Why moving to Canada won’t save you from Trump

[Rob L 3,811]

For Americans fed up with their political system and terrified of a Donald Trump presidency, threatening to move to Canada is practically a cliché. In the two days since Trump was elected, anxious Yankeescrashed Canada’s immigration website, and are flooding my social media feeds with half-joking requests for asylum.

But as a Canadian living in the U.S., I have bad news for you. There’s no escape.

Down here, idealizing Canada is easy, with its universal healthcare, gun control, and universally adored woke bae-in-chief Justin Trudeau. The country is also geographically close, culturally familiar, and home tothree of the world’s most livable cities. But all that goodness isn’t enough to save Canada—or fleeing Americans—from Trump.

Globally, his impact will be wide-ranging and far-reaching, but that’s doubly so in the Great White North. As its next-door neighbor, Canada is far too economically and culturally intertwined with America to remain the liberal utopia that so many Democrats (falsely) believe it to be.

Indeed, living in Canada will be a lot more like living in Trump’s America than you think.

Living in Canada will be a lot more like living in Trump’s America than you think.

Having been born and raised in Toronto, I’ve witnessed the creeping influence of U.S. culture and commerce.

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, our government’s broadcast regulator, recently reduced quotas for Canadian content, making our airwaves more susceptible to American programming.

So if you think you can escape incessant media coverage of Trump by moving north, wrong again. U.S. news takes up a lot of space in Canadian media—something that will only worsen once Trump becomes president. His inflammatory rhetoric about black people, Mexicans, Muslims, people with disabilities, and more grabbed headlines in Canada and countries worldwide this election. Expect that to continue for the next four years.

Beyond a cultural takeover, Canada’s economic interests are also at stake under Trump, especially since America is its closest trading partner. The president-elect proposed to kill the North American Free Trade Agreement (aka “the worst trade deal in history”) if he couldn’t renegotiate it to his liking. If Trump follows through, tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, as well as exports from the U.S., will rise. Around 2.5 million Canadian jobs that depend on U.S. trade would be at risk, and our GDP—23% of which comes from exports to America—would also suffer.

While it’s true that Trudeau is a self-proclaimed feminist and champion of diversity, Canada isn’t exactly a lefty paradise. In fact, one Canadian politician is taking a cue from Trump, aspiring to follow in his divisive footsteps. Kellie Leitch, who is vying to lead Canada’s Conservative Party, celebrated his win as “an exciting message and one that we need delivered in Canada, as well.” Canadian politics have historically been far less polarizing than those of America, but it seems Trump is emboldening far-right factions up north.

I know some Americans only joke about fleeing to Canada while Trump is in office, but for those who are serious, here’s some advice: Try somewhere more remote—say, Tristan da Cunha—where Trumpism can’t find you.

[Voice of Reason 10,298]

All of this, plus the fact that Canda has pretty strict immigration rules.

[Teddy B 17,251]

All of this, plus the fact that Canda has pretty strict immigration rules.

Rob, Val and I pre-planned for this moment by marrying Canadians, piece of cake for us.

[millefleur 5,039]

Canada does have quite strict immigration laws compared to the US. Seemingly much less "family ties" based immigration is going on, eh?

(via here.)

Summary: Canada has a far higher immigration rate and a more educated immigrant stream than the United States. The two countries also have very different immigration policies. Canada primarily admits immigrants based on employment-related qualifications, while the United States primarily admits immigrants based on family ties. Concerns have arisen in both countries regarding immigration policy. In Canada, policymakers are concerned with immigrants’ labor market integration and whether the long-standing point system can meet changing labor force needs. In the United States, policymakers worry that immigrant inflows are predominately low-skilled and unauthorized while caps on high-skilled, work-based immigration are too low. Canada has made many changes in recent years to address its concerns, whereas the United States has made few changes in recent decades to policies governing legal immigration. Canada’s policy changes may serve as models for the United States as it seeks to encourage more employment-based immigration and as economically-depressed regions push for programs that would enable them to attract immigrants as an economic stimulus.

