Close Reading

I'm Canadian. I was born here, raised here, and have lived here all my life. However, my parents are American (they came during the Vietnam war), and I have full dual citizenship. I could cross the border into the U.S., get a job, start working and live there for the rest of my life if I ever chose to do so.\n\nHowever, I will never live in the U.S. Why? The cost of healthcare insurance and healthcare in general is definitely a part of that, but another huge factor is the socio-political atmosphere down there that is very unappealing to me. Everything from politics, the gun issue, much higher violence than we have in Canada, more racism issues, the media, and from what I have observed from decades of visits to the U.S.: there just seems to be a lot more people that are on edge and hostile than I am used to compared to Canada as well. For me, the general culture and mindset is just not something I want to live amongst.\n\nThere are some things I enjoy in the U.S., and there ARE wonderful people there too. I have several friends in the U.S. (born and raised), not to mention my entire extended family is American. But for me, the U.S. is a nice enough place to visit, but it's not somewhere I'd ever want to live.\n\nNo matter what kind of trip I take to the U.S., whenever I get back home to Canada it's always like a deep sigh of relief. I feel safer. I feel more relaxed. I feel at home. No matter how good my trip was, when I set foot back on Canadian soil again I always get a feeling of humble gratitude that I live here. For me, other than the warmer weather and some of the sights the U.S. has to offer, I'm much, much happier in Canada. I feel very fortunate to live here.\n\nAs a side note, I have never found our public healthcare system here in Canada to be lacking whatsoever. Any healthcare I, or anyone else I know that has received any, has always been prompt, of excellent quality, and reassuringly delivered in a professional manner.\n\nAs an example, in 1994, my father had a seizure and it was discovered that he had a benign brain tumour that had to be removed. Not even a week later, he was booked for his surgery and he had his procedure. He was operated on by one of the top two neurosurgeons in North America at the time, he spent three weeks in recovery at the hospital, and he had months of rehab afterward. About 2 weeks later, he had another seizure (the last one he ever had), he stayed in another hospital for an additional two weeks.\n\nHowever, all of what I just mentioned, and I mean ALL of it, was paid for by our public healthcare system. All he had to do was show his healthcare card and sign a release form for his surgery, and that was it. Nothing more. There were literally ZERO bills, no insurance companies, no paperwork, no phone calls, and ZERO hassle. Nothing.\n\nAnd no, our family was NOT rich or privileged either. Just an average middle class family. However, my dad's neurosurgeon told us his surgery and all the months of care he received afterward would have cost $180,000 (in 1994!), and our family would have been out on the street if it wasn't for our healthcare system. My dad also had a very minor heart attack in 2007 which didn't require surgery, and he didn't have to pay a dime or do anything else other than show his healthcare card for that either. Since those two events, my father has lived a healthy, normal life thanks to our public healthcare.\n\nIn Canada, EVERYONE receives that kind of care, regardless of if they are a billionaire or they are homeless. Because that's the moral and ethical thing to do, and is just one of the many reasons why I plan on staying here.

I am Canadian, my husband is American. I moved to the USA 11 years ago. I live in a liberal state (by American standards) with little violence (by American standards). I like where we live and enjoy most of the people that I interact with. I would move back to Canada in a heartbeat. I must confess that I felt like I stepped back in time 20 years when I moved here - labor standards in the US are so behind the rest of the world (maternity leave, paid time off, job protections, etc). To a Canadian, US culture feels accepting of racism, violence, us vs them mentalities, gun culture, religious and political fanaticism. I still can’t get over how “normal” Americans think their healthcare system is…. most other countries think it is absolutely nuts! I have good insurance, but if I ever develop a serious illness….I will move back to Canada where I can attempt to keep my health AND still have a house to live in. On the surface, Americans and Canadians look alike - but I still feel the cultural differences every day. I’m sure that America feels safe and wonderful to Americans who grew up here - but it can be difficult for people who grew up with different values to agree that these things make America “great”.

