Attention Canada! I would like to defect!

[fumblebee]

That's a bit of a generalization. I actually love Toronto, and I'm sure I'm not alone there.

Oh, and I hope that was a typo on the "ugh Ontario", because I also happen to love my home province as well.

Thank you! As someone living in Toronto, I really hate when people slag off this city. I mean, I understand why people might dislike us but it's not fair to lump all of us in with the crazies. Plus it's not my fault if the news channels discuss Toronto things, I have no control over the CBC or CTV etc.

There is so much to love about this city. The multiculturalism, the food that stems from that (mmmm Shwarma!) music, nightlife, culture, friendly people (yes, there really ARE friendly folk in the city!)

There are plenty of job opportunities, depending on the line of work. Rent here is varied. It depends on whether you want to live in the heart of downtown, or out in the suburbs or outside of Toronto altogether and into the 905 (Peel, Durham, York regions)

[Gravekeeper]

T
There is so much to love about this city. The multiculturalism, the food that stems from that (mmmm Shwarma!) music, nightlife, culture, friendly people (yes, there really ARE friendly folk in the city!)

That's pretty much any Canadian city save maybe Charlottetown. -.-

But honestly, Vancouver is nice aesthetically ( Shitloads more trees ) and the transit is better. Plus you can hop public transit straight to a ski hill. It also feels less crowded and "city" like than Toronto as the population is much lower.

Gimme trees, thanks. Vancouver has an absurd about of trees plus mountains in the background. -.-

Edit: Oh, right, and Ontario is DEATH is the summer. DEATH. By humidity. Dear god. ><

[hinakiba777]

Just to be random,

Do you know if you look up urban sprawl on wikipedia you get a picture of Calgary?! Weird.

I really hope I can make it to Vancouver one day. Then I can literally have gone from Coast to Coast. Atlantic to Pacific. CB to BC.

[Jester]

I know some people who think they are the center of the universe because they are Toronto born, but I can say that about people I know from lots of places.

New York.
Boston.
Philadelphia.
Chicago.
Los Angeles.
Miami.
Dallas.
Detroit.
Cleveland.

That's been my experience, anyways.

[Rapscallion]

That big syringe-thing - the CN tower. On two separate occasions I've wet myself on the glass floor in the lower observation deck.

Not the sort of thing I'd recommend, but at least I can say I've done it.

Rapscallion

[Ree]

As I have already pointed out, but seem to have been ignored, this thread is about ALL things Canadian, and NOT about which Canadian city is better.

The OP asked for advice about CANADA which means, dispatch wants to know about life in Canada in general.

A back and forth debate about Toronto vs Vancouver (or any other city), no matter how friendly and joking it may be, is not exactly helpful to him, nor does it really answer any of his questions.

[I don't work here]

OK.. I am an immigrant to Ontario from Newfoundland... I've been to BC, and I can say without any bias at all that Canada rocks!!

East Coast - Absolutley STUNNING... there are places where you can walk and know that no other human has EVER walked here. Very laidback and easy going, and St John's (NL - not the Saint JOhn NB) ROCKS for nightlife - George Street is nothing but bars). Plus you get the Big City Living with the small town feel. Employment - well I am not too sure about the maritimes, but Newfoundland is starting to go outside the province for workers...

Quebec - a world onto itself....You don't need to know French - in my experience, you are better off not opening your mouth if you don't speak it.

Ontario - Again the best of both worlds. I live in the 905, and have the privilige of driving 30 mins to soo many different cultures. You get big city, plus small town all within an hours drive...

An as for the rest of Canada,, well I stopped at T.O. LOL.. I was in BC when I was 10 and I really don't remember it. Never been to AB, SK of M (?)manitoba

Enjoy Canada

[monolayth]

I think gravekeeper and anyone who reads his posts can agree. Stay away from Nunavat.

as for moving to canada i know smoking is way expensive there, I know you wanted to quit but dont remember if you have accheived that goal.

[Spiffy McMoron]

Just to be random,

Do you know if you look up urban sprawl on wikipedia you get a picture of Calgary?! Weird.

Not if you've driven through there from north to south. It's crazy-long.

As for your questions...

How is the job market?

Speaking of where I'm from, it has cooled considerably, but is picking back up a bit. Projects that were on hold are starting back up again, and things are stabilizing, which is a very good thing.

would we need to learn french (I think all 3 of us have a desire to learn another language)?

Don't let me stop you from learning another language, but unless you're living in Quebec or New Brunswick, it's hardly necessary. In all honesty, learning an Asian language (Mandarin, Cantonese, Punjabi, Hindi, Korean, etc) would help your job prospects almost as much as French, although I imagine French would be easier to learn.

does it come with a CD player?

No, but the welcoming gift basket contains some lovely scented oils.

how is the rent?

