BS: Is life so really sweet in Canada ?

Subject: BS: Is life so really sweet in Canada ?
From: GUEST,Jimmy Webb Fan
Date: 06 Aug 07 - 08:57 PM

I live in the UK and recently my wife and I have been considering a move to Canada. My wife has a brother living there for the past 6 years and he paints a picture of a crime free society with roses on the sidewalks.

I have no doubt it's a fine country, but my brother in law does tend to take any opportunity to put the boot in regarding the UK. Any time I talk to him by phone, it's "oh you wouldn't get that happening in Canada".

I know there are Canadians on the site, could you answer me this, is Canada the drug free, alcohol abuse free utopia I am lead to believe ?

Thanks.

Subject: RE: BS: Is life so really sweet in Canada ?
From: Bee
Date: 06 Aug 07 - 09:08 PM

No, but it isn't too bad, either. Also depends on where you live, big city, small town, Maritimes, Alberta, etc. Statistics Canada has a website, you can find crime stats and many other things there.

Of course, he's quite right about the roses on the sidewalks. ;-D

Subject: RE: BS: Is life so really sweet in Canada ?
From: GUEST,Jimmy Webb Fan
Date: 06 Aug 07 - 09:14 PM

Thanks. My wife has a possible job offer in London, Ontario.

Subject: RE: BS: Is life so really sweet in Canada ?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 06 Aug 07 - 09:21 PM

Cities always have the biggest and best, in Canada as elsewhere.
That includes crime as well as the best in facilities.

I am happy living in Alberta (transplant from the States). I'd say life is pretty sweet, but then I am not exposed to the drug-sex-crime scene, although it is there under the surface, as it is everywhere else.

Subject: RE: BS: Is life so really sweet in Canada ?
From: GUEST,Jimmy Webb Fan
Date: 06 Aug 07 - 09:28 PM

Thanks.

Subject: RE: BS: Is life so really sweet in Canada ?
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 06 Aug 07 - 09:47 PM

No shortage of drugs or alcohol in cities I am familiar with. Quite a lot in fact. But it is a wonderful place, sometimes overly self-righteous I think, but I would live there in a heartbeat. mg

Subject: RE: BS: Is life so really sweet in Canada ?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 06 Aug 07 - 10:11 PM

Oh, well, it's a very peaceful and nice society in general. That said, there are bad neighborhoods in all big cities...you just want to make sure you don't move into such a neighborhood. In Toronto, for example, there are a few areas that are pretty high in crime...such as the Jane-Finch area, for example. At the same time, the city on the whole is pretty safe as big cities go.

The smaller cities, towns, and country areas are great.

You also get free medicare here (of course, that is true in a great many of not most developed countries in the west, but not in our big neighbour to the south...).

The drug and alcohol and crime scene is basically there...if you're inclined to go around looking for it. ;-) I mean, hey, if you want to buy drugs or hang out with drunks, you can do that in any Canadian town...just look around for such people. But if you're not inclined to go looking for it, you will not be likely to have it come looking for you.

Yeah, Canada is a great place to live, no question about it. Some areas are short of jobs. If you want to go somewhere with a healthy economy, I'd suggest Alberta, I guess, and southern Ontario. London, Ontario sounds good to me. I'm not sure what the job scene is like in British Columbia, but people seem to love the place.

There's a lot of room in this country. That always helps. You can basically find the kind of place that suits you, no matter what your tastes are...unless, that is, you want palm trees.

Subject: RE: BS: Is life so really sweet in Canada ?
From: Ebbie
Date: 06 Aug 07 - 11:00 PM

Ha, I say. What about Shane, huh? Huh?

Subject: RE: BS: Is life so really sweet in Canada ?
From: Cluin
Date: 06 Aug 07 - 11:07 PM

Pretty sweet in the early spring when our national trees are in full flow.

Subject: RE: BS: Is life so really sweet in Canada ?
From: Bee
Date: 06 Aug 07 - 11:17 PM

This weekend I met a Welsh couple, in Cape Breton (first time in Canada) to visit their cousins (my friends) who moved here as young children. My friends just happen to live in a ten acre rural paradise - rolling fields, the Highlands as their main view, river one side the property, huge vegetable garden, happy dogs and cats, swarms of friends in and out, so the visitors may have gotten an exaggerated idea of Canadian lifestyles.