[smilesammich 10,727]

Rob, Val and I pre-planned for this moment by marrying Canadians, piece of cake for us.

oui oui!

[Voice of Reason 10,298]

WP begins with prior planning. Noted.

Rob, Val and I pre-planned for this moment by marrying Canadians, piece of cake for us.

[The Nature Boy 7,659]

Rob, Val and I pre-planned for this moment by marrying Canadians, piece of cake for us.

I feel your spiked heel CABA pain brother

[Merrytooth 5,748]

Canada does have quite strict immigration laws compared to the US. Seemingly much less "family ties" based immigration is going on, eh?

(via here.)

What?!? Canada does not offer a 'I want a better life' visa ?

[jg121783 3,908]

Rob, Val and I pre-planned for this moment by marrying Canadians, piece of cake for us.

And people complain about Trump wanting to crack down on illegal aliens. I wonder what Canada's policy is on illegal aliens. I know Mexico will sentence you to a year of hard labor and deport you if you are caught there illegally.

[Rob L 3,811]

Rob, Val and I pre-planned for this moment by marrying Canadians, piece of cake for us.

I always have a plan B, C and D

Plan D includes using my Swiss passport, a Glock 43 and a healthy assortment of gold Krugerrands in a safety deposit box under an assumed name.

Lets hope we don't get to D

[Rob L 3,811]

Canada does have quite strict immigration laws compared to the US. Seemingly much less "family ties" based immigration is going on, eh?

(via here.)

When we were deciding which side of the border we would live in I found that on paper at least the Canadian family based immigration a bit slower and tougher ( 2 year average for spouses). I think you can get up on a temporary visa to live a little easier but its not a cake walk.

If you have money enough to buy a house or business, there are some real loopholes that many folks choose to exploit.

[Rob L 3,811]

oui oui!

Jus remember

its prounouced POO TIN not POO TEEEN

[Rob L 3,811]

And people complain about Trump wanting to crack down on illegal aliens. I wonder what Canada's policy is on illegal aliens. I know Mexico will sentence you to a year of hard labor and deport you if you are caught there illegally.

I am going to create a chain of mobile taco units and flood Vancouver with authentic street Tacos ( one on every corner). The largest one will be right in Front of the yet to be completed Trump Tower.

This is not a mobile restaurant chain but a culinary arts demonstration powered by donations from appreciative patrons. To maintain authenticity I will only use Mexican citizens and bring them in under Cultural visas. If I am lucky I will get artistic and cultural grants to support my work.

If you have ever tasted Mexican food in Canada, you would understand that I am doing their culture a huge favor.

[Dakine10 5,452]

For Americans fed up with their political system and terrified of a Donald Trump presidency, threatening to move to Canada is practically a cliché. In the two days since Trump was elected, anxious Yankeescrashed Canada’s immigration website, and are flooding my social media feeds with half-joking requests for asylum.

But as a Canadian living in the U.S., I have bad news for you. There’s no escape.

Down here, idealizing Canada is easy, with its universal healthcare, gun control, and universally adored woke bae-in-chief Justin Trudeau. The country is also geographically close, culturally familiar, and home tothree of the world’s most livable cities. But all that goodness isn’t enough to save Canada—or fleeing Americans—from Trump.

Globally, his impact will be wide-ranging and far-reaching, but that’s doubly so in the Great White North. As its next-door neighbor, Canada is far too economically and culturally intertwined with America to remain the liberal utopia that so many Democrats (falsely) believe it to be.

Indeed, living in Canada will be a lot more like living in Trump’s America than you think.

Living in Canada will be a lot more like living in Trump’s America than you think.

Having been born and raised in Toronto, I’ve witnessed the creeping influence of U.S. culture and commerce.

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, our government’s broadcast regulator, recently reduced quotas for Canadian content, making our airwaves more susceptible to American programming.

So if you think you can escape incessant media coverage of Trump by moving north, wrong again. U.S. news takes up a lot of space in Canadian media—something that will only worsen once Trump becomes president. His inflammatory rhetoric about black people, Mexicans, Muslims, people with disabilities, and more grabbed headlines in Canada and countries worldwide this election. Expect that to continue for the next four years.

