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  #21  
Old Posted Sep 4, 2020, 12:43 AM
Sarah89 Sarah89 is offline
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Originally Posted by WhipperSnapper View Post
I have empathy for refugees. My parents were refugees in Europe after WW2. The problem is and it's one that no one wants to talk about is that the Feds are not screening like the non profit groups and we are ending up with a bunch of people that have no desire to be anything more than a burden on our systems. This burden eventually falls onto municipalities that are barely afloat themselves. It's a non issue if we could afford it. We can't. RE: growing number of homelessness.
We have enough money to help everyone. They money is going into business and to stimulate the economy (supply side economics). Members of our society will have to decide this for themselves. Do we help businesses or do we help people? the choice is yours.

Don't fall into the right wing myth about the unemployable refugee who lives on the dole. That isn't actually true. I know refugees. They are put to work right away and they are only supported for one year by the government. Most are entirely on their own without supports.
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  #22  
Old Posted Sep 4, 2020, 2:24 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WhipperSnapper View Post
I have empathy for refugees. My parents were refugees in Europe after WW2. The problem is and it's one that no one wants to talk about is that the Feds are not screening like the non profit groups and we are ending up with a bunch of people that have no desire to be anything more than a burden on our systems. This burden eventually falls onto municipalities that are barely afloat themselves. It's a non issue if we could afford it. We can't. RE: growing number of homelessness.
I would say there are very few refugees among our homeless population. If that is what you are saying.
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  #23  
Old Posted Sep 4, 2020, 2:36 AM
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Originally Posted by Sarah89 View Post
We have enough money to help everyone. They money is going into business and to stimulate the economy (supply side economics). Members of our society will have to decide this for themselves. Do we help businesses or do we help people? the choice is yours.

Don't fall into the right wing myth about the unemployable refugee who lives on the dole. That isn't actually true. I know refugees. They are put to work right away and they are only supported for one year by the government. Most are entirely on their own without supports.
Adult refugees in Canada are remarkably trouble free when you think about it.

Ironically the problems generally arise with those who came here as kids or even their kids born and raised here.
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  #24  
Old Posted Sep 4, 2020, 3:59 AM
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To answer that I'd have to modify the old Churchill democracy quote and say that Canada is the worst country on the planet except for all the others. Although, make DST permanent all year so that the winter doesn't get dark so damn early and it would go from a C+ to a B- instantly. The worst thing about this place is the darkness. The winter overall wouldn't even be that bad if it wasn't for that.
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  #25  
Old Posted Sep 4, 2020, 5:09 AM
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Originally Posted by SignalHillHiker View Post
Are most happy? Absolutely.

What is Canada doing well? Maintaining the federation despite all odds. Avoiding the worst excesses of populism thus far. Reality-based political decisions in most jurisdictions. Addressing the pandemic.

What could be improved? The equalization and transfer formulas. Dental care and drug funding. Interprovincial transportation links. Founding immigrant communities in smaller cities and rural areas, primarily through decentralization of related federal jurisdiction. Everything that leads to shit like this:

I'm with you on all of that.
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  #26  
Old Posted Sep 4, 2020, 5:28 AM
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My guess is that Canadians in general are the happiest they've been in a long time about living in Canada. A big part of it is our country actually dealing with big issues rather than avoiding them and striving for realistic goals for the most part. We can't just look at our political leaders to judge but also have to look at the whole picture.
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  #27  
Old Posted Sep 4, 2020, 5:40 AM
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It's a pretty good place all things considered. I don't feel a pull to live in other countries due to the awfulness of my country.

Can it do better? Of course it can, but that takes hard work and sacrifice.
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  #28  
Old Posted Sep 4, 2020, 8:50 AM
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Labour laws, social services, safety net, healthcare, etc are all garbage compared with northern and western europe, and we as a country should be ashamed for it.
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  #29  
Old Posted Sep 4, 2020, 9:49 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nouvellecosse View Post
To answer that I'd have to modify the old Churchill democracy quote and say that Canada is the worst country on the planet except for all the others. Although, make DST permanent all year so that the winter doesn't get dark so damn early and it would go from a C+ to a B- instantly. The worst thing about this place is the darkness. The winter overall wouldn't even be that bad if it wasn't for that.
Are we really that much worse off than much of the world? Just thinking of how much of Europe is darker earlier than us in the winter, and probably less sunny on average as well.