But, like other UK folks I've talked with, it is the distances, the size of Canada, that astounds them. That my husband and I would drive 400+ km to visit friends for a couple days, that many of us commute 50 or 60 km. to work, that a lake might have only three or four homes on it, or none at all, that the Laurentian Shield is mostly uninhabited and could swallow Europe, are all facts hard for them to grasp. Canada is durn near empty, by UK standards.

Oh, and they were very nice clever fun people!

Subject: RE: BS: Is life so really sweet in Canada ?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 06 Aug 07 - 11:18 PM

Canada is actually FREE of Shane at the moment, Ebbie. He got abducted by aliens again.

He'll probably be back, though. ;-) The best way to avoid Shane is to have no cigarettes, booze or drugs in your possession...otherwise he'll hang around trying to get you to give him some for free.

Oh, and if you're a "babe", he'll hang around trying to get something else for free...

But he's basically harmless. ;-)

People like Shane can be found in any Canadian community, specially hanging around the Beer Store, the LCBO, the Dollar Store, the place that cashes your cheques ahead of time, and the Tim Horton's donut shops. They emerge in the afternoon hours and can generally be found wandering around right after the bars close at midnight or 1 AM. They become considerably less coherent after sundown.

Subject: RE: BS: Is life so really sweet in Canada ?
From: Cluin
Date: 07 Aug 07 - 02:13 AM

You just described my social circle.

Subject: RE: BS: Is life so really sweet in Canada ?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 07 Aug 07 - 03:41 AM

Very cold in winter.

Quite ludicrous about enforcing speed limits and road signs ("You crossed a white line there madam" "Yes, but there was no-one coming and there was a huge crater in the road I wanted to avoid" "I'm sorry madam but the law says you must not cross a white line..." (happened to a friend of mine).

I also remember seeing a documentary programme about problems with the Hell's Angels controlling an empire of drugs and prostitution....

Subject: RE: BS: Is life so really sweet in Canada ?
From: 3refs
Date: 07 Aug 07 - 04:38 AM

I have live in Ontario. Born and raised and call it home. Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia are other Provinces that I've hung my hat(or skates) in.

We have a lot of diversity. Going from coast to coast to coast, you will probably find more ethnic enclaves than most other countries. China town in Toronto or Vancouver? You'd think you landed smack dab in the middle of Hong Kong. We just had a Caribana fest in Toronto that is the largest in the world. Collingwood has the largest Elvis fest outside of Memphis. We've got the biggest .05 cent piece you ever saw! Some people in Newfoundland still don't believe their part of Canada(some Quebecois too). Buffalo still roam free in parts of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta(biggest stampede in the world in Calgary). I don't really have the literary skills to describe British Columbia. The Rockies, the ocean, you have to see it for yourself! Victoria B.C.(on Vancouver Island) really does stop for tea as there is a lot of U.K. influence there. We have Inuit(Eskimos) that still live in igloos and they like it that way!
A few years ago we got into a pissing contest with our cousins to the south. I really forget what is was about that time as we've had quite a few over the years! Anyhow, a TV commercial was produced for Molson's Canadian Lager that's called Joe Canada's Rant. Go to "youtube" search "I Am Canadian" it's about(not aboot)60 secs long.

That's pretty much us!

Subject: RE: BS: Is life so really sweet in Canada ?
From: JennieG
Date: 07 Aug 07 - 05:25 AM

And of course there are Canadian women.....the reason we haven't seen our younger son for over two years and also the reason our older son is visiting Alberta.

Perhaps we should move there too.

Only 6 weeks and 5 days until we get to Toronto - yippee!

Cheers
JennieG

Subject: RE: BS: Is life so really sweet in Canada ?
From: GUEST,meself
Date: 07 Aug 07 - 05:57 PM

I've never spent any time in London, Ont., but I grew up not too far away - and never heard a story about any sort of violence or low-life activity there - or about anything else, for that matter ... my impression is that it's a staid, quiet, low-key, boring place - just what you're looking for if you're over 35 ...

"drug free, alcohol abuse free utopia"? I'm sure it's not quite that ...

For the most part in this country, you can live well apart from violence and substance abuse if you can avoid living in rough neighbourhoods, and if you don't hang out in biker bars.

Subject: RE: BS: Is life so really sweet in Canada ?
From: Cluin
Date: 07 Aug 07 - 06:03 PM

Lot of old money in London. Nice community. Lots of driving though, like most places in southern Ont. Crime's not too bad but there is a lot of car theft. My girlfriend's brother and oldest son are cops there and they like the place.

