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Simple, US is much larger in population and geographic diversity, so it's more attractive than Canada. Many decisions come down to career/education options.
Well, honestly, I think we (meaning Canadians) have all understood that a long time ago. Same neighbour kid as in my little anecdote: "Canada was easier to get into."
I think his grandparents came in via the provincial programme and/or they sold their measly acres in Germany and managed to buy up a huge chunk of southern Manitoba and have change left over (investor class).
The points it makes are quite valid and are a snapshot of a particular time.
Nat, i think we discussed this before but maybe is worth to mention again.
I will give you my perspective from my "privileged" position of someone that is born and raised in Europe, lived in Canada and the US....trying to be as objective as possible...to make a long story short my opinion (also the same opinion of some other Canadians on this forum with living overseas experience and Europeans living in Canada) is that frankly you do not get that much "bang for your buck" in Canada for a more "active government" role in the economy and society, definitely not compared to the best western European countries. Canadian infrastructure is not that impressive (came back from Vancouver yesterday, the road system remain as atrocious as ever and the Skytrain is not going to impress anyone in Europe) so the social safety net is not impressive, again, compared to Europe nor is healthcare. For a significant cut in potential salary for an average professional, compared to the US, you do not get European level of infrastructure or services...and my salary back in the old continent was not that different from Canada....I was getting more "value from government spending" back there.
Last edited by saturno_v; 07-18-2017 at 01:03 PM..
Nat, i think we discussed this before but maybe is worth to mention again.
I will give you my perspective from the "privileged" position of someone that is born and raised in Europe, lived in Canada and the US....trying to be as objective as possible...to make a long story short my opinion (also the same opinion of some other Canadians on this forum with living overseas experience and Europeans living in Canada) is that frankly you do not get that much "bang for your buck" in Canada for a more "active government" role in the economy and society, definitely not compared to the best western European countries. Canadian infrastructure is not that impressive (came back from Vancouver yesterday, the road system remain as atrocious as ever and the Skytrain is not going to impress anyone in Europe) so the social safety net is not impressive, again, compared to Europe nor is healthcare. For a significant cut in potential salary for an average professional, compared to the US you do not get European level of infrastructure or services...and my salary back in the old continent was not that different from Canada....I was getting more "value from government spending" back there.
In Canada a lot of taxes go to support big public sector, which, unlike public sectors in Western Europe, is considered very privileged and high paid. I might say, overpaid, given its low efficiency. For example, a huge chunk of budgets of small cities and towns goes to salaries of public servants (firefighters, police, ...). Little is left for infrastructure improvements or social services. On the other hand, public sector workers in Western Europe are not some privileged class. In Germany, for example, the firefighters are mostly volunteers. Therefore, in Europe there are much more money left for infrastructure projects, social services (including welfare) and education. In Canada the principal beneficiaries of high taxes are public servants (having high salaries, big pensions, almost absolute job security).
In Canada a lot of taxes go to support big public sector, which, unlike public sectors in Western Europe, is considered very privileged and high paid. I might say, overpaid, given its low efficiency. For example, a huge chunk of budgets of small cities and towns goes to salaries of public servants (firefighters, police, ...). Little is left for infrastructure improvements or social services. On the other hand, public sector workers in Western Europe are not some privileged class. In Germany, for example, the firefighters are mostly volunteers. Therefore, in Europe there are much more money left for infrastructure projects, social services (including welfare) and education. In Canada the principal beneficiaries of high taxes are public servants (having high salaries, big pensions, almost absolute job security).
Well there are a lot of countries in Europe where public workers are a privileged class (job security, benefits, etc..)
Nat, i think we discussed this before but maybe is worth to mention again.
I will give you my perspective from the "privileged" position of someone that is born and raised in Europe, lived in Canada and the US....trying to be as objective as possible...to make a long story short my opinion (also the same opinion of some other Canadians on this forum with living overseas experience and Europeans living in Canada) is that frankly you do not get that much "bang for your buck" in Canada for a more "active government" role in the economy and society, definitely not compared to the best western European countries. Canadian infrastructure is not that impressive (came back from Vancouver yesterday, the road system remain as atrocious as ever and the Skytrain is not going to impress anyone in Europe) so the social safety net is not impressive, again, compared to Europe nor is healthcare. For a significant cut in potential salary for an average professional, compared to the US you do not get European level of infrastructure or services...and my salary back in the old continent was not that different from Canada....I was getting more "value from government spending" back there.
One thing to remember about threads like this is that even people who wouldn't in other circumstances identify or come across as nationalists can become defensive. That applies to Americans and Canadians. It's like, for example, if I have a bad relationship with my brother (which I don't, but this is an example ). If some other person starts criticizing him, chances are pretty good I will leap to his defense and make all kinds of excuses for him.
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