Things AMERICANS Should Know Before Moving To CANADA (appointed, homes)

[KevK]

Originally Posted by T-Dot guy

KevK- please stop posting in the Canadian forums, your ignorance of this country is almost offensive. We do have freedom of speech, satellite dishes won't get you thrown in jail, (and in response to his posts in another thread) we don't have "Canadian Miles", we use kilometres, like almost all of the rest of the world does. We also use the almost universally adopted temperature measure of celsius instead of fahrenheit, and despite what you may think, it does not take a math whiz to figure out. 0 is freezing, 100 is boiling, instead of 32 and 200, which actually seems a lot simpler.

Wow! Learn something new everyday. Got all the way through college without knowing the 100 was boiling!

[KevK]

Originally Posted by Cornerguy1

Freedom of speech is unheard of? LOL

For cryin' out loud, KevK, at least do some basic research before posting rubbish like this.

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is Part One of the The Constitution Act of 1981.

It enshrines in law, amongst other things, freedom of thought and expression. It also mentions something called a free press.

The government can not issue a gag order to anyone, newspaper or individual. Only a court of law may impose a publication ban, and then only after an appropriate hearing.


There is no enshrined right to bear arms, but plenty of folks have long guns and use them regularly for sporting purposes.

Contrary to your post, KevK, there are no felonies in the Canadian legal system. Offences are dealt with either by summary or indictable procedures. The latter is more serious than the former.

Impaired driving is an offence under the Criminal Code of Canada. The provisions are the same across the entire country and there are mandatory minimum sentences.

Certainly there a large number of differences between the two countries, but let's at least try for a correct presentation of them.

That is not correct. I watch CITY TV and I see "publication bans" not often but sometimes including a controversy over the pig farmer serial killer and it was ordered by The Crown as I recall.

[KevK]

Originally Posted by ionlife

If one were to distill the real differences, one thing really stood out for me: the "elitist knowledge attitude" educational attitude of Canadians to the Americans. To compare a check out person's knowledge to an educated US Citizen is ludicrous. Or to ask the media to really represent this country (USA) fairly in Canada or accurately without a liberal bias is also not complete. I know from personal experience that the only way to know ANY country is by living in it.

I never experienced the lack of freedoms as spoken of by the OP. But I did experience the apathy and pessimism of Canadian attitudes. There is this non conflict, not commit attitude in the Canadians that's frustratingly intellectual. And I know I was guilty of it BEFORE I immigrated to the USA.

The USA is bashed in Canada a lot by the media and the people believe the hype. But after living here, I can say, I LOVE the passion and the real commitment people have to their beliefs. I may not always agree, but I love the dialogue.

The USA is not filled with ignorant people anymore than Canada is filled with beer swilling, plaid wearing losers..... go GREAT WHITE NORTH.

I watch Canadian TV and I don't see lots of "USA bashing" nor did I hear it when I was in Canada. I did hear lots of "Bush bashing" there but there were lots of Americans including me that didn't like him either.

[minibrings]

Originally Posted by KevK

My wife is from there. I have never "lived there". Just spent months there. I guess that is sort of living there.

Not really. Being married to a Canuck does not make one eminently qualified to have a discourse on the great white north.

Lets see.. You go to jail for making comments about the Queen. I make comments about Lizzie all the time. Last time was in a crowd at the Citadel in Halifax on Canada Day and I was having a discussion with friends on the subject of Canada becoming a Republic and getting rid of the Queen. Some made negative comment about Liz. Police all around us; not one was thrown in jail. Your statement can erroneously paint Canada as a fascist police state4.

As far as it being difficult to get into Canada, if you have the points you can apply to migrate. Its not rocket science. Toronto is 50% immigrant, if it were so hard there would not be so many immigrants in the GTA.

So thanks for the fiction Kev. Time to experience actually live in Canada as a permanent resident for several years. Maybe then you can start writing non-fiction about your northern neighbor eh?

Originally Posted by KevK

Speaking against the Queen is also forbidden there

Also getting into Canada is not all that easy unless you have family there (my wife is a citizen there) or you do a job that Canada needs people to do. Unlike the USA, Canada has a point system for admission of non family immigrants. You get points for education, speaking English and French and other things.
Maybe some Canadians can expand on this list.

[Cornerguy1]

Originally Posted by KevK

That is not correct. I watch CITY TV and I see "publication bans" not often but sometimes including a controversy over the pig farmer serial killer and it was ordered by The Crown as I recall.

Once again, KevK, you've taken a snippet of information, drawn the wrong conclusions and then decided to spread it as gospel.

In a judicial proceeding, there are instances in which either a defence attorney or a Crown prosecutor may request a publication ban.

However, it is the judge who decides if there is merit to the request and then either does or does not issue the ban.

Publication bans are routinely issued in criminal proceedings at the preliminary hearing stage of the process. A preliminary hearing is held to determine if enough evidence exists to warrant a trial. Publication bans in these instances help ensure that the matter is decided based on what is presented in the court room, rather than on what prospective jurors may read in the newspaper.

Publication bans are also routinely issued in sexual assault proceedings to protect the identity of the victim.

In almost every instance, courts are open to any members of the public who wish to attend.

[minibrings]

I agree cornerguy.. the op would best post about things they know about.. perhaps life in georgia?
esp. since they have never experience actually LIVING in the country for which they claim expertise..

[GTOlover]

KevK you are really have no idea what it's like to be canadian so unless you live here for a few years I would not talk about it. BTW canada kicks ass

[wanneroo]

Originally Posted by 20yrsinBranson

My dh is from Canada and the thing that bugs me the most about the culture is that nobody ever questions anything. Everyone (I know, anyway), is very docile and just sucks everything up without complaining or questioning. They are all totally Stepford Canadians. It's very weird.

I agree Tim Horton's rocks.

20yrsinBranson

Interesting you mention that as that is what I have always noticed about Canadians. They seem to go to great measure not to offend anyone yet on the other hand it makes them boring and lifeless and meek.

[lucknow]

Originally Posted by wanneroo

Interesting you mention that as that is what I have always noticed about Canadians. They seem to go to great measure not to offend anyone yet on the other hand it makes them boring and lifeless and meek.

Well I for one am very offensive to red necked, right wing,racist,reactionary,nationalistic, Americans. I'm offensive to Canadians of that sort also but they tend to be a rare species.

[KevK]

Originally Posted by wanneroo

Interesting you mention that as that is what I have always noticed about Canadians. They seem to go to great measure not to offend anyone yet on the other hand it makes them boring and lifeless and meek.

They are really nice folks though. Super laid back. They don't complain about anything- the government, weather, taxes, traffic. They just sort of take life as it comes to them I guess.