Subject: RE: BS: Is life so really sweet in Canada ?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 07 Aug 07 - 06:05 PM

"Hell's Angels controlling an empire of drugs and prostitution"

True...but it's probably never going to be a problem for you unless you:

1. are one of them
2. are one of their regular customers, and you don't pay...
3. are a cop

Subject: RE: BS: Is life so really sweet in Canada ?
From: Flatpick
Date: 07 Aug 07 - 06:15 PM

London is nice, so is every other place I've ever visited in my six or seven visits to the great Canadian nation.
The folks were nice too, they don't invade or menace other nations, they contribute well to the UN, their beers are great, their girls are lovely.
If I could get in my time machine (I'm 65) and go back to 16 again, I would move there in a trice if they would have me.
My opinion is it's the best country I've visited as a tourist, traveller and musician.
I hope their Tourist Board reads this....

Subject: RE: BS: Is life so really sweet in Canada ?
From: gnu
Date: 07 Aug 07 - 07:02 PM

My Mum, who has seen Canada from Ontario east, New England and most of Europe (50s and 60s), says London, Ontario is the absolute nicest place she ever saw.

"Old money".... I heard that it has the most per capita Moneybags ($$$retirees) of anywhere in Canada as it is such a nice place. Although, Mum did say that she found the summer rather hot and humid.

On another note, a buddy of mine knew a stripper who often worked at a strip club in St. John's, Newfoundland who said she only was working the clubs to make enough money to retire in London. She bared all across the nation and liked London the best. So, if you do relocate, say "hi" to Crystal Chandalier for mmmmy buddy.

Subject: RE: BS: Is life so really sweet in Canada ?
From: GUEST,Jimmy Webb Fan
Date: 07 Aug 07 - 07:53 PM

Hey thanks so much for all you help here guys, greatly appreciated.
The area we are contemplating is Oakville Ontario. Seems really nice.
Going over in October to look at it.

Subject: RE: BS: Is life so really sweet in Canada ?
From: Beer
Date: 07 Aug 07 - 08:20 PM

You won't go wrong in any part of South Western Ontario. This is known as the fruit belt area. Also tobacco at one time. I lived in St. Thomas located just a little south of London and all that area was great.
Good luck
Beer (adrien)

Subject: RE: BS: Is life so really sweet in Canada ?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 07 Aug 07 - 08:21 PM

Canadian nickel large? Same size as the one from USA.
Here in Alberta we get a lot of U. S. pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters from the tourists. Where we differ is in the $1 (loonie) and $2 (toonie) coins. No dollar bills used here for years.
Here in the west the east Asians are big in the drug trade. A lot of space in the yellow pages are taken up by escort services; many independents.
The biggest buffalo herds I've seen are in northern New Mexico, but they are on ranches; the one in northern Alberta does roam more or less free. The Calgary Stampede is much like the one in Cheyenne, Wyoming, perhaps larger, but I can't see the attraction to either. The best are those held in small places; people get just as drunk as they do at the big ones (my favorite is on the Navajo reservation at Fort Wingate but High River, etc. in Alberta ain't bad either).

The main advantages I see in Canada are that things move a little slower, there is a lot of room to roam once out of the cities and people don't get as het up over politics, left and right, or whatever.
And the evangelists make less fuss.

Subject: RE: BS: Is life so really sweet in Canada ?
From: Ebbie
Date: 07 Aug 07 - 08:31 PM

A Juneau friend of mine just got back from roaming around in the provinces. He is originally from the plains in Colorado so he's always been involved in one way or another with rodeos. He went to the Calgary Stampede this year and was disappointed. He said it has gotten very slick and organized and at the same time is very - overly - pleased with itself.

Subject: RE: BS: Is life so really sweet in Canada ?
From: bobad
Date: 07 Aug 07 - 08:33 PM

And your queen graces our currency and stamps so that may help temper any homesickness you may experience.

Subject: RE: BS: Is life so really sweet in Canada ?
From: GUEST,Jimmy Webb Fan
Date: 07 Aug 07 - 08:47 PM

Well the Canadian members here are great ambassadors, I like the sense of humour and their relaxed attitude to life that comes across in your posts.

Thanks

Subject: RE: BS: Is life so really sweet in Canada ?
From: Emma B
Date: 07 Aug 07 - 08:48 PM

I got back from a trip to Canada last Friday - I miss it and it's people already!

