Close Reading

Thanks Lynn for bringing this up. I am a Kenyan living in Canada. You highlighted the most important thing- due diligence. There are a lot of people that come here with a promise of a better life and the notion is that it’s instant. I want to confirm to you that it’s better life, but it’s not instant. You have to put in the work and prove your worth. You have to gain Canadian experience to get a decent job. Also be ready to go back to school and upgrade your skills. There are jobs here zinaitwa Trades. These are the jobs that we don’t value at home but pay amazingly well here. Construction, Electricians, Plumbers, Mechanics, Carpentry, Welding, Hairdressers, Tailors.. Those are very valued skills here- if you can invest in learning these trades but pia ukikuja hapa you have to convert your certs to Canadian ones by doing an exam or going back to school . If you are into office jobs, make sure you have market relevant skills that align to this country. Be ready to embrace the digital revolution and mpende hesabu. Accounting is very much valued here. The secret is be ready to start from the bottom, be ready to upgrade yourself, be ready to work like you’ve never worked before… You will make it eventually .. Mungu mbele! \nI am confirming that we are going through a recession here and as per the market trends, it’s only going to get worser until we get to a point of stabilization. The housing market is crazy, food costs and gas (fuel)costs are off the roof .. it’s not easy. So if you have a good job in Kenya, hold onto it for now until things get better ( due diligence /research) .. Make sure you have the right visa that allows you to work here. That visitors visa theory is not working anymore. \nOverall Canada is a good country with lots of opportunities but it’s not for the faint hearted. \nLastly, be prepared for the harsh winters and days of severe loneliness- Si lakini ni life? Kila nchi ina challenges zake. God bless!

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.

When I came here in Canada 33 years ago, I went do in legal process,My first employer offered me a job offer to come here in Canada,I went to whole legal process here,but I obeyCanadian law to have legal working visa ,and since day one paying taxes ,i earn my hard work after 30 years and receive early pension and still work in a full time job, My advice to illegal migrants follow what Canadian laws and go through legal process and crossing the right border to pass Not to way try find asylum to be free in every thing, in tax payers money.

I would suggest if anyone is thinking of moving away from home and especially to Europe of the US to do the research, get the know the pro and cons of that country, don't go there cause someone told you it's a nice country to go. And when one comes, get to know the rules and regulations of the country,how taxes works, either you go back and get educated, don't just come and start working without the government knowing that you exist, pay taxes, all I can say life abroad is not easy, but one can make it, if you do the right things, and remember someone else's opportunities are not yours,so find what works for you.

I came to America like 6 years ago and I can attest that as they say yuesi is a land of opportunities it truly is,I didn’t come with the right documents as they say I came through visit visa so I had to follow the procedures that were required and within a very short time I was able to stand on my feet and found a job that was providing well for my family and myself and when I mean provide I was able to educate my 3 kids through university and daystar university and still be able to acquire some property all this being said and done am not very educated so it’s not about education it’s just being given a chance to do what I can do.have seen very old people who understand very little English going to school and doing the exam in health care,they are given an option of bringing someone who will interpret for you with the language you understand better my friend did her exam in kikuyu na akapita and so many others so I can confidently say this is land of opportunities.

1. Canada's immigration is primarily skilled labour. Non- skilled labour is imported mostly from the Carribean countries especially Jamaica and you have to leave every year and come back in the next. So, that can be disruptive, but I've met Jamaican's who've been on those programs and done well as well as those who haven't.\n2. If you come to Canada illegally utakipata. Be prepared to hustle for long.\n3. Since Covid everything has become very expensive especially housing. \n4. The videos you've shown of people sleeping outside is because of an increase in the influx of refugees wanting to come to Canada. Refugee shelters are allocated money in the budget for what the Govt estimates will be the number of refugees they'll take in, but there's been an influx lately.\n- A point to note though, ALL refugees Canada received from Ukraine had jobs within 2 months. Why? very skilled labour.\n- Canada's refugee policy is much more lenient than in the US and thus most refugees have been coming to Canada even from the US. The US ones have since been blocked by an agreement signed by both countries.\n5. Are there jobs in Canada? YES, but they require certain skills. The good thing is that once you get one, its the beggining of good fortunes.\n6. If you have skilled qualifications, be prepared to start at a lower level than you are used to and claw your way up. Just don't expect to start where you left off. A Nigerian friend of mine who had performed several surgeries in Nigeria could not be hired until he went back to get certified here in Canada. He has since joined the medical field after going back to school.\n\nAll in all, research, research, research before you make any move.

