even afford a home or rent here any more. A one bedroom apartment in Toronto where I live can go for 2,400 a month. Millions of immigrants arriving and the economy has largely stagnated despite all these new people. Lots of blindly partisan Liberals here though that will never admit the country is in serious decline. Don't let them lecture you about healthcare and social safety nets either there are literally MILLIONS of people in Ontario our largest province where I live that can't even access a family doctor even if they were willing to pay for one. With the number of people not being able to access basic medical services here I would not call it unviersal any more.

young brother Hindus are 60% of NRI in Canada. But let you know we all are punjabi first. they all loved helped each other. Hate is new thing on religion base for Punjabis. Talwinder singh parmar we never even heard of him I lived very closed to his house. One day at the airport this guy appeared with eight nine people with garland and were told he is separates . Dr Jagjit singh chauhan was presented as a leader that wants Khalistan . He was high level Congress leader. After so much life lost hate created This bastard went back to India and died peacefully in his bed. While thousands of innocent peoples life was taken and labeled as terrorist that are killing Hindus. I am atheist but i hope i go to hell to meet Indra and sons along with some others from her party All this hare dead and destruction of Punjabis is all because of one evil lady. that wanted absolute power and control in India. She spend Billions to create hate among Punjabis.

Hello joyce but u said at the end u will tell us ur best province to live in but u never said that did you forget pls lets hear it u can reply in the comment section thanks nd welcome back stay blessed

It's so interesting to see your viewpoint! Thank you for the insights! :) \n\nI live in Switzerland, and travel to Canada often, also Toronto twice. I love it there. I feel safe and seriously at home there, since well, Canada and especially larger cities are the safest place for the LGBT-community.\n... So still I want to move there, but let's see what my next visits bring :)

Hey there, you fine American... Just to let you understand, our system is FAR from perfect, but it's still easy access and quick service IF you don't need a rare specialist or a not so rare one). The thing is, it's ALL priority based, so if you wait, it's because someone needs your resources even MORE than you do. Sometimes, it ends up in a tragedy, but MOST times, it allows for the neediest to get it first. \nAs far as having children here, we have a NEGATIVE birthrate, so our government PAYS us to have children. My son grew up in Quebec, and they have a double everything. Double taxes (not that bad after the tax deductions and credits), but they also Double the safety net and services, compared to the rest of Canada. Not only was childbirth free, so were the pre-natal courses and everything else, AND we got around 1000$/mo in childcare benefits, until he turned 18, with full of tax credits per kid. Plus, daycare was 5$/day back then, it's 7$/day almost 20 years later.. Pretty citizen friendly. \nThings MIGHT be changing though. Our conservatives are taking their talking points from the US GOP since COVID, and they are all-in to please their Oil lobby overlords and donators out in our prairies region. The Alberta Premier is a far-right conspiracy nutcase and her new pet-project is Capitalist healthcare (among her trolley of lunacies). SAME place the far-right rednecks always come at us from. It's like they binge-watch FUX nonnews and get their ideas from the dumbest idiots there. Disgraceful Canadian MAGAt wannabes are the result of Trump polluting everything since 2016. He made shameless individuals get some traction in this new, crazy world we live in. And it infected the whole Western world. Canada is not immune to idiocies, Q , conspiracy nuggets, and belly-button Anarchists everywhere.\nSorry a bout this little rant, but things are getting steadily worst as the year goes on. \nAnyways, YOU give me a sense that what we SEE about Americans isn't all there is to see. Some of you are decent, so keep it up and don't let the ranting morons give your whole country a bad rep.