You're a good guy, Tyler...and very brave to take on such a dicey subject as comparisons between Canada and The United States. We are two distinctly different cultures. Currently, America is more than frightening. The political system has really become a total mess. A two-party system (basically YES or NO) does not cater to the many grey areas of politics. The choice right now seems to be Fascist or Liberal. That's it! It was not like that during most of my professional life. Thanks to my job, I had a Green Card. But, I also could travel with little difficulty...especially in the South and Mid-West. Why? Well, because I had blonde hair, blue eyes and pale skin. I never got used to states where everyone was walking around with a gun. It scared the hell out of me. As a commercial film director and writer, (unique services - hence the Green Card) I worked just about everywhere in the US. The North East is the most similar to Canada. But get down south, and people were literally walking around with holsters and revolvers on their hips. I never felt completely safe. But America is also a great country full of opportunities and if you are educated and a professional, the money is also great. All Canadians love their Healthcare and Social Safety Net. Generally, I think Canadians are more socially evolved and better educated. Your educational system is awful. And the Bible Belt States are anything but Christian. It's hate and fear-based. But the past 7 years have been the worst since the Trump Cult era began. Trump and his Mega Cult could destroy what was once a wonderful country.

11 years ago a trip to the ER in Texas cost close to or more than the cost with insurance than a the cost for an ER visit in NS (for those out of country who are not covered by our provincial program). \n\nWe would pay $50 copay at the ER, then over. The next few days we would receive a bill for the physician, then from pharmacy, then from the facility, then from X-ray, etc, every separate department would have its own portion. \n\nAnd then there was the unpleasant surprise when the doctor who saw you in the ER was not an “in network” doctor even though the hospital was “in network”. Our insurance paid 70% of (approved) in network costs, but only 50% of out of network costs. Keep in mind that “in network” hospitals and providers had lower negotiated rates with the insurance companies. Which meant you would have coverage of 70% of a negotiated lower rate for in network but out of network was 50% of a higher rate.\n\nMy neighbours were lovely people. The culture was much different than I expected. The gun culture really hits you in face. For the first while it seemed to be so obvious - signs on pharmacies, hospitals, and schools that state that guns were not allowed, even with a conceal and carry permit. Very quickly, that became “normal”….\n\nFood was amazing. Gas was cheap. Politics was everywhere. Christian mega churches were everywhere - along with some very vocal overbearing people who force their beliefs and opinions on anyone who is near them. \n\nI was surprised with the number of people who felt it was appropriate to discuss religion, politics, and money with virtual strangers. A lot of very personal questions as well. I am guessing it is the difference between what is considered extremely rude in Canada, vs what is just a regular question in the US (or that area of Texas). \n\nAnd another very different thing was how hardly anyone swore. I had the bottom drop out of a bad carrying glasses when I was in San Antonio, the glasses broke, and I said “Shit.” I have never seen so many heads turn towards me. Most of the females looked at me with complete disgust and a lot of the males laughed. I expect that the American who heard me swear, were thinking I was the rudest person. One of my children’s friends was from Australia and when their mom came over one day, she said something to the effect of “so glad you are Canadian” because she sis not have to worry about offending me if she said fuck. That was a relaxing afternoon.

Immigration ruined this whole country. Our politicians have no care for their own people and instead love to pander to other cultures that have nothing to do with who Canadians are...

The only thing you have to remember leaving your home country and going to the west is that you are different not the people livng there... one should be prepared to adapt to Canadian culture.

Ok this is interesting. Someone needs to ask the following \n1. Did the gentleman own property before initially moving to Canada? \n2. What were his goals before moving to Canada ?\n\nPeople need to realize a country like Canada will not give you wealth but will provide you a space for growth. You will struggle If you don’t have the following \n1. Employable skills \n2. Personal integrity \n3. Ability to build a healthy social network \n4. Patience. It will take about 5yrs to adjust to the Canadian culture \n\nTo emphasize again, if your primary main goal is to create wealth quickly then forget Canada. You can create such wealth in your home country.