As a tradesman I can tell you the majority of guys working in Toronto don't live there. I knows some crews that come from 2 to 3 hours away and stay in hotels Monday thru Thursday then head home for the weekend. These guys earn 6 figure incomes but with kids and other regular expenses they can't afford toronto living. As for the daily situation on the streets its a manifestation of terrible management. Fiscally toronto is broke. Yet city hall is enamored with wokism and virtue signaling while people die on the streets in random knife attacks, drug overdoses, gunfire and suicides. They look the other way and spend rheir time pandering to special interest groups and professional activists. So....after living here for 40 plus years my assessment is it's going to get worse much much worse. Arrogance and lack of guts to fix problems will lead toronto down a path similar to Baltimore, or Detroit. It'll take years but it's going that way.

Kenya is a good country but not under the hands of a criminal minded illegitimate president like Ruto. This country will continue going down due to inept leadership from the top and corrupt leaders under the presidency protection. Keep an eye on that and kenyans will.keep on leaving if poor illegal leadership does not come to an end

Hi Lynn, I have lived in Canada since 2004, and my family and are happy. This is the truth about Canada\n1. You can’t get rich quick in canad\n2. You must have good education from Kenya, that you can upgrade here withi a one ir two years.\n3 . You must have resilience and humility to be want you want to be.\n4. You must work harder here, no parties no skimping work or going to work late.\n5. When you come to Canada and you don’t have skills, don’t waste time, go back to college.

Hello Dear; My fellow Kenyans do research and read a lot about the Laws and policies of that country before you make a step or move; Outside here; No short cart I am in one country in Europe I did my application for self-employment/ work permit/residence permit\nThen I was told to wait for 7 months - to 1 year for my application to be terminated not in Kenyan but in this county I am currently; After waiting for 1 year, I received an email from the embassy that my application was approved to apply again for a VISA to come and collect my ID = Now am legally in Europe I can move anywhere without fear and also can do any business in Schengen Area, I can go to Kenya anytime I want and come back anytime I want, This country is very rich and productive, peaceful, Clean, life affordable government regulates everything, the population is 8.9+, and the services are top class and are among the top in Europe map, however, you shall never here them shouting. Is about being wise and doing due diligence.. as well as calculating and taking your time. Good things don't come when you rush.

Every country in the whole world got opportunities but Kenyans wants short cuts and that's why they're conned by fake Agencies in kenya and they end sleeping on streets. If you want to come use the right channel and you will never regret. Fake Agencies in kenya they don't give a damn about anybody whether you're going to die or not so long as they make their money. They will even sell you off to Arab countries. Apply the necessary jobs for yourself don't be lazy.

@lynn ngugi am a ambitious going to Canada just for greener pastures in terms of professional practice based on my scope of training since one factor remains that in Europe counties there is excellent payment complared to our African countries full of greedy leader who just mind their stomachs and barely care about proper wages for everyone else.a mistake comes in by trying to enter Europe to gamble and hope to get a job without proper channes for travelling.

I wouldnt even consider going back. After driving matatus, hustling as a transport driver na degree kenya cant even consider going back home. If you come through the right channels you will make it.

Lynn, this Canada thing is a common sense thing. Same reason a Tanzanian will not come to kenya to sell tomatoes on the streets due to high competition on the field. Any country you move to it depends on what you will go to do and who will help you get on your feet. Canada is extremely beautiful and one can prosper extremely well financially compared to kenya BY FAR! But you can’t come from the village and land in Toronto and wait for a job and opportunity to come get you from the airport! Am very honest. I live abroad, in one of the richest countries in the world and believe me, I have seen even their own citizens suffering economically. Why? What are their skills and plans and expectations? I read somewhere, with all the wealth in the world, if all was to be shared equally to every one the universe, the rich will become rich and the poor poor -again. So a kenyan should first plan who they will live with for atleast a year while they get on their feet, put their hustle mood on n be willing to take any jobs, plus get out of the mentality that one must be in a big city! Other places outside cities really have low costs of life and offer more opportunities. Just saying

Lynn the problem is people don’t make their own research. Even if you show this, people are going to still go there Lynn. Just like the girls who go to the the Arabic countries even when they see what happens to the girls who go there. People are desperate and just hope for the best I guess. But all countries are struggling after the pandemic ? and some are also struggling with the people coming in illegally with boats. Europe and the USA are struggling with thousands of people coming in daily, which means the governments have to support all these people before their cases are being worked on. So they are working hard to send people back that are not coming from a country with war. Also means the jobs that don’t demand high education are on very competitive. Canada and some of the developed countries only want highly educated people with skills. Who can start working right away and contribute to the society of course through paying taxes and taking care of their families. But the struggle is real.