I've never lived there, but I've visited there. It strikes me how little Americans fit the stereotype on their home soil. They're great people at home, friendly, helpful, warm. I think they only let the arseholes travel abroad and that's why they have such a poor image abroad. I think they should start letting the nice ones travel too. Lok

First lets mention what I like about the United States. Americans are easy to make friends with. They have no problem making friends with complete strangers. Americans can be very inviting to compared to many places I have traveled to. The only place that compares in Canada is Newfoundland. In Canada you generally need an invite to a group to make friends.\n\nI liked how varied each state is. Changing states can sometimes feel crossing into a new world of sorts. This change can be both good and bad (i.e. Georgia very educated, Tennessee quite backwater). \n\nWhat I don't like is how Americans are overly patriotic, they can be borderline nationalistic and it is creepy (i.e. school children pledging allegiance before they even know what that means). In Canada if I don't want to stand during the playing of the national anthem no problem I don't have to. If you do that in the United States someone will address you and not in a favorable way. I also find their patriotism blinds many Americans to the truth about their country (i.e. many American truly have no idea how they compare to the rest of the world in many areas).\n\nLastly their infrastructure is terrible. Their infrastructure is first class if you are a driving a car, but in many places you aren't getting anywhere without that car. Is that such an added expense to have to own a car. This is the same problem in Canada, but from having lived in Europe and Asia I miss good transit systems.

I'm Canadian and lived in New York City for 5 years. I was offered a job and thought, why not? After 6 months, my excitement wore off. Of course, there's healthcare, but everything is about politics, and I mean everything. Such a focus on it. I know I'm talking about NYC here, but the people were not nice at all. Nobody cares about anyone as a human being. People are just plain argumentative and want to get into a scuffle. Let's just say I was very aware I was Canadian. I was baffled at the lack of humanity. In the beginning, I was holding doors open for people, etc, and people wouldn't even say Thank You. I naively expected people to do the same and guess what? It didn't happen. My work visa was for 3 years, so I was ready to move, and then, of course, COVID hit. I was stuck for another two years, then my passport expired so I had to wait to get that. After 5 years I was ready to head back to Canada. I moved back on Sept 2, 2022 and couldn't be happier. I could not live in the United States again.

Let them go back to Canada and smoke pot and live happily aver after

Our sikh brothers should ask for solution from government and i as a hindu is always Goin to support them with this. But please i Don want to see anymore partition of our motherland. Our ancestors have given enough lives to get this. And i want to say sorry from bottom of my heart for the riots that happened after indira ghandi got killed i know it will not be enough but i want to let you know that i am very heartbroken from that incident and let's solve it with proper communication with others because hatefully we will not be Goin towards solution. ❤

Hey, be negative. I hate the positivity cult. Be honest. The world is falling apart. Let's not mince words. This is a global crisis. America has been crap for a long time, but it's sad to see Canada now going through the same, and deteriorating. Such a beautiful country. I remember being there years ago, and the energy was so much lighter, uplifting, and I always loved this about Canada in general. It was always the nicer bit of N. America....but now it's much like what the USA is experiencing with insane prices, housing crisis, drugs, crime, homelessness, etc. I don't feel this will get better anytime soon. I think we need to demand some serious changes, and they need to start with forcing down the costs of living, whether they like it or not. It's a giant scam. Anyone who knows what is really going on, and why, knows that it's not even 'the market', but it's predatory price gouging. People are charging high prices because they can, not because it's actually worth that. And no one is stopping them. Same with food, and everything else.

Lucky you , you did not stay there in the winter or else you would have committed suicide ??.. only job in the winter is to pee come back & watch TV & blow every day snow from the drive way … yes every day ? but I do not live in Canada, I have many family members living there I keep going there as well , I am settled in the US .. but the so called problems of yours in Canada is the same here in the US as well but for me these are the things I love love out here …. Particular about timings , no one comes home without calling , every one is of same standard, kids don’t have to study like donkeys day & night … ( for what ) … out here to have a RV, a boat , suv , saloon car , a bike for summer ride are within every ones reach … at-least that was all my dream … I live in a city yet I have a private 1/2 acre private plot whereas in Mumbai I will have to be a film star ?? here there is no hanji hunji .. I hated the most …out here anywhere we go we take our token number & we are looked after accordingly lastly out here in the west the most amazing thing & the most important thing in life is .. let’s say your business is lost or your job is gone your neighbour’s don’t care you can start from scratch again .. In India one has to commit suicide ????