Subject: RE: BS: Is life so really sweet in Canada ?
From: GUEST,meself
Date: 07 Aug 07 - 09:25 PM

"And your queen ... "

Hey, that's OUR queen - like it or not.

Subject: RE: BS: Is life so really sweet in Canada ?
From: gnu
Date: 07 Aug 07 - 10:19 PM

Yes.... I pay my taxes and hold my freehold properties.... to and in right of Her Majesty The Queen In Right of Canada. Well, I may sign the cheques to The Receiver General for Canada, but most of us know who owns the property.

Odd that so many Canucks resent that. It is the law. And, it is a law that binds us to The Commonwealth. And, we receive benefits from that.... odd that so many Canucks don't understand those benefits.

VERY odd.

Yes, life is sweet to a ceratin extent.... and, part of that is our association with The Commonwealth.

Thanks, Beth.

Subject: RE: BS: Is life so really sweet in Canada ?
From: Rapparee
Date: 07 Aug 07 - 10:56 PM

Oh, it's the Queen. I'm here in Edmonton at a meeting and I thought it was either Ann Murray or Buffy St. Marie.

Subject: RE: BS: Is life so really sweet in Canada ?
From: GUEST,meself
Date: 07 Aug 07 - 11:04 PM

Wait a minute - gnu is a she? How come I always thought she was a he? Hmmm ...

Subject: RE: BS: Is life so really sweet in Canada ?
From: Cluin
Date: 07 Aug 07 - 11:46 PM

I'd rather see either of those two fine ladies on our coinage, Rap. Something a bit more homegrown would be nice.

Subject: RE: BS: Is life so really sweet in Canada ?
From: Jim Lad
Date: 08 Aug 07 - 04:25 AM

I didn't catch where you're from in the U.K. (I'll presume England) but my hometown in Scotland has the highest crime rate in Britain, at least it had the last time I checked. I have rarely encountered the type of impoverished area that I was raised in, during any of my travels in North or South America. Some reserves and parts of Chile have about the same living standards.
Emigration to Canada is a no-brain-er in that respect.
I've been in Canada since 1979 and have lived in various parts of BC and also in Cape Breton. I have traveled extensively within Canada & down into some of the western States in the U.S. I love all of it with the exception of Vancouver (crime) and the Lower Mainland. (Air quality)
I can honestly say that I know of not one single place in Scotland that would allow me the same space and freedom that I enjoy here.
I'm on Vancouver Island now where the climate is more moderate than the rest of BC and Canada. It's about the size of Scotland and has less than a million residents.
Free enterprise is alive and kicking and the job market is extremely healthy.
I have no Queen but would gladly kneel for Buffy St. Marie, even if she is American. (Heard she blew them away at the Mission Folk Festival, last week)
Emigration is good for the sole.
Regards.
Jim

Subject: RE: BS: Is life so really sweet in Canada ?
From: kendall
Date: 08 Aug 07 - 07:32 AM

Out of the hundreds I have met, I've only known one Canadian that I didn't like. There was one other that I never met, so, two out of hundreds aint bad.I'll bet not many Canadians can say that about us!

Subject: RE: BS: Is life so really sweet in Canada ?
From: GUEST,meself
Date: 08 Aug 07 - 09:59 AM

I don't know about her citizenship, but Buffy Sainte-Marie was born in Saskatchewan, and adopted by a couple in Maine, where she grew up. But as an Aboriginal, national boundaries don't apply in the same way ... She's been associated with Native institutions and issues on both sides of the Medicine Line.

Subject: RE: BS: Is life so really sweet in Canada ?
From: Willie-O
Date: 08 Aug 07 - 11:02 AM

Ah Kendall, Clinton ain't that bad...I suspect. He just plays at it.

Jimmy Webb Fan:
Oakville, London...economically viable but boring and overpopulated places. I think you should give Ottawa (OK, its my hometown) a good looking-over. A fair-sized city, beautiful setting at the confluence of the Ottawa, Rideau and Gatineau rivers, government & high-tech employment centre, great cultural scene for music, festivals, museums, and all that. And most unlike Toronto, you can drive out of town in ANY DIRECTION and be in a wilderness setting within half an hour.

Rent a car when you're here and run up the mileage looking around. (Try Discount Rentals for 3000 free kilometers).