Beyond a cultural takeover, Canada’s economic interests are also at stake under Trump, especially since America is its closest trading partner. The president-elect proposed to kill the North American Free Trade Agreement (aka “the worst trade deal in history”) if he couldn’t renegotiate it to his liking. If Trump follows through, tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, as well as exports from the U.S., will rise. Around 2.5 million Canadian jobs that depend on U.S. trade would be at risk, and our GDP—23% of which comes from exports to America—would also suffer.

While it’s true that Trudeau is a self-proclaimed feminist and champion of diversity, Canada isn’t exactly a lefty paradise. In fact, one Canadian politician is taking a cue from Trump, aspiring to follow in his divisive footsteps. Kellie Leitch, who is vying to lead Canada’s Conservative Party, celebrated his win as “an exciting message and one that we need delivered in Canada, as well.” Canadian politics have historically been far less polarizing than those of America, but it seems Trump is emboldening far-right factions up north.

I know some Americans only joke about fleeing to Canada while Trump is in office, but for those who are serious, here’s some advice: Try somewhere more remote—say, Tristan da Cunha—where Trumpism can’t find you.

The last time I was living in Canada, their conservative party did not even exist at the time. They didn't get enough seats to retain official party status. Sure they had the Harper government in between then and now, but socially I don't think there's a comparison to be made.

Canada's liberals are to the left of our Democrats, and then they have another major party to the left of that. And when those two both mess up and then can't work things out, sometimes the conservatives have a shot. But usually one of the two lefty parties get's enough support to keep the conservatives honest.

I was going to go up there next week since the kids are off school. I'm kind of glad we changed plans now. It was bad enough trying to explain Trumps appeal as a candidate. I can only imagine the questions now.

[Rob L 3,811]

The last time I was living in Canada, their conservative party did not even exist at the time. They didn't get enough seats to retain official party status. Sure they had the Harper government in between then and now, but socially I don't think there's a comparison to be made.

Canada's liberals are to the left of our Democrats, and then they have another major party to the left of that. And when those two both mess up and then can't work things out, sometimes the conservatives have a shot. But usually one of the two lefty parties get's enough support to keep the conservatives honest.

I was going to go up there next week since the kids are off school. I'm kind of glad we changed plans now. It was bad enough trying to explain Trumps appeal as a candidate. I can only imagine the questions now.

The left of liberals party is the NDP. It really sounds similar Bernies Platform

• Four years of budget surpluses relying on tax increases on corporations and ending tax breaks for stock options^[10]
• Increasing corporate tax rate from 15% to 17% and lower the small business tax rate from 11% to 9%^[10]
• Create a national cap and trade system to lower greenhouse gas emissions^[10]
• Reopen the constitution and win the unanimous support of the provinces to abolish the Senate^[11]
• Maintenance and expansion of human rights and civil rights, including: gender equality, equal rights for LGBTQA citizens, rights for people with physical and mental disabilities, workers' rights, and Aboriginal peoples' treaty, land, and constitutional rights
• Promoting Interculturalism and an intercultural understanding of Canada^[12]
• Expanding public health care, including a prescription drug coverage plan costing $2.6 billion over four years^[10]
• Take in 10,000 Syrian refugees immediately and 9,000 per year afterwards^[10]
• Spend $595 million to create $15 per day universal daycare and one million daycare spaces^[10]
• Reinstate the federal minimum wage to give workers in federally regulated industries such as rail and air transportation, banking, and telecommunications a $15 per hour wage^[13]
• Reducing poverty in Canada^[14]
• Social assistance policies that reflects citizens' needs and assist their re-entry to the work force
• National water safety standards
• Implementing mixed-member proportional representation^[15]
• Expanding funding for public transportation
• A foreign policy that emphasizes diplomacy, peacekeeping, and humanitarian aid instead of offensive military action
• Decriminalizing marijuana^[16]