What is Canada like, and do you like it there?

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SteveN

When it comes time for you to go to university, one of the things you can do is look at attending a school in Canada. You can enroll as a foreign student in just about any of the Canadian universities for a semester or two. This would give you exposure to the Canadian culture and people, and see if it is for you.

Basically, a Canadian is very similar to American, except that hardly any of us carry guns, we have government-mandated health insurance that everyone pays taxes for, and we tend to be less vocal with our opinions.

You will still be able to get a Dr. Pepper and watch Seinfeld re-runs because we have American music/tv/foods up here, but you can also walk down a city street after dark, and leave your windows or back door unlocked in most areas without worrying about someone coming in to rob or assault you.

By the way...Please do not take this as meaning that every US city is bad and Canada is better. We have our bad neighbourhoods, and USA has some wonderful cities that people feel safe in. But if you look at a "per 100,000 people" rating and compare them, traditionally Canada has been shown to be safer versus USA regarding violent crimes.

All I can say is that you should not believe what people tell you (not even me!). See it for yourself, or do some research on it. Read our newspapers (available on the 'net), look up statistics, and then make up your own mind.

I've been here in Quebec (Montreal area) all my life and even though I have had good experiences in USA and a few bad experiences here, I'm not sure I would choose to live anywhere but in Canada.

Jim B

Canada is a safe, clean, polite, and amazing country.

BUT, in order to come here, as a immigrant, you have to apply and be accepted by the Government of Canada. We are looking for educated people with actual work experience, who can contribute to the growth of our country.

Are you such a person ?

In many ways Canada is the country that the USA was supposed to be, but is not. Our population is 90 percent SMALLER that that of the uSA, so we are not nearly as crowded . Our crime rate is much lower, and we don't have a gun culture, in fact we don't allow hand gun ownership, at all.

We are still growing, and building this country. We accept newcomers from all over the world, and unlike the USA, we don't have a problem with people speaking their own language here.

Canadians are more relaxed and less money hungry that Americans, and we tend to be more tolerant of others, too.

Do some more research about Canada, and I think that you will like what you learn.

Jim B. Toronto.

freeside49

for a liberal american its like paradise:
- universal healthcare, materinity benefits, baby bonuses, employment insurance and solvent pension fund.
- live and let live philsophy/ interracial or gays marry ..shrug
- gun control etc...
that said;
for a conservative american its probably hell!
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ca.html

MinLo

Canada is a really large country (size wise) so it really differs from one place to another. So it's hard to say what Canada is like as a whole. Generally we are polite, liberal, with a lower crime rate, and (this is a good one) HEALTHCARE!
I'm not sure why your friend thought it was bad up here. Here are a few 'negatives' that she may be talking about. First, we are a lot fewer people than the states, especially with our massive land. So going to a small town may be 'boring' for a young person. However we have a lot of cool big cities that would definitely keep anyone busy (Montreal, Vancouver, Toronto). Especially in big cities Canada is very multicultural, so that is definitely fun for young people to explore (I still want to try this good Ethiopian restaurant near my place). The other 'bad' thing your friend might be referring to is the winter. It's a stereotype but it's kinda true, Canada gets COLD in the winter! I mean, we aren't in igloos or any crazy bad stereotype, but you definitely need your winter coat/gloves and all that winter stuff. The weather can really vary throughout Canada though. Here in Montreal the weather in the summer can get as hot as 35 C (95 F) plus humidity, and the winter can get to -25 C (-13 F) plus wind chill factor. But if you would go to Vancouver or to Halifax, the weather would be far less extreme (since they are on the coasts). But wtv! Winter isn't winter without some snow and cold days where you bundle up and hang out warm inside with some friends!
And to answer your question about liberal American's, they would definitely feel at home here. I'm speaking for Montreal really (since that's where I'm from), but I'm really proud of our diversity and liberalness! Walking down the street there are so many types of people (ethnicities, style of dress, etc), we have great nightlife, one of the biggest gay villages, the list goes on. If you are considering moving up here you should definitely visit and see what you think!

jake.jakebson

bad ? ur friend's nuts, Canada is the freest country in the world, americans like to saty that they are but Canada has more freedoms, we're not racists, we don't carry guns, we don't start wars, we allow gay marriage because it's an individual right under the law, we're peace keepers and we're loved and respected all over the world, we have a clean, safe environment, we don't have ghettos or segregation...americans like to wear Canadian flag pins when they travel outside the US so people will think they're Canadian...

Janelle L

You were only told that by your friend because they're american, hate to say it but americans don't like candians so they're just saying that. as stated above, canada is the free-est country in the world, It is extremely safe, clean, taken care of and no matter what province you're in, is the friendliest politest peole you will ever meet. A lot of americans dont like canada and we get bashed on a lot but everyone that lives here absoloutely loves it, im proud to be canadian and wouldnt live anywhere else, i think you would love it when you get here. And if you've heard that its all ice fishing up here thats totally worng, you'll be amazed when you come here and see that its actual cities just like America, I thin coming here would be a great idea, you'd get so may oppertunities and have a wonderful time. And canada is respected all over the world, except maybe America, when people travel over to other countries, thye where canadian flags on thier back pakcs, when i went to europe last year, i had a canadian jacket and got stopped several times with various thank yous and things like that.canada is a wonderful place

Stephanie

research... please do your own research.

www.notcanada.com or www.canadaimmigrants.com

it's very important not to believe a rose coloured picture of

canada and be disappointed at the end after all.

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