Same here in Montreal used to love this city still do but post C19 everything changed like everywhere housing crisis, politics, the cultural center it user to be changed maybe its just looking at it now at the start of my 30s compared to when i moved here from Europe and Central Africa at the start of my 20s. Met friends i have for life, got great professional opportunities lived in nice places great food in the city. Now everything is just super expensive now and i know toronto is must be ever crazier. Im considering moving back to France or Switzerland to be closer to my family and friends and also be close to Gabon easier to visit than here constantly taking 4 plains round trip everytime i go back home. After losing my father last year getting divorced 3 years ago i think my time here is done. 14yrs here i became an adult here had amazing experiences, became a canadian citizen but its just not the same anymore. Time for a new adventure somewhere else. We used to live well even back as a student on minimum wage, now with a better career good salary we’re struggling. Breaks my heart seeing this all over canada.

I have a chronic pain disability. I can't even fathom trying to manage that in the US healthcare system. Like Tyler mentioned, that alone is enough of a reason for me. 2 party system is also a hard no (even though it hurts that we're not much better right now). Gun culture is a no for me, it's not an environment I care to be a part of. I hesitate to use safety at school as an example because I remember when Taber followed on the heels of Columbine (I was in grade 9 that year). There's a lot up here in Canada that we need to improve, but with what I value as a Canadian I certainly would feel like I was downgrading if I moved to the US. Heck, as an Albertan even moving to another province would feel like a downgrade to me since I have no PST where I live, we're rat free, I live within an hour of the Rocky Mountains, etc.

I am a born Canadian with two other cultures in my family! ??????I always say look after the rent and the food first...a job doesn't cut it anymore!

Excuse me who force you to go Canada? \nEven doe if you’re in abroad respect others motherland and their culture if you can’t then go back to your home country why are you guys spreading negatives thoughts you guys are raised in a place were people used to interfere others life and causing drama aunty you can’t work at 56 good for you but hardworking women i’ve seen working in their 70s yeh to apka DOGLAPAN hai many of my white friends always praised about Indian culture they never said to me like India is to smelly full of cheap aunties like you just respect others values if you can’t then go back do you think any American or Canadian could stay in a environment like you live noway they will run away in 2days back to their home country at least they are not living like you for years and complaining to others country & their living standards

In my opinion, no regrets whatsoever if you do it for the children. Especially in a place like Canada where life is safer than the US. Also, l will choose Canadian education for my kids any day over Nigerian education. These types of families make sure to immerse their kids in both cultures, so as not to be strangers in their native land. They take the children back home for visits once a year, or once every two years. Once kids are grown, graduated and working, most often than not, these Nigerian immigrant parents go back to Nigeria to settle down.\nI mean, what's not to like?

I am so happy to be able to live, in my language and in my culture, in the magnificent city of Quebec. I'm not rich, but I have a magnificent three-story residence there in a beautiful neighborhood where vegetation abounds, where crime is almost non-existent, and above all where my daughter also lives with my grandson!\nIt would never occur to me to move to Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver or any other large Canadian city. On the other hand, I could do it in almost any human-scale city in Canada, the United States or Europe. Everyone to his own tastes !

I’m a Toronto born proud Canadian. And I DON’T agree with the immigration system. It’s stupid. Outright. Yes my parents are immigrants and I’m LUCKY to have been born here but it’s just a matter of no space and jobs suitable for the unaffordable housing crisis. It’s just a matter of people and space… That’s it. We aren’t animals that can comfortably live on farm land. We have massive condos here that are vacant because no one, especially not a millennial can afford it. Whatsoever. \n\nBut sure, I’ll probably be insensitive for saying that because it’s “racist”. When I really never cared to begin with. I love different cultures. I do. If anyone can vouch, it’s me. I can. I’ve seen how racist and cruel this world can be and I NEVER had a problem with people of different races growing up. Due to all of the stress, I can totally see and understand the concerns.

Canadian government has a major problem when you say TO is a melting pot of different cultures. They prefer you fluff it as mosaic of different cultures. I describe it as a cesspool of cultures. I moved out of TO decades ago to the Portland, OR and have zero desire to return to Canada.