The truth is Canada USA uk this countries are going down because of the influx of immigrants seeking asylum, they have tried years and years taking in people.\nThe living conditions have collapsed and everything has just become expensive.\nPeople back in Africa need to understand that when we tell you not to come to the west is because we’ve experienced hardships and are trapped. \nIt’s easy to get in but difficult to come out,so it’s better you don’t enter at all because now you face challenges of exiting. \n\nIf you’re doing well at home, have a car a house/piece of land and a stable job, stay at home, don’t make the same mistake that some of us made and now we’re trapped.\nOn the other hand if you’re unemployed and young you may come and test the waters.\nJust so you know , it’s not easy being a foreigner.

Blessings are not abroad,but where God is,but Africans we still believe nothing good can come out of our continent,,i give God all the glory and honor, He has given me so much without struggling,,not that I work hard or smart ,but the bible verse that says He gives us strength to make wealth,makes so much sense now,,may God bless our sister and brothers in diaspora,God bkess the work of your hands,and may you nevwr go empty and come back empty,,

Lynn some of these people say it is a trap but if you ask them why they are still in Canada, they won't tell you. He left Canada and was back after 7 years. Why not buy the properties in his country. Why go back to Canada to buy those properties? For some reason I feel bad that those who have gone have found a way of discouraging those who aspire to be there yet themselves don't want to leave. I am yet to meet a Kenyan in the streets of Kenya who will tell me that he/she came back because Canada, US, or Canada is a trap. They all say that in the streets of Canada. And those who come back, benefit a lot from the knowledge and money they made while in Canada,US, Australia, or UK. I think it's too much now.

I just think there is alot of problems where kenyans are concerned\n\n1. Rely on fake agents and their short cuts. There are accredited agents from developed countries who source in africa and asia but not the other way round. These are sometimes listed on official government websites. \n\n2. Don't fully undertand skills. They think acdemic papers and some random corporate jobs equals skills. Lets call skills, trades and ICT expertise; carpenters, plumbers, nurses, teachers have a better chance than some bank manager in Kenya. \n\n3. Rely too much on youtubers with random clips on things they need to train in like nursings and such over a short period then land in Canada and get a job. It doesn't work like that. First of all, has canada said they need Kenyan nurses? Immigration in developed countries is based on policy. So even when they give visas, they know what they are doing and who they are letting in and for what jobs. \n\n4. Do not go to official government websites to confirm random research and advice\n\n5. Are still dishonest and think it's about trickery and knowing people. Well, not always. At least be able ans willing to yo flip burgers and clean toilets if it comes to that!?\n\n6. There is no affordable housing in developed countries. They too are struggling on that front.\n\n7. Last but not least, kurukwa na host..yes, betrayal from a Kenyan and that of Judas Isacriot ni bumper to bumper\n\nLynn, harusi tunayo ama tulikuwa nayo? ?????

First of all, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you Lynn! Continue being the good person you are boo❤️. \nHere are my two cents on this matter: Not only in Canada, but people who get an opportunity to come abroad, should \n1: Know where you are going before you get there (stop doing things out of desperation). Know where you are going to work, know your host company, if you can’t find out by yourself, please ASK people who have been there, they can help you. \n2: Use appropriate agents (can you use eligible organizations instead of these one to one agent’s?) \n3: Make sure you follow the government procedures guys!!! (This keeps you on a safer place!!!!!!) many people skip this in the name of ‘janja janja’ just to get there. But if you follow the procedures and do the paperwork, guys huwezi tu kuenda mahali.\n4: KNOW YOUR HOST COMPANY! (Do research ? make sure it’s a legal company), UNDERSTAND YOUR CONTRACT before you choose to travel. Please this is very important. You can seek deep information about what you are going to do, information is everywhere guys. SEEK information. Many people just want to go ‘majuu’ but they don’t seek information yawa??‍♀️\n5: Lower your expectations (you can’t just blossom in two months). Usikuje na idea at ohhh I will be investing home blah blah! Manze, pia huku kuna bills, the rents, the TAXES, you still need to eat and your whole welfare! \nAnd don’t go majuu thinking things are easy there, NOOO guys It’s never easy! People just SURVIVE ?.

There are families in Canada that have been here for generations that have been taxed so hard all their lives. And don’t live near any colleges or universities. That can’t afford to go to school. Why should international students come first here????? That’s right. There is No Reason!!!!!!!