And that's just one example.
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  #30  
Old Posted Sep 4, 2020, 1:23 PM
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Originally Posted by Bcasey25raptor View Post
Labour laws, social services, safety net, healthcare, etc are all garbage compared with northern and western europe, and we as a country should be ashamed for it.
Agree
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  #31  
Old Posted Sep 4, 2020, 1:31 PM
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Originally Posted by Acajack View Post
Are we really that much worse off than much of the world? Just thinking of how much of Europe is darker earlier than us in the winter, and probably less sunny on average as well.

And that's just one example.
The UK was the exact same (but rainier) and I've never thought it a problem. Northern Canada has extremes of light and dark but not much you can do about that.
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  #32  
Old Posted Sep 4, 2020, 1:43 PM
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Also Canadians are generally bubbly people and relatively friendly whereas in much of the world (perhaps especially Europe) people keep much more to themselves. Compare us with Russia and the differences in personality types is pretty astounding.
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  #33  
Old Posted Sep 4, 2020, 1:48 PM
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Yes, Canadians are friendly and I notice it when I go there. It's really nice. Nova Scotia in particular is just sweet as pie.
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  #34  
Old Posted Sep 4, 2020, 1:53 PM
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Happy? Hmm, an interesting term.

Not to be pedantic, but I need to break it down.

Happy as in pleased to live in one of the best countries in the world when ranked by any number of criteria?

Sure.

Happy as in satisfied or content that no significant improvement is required?

Absolutely not.

***

I have a deep appreciation for my high standard of living, for a great deal of personal freedom, for relatively abundant nature close at hand; for a healthcare system that does provide a great deal of protection, however incomplete that may be; and for being one of, if the not the most pluralistic of societies on earth. I relish the diversity, especially culinarily!

****

For all that, the work-life balance quotient is poor. Outside of the U.S and Japan., no OECD country requires less than 3 weeks paid vacation by law (even workaholic South Korea!) and most countries require 4 or more.

Clearly, our healthcare system has gaping coverage holes, most overtly drugs + dental; and also under performs on wait times in many regions for many procedures; that needs improvement.

I wouldn't hesitate to point out that our minimum wages are too low, at least in Toronto and Vancouver, when one compares wages to housing costs and when one compares to similar jurisdictions, including in the U.S. (Min. wages are notably higher in NYC, SF, L.A., Seattle and soon, Chicago too.

We clearly have too much homelessness which is a multi-faceted issue to do w/addiction/mental healthcare, low-wages, low social assistance rates, an over-heated housing market, and under-investment in affordable housing.

All of these issues (And more) need attention.

***

In summation, I'm happy to live in Canada; and to work to towards making it a better, fairer nation than it is today, in the future.
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  #35  
Old Posted Sep 4, 2020, 2:15 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Peggerino View Post
Also Canadians are generally bubbly people and relatively friendly whereas in much of the world (perhaps especially Europe) people keep much more to themselves. Compare us with Russia and the differences in personality types is pretty astounding.
I wouldn't normally describe Canadians as "bubbly". If I was to choose a description it would be "friendly but reserved".

We respect people's distances, and are not loud and boisterous, but if approached, we will be friendly and helpful. Here in the Maritimes, once this initial contact has been made, it is not uncommon to have a prolonged friendly chat. If assistance is necessary, it is almost always given without question, to the point of getting in your car to assist a wayward tourist finding their way out of town ("just follow me - I'll show ya the way").
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  #36  
Old Posted Sep 4, 2020, 2:39 PM
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Originally Posted by VANRIDERFAN View Post
It's a pretty good place all things considered. I don't feel a pull to live in other countries due to the awfulness of my country.
Totally agree.