Like you, I recently returned to Canada from living in Asia for years. I moved back to Vancouver, and the changes here were immense as well. Basically, the exact same issues Toronto is facing; unbelievably high prices, frayed social fabric, homelessness, crime. I had some pretty severe reverse culture shock coming from Seoul where you'd see none of this (Korea has its own unique issues though).\nI've decided to stick it out as my wife and I can make it work for now, but wouldn't recommend young Canadians, international students, TFWs or anyone who's trying to get a start on their professional life to come here. It's about as uninviting a place for your career as its ever been. Expect to live with two or three strangers in a one bedroom working at a job with low pay.\n\nIt sucks to see how far Canada has fallen. I never thought I'd see it in this state, but here we are.

Be it Indian, or any other nationality, international students in Canada are treated with respect and dignity. More importantly, international students are treated equally as the Canadian students without any prejudices. When studying in a Canadian university, you can also be well assured of your safety.\nCost: International students often have to pay higher tuition fees than domestic students, which can be a significant financial burden.\n\nCulture shock: Moving to a new country can be a challenging experience, and adjusting to a new culture can take time and effort.\nToronto's unique social environment creates both opportunities and challenges, particularly around issues that include homelessness, food insecurity, access to healthcare, social inclusion, and violence.

What you mentioned about in being in your 20s and trying to follow Bill Shatner down to Hollywood - very few actors strike the big time and that’s after a lot of work and if you’re ever on strike, your income wouldn’t last very long! Now you can be an independent content creator and reach more people than through the traditional path of moving to New York to get established in Broadway and then going to Los Angeles and hoping someone notices you and recruits you to a studio. About Toronto, it was once a gateway towards becoming Canadian. Not so much anymore. As a city it has all kinds of things to see, do, eat and be entertained yet its very expensive! Definitely not for the first time visitor and thanks for the overview of the financial and cultural capital of Canada!

I was just in Ontario and Quebec, last month with my 13 year old daughter. We talked with many native Canadians during our travels. \n\nThe common theme was too much immigration, without letting the natives feel comfortable about it, or giving time for the immigrants to assimilate. Besides cultural concerns, it really hurts schools, hospitals, and the cost of living. \n\nIt doesn’t appear that Trudeau has much concern for Canadians. I heard a lot of anger directed at him. Especially from eastern Indian immigrants—they were very upset about the forced inoculations. \n\nCanada was very much different than it was just a few short years ago. It’s very sad to see. Hopefully they can get some better direction than what they have now.

I am an immigrant from South Africa here in Edmonton since June of 2023. What the brother is saying is true. Canadians make no room for the human element in the workplace/environment. Everything is based on productivity at the expense of your humanity. They also treat workers as very expendable and disposable. The fact that they import so many foreign workers to do certain jobs is perhaps a reason why born Canadians no longer want to put up with the exploitation (I don't know if this is the true reason though).\n\nCanada is very convenient, and public services and infrastructure are amazing compared with South Africa. But the rest of the culture is very sterile. Tim Hortons, Starbucks, and Ice Hockey are considered cultural identities. Maybe the older generations had a distinctive culture, but most Canadians of today's are only interested in consumerism and the car lifestyle. If you are looking for people with warmth and depth, you will most likely find it with fellow immigrants (and maybe the poor and marginalized communities of Canada).\n\nCanada is a very safe country, and South Africa may not be worth it for me to return to. But the strongest element I thought for coming to Canada was that people here appreciated life and each other. This is not true. Canada is 'stable and happy' because the people are intoxicated by the comfort that material wealth provides the individual (despite all their complaints and problems, most Canadians still lead very comfortable and easy lives). Take away their comfort and materialism, and they won't know who they are. They won't know how to stand together either since they have been so strongly conditioned to live for themselves as individuals.\n\nCanadians are known for their politeness and friendliness, and this is true. But there is a big difference between politeness and kindness (and being genuine). Canadians are not kind.\n\nMy opinion is obviously limited and biased. I am sure there are wonderful and pleasant exceptions. But I will still limit these as exceptions. \n\nThink hard before choosing Canada (and perhaps also the USA). Unless you have a strong community to support you here, it will be a lonely and alienating experience.

