What's the advantages living in Canada?

**brenda67** · 11-25-2007, 11:13 AM

I was talking to my younger brother this morning and he is interested in moving to Canada..He mentioned that they have free health insurance..Is that true? If it is does that include prescriptions,dental,Dr office visits ect??? Is College coarses free too? Whats the pro and the cons verses the USA? Any info would be greatly appreciated.. If have any online links that could give my brother a little more insight to his questions that would be great also.. TIA..

**bumplett** · 11-25-2007, 04:57 PM

from everything I've heard, but no - I don't live there - Canada is CLEANER than the U.S.

Gun laws are more strict.

I'd be very interested to hear some of the comments from those that live there -

Esp. the opinion of anyone who lived in the U.S. before moving to Canada.

**monkeywrangler71** · 11-25-2007, 07:01 PM

He mentioned that they have free health insurance..Is that true?
Yes

If it is does that include prescriptions,dental,Dr office visits ect???
No, no, yes

Is College coarses free too?
No

**monkeywrangler71** · 11-25-2007, 07:06 PM

Originally Posted by brenda67

If have any online links that could give my brother a little more insight to his questions that would be great also.. TIA..

Where does he want to go? What does he plan to do? and what are his reasons?

Health & Education are provincial jurisdictions. He would need to consult the website for the province he is planning to move to, in order to get specific details. College tuition will vary by college - and is he looking at college or University?

**lullaby80** · 11-25-2007, 07:06 PM

Originally Posted by bumplett

from everything I've heard, but no - I don't live there - Canada is CLEANER than the U.S.

Do you mean pollution/air quality or "no trash on the streets"? I'm interested in this. I would think they had less pollution (=less people, more forests) but I have to admit the cities in U.S. that I have visited (minus the bad parts of town) have been very clean.

**miss_thrifty** · 11-26-2007, 08:03 AM

That depends where he wants to live. If right in Halifax Nova Scotia there crime rate and some of their streets are down right gross.
New Brunswick is booming way too fast but still in parts very pretty and overall clean. PEI seems to have the lowest overall crime rate here but depends on what he wants to do in career and what challenges him.
Everyone seems to be going west to Alberta or B.C. . theres where the jobs are, the good money but living there is very exspensive.

**miss_thrifty** · 11-26-2007, 08:05 AM

Ontario is very fast paced i found when I lived there. Im a slow paced person. lol
Quebec you have to have French as second language since they are still fighting for segregation for Canada. Thats if you want to live there.

**Precious26** · 11-26-2007, 11:28 AM

I am an albertan and I will agree that is expensive to live here, but there are plenty of jobs open to the public.

**zenmama** · 11-26-2007, 04:16 PM

I think both countries have something different to offer. We do have free medical benefits but really long waits to see a doctor i.e. 3-4 months here currently. Food is more expensive and we pay a lot of taxes (in Quebec especially) though I'm not sure how it compares to US tax rates. French is a 2nd language here just as spanish is probably the most popular 2nd language in the States (correct me if I'm wrong). If your brother moves just to save on medical, I'm not sure that its worthwhile for only that reason. If he has kids or is planning on having kids, they would have to go to french school if he moves to Quebec. The other provinces would be english and okay.

**zenmama** · 11-26-2007, 04:18 PM

Originally Posted by lullaby80

Do you mean pollution/air quality or "no trash on the streets"? I'm interested in this. I would think they had less pollution (=less people, more forests) but I have to admit the cities in U.S. that I have visited (minus the bad parts of town) have been very clean.

We definitely have no trash on the streets unless it's trash pickup day!!

**PAVallygrl** · 11-26-2007, 04:58 PM

free medical benefits but really long waits to see a doctor i.e. 3-4 months here currently.

3-4 month wait lists! YIKES!!! Yep, I can see this going over like a lead balloon in this country.

**monkeywrangler71** · 11-26-2007, 05:38 PM

Originally Posted by PAVallygrl

free medical benefits but really long waits to see a doctor i.e. 3-4 months here currently.

3-4 month wait lists! YIKES!!! Yep, I can see this going over like a lead balloon in this country.

Wait times for surgery can be long, but I've never had to wait to 'see' a doctor. If I'm sick I go to the walk in clinic, if it's an emergency I go to the hospital, if it's non-urgent I call my doctor and typically get in within a few days. When my daughter had bronchitis in the spring, I went to the ER, walked right in without even seeing the waiting room and stayed 3 days while she recovered. There was no wait and the only thing I paid for was parking.

**annymoll** · 11-26-2007, 07:17 PM

I have always heard it's great if you are having a crisis- think heart attack. Not so great if you have cancer.I do know that the US has medical coverage for the poor. It is called Medicaid. We are taxed for this service, one that we personally have never used.The one thing I like about the program is that you do have income guidelines, and must meet certain guidelines concerning working that go along with receiving benefits.I dislike the idea of paying higher taxes, especially as I work harder and make more money, to pay for those that do not work. And have no obligation to do so.

**miss_thrifty** · 11-27-2007, 09:29 AM

When waiting for Cancer it isnt that long here on the Island. and there always fund raisers in these small tows, since almost everyone either knows everyone or is distant related. lol
One time we had to go to N.B. for treatment now we can stay on Island. which is great. Heart problems no we have to go across.

**rachelMcK** · 11-27-2007, 11:12 AM

Here are some pros...
- you don't have to pay for health care, or health insurance, most things are covered. What's not is usually paid for by your employer via benefits package (if you have one)
- People are generally nicer. Not to be rude, but I talk to americans all day, and when I get a canadian, I can tell the difference. Americans seem more rushed.
- We get canadian and american tv so you wouldn't miss out on shows you watched in the states.
- Public education is pretty good here.
- You can vacation in a tent for the cost of food and gas in gorgeous forests. This is my favorite part.
- Except toronto and winnepeg (i think), crime rate is hardly a factor. People don't carry guns here everywhere they go. Most people use their guns for hunting and thats it.
- I think canada is an awesome place to live, I can't cover all of it.

CONS
- Alot of people take advantage of the welfare system (i think this is on the decline) but you get bitter about it.
- This is a personal opinion, but the government. They act so childish. I bet 5 year old could run the country better.
- The weather. It can get cold.
- Family dr's are hard to come by. If you don't have one, be prepared to wait 2-4 hours to see a dr.
- College is expensive (not as expensive as the US though) and student loans from the government are ridiculous. They give you 60% more than what you need, then it gets spent and their payment plans are terrible. Save for college if you can.
- YOu may have to learn to spell some words differently...ie. color is colour in canada, honor is honour, check is cheque etc...

Thats all I can think of right now...good luck!