I live in Montreal Canada and as a refugee from Rwanda I have no other options but to stay. \nFor those who are from peaceful countries in Africa and well educated who make at least equivalent of $2000 in Africa, please do not come here.\nFor example: it's not easy to buy a house if you're single, you need to be married to be able to afford a house. Let alone buying a house, renting isn't also easy, the cheapest now for families is $1000.\nLet's say you make $20 per hour, this salary will never get you anywhere unless you're married or have other sources of income. You need a second job and the more you earn the more you're taxed.\nEven those high skilled people can only live comfortably only as working couple because as a single high skilled person even if you make more than $100k a year for you to live a good life here isn't easy. Yes of course, it's still better than the most african countries, but for those doing well in Africa already don't come here, come when you're hardly earning a living in Africa. \nNB: People who make $100k in Canada are less than 11% of the whole population. That's 4257000 million out of 38.7 canadians. The rest are considered low income generating workers who hardly afford things.

Brother ???? , we never ever had anything against india and will never have in future. I’m from chandigarh and my father is serving in chandigarh police since last 35 yrs. My paternal grandfather was in army. But the only thing that let us felt devastated was 1984. Bro , i knw some families who suffered from 84 genocide . They’re literally done with their lives in india. If possible please interview with 1984 sufferers.

I’m a Calgarian and just visited Toronto the second time in 20 years in July and let me tell you it is an amazing city to visit but not for living. \nIt’s an expensive and stressful city to live in. \nThe thing gets me the most is the traffic. It’s busy any day of the week, day or night. \nI also feel that it’s not a good city for a young family. Too costly and stressful.

My sister grew up in Toronto with her Mom while I was with our dad about an hour outside of the GTA. Even back in 2003 when I would come to visit my sister, or just go on class trips you could smell the city before you ever saw it... Torontonians had a bad reputation of thinking they were in the center of the universe, and it always just put me off of the city. It's not that I would ever want someone to not come to Canada... but there are just so many better places to live in Ontario, let alone the rest of the country... that why would you ever want to subject yourself to what T.O. has become?

I live in Canada as a Kenyan and I have been here for sometime .I work as a HR/Payroll Specialist also certified in the field. The problem is not Canada , Canada is a very good county which I love and I am gland God gave me the Opportunity to Come and settle here with my family.. The problem with some people coming here is lacking of knowledge how Canada works .It’s system is very far from how things work in Dubai or Gulf countries. A lot people are thinking than you can just come and get any job even without proper papers or you can earn a lot of money and then build wealth quickly. Which is A BIG FAT LIE. The tax in Canada keeps you humble. That is how Canada funds it's high end life many admire and want to be part of. The more you work in Canada the more tax you pay and many don't know this, and it is one of the main reasons why a lot of people start to regrets, because they realize there effort of working hard is not paying as they hoped. Another thing in Canada is next to impossible to get jobs or rent a place without proper paper work, like work permit, It is not like USA where you can use someone else papers to work. the The main available jobs , easy to get , don’t pay much. And also the cost of living is very high in some provinces like Ontario and BC. They hardly recognize credentials from outside unless you came through a job offer. Also because a lot of things in Canada are paid by the government through taxes, like health care, education. Unless you are tax paper with (and I repeat) Paper work, you cant access the benefit, including thee free food available for the needy. \nMany people forget Canada is looking for people to work for them. Not to grow rich and leave. The system is meant to keep you working. Unless you understand how a system of a country works, one will continue to blame it. Let people get well informed and well educated first , before they jump in the river. And it’s not Canada a lone , but any country in the world. Also a lot of these media post about Canada are misleading. And there is also another trap called debt, a lot of people once they getting working, rush to but things they cant afford and it becomes a stress instead of a blessings.\nIf you want to live well and enjoy Canada . One of the top thing to do is, go back to school once you enter in it, get a good education and you will get a good job. Also give yourself time to adjust. REMEMBER you are starting from square one. You are not continuing where you left in Kenya or in the country you get from. Also, the general social climate is not as friendly as those in USA for example. Not many people are willing to help for free. The most jobs advertised in Canada are the lower end paying jobs, which a lot of people pay a lot of money to come for, just to realize the job they left behind was far much better than this, but no one told them that, just because it said $18 hrs and you converted it to your country and looked a lot, doesnt mean it carries the same wait once you earn in from here. The living expense are very different. The reality is, it is not where you are , but whom you are and determination knows no barrier. Anyone who will trust God for help, work hard/smart and be patience in life, they will make. It might take longer than they expect, but they will get their eventually.