Canada is a beautiful country in the summer but I've been in nicer countries and cities in Europe. After living in Germany for a few years as a child I struggled to find anywhere in Canada that even compares, and the closest I came was southern BC where you pay a premium to live in a relatively nice climate that most people around the world take for granted. That's not even getting into how Victorian Canadian culture feels compared to Europe.

I left Canada 15 years ago, initially with the perception that Canada by and large did everything better than everywhere else. I found our quickly that this was absolutely not the case, with Canada’s shortcomings being easily apparent. As I visited “home” every year the downhill trajectory was more and more apparent, to the point where I would have no desire to go back if not to visit family. Canadian health care is mediocre, transit is inefficient, culture and quality of life are virtually non-existent. Get out while you can people, there is nothing in Canada that you can’t find better elsewhere.

You need to stick it out through the hard times. Things get better over time you are able to understand Canadian culture in depth, develop skills and create opportunity for yourself.

The issue is Canada is being too selective with the countries they are taking from ( only two India and china), but it's racist to say that, the two countries with the most people in the world.... would overlap the amount of Canadians in the country with only sending like 2% of their population.... why are we immigrating a unlimited amount of people from countries that can over right our populations 1000x over. So all the other countries and cultures who want to have their families come to Canada will be pushed back over selective immigration. \n\nIf you wondered why Jagmeet buckled under the great ruler... i would argue this is why. This is reality not racism. Hard working 1st gen immigrants, or Fully born Canadian Indians that i know struggle, because this country didn't allow them to settle in with all their hard work, because they kept the door open and kept letting people in without making sure the economy can handle it

Forgot to mention that it may be challenging raising the kids since it’s no longer education being taught but political correctness and white liberal theology masked as sympathetic political jargon meant to shield you from the fact that all Canadians are being turned into tax slaves by narcissistic sociopaths who believe they are saving the masses. You should also not contradict their views with your cultural or religious upbringing since this could get you in trouble with your job or who knows what else. Life here is becoming tough for ALL not just immigrants and those in charge are doing it purposely thinking it’s a good thing.

As a Canadian now living in Arizona who is a retiree I simply love the weather and I have some wonderful friends. I prefer to be here and enjoy the snow free areas and amazing weather. That said I had an appendicitis operation on easter weekend. Even with medicare and a supplemental insurance I will be paying about 2600.00 U.S. I still have a totally Canadian worldview for the most part and simply have to keep quiet most of the time when it comes to discussions about things going on here. ie. Red vs Blue. I recognize that I am in a foreign culture and for example the passion for guns is a odd odd concept for me. Growing up hunting and owning guns makes me even more puzzled. ie. guns are for harvesting game. period. As long as I remember that American culture has some really odd things about it. (I draw the comparison to some nation abroad that believes in female circumcision or something) then I am fine. I tend to be easy going about it all and I survive fine here.

This is so one-sided. Please go and talk to immigrants who have successfully made Canada home. \n\nPlease go and talk to immigrants who have successfully settled in canada. \n\nI immigrated to canada 20 years ago, and i have never regretted my choice.\n\nAre your immigrant children's facing discrimination ? \n\nThe canadian culture is different. If you come to canada, learn to adapt to different communities far from yours and enjoy the rich cultural blend we offer here in canada.

What I think. as a Canadian, makes us proud, and other wanting to move here, is our laid back, don't give a SHIT (until you make us) attitude. Where it is less populated we get to know our neighbours better as well. It's easy to negatively judge someone's religion, culture, etc... if you do not know them. :-)

Speaking as a Canadian, I couldn't imagine moving to the US. Gun violence, crowds, lack of health care, the prison industry, elected judiciary, heavily polarized politics, racism, the preference for individualism over tactfulness and shunning of people on social assistance are cultural elements I couldn't endure. Despite the fact the weather's often much better, lower air fares or cell rates, abundant shopping choices, interesting places to visit and the friendliness of most Americans, it's a hard no. We already have enough American influence here and sadly, I live in an area led by ignorant politicians who'd like to adopt us policies.