As has been mentioned earlier, it depends on where you live and what kind of housing you want. Houses are more expensive than townhouses, which are in turn more expensive than apartments, which are more expensive than the Dumpster behind 7-11.

do French Canadians have rabies ?

Yes, but it's OK. I've had my shots.

how does customs feel about cats?

I don't know, but I recommend have all of your papers up-to-date.

is there an underground railroad for kittehs?

There was, until the reflection of the lights on the roof caused all of the cats to jump up at once. The force of the cats landing knocked the train off the tracks and ruined the line.

are Americans well received?

Not if you keep forgetting to add the "u" to humour and colour. All joking aside, we feel that Americans--as individuals--are wonderful, smart, and good-natured people who will willingly listen to us bitch about all of the problems in America.

Hope that helps!

[Jester]

there are places where you can walk and know that no other human has EVER walked here.

You realize, of course, that for centuries various humans have walked there, content in the knowledge that no other human has ever walked there. You DO know this, right?

Employment - well I am not too sure about the maritimes, but Newfoundland is starting to go outside the province for workers...

Okay, I know I am an ignorant American, but isn't Newfoundland ONE of the Maritimes? As I recall from grade school, the Maritime Provinces were Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. (And no, I did not just google or wikipedia that....that is straight out of my noggin.)

[ditchdj]

I think both countries have their pros and cons. What I'd do is do research and make out a pro/con list for each country and then use that as a basis to decide if you want to move there for sure. Of course it all comes down to if you can feel it right there in your heart if Canada's for you. I know that when I studied in Spain I did NOT feel it there whatsoever and knew that I could likely never move out of the US.

[Gravekeeper]

Right, ok, point by point than:


Job Market:

Seems to be leveling out. Though I didn't notice too much of a dip locally. I don't think "urban" sort of jobs ( Retail, call centres, software dev, financial institutes etc ) were affected too badly. Though industrial jobs took some hits.

Our hiring didn't really dip any at all to be frank. Though call centre jobs have higher turn over, and we have occasional short term contract clients, so we hire fairly regularly anyhow.


Cats:

Have all the papers. Other than I can't see there being any problem.


French:

No. As Spiffy said, unless you're in Quebec or mayhaps New Brunswick plain ol' English will get you by.

He's right though. East Asian languages can be helpful in some spots. Mandarin or Cantonese is helpful around Vancouver for example as you might be able to get a job at a few places you normally wouldn't have much of a shot at. But is in no way required to land a job. Businesses that are East Asian language beased are not mainstream, they're catering to a specific local community around them.

At my company straight up English would be all you need for example. Non-English accounts or lines are handled by other offices. Our Toronto ( Yar! ) and Montreal offices handle most the French stuff for example. But we would handle anything in Mandarin or Cantonese if required ( and have once or twice in the past. ). But its been rare and when it happens we hire short term agents specifically for it.


Rent:

Not too bad. Cost of living here seems lower ( Especially far west or far east ) than most other countries I've talked to people in. As long as you don't want to live right down town in the middle of a city in a penthouse its not bad. I pay $600 for a 1 cozy bedroom here for example. With a security system, under floor heating and all utilities included.

Er, $528 US. -.-



Americans:

Long as you don't have a Bush bumper sticker or ask us where the dog sleds are no worries. In all honesty ( and no offense to Americans ) the American stereotypes we have up here that can annoy us quick basically boil down to: Ignorance and Arrogance.

But yes, you have to realize that our far right is basically still left of your left. However, we are unfailingly polite. Act likewise and you will be welcomed with opened arms and warm Timbits.

[Gravekeeper]

Okay, I know I am an ignorant American, but isn't Newfoundland ONE of the Maritimes? As I recall from grade school, the Maritime Provinces were Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island.

No, no its not oddly enough.

<--- from Prince Edward Island, actually.

[Spiffy McMoron]

Okay, I know I am an ignorant American, but isn't Newfoundland ONE of the Maritimes? As I recall from grade school, the Maritime Provinces were Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island.

Aah, yes and no.

Newfoundland and Labrador are a part of Atlantic Canada, but not the Maritimes. Essentially, this is because Newfoundland joined Canada later than NB, NS, and PEI. (1949 as opposed to 1867, 1867, and 1873, respectively.) The term Maritime Provinces came to be associated with just Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island, and when Newfoundland came to the party, the term "Atlantic Provinces" were coined to include the four provinces.

Nowadays, though, if you use the term Maritime provinces, people generally include Newfoundland into the mix.

[Jester]

However, we are unfailingly polite.

Then how do you explain Corey Haim?

No, no its not oddly enough.

So my school LIED to me!

Why am I not shocked?

...when Newfoundland came to the party, the term "Atlantic Provinces" were coined to include the four provinces.

Nowadays, though, if you use the term Maritime provinces, people generally include Newfoundland into the mix.

So I'm confused now. Did my school lie to me or not? It's important to know for firebomb targeting procedures my ease of mind.