You mentioned lots of things but I think all countries have better than Toronto. Whoever come Canada those not important for them example you mentioned Highpark .Our country has 1000 parks better than High park. I moved here when Stepen Harbert priminister that time.He is the man made very better Canada .After this party come power all of them go down. Now you can see worst and worst scenario going on

The immigrants in the 1800s didn't come like this. How dare they storm our back door. Don't we call the police when an intruder breaks in? These people are intruders, criminals, not immigrants. They need to go to jail.

Rising rental prices are primarily due to huge numbers of immigrants flooding the city. I am not against immigration as I was a migrant myself. But there should be a control of how much should be coming in as there is only a finite number of housing or rental units available. If many are scrambling for a finite resource, chances are prices will go up just like the law of supply and demand.

Wait & watch crisis coming u will never see the 2008 market we heading for. Depression if depression happened we will not cover the cost of asset until 14 years because this fake mortgage approval still going through we will see higher interest rate for 40 years 2005 time gone it will bust one day

Is the whole Mexico coming through? Where are te going?

be prepared for 20 years of slavery REAL SLAVERY before we can re-sustain economy with robots..... hyper inflation economic great depression x5... its coming they are purposefully orchestrating it also.... this mass immigration is insanely bad for americans and canadians the fact still nothings being done about it shows..... they dont care... if they can short stocks betting will go down they will..... if they can cause housing crisis like never before to keep their housing market from collapsing the billionaires 1000 propertys then they will

Sad thing is, you guys are the forerunners of what is already coming in other places. \nI can say and confirm Sydney-Australia, is going down the EXACT SAME PATH. We dont have the refuge problem experienced in Canada and really adds up to the problem, however real estate speculation has totally de railed and it's spinning out of control. At least the canadian government is trying to fo something aboit it. Here, government hasn't even tried, and no one is expecting them to do something serious to resolve it.

I currently pay $734.96 per month for my bachelor apartment in Parkdale, Toronto. All inclusive. I found the place in 2015, and it started at $660.00 per month. It's a smaller building where I know most of my co-tenants. Quiet neighbourhood most of the time. I've been one of the lucky ones for sure. I love this city! I'm from Peterborough and I will never move back. Some of the best memories of my life have been here. But you're right Alina, it has changed. Much like most other major cities in the world. The economic hardships being the #1 issue. Rent going up, wages staying the same, and inflation not slowing down. But with Toronto, the transit system is far behind the progress of cities like New York. Toronto should have multiple subway lines going east and west. Queen St. and Dundas lines for sure. The overall culture of the city is not as vibrant as it was during the 2010s. That could be Covid related. Or things are taking awhile to come back to pre-Covid form. But a lot of great venues and restaurants have been shutting down. And being replaced with the construction of condos. The real estate is insane here. It feels like things have gone downhill since the Raptors won the NBA championship in 2019. Because that really united everyone when there were a million people gathered for the parade. I'm hoping things turn around and there's more affordable housing for newcomers. I know I'm staying here for a while longer. Because of my cheap rent. And career attachments to the city. Great job on the video! ?

Pls let us hear word, if you cant keep up, go back to nigeria na, stop discouraging those that want to come. We are sick of you all bullshit of its hard this and that, person no dey waka one hour for lagos? U dey talk 15 minutes.

Chorkor pls is it propre to apply for a student visa and seek for Asylum at at the same Time just to maximise your chances so that at that which ever one that Comes first you go for it?

I am outraged!! Why is someone on the most wanted list able to come and live here so easily? What about national security and keeping the public safe? Meanwhile, those who are hardworking and want to reunite with their love ones have to go through so many obstacles to come here. This is absolutely ridiculous!

We are literally seeing every day that the Canadian govt. has no clue who is coming and going in this country.

I feel for the people who go there with no other choice but given a choice be in your country ,this is very humiliating,there was a time when these countries were poor and there will come a time when other will have their share

Good let them all go back to wherever they came from, and come back legally

The American naive believe everything that fits your narrative. You think media is being truthful showing you migrants in mass lol go back and slow it down look good into the crowd and ask why white people in the crowd blacks too . \nYou see this clip then you hear your leaders confirm thousands coming cross border.and there you have it . A\n manipulation of the people. Again\nThe American naive society. \nC'mon citizens lie after lie after lie\nThey never give the public truth always\nA narrative. I bet most of y'all still think we're looking for weapons of mass.