Tyler, I agree that you may be too desensitized to the gun violence in your country. I grew up in Canada in the culture where we, as children, were not allowed to play with toy guns as it represented unacceptable violence. I'm 61 years old and have never held a gun nor seen one outside of in the holster of a police officer. Guns with their associated violence is shocking to us. It's a cultural thing and we like it that way. It's really too bad we Canadians have been so easily exposed to the shocking violence of US TV shows. No strategic seeking of the 'right' place to live in the US is going to change the shock effect the gun violence has on our being. It's very scary and we are not as easily sensitized to it.

The only reason I can think of any Canadian wanting to move to the States is for a warm winter. Many do for 6 months at a time, but have to stop at some point because the insurance becomes too expensive. Our culture in Canada is very different. I worked with a man from Tennessee who went back there for his family once his kids were grown. He came back 4 years later wanting a job, couldn't take the crime

No offence, but your reaction to school shootings and abortion are a big reason why most Canadians will say no. The passive tolerance for the abhorrent stance of a lot of US culture and policy is mind-boggling, and that's with the good people. The crazies are still out there too and the crazies seem to be pushing a lot of the policy and culture these days and too many good people get swept up in it.

I grew up in India and moved to Canada despite having family in the U.S. because I did not want to go through the shit show that is American immigration. That said, with the housing situation and generally how expensive things are in Canada, after 15 years, despite being a tech. worker, I decided to leave the country. I moved to Japan and despite the shrinking economy and demographic woes, I feel quite relieved to be out of the unsustainable shit show that is Canadian housing. Not to mention the weather, the absence of any dynamism in society or its culture, plus many other factors. It's been over a year now since I'm out and I frankly don't see myself going back unless there is a sustained correction in housing prices.\n\nFurthermore, I think immigrants don't understand how exploitative the Canadian economy can be towards newcomers. The problem with living in Canada vs. the U.S. is not comparable really at the level of immigration. Canadian immigration is easier but the problems of living in a smaller, less economically and culturally dynamic, more expensive, colder country never go away despite you having quickly received the opportunity to settle.

Just as a correction to some of the comments, Canada is not referred to as a ‘melting pot’ - it is referred to as a ‘mosaic’. The US uses the term melting pot’ as it is believed that you put everyone into a pot to create one type of citizen, while Canadians us a ‘mosaic’ to reference we are a diverse ground of citizens that, when put together, forms a picture (a culture).

The vast majority of these immigrants are not high skilled labour. People need to realise that the only reason Canada is doing this is because its birth rate is so low, they’ve said it many times. They are literally replacing their population and Canadian culture is dying along with it. Canada will be known more and more for being America’s hat if this continues and it will no longer survive as country. All at the cost of actual Canadians. The same thing is sadly happening in Australia. Oh yeah, not to mention 90% of these immigrants are settling in like 5 urban areas. You can tell this is a recipe for disaster.

Newcomers are given less opportunity to grow is a hidden and bigger issue that the Canadian government misses to understand. It will definitely affect the Canadian image worldwide. There is not any defined culture that leads country youth to betterment for sure, drugs, robbery, and smoking are common in the culture .people don't have good food habits too.

This is not a secret weapon for the Canadians it is a ticking time bomb which is going to blow up in their Collective faces. A nation should have strict laws on who can immigrate there and who can become citizens. It is their right to control their borders. Polymatter seeks denigrate the citizens of the United States for wanting to protect our borders. Let's see if he criticizes Asian countries for the same practice. Try to get citizenship in Singapore or Malaysia. America as a Melting Pot has low immigration to give immigrants time to assimilated to the American way of life so that they can fuse the best of their culture with ours. A Melting Pot does not mean wholesale immigration without limits Canada's lax immigration policy means people will inevitably seek out their own cultures and former countrymen and integration halts.

