As a several-generations-in Canadian, I feel like I have nowhere to go.
Stories like yours need to be heard more. I think maybe it's starting. Even MSM is noticing that a lot of immigrants are returning home.
Two days ago, I heard of a recent immigrant who had to send her baby and toddler back to her parents in the home country.
Her husband worked two jobs when they came to Canada. He stressed himself into kidney failure. She went to work but he couldn't care for the children. They were living in a wet basement "apartment" with no windows.
Fortunately, strangers caught wind and stepped in. Their situation is now vastly improved and is still being worked on.
I hope someone called in the moldy illegal suite.
And now I read of you, too. Canadians do need to wake up
One problem new immigrants face is they don't know the laws, they don't know what recourses they have when things go wrong, they may not have enough skill with English or French to be able to make use of those recourses, they may come from countries with high levels of corruption and so don't have faith in "the system", they may not have full status yet and be afraid that complaining may jeopardize their immigration process, etc.
After moving to our current house, I found out the previous tenants were illegally evicted. It turned out they are mutual friends of a friend of mine, and I was able to contact them and explain how to report their eviction to the Landlord and Tenant Board. They were recent immigrants and had no idea what to do. Many, many employers and landlords take advantage of immigrants; especially if they are illegal, they don't dare complain.
For you, I could suggest looking into expat communities in countries like Mexico or Costa Rica. Much more affordable, better weather. Mexico has its own problems but depending on where you live can be a great place to live. Costa Rica I have mostly only heard positive things about, but have never been there.
You are not the only one. You are very lucky to be able to move to a country that at least has a Constitution that values liberty, and has the First and Second amendments. I have trouble finding government numbers for how many people are leaving Canada, but I'm sure there has been a spike.
According to this video, which was the inspiration for writing this post (along with several on the same theme I've seen lately), in the last 4 years 30%-40% more have left than arrived: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pVKJt1Uh9E
Agreed, the States at least has better legal and Constitutional protections for freedom, even if that's being circumvented in many places; if challenged, there's a better chance of those laws being struck down.
I too left Toronto and seldom return. It was wonderful once. All of Canada seemed so clean and organized--the leadership was positive and concerned for the well being of the people. (the previous Trudeau excepted) But now even though I often travel in a way that it would be easier to go through southern Ontario, I simply avoid it. I still have family there but they enjoy coming to visit me. Sad, really.
Well, don't come to the mid-west USA. Before I purchased a home, (miracle from God), I paid $2,000/month to rent a house with rats. There is a lack of housing and the management companies take advantage.
I would like to leave the city I am in, as well, Portland OR. However, to sell my house I have to dissolve a shared mortgage, otherwise I can't afford to relocate. So, perhaps I am 'trapped' here, so to speak. The is no a single person I know who I can really converse with, in any depth. Complete denial of the jabocide, I find it so frustrating. Without y'all around here, (aware substackers), I would feel more isolated for sure. We will see how it goes I suppose, eh?
I know the feeling of being trapped! It's frustrating. I hope you can find a way to relocate or connect with likeminded people where you are. I bet there are more than you think.
I want to be careful because I don't identify with those who are against all immigration, or see it as a white-vs-nonwhite issue. As a Christian, I believe all people to be of equal value and I don't care what ethnicity immigrants are. I do see a point to limiting immigration from countries with violent ideologies, like Islam (or at least, those who hold to those ideologies). Of course Canadians, both native-born and immigrant, have long given up on Christianity as the foundation of our governmental structure, which I believe to be the root cause of the devolution we're experiencing.
Oh certainly, I wouldn't make religion a litmus test for immigration either. The PPC party here in Canada proposes a values test, which I view more favourably than when I first heard about it. Although I'm not sure in practice it would work, it might not be a bad idea. Thanks for your thoughtful comment.
Hadn't seen that. Truly bizarre. Yet another major Canadian issue; I certainly could have included this and a lot more but my post would have become a book!
Oh, not by the current government certainly. The PPC was very in favour of the trucker protest. I was at a rally in Toronto where its leader Maxime Bernier spoke. He was unvaxxed and got fined for attending lockdown protests. Unfortunately his party has about a snowflake's chance in July of being elected. And you're correct, the whole idea of a values test probably brings up too many issues to be workable. What values, to start with?
I’m happy for you girl. It’s just not worth it to put up with all that. Welcome back! 💛
As a several-generations-in Canadian, I feel like I have nowhere to go.
Stories like yours need to be heard more. I think maybe it's starting. Even MSM is noticing that a lot of immigrants are returning home.
Two days ago, I heard of a recent immigrant who had to send her baby and toddler back to her parents in the home country.