Quote:
Originally Posted by VANRIDERFAN View Post
Can it do better? Of course it can, but that takes hard work and sacrifice.
Work yes, but sacrifice? I don't see much need for giving anything up in the quest to make Canada both stronger economically and a better place to live, except perhaps reducing our use of certain fossil fueled activities (but they can be substituted for clean versions). Stuff like health care, child care, pharmacare, improved infrastructure, improved workers' rights, improved education etc will all make Canada richer through their improvement, allowing us to improve more. We didn't have to sacrifice anything important to live far better lives today than in the Canada of 1900.
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  #37  
Old Posted Sep 4, 2020, 3:32 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Peggerino View Post
Also Canadians are generally bubbly people and relatively friendly whereas in much of the world (perhaps especially Europe) people keep much more to themselves. Compare us with Russia and the differences in personality types is pretty astounding.
I think pretty well anyone seems bubbly and friendly compared to the Russians, though...
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  #38  
Old Posted Sep 4, 2020, 4:51 PM
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Originally Posted by Bcasey25raptor View Post
Labour laws, social services, safety net, healthcare, etc are all garbage compared with northern and western europe, and we as a country should be ashamed for it.
It's not garbage. Canada's offerings are similar to those of Northern Europe. They're a bit rougher, in my experience, but not hugely so.

There are a few things Canada could do. First, and this is a barrier for me in terms of coming home... vacation days! 25 minimum around here, and most industries' unions have agreed on 30. I have 35 and I love it so much.

Second, EI. In Sweden and Denmark, EI takes the form of "A-kasse/A-kassa". These are subsidized providers that you join for coverage; in Denmark, they are public-private entities in a competitive market, while in Sweden you join the one associated with your industry. Generally speaking, you can get two years' coverage at a fairly basic payout (I think it maxes out at like $130/day before tax) for about $50-75/month. In Denmark, I paid around $2,000 year for two years coverage at 100% of my salary; in Sweden, this is subsidized by my industry's union and is about $40/month.

I should note that actually trying to get your two years out of an A-kasse is really hard! I know people... they'll bring you in for morning meetings, start pushing training courses at you, push interviews your way. But you definitely feel safe about losing your job.

Third, healthcare. Here., Denmark is the star, and it comes down to one thing: the family doctor. When you get your SIN card, which is linked to your address, you are given a choice of several doctors' offices in your area. If you are in central Copenhagen, the definition of 'your area' can necessitate transit... but you always have a doctor. Not access to a doctor, not a clinic... a doctor that you know. They will handle all referrals to specialists and hospitals, all lab results are available online, it's great. Sweden is similar but doesn't guarantee a family doctor, so your first point of contact is often an emergency room (there is an app called "MinDoktor" that sucks and is dystopian). I use my private insurance to get sent straight to clinics when I want to get blood work done or do some "weird spot on my arm"-type checking. In Denmark I just called Jens.

So... vacation is way better, EI can be cushier if you sign up and pay for it to be, and healthcare seems about the same but with fewer shortages.

If we don't start talking about trains, we don't need to use words like "garbage" at all. Canada would be pretty normal-seeming to a Swedish immigrant..

Last edited by kool maudit; Sep 4, 2020 at 5:03 PM.
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  #39  
Old Posted Sep 4, 2020, 4:59 PM
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These little countries can be surprisingly cutthroat too... Denmark has no minimum wage, for instance, and will move you around into different public housing if they determine that your area has become an "ethnic ghetto". Swedish second-hand rental leases, which you will be on in Stockholm unless you wait for over a decade or have connections, mean the landlord can store their stuff in your apartment and kick you out with 30 days notice whenever. And the prices... it's not good.

Here is 275 square feet in inner Stockholm for $2,150/month on a lease that lasts "until further notice" with a $4,300 deposit. Nice balcony I guess.

https://bostadsportal.se/hyra-l%C3%A...rok-id-3258941

Last edited by kool maudit; Sep 4, 2020 at 5:12 PM.
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  #40  
Old Posted Sep 4, 2020, 5:35 PM
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Canada is a pretty good social democracy given North America.
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