The truth about Canada?

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CanProf

Well I don't take this as hard as some of my fellow Canadians seem to be doing. First off, as an historian, I'd point out that (net) emigration from Canada to the United States has been an important feature of this country's history so our questioner has a valid point, even if one phrased with less tact than might have been wished. Leaving aside the source of the exact number, the point that general levels of weath and affluence (tied back to greater worker productivity) are higher in the United States is also valid. Having got that out of the way, what can we say to explain ourselves?
Well, for one thing we are better cushioned against the bad things in life as well as less likely to experience them. For many Americans a catastrophic health problem equals financial ruin. That is much less likely the case here. Labour laws and unionization probably also mean you are less likely to lose your job and especially less likely to lose it without cause and without a payout. Further, notwithstanding some scary neighbourhoods in Toronto, you are still considerably less likely to be shot in Canada. Socially, it is probably true that Canada is a more tolerant society but I would not be too quick to assert this across the board. It depends where you live in both countries. Also, there's absolutely no doubt that a lot of speech and to a degree behaviour which is protected under the Constitution in the US has no such protection and indeed is illegal in Canada.
More broadly, though, you have to understand that the whole point of Canada is that it is not the United States. Canada was created not to be the United States. And in spite of a broadly shared North American culture the differences, real and perceived, are still important to a great many if not all Canadians.

tuppenybitz

i find it interesting that some of you yanks are so ignorant and stupid.
Try living in Canada, you might enjoy the peace,people that care about their community,a government that doesn't go around bombing other countries at will,a fair health system,not having to worry about being shot every time you step outside your door,people that a proud of who they are and don't feel the need to belittle people from other countries
and so on and so on
try being human for a change and grow the hell up
NO I'm not Canadian just someone that thinks this country is great!
i notice an awful lot of americans live here so cant be too bad

tre

If Canadians average 33% less money (I would like to see your source on that however), it's quite possibly because of the high end of American income is larger that the high end of Canadian income. Sure our taxes are higher, but our social benefits are higher as well. I would think the poverty levels are higher in the US than in Canada.

keko8338

Canada is the greatest place on earth. If I get sick I can go to any docotor I want and I don't have to pay for it! If I get cancer I will be able to get treatment no matter my income, and I won;t have to fight with an insurance company. Where does the US get alot of it's hydro, maybe we should stop selling it to you, and that goes for our water as well, since we hold 25% of the world fresh water. We have wide open spaces, mountions, oceans, parries, artic snow. We have it all. We can live miles away from people or inches if we choose. We may have less disposable income, but we don't have to pay for everything like Amercians do. People are friendly and helpful. We are more understanding to differences, and have less discrimination. Our goverment stays out of our bedrooms. We have one of the best justice systems in the world. (even with it's flaws it is better then the US) I am Canadian and there is no better place then this.

azawalli

We live in a society that hasn't yet slid into fascism. We value the good of the community over radical individualism. For me, the only thing that America has going for it is the warmer weather (in some parts). As for the price of consumer goods, now that the American dollar is falling, that won't be as much of an issue either.

I like living here. It's home.

mithril

The health care system, though struggling, is better than no health care at all.

It isn't about excess--the term disposable income is an oxymoron. And thanks to Hurricane Katrina, America's hidden impoverished have been exposed. The middle class is vanishing and the numbers of poor in America is steadily growing.

krissi

I love living here and i dont plan to move
it's home
:)

Bluelady...

FALSE --- You have been reading way too many
Comic Books ;-)

A Proud British Columbia, Canadian

jimmy crack corn

The only reason americans have more disposable income is because they finance there spending with debt. $300 billion dollar deficit vs. $10 billion surpluses in canada. If americans actually paid for what they consumed ( and someday they will have too ) you wouldn't have anywhere near the disposable income. Secondly, the only reason the richer half of america have so much disposable income ( and that's who we are talking about here because the poorest half of americans don't have any disposable income ) is because they live on the backs of the poorest americans, slavery never left america, the concept of living the good life on the backs of the less fortunate is the american way

Salain

Peace and freedom of choice, that's what we have that USA don't have.

De plus, nous pouvons parler franÃ§ais...

Ken M

I am interested in where you obtained the stats that you mention. And housing here is by far not as cheap as you say. Vancouver is the most expensive downtown in the world (measured by cost/sq foot), more than san fran, new york, etc. And calgary is top 10 in that category. Also, I think forbes listed Vancouver as the 2nd most over-priced real estate market in the world.

Maria R

im agreeing with what alot of other people said..its home
we have freedom of choice, we dont have a jackass president that sticks his nose where it does not belong and lastly ......we have alot better **** here than you.

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