To be clear, the moment Trudeau is out of power; most people here expect the amount of immigration, to crash. Canadians want our resources to go into helping true Canadians, people born in Canada; who prefer Canadian rights, culture & history. Trudeau has instead been handing out Canadian wealth out of the country in massive amounts. This is just part of why most Canadians now hate him.

I think the US system is a bit too strict, but having been to Toronto and Vancouver, I’m sorry but the degree of immigration there is too much to allow for assimilation of cultures into a monolithic Canadian culture (which is essential for a nation imho). The US has a stronger unified culture despite being multiethnic - plus it’s services/housing are not under strain like in Canada.

I have mixed feelings about this video. This video does a good job outlining the immigration process but it does not highlight any of the negative consequences of immigration that Canada is experiencing. One of the main reasons why cost of living is so high in Toronto and Vancouver is precisely because we have so many immigrants coming in without enough housing supply. This is by design because politicians and the upper class have a vested interest in keeping real estate prices high because so much of their net worth is tied up in the housing market.\n\nAnother negative is that employers hire immigrants working low skilled jobs and pay them less than Canadians because the immigrants are willing to be taken advantage of since they're just happy to have a job in Canada which pays better than their country. \n\nAnother myth that gets repeated is that Canadian takes immigrants out of compassion and unfortunately a lot of Canadians believe this. It was never about compassion, it's about bringing more people to 1) pay taxes to support our social welfare as Canadian birth rates decline and boomers retire, 2) keep housing costs high and 3) pay immigrants lower wages for the same work because immigrants are fine being exploited since they have a job in a first world country.\n\nAnother problem is the cultural shift. In the most immigrant-dense regions you'll find that many immigrants themselves surprisingly don't want more immigrants coming to Canada because they see these negative consequences. The people who are most pro-immigration have no problem cramming 8+ people in a basement and exploiting their labour because they make enough money to live in communities that immigrants can't afford, and so they don't have to deal with the cultural shift that's taking place. This is NOT the fault of immigrants, but rather the politicians who put economic growth over quality of life. Over HALF the people in the GTA weren't born in Canada, so they didn't go through our school system and have no connection to our culture. Canada is unfortunately going to become very racist over the next 10-20 years as Canadians start feeling like outsiders in their own country. It's somehow considered racists to criticize the effect of multiculturalism on social unity, yet the cultures we accept in Canada only became distinct cultures because of monoculturalism.

This explains the degradation of Canadian culture.

Canadians are being replaced and they will do absolutely nothing to stop it. Your culture will die with this generation.

As a Canadian, the biggest thing that is an issue is no universal health care. The second big issue is your nut bar gun culture. We have issues in Canada no doubt, but overall I would prefer to stay in my own country. I have been to the US a countless number of times, everywhere from Vermont to Hawaii. There are some nice places and people, but the political climate religious nut cases and gun culture have even turned me off of visiting the US.

Tyler's reaction to Canadian fears about school shootings throughout this is that this is a big city problem, and if you move to a small town, you'll be safe and not have to worry about it. So, I got curious, and looked up the population of Sandy Hook, home to one of the most famous (feels gross to describe such a tragedy that way) school shootings. It has a population of less than 10,000 people. What is a small town to Tyler, because 10,000 people seems pretty small to me?\n\nAs a Canadian, I was utterly flabbergasted going into a US pawn shop and them just having a gun room. Enough guns to arm a small army. Hunting rifles. Handguns. Even one that looked like some kind of assault rifle. You can get guns in Canada, but at like, a hunting store, with proper licencing. The fact that you could go to a pawn shop and just...browse the guns there is so alien to me. Every country that has tighter gun control has fewer school shootings, and shootings in general. Like, shootings still happen here, but not to the same extent they do in America. American gun culture enables them because they both make guns so readily available, and have a culture that celebrates gun ownership in a way other cultures, like my Canadian culture, do not. I think our last school mass shooting was in the eighties? So, if I lived in the US, I don't think I'd be afraid to send my kid to school, but it would be way more of a concern than it is here, where I don't even consider the possibility of that happening at all.