Go to a Scandinavian country and see how you'll be treated there. Smh. There is a huge Nigerian community in Ontario and other parts of Ontario. All I ever hear is complaints from refugees and immigrants. Meanwhile you guys are treated better than ppl who have been here 40 years or more. As well as Canadians who are actually born here. When Caribbean ppl came here 40 years ago they had it really hard. Nigerians and others don't. If it's so bad here for you then go somewhere else. African ppl and other groups are handed a lot when they come here. If I go to live in Nigeria for example will I get any help whatsoever from you're govt? Let's be honest. No I won't

If an African professional from Nigeria regrets coming to Canada you that you've come to frozen outhouse that simply won't give you the opportunity to make your dreams come true. European immigrants that come to Canada end up going back home because the cost of living will overwhelm your income and maintain you in poverty. Only immigrants from the most destitute countries want to remain, but once too many of them congregate in a place the social environment becomes just the same as the place they come from. Welcome to Canada LOL!!!

So tired of this… this could be the destruction of the US… all for the purpose of ensuring votes for the next generation … watch over this year and for years to come the push to allow all these illegals to be able to vote. I was in Brownsville, TX almost 2 years ago and the illegal traffic was bad then. Biden will go down as the worst President in the History of the US. … and we’ll have a supposed 80 million voters to point to. The USA is a joke around the world right now as leader. Biden = pathetic joke.

We can't let these crimes continue. If india wants to take out criminals, ask for extradition. They can't just come and go like we are their mom.\nWe need to start investing more heavily into our national security.

Go to Canada and then make your way to the USA like so many people do!… It’s so much better there when it comes to the weather, the opportunities, the choices and the wages. As a matter of fact, the wages in the U.S. are way higher if you are a skilled and/or degreed individual.

Im really afraid of whats coming next ,this country is going crazy please canadians lets unit

It’s simple: if the institution has the word college in it- you are being screwed. Your degree is worth toilet paper in Canada’s working world. The only institutions worth going to that give you a real recognized degree have the word UNIVERSITY in it - and unless you come from a richer country than Canada you can’t afford those institutions. We Canadians pay off our student loans for a decade for our UNIVERSITY degrees not college degrees.

Federal election cannot come soon enough! Time for Trudeau to go!

Love to see you do everything on your own, I am also first girl from my family to come study abroad, completely relate! You go girl!

If you think that's bad try coming to New York in the United States! The entire country has been transformed for just the rich in which only everybody else can go to hell and live on the streets! This truly is global which white man struck again

So you wanted free money here? People from shitty countries come to the West expecting free money. We got great by working hard not by expecting good things to happen to us. Stay in Africa and for the love of all that is holy don't go to Europe, don't ruin it please. Just stay out and improve your own messy continent. Now China and Russia will come on white horses and will 'fix' it for you. Watch and see the results...

A few months ago, I was planning my move to Toronto for my kids education. Both my kids are Canadians and I felt that there will be more options for university in Toronto for both of them. But after the last 2 months seeing and hearing all these issues in Canada, my inner voice is telling me not to make the move. It’s scary hearing abt the healthcare crisis, crime and housing cost. Comparing to what I have now in Singapore, I’m not too sure anymore if Canada has a bright future ahead. Will Canada bring in privately run medical to support the medical crisis? And I read that Canada is in deficit now, how is it going to come out of it and solve all these problems at the same time.

The problem is the many mentally ill not getting help in their own province small town. They bring their problems to Toronto. Ask any shrink and he'll tell you. Ask a socialworker, ask a correctional officer who get to see the scum brought to east detention or Mimico. The biggest criminals are from small town Canada.\nI have lived in Toronto for 65 years. I am 80 and I don't go anywhere after dark. Why do the homeless come here fully knowing that the rents are high? Obviously demented. A normal poor person goes to live where they are welcome.\nI stay here and I put up with the good, the bad and the ugly.

I am born and rasied in Toronto and I would have to say what is happening now in this city is do to the covid fallout. Toronto has always had higher rent then most Canadian cities but I think with the loss of jobs and and the rise in cost of living all over Canada due to covid I would say that Toronto is going through some hard times like everywhere eles in Canda. Unfortunately because it is the bigest city alot of people have moved here in the hope of a better life. I have noticed a rise in drug use but have not noticed a rise in violent crime. They do say that the TTC is got worse...Hard to say as I take the TTC every day across the city and have not noticed any diferance other then more and more people are useing it again. During covid the subway was empty and now all these people that have never used it before are having to learn how it all works and subway edict. I think media is making the subway seem worse then it is. To me it has not changed. I do agree the real problem is dealing with homeless that was more hiden but now is out in the open. Funding from all levels of goverment needs to help all big canadain cites more. I think Toronto will come back again to what it was pre-covid. Hopfully soon!!