Her husband worked two jobs when they came to Canada. He stressed himself into kidney failure. She went to work but he couldn't care for the children. They were living in a wet basement "apartment" with no windows.
Fortunately, strangers caught wind and stepped in. Their situation is now vastly improved and is still being worked on.
I hope someone called in the moldy illegal suite.
And now I read of you, too. Canadians do need to wake up
One problem new immigrants face is they don't know the laws, they don't know what recourses they have when things go wrong, they may not have enough skill with English or French to be able to make use of those recourses, they may come from countries with high levels of corruption and so don't have faith in "the system", they may not have full status yet and be afraid that complaining may jeopardize their immigration process, etc.
After moving to our current house, I found out the previous tenants were illegally evicted. It turned out they are mutual friends of a friend of mine, and I was able to contact them and explain how to report their eviction to the Landlord and Tenant Board. They were recent immigrants and had no idea what to do. Many, many employers and landlords take advantage of immigrants; especially if they are illegal, they don't dare complain.
For you, I could suggest looking into expat communities in countries like Mexico or Costa Rica. Much more affordable, better weather. Mexico has its own problems but depending on where you live can be a great place to live. Costa Rica I have mostly only heard positive things about, but have never been there.
As I heard one ex-pat say "At least in Mexico, you KNOW the government is corrupt". We're not taught to expect that up here
No. And many new immigrants are very surprised or don't believe you when you tell them it is.
You are not the only one. You are very lucky to be able to move to a country that at least has a Constitution that values liberty, and has the First and Second amendments. I have trouble finding government numbers for how many people are leaving Canada, but I'm sure there has been a spike.
According to this video, which was the inspiration for writing this post (along with several on the same theme I've seen lately), in the last 4 years 30%-40% more have left than arrived: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pVKJt1Uh9E
Agreed, the States at least has better legal and Constitutional protections for freedom, even if that's being circumvented in many places; if challenged, there's a better chance of those laws being struck down.
I too left Toronto and seldom return. It was wonderful once. All of Canada seemed so clean and organized--the leadership was positive and concerned for the well being of the people. (the previous Trudeau excepted) But now even though I often travel in a way that it would be easier to go through southern Ontario, I simply avoid it. I still have family there but they enjoy coming to visit me. Sad, really.
We're in exactly the same place. And Toronto was my great love once. We live within a bit over an hour's drive and rarely go back.
Wow...what an eye opener. Thanks for the honest and painfully forthright piece. Take care and I will say a prayer for you.♥
Thanks. I didn't want to make the piece too personal, but it has been a difficult and discouraging situation. I appreciate your care and your prayer.
Well, don't come to the mid-west USA. Before I purchased a home, (miracle from God), I paid $2,000/month to rent a house with rats. There is a lack of housing and the management companies take advantage.
Best wishes and keep us posted!!!
Yikes! What state is that?
We are currently thinking Texas.
Texas is better (lived there too), Colorado is NOT!
I would like to leave the city I am in, as well, Portland OR. However, to sell my house I have to dissolve a shared mortgage, otherwise I can't afford to relocate. So, perhaps I am 'trapped' here, so to speak. The is no a single person I know who I can really converse with, in any depth. Complete denial of the jabocide, I find it so frustrating. Without y'all around here, (aware substackers), I would feel more isolated for sure. We will see how it goes I suppose, eh?
I know the feeling of being trapped! It's frustrating. I hope you can find a way to relocate or connect with likeminded people where you are. I bet there are more than you think.
feel same
I want to be careful because I don't identify with those who are against all immigration, or see it as a white-vs-nonwhite issue. As a Christian, I believe all people to be of equal value and I don't care what ethnicity immigrants are. I do see a point to limiting immigration from countries with violent ideologies, like Islam (or at least, those who hold to those ideologies). Of course Canadians, both native-born and immigrant, have long given up on Christianity as the foundation of our governmental structure, which I believe to be the root cause of the devolution we're experiencing.
Oh certainly, I wouldn't make religion a litmus test for immigration either. The PPC party here in Canada proposes a values test, which I view more favourably than when I first heard about it. Although I'm not sure in practice it would work, it might not be a bad idea. Thanks for your thoughtful comment.
Hadn't seen that. Truly bizarre. Yet another major Canadian issue; I certainly could have included this and a lot more but my post would have become a book!
Oh, not by the current government certainly. The PPC was very in favour of the trucker protest. I was at a rally in Toronto where its leader Maxime Bernier spoke. He was unvaxxed and got fined for attending lockdown protests. Unfortunately his party has about a snowflake's chance in July of being elected. And you're correct, the whole idea of a values test probably brings up too many issues to be workable. What values, to start with?