The gun culture is insane, i would never move to the states, i do not wish to be shot. I would never visit the states for any reason.\nEdit, Canadians HAVE guns. My 63 year old mother in law bought a shot gun for her hikes, cuz bears and cougars. Grandpa is a marksman and at age 87 STILL competes in shooting competitions and regularly wins.\nThe problem is how Americans FEEL about guns. They are toys, they are something they are entitled to.\nAmericans are armed, ready, and just WAITING to use their guns on an intruder to defend themselves.

Canadian here. I’ll never forget visiting Disneyworld and hearing the people sitting across from me complain they weren’t allowed to bring their guns into the park. They didn’t get why it was an issue. It was horrifying and mind blowing. It’s that part of America gun culture that makes me very sure I’d never move there. I know it’s not all Americans, but knowing an American family is out there annoyed they can’t bring weapons into a family theme park is enough.

I’m with my fellow Canadians, I’ll visit the US (although even then, it’s beginning to look less and less ideal) but over my dead body would I live there. \nThe fact you have become desensitized and don’t discuss school shootings is baffling. 4 or 5 years ago, there was a shooting where I live in Canada. The whole city was on lock down. I believe one elderly woman died, and 3 were injured. The person was caught, arrested, and is rotting away in jail. It hasn’t happened since. People still remember it. My little sister and I were scared, so we hid in my bedrooms closet. (It was on the second floor, and there was no way anybody could break in and get up there easily.)\n\nHealthcare is a huge issue. My family has a long line of health issues, and with that in mind, the risk is just to obscene.\n\nI am a woman. The fact that laws are being stripped away from us by old white men who have no idea what it is like to be a woman in the states is horrifying. \n\nGun culture. It’s near-on impossible or at least it’s incredibly difficult to get guns here. Owning guns isn’t respected. When people die from being shot, it’s remembered and spoken about, even years later. At least to me, it seems you care more for your Guns and the rights to own and use them, then Women who want to have bodily autonomy.\n\nYour political issues. I don’t even know what to say at this point beyond. The entire senate is rich old straight white men who like to make laws about groups they aren’t part of, and strip laws away from others. You basically have two polar opposite sides of the political spectrum and that alone, divides people so deep they can’t even be in the same room for more then 10 seconds.\n\n\nI’m Part of the LGBTQIA2S+ community. Enough said. \n\nI’m well aware that not everyone in the US is like this. But in my eyes, that’s more then enough to deter me. I’m glad you decided to take a look at this, and see our reactions to the questions. And I’m glad you didn’t take offence to the harsh or bitter answers. Sure Canada isn’t perfect, but it’s better in enough ways to keep me much preferring staying here.

The US does have a higher pay... but for me to go live in the US the pay would need to be so much that I'd be a millionaire in a few years. Just the rather laid-back culture of Canadian compared to a lot of other countries makes me much happier in Canada than the US (and I like the cold, so a lot of climates in the US wouldn't be to my liking either).\n\nEdit: And just fyi, the child mortality rate of being shot in the US is 3.7 to every 100,000 children in 2021. Canada, which is second mostly due to how closely tied the two country are, is at less than 1, and most other advanced countries are less than half that (with Germany at about 0.1).

As a Canadian I don't mind paying a little more tax to enjoy universal health care. I despize Republicans and their gun culture. D. Trump has ruined America for me and divided the country too much.

As a Canadian living in north western Ontario at the north west of lake superior about 50 miles from the boarder. I would move to the United states if given choice of state like Alaska, Montana, and maybe Texas. no real reason i can enjoy guns here but not all the guns i would like to own are legal in Canada anymore for weird reasons, and if it was the states of my choosing i would still have enough free space to get lost in and enjoy nature with fishing or hunting. If I couldn't pick were i lived in the US I would say not at all do to the vast differences in culture state to state county to county and even times down to street to street.