The problem with our people they are closed minded, they all want to live in Toronto like canada is big with so many opportunities?? that guy is just a loser let him move back to Caribbean ???

Life has become very expensive worldwide. Whether in Kenya or in Canada, the cost of living hits you hard. I have lived in the US for the last more than twenty years. When I first came here $50 would be enough to buy food for a whole month. Today $50 cannot buy you food for even a week. A gallon of petrol today is over $5. The same thing is happening in Kenya, I believe. There are a number of problems when you land in Canada as a visitor. One: To covert a visitor's visor to a work permit is a process. Two; where do you want to land in Canada? If you land in Toronto, Ontario, you get stranded because everybody is landing there. People dont want to go to the north. All those pictures you are seeing are in Toronto. Because of the influx of people arriving there, the government has spent the budget for visitors and refugees. Three; the choice of jobs. When somebody promises you a job in Canada and helps to get a visitor's visa, think twice before you leave home. If somebody promises you a job in Canada, let him help you to get a work permit before you leave home. That way you are surered of a job. There are so many things to consider before you leave home.

Good advise to your audience Lynn- that people should do due diligence research before thinking of hopping on a plane to any foreign country let alone Canada. Good education and commensurate skill set is what Canada is after. And do not coming here with the hope that govt social programs will bridge the gap to your success. The cost of living is up everywhere- rent has gone commensurate with increase in mortgage rates due to inflation. Ata sisi kimeturamba!

The percentage of those who have been successful is comparatively lower than those who are struggling financially and mentally. We have success stories but those coming to Canada today or in the recent past are having a very tough time to settle and make a decent living. Let’s be honest. Canada is not easy to live in

There is also a housing crisis in Canada right now. Africans need to return to Africa ASAP coz everything is about to change and life in the Diaspora will be hell with no heating during winter, no electricity, very expensive food. Africa is going to be the BEST place to live in the world. Let those who have ears to hear use them.

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.

When you immigrate, to get any Govt service like a Driving License, School admission, and even a job, you need a social security/insurance number. That number is pegged on your entry visa. If you are a visitor, you have to convince the Govt why they should let you work? If you are a student, it is limited the number of hours you work. Any employer is obligated to employ only those with credentials. If you are coming for work, like Nurses do, employers will have done your paperwork. Green cards are one legal way to immigrate. If you have legal papers, you make your way around without issues. Cost of living varies on location. As for skills, you need them, get them over time. There are good and bad stories, even locals who mess up end up in crap like an illegal immigrant would.

Most people have sold their souls to the devil in the name of living abroad esp canada, us, uk, austraila, germany etc. Let me tell you what they do, they go with visitors visa then go and surrender to government seeking asylum. They are told by their lawyers to say they are members of lgbtq and they are not accepted in africa. That way, cos wazungu wanapenda lgbtq people, they are given assylum. Isnt that selling ones soul?. My 24 years daughter had chance to go to canada and i would have afforded the agent and ticket but when we heard about the plans once she landed there, nilisema shidwe, i can NEVER SACRIFICE MY CHILD IN DEVILS ALTER FOR MONEY HOWEVER MUCH SHE WILL MAKE WHILE THERE. God made us born in Africa Kenya with a reason. He will prosper us here. Mimi siwezi omba God watoto and then i hand them over to devil for money, wacha ikae. Infact God honoured our faith and gave us a very good opportunity to make money here and shes doing better than some of those abroad. Heri kwa Mungu, hakuna hasara.

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.

Let me out of here. Would rather live in Moscow.