"drug free, alcohol abuse free utopia " ??? what the HELL kind of utopia would that be? I don't get it. Then again, hymn-singing isn't my idea of a good Saturday evening.

regards
W-O

Subject: RE: BS: Is life so really sweet in Canada ?
From: 3refs
Date: 08 Aug 07 - 12:15 PM

The Big Nickel(Sudbury, Ontario...30ft high and 2ft thick.
Now that's a big nickel!

Subject: RE: BS: Is life so really sweet in Canada ?
From: Cluin
Date: 08 Aug 07 - 12:24 PM

There's a big goose in Wawa.

Subject: RE: BS: Is life so really sweet in Canada ?
From: Jim Lad
Date: 08 Aug 07 - 12:35 PM

Oh, I knew I was stepping in it with the "Buffy" thing.
Apologies to her highness who, as Meself pointed out, has no use for our borders.

Subject: RE: BS: Is life so really sweet in Canada ?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 08 Aug 07 - 12:35 PM

Yeah, the nickel referred to was the giant one that stands in Sudbury, not the ordinary ones that are in circulation. They're the same size as the American nickels.

Buffy Sainte-Marie IS a Queen. I would accept her as my sovereign with no hesitation. I've seen her live shows several times in the last 10 or 15 years, and she's always wonderful. She's Native American, and that makes her both a Canadian and an American, technically speaking, but she was born in Canada.

I would agree with Willie-O that Oakville is "economically viable but boring and overpopulated"...it's like a giant suburban sprawl now that Toronto has grown out so much in all directions. I'd rate London slightly better. Guelph is really nice, and Ottawa's a great city, just like Willie-O says.

Subject: RE: BS: Is life so really sweet in Canada ?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 09 Aug 07 - 12:50 AM

Yes, I would much rather see Buffy on our coins. Like many immigrants here, to me the Queen is meaningless.

Subject: RE: BS: Is life so really sweet in Canada ?
From: GUEST,HiLo
Date: 09 Aug 07 - 08:43 AM

I think the Queen is probably a better singer..lets stick with her.

Subject: RE: BS: Is life so really sweet in Canada ?
From: GUEST,meself
Date: 09 Aug 07 - 09:32 AM

Oh, no - we must dismantle the constitution and do away with all our archaic customs: whatever it takes to make our nation more meaningful for immigrants ...

Subject: RE: BS: Is life so really sweet in Canada ?
From: Peace
Date: 09 Aug 07 - 01:43 PM

Yeah, right!

When old Liz visits, she does so as the Queen of Canada. Some Canucks go all gaga over it, some don't care at all. Either way is fine with me.

Subject: RE: BS: Is life so really sweet in Canada ?
From: Peace
Date: 09 Aug 07 - 01:52 PM

As for anyone coming to Canada--if they don't like the place or feel it doesn't measure up to their country of origin, last I heard there are no walls or fences stopping people from returning to from whence they came. The place has two official languages: French and English. People will have to learn one or the other or both, and most do after a few generations. When people become Canadian citizens, they have the right to bitch and moan about the place as much as they want. It's one of the guarantees in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Those who bitch and moan before becoming Canadians should fuck off, no offense. That's all I wanted to say.

Subject: RE: BS: Is life so really sweet in Canada ?
From: Peace
Date: 09 Aug 07 - 01:58 PM

"Out of the hundreds I have met, I've only known one Canadian that I didn't like. There was one other that I never met, so, two out of hundreds aint bad.I'll bet not many Canadians can say that about us!"

I can.

Subject: RE: BS: Is life so really sweet in Canada ?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 09 Aug 07 - 02:12 PM

Yeah, but you know more Canadians than the average Samoan does, right?

I bet I could find at least 10 people in this town whom you would not like one bit. Hell, maybe 20. But do I want to find them? Naw....

Subject: RE: BS: Is life so really sweet in Canada ?
From: Peace
Date: 09 Aug 07 - 02:19 PM

Lemme start with a list of people I find seriously objectionable:

In the House of Commons we have . . . .

Subject: RE: BS: Is life so really sweet in Canada ?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 09 Aug 07 - 02:29 PM

LOL! Don't start on that. Look there are some people down at the local bar that I can guarantee you would not like. Specially right after last call.

Subject: RE: BS: Is life so really sweet in Canada ?
From: Peace
Date: 09 Aug 07 - 02:30 PM

I just noticed that the House begins business as usual on my birthday. I trust they are not doing so in my honour. If so, to any MPs reading this, stay out of Parliament. We're doing just fine without you. The bureaucrats can keep things going in your absence. Take a few years off. My gift to you--and the Canadian people.