JamesM

Wow.

Educated Canadians work for British Pharmaceutical company with global presence that is two to ten years ahead of it's Canadian rivals.

Why aren't these people working for Canada's leading pharmaceutical companies because they are too far behind perhaps..............

JamesM

It's an interesting article and perspective.

Education isn't an industry unless we're talking private education or universities where people are paying fees. I have no interest in free education- there are lots of variables that can distort that but people aren't really paying for it so I don't see where the industry is. Half of the kids who went to my school were there because they had to go- if they or their parents were given a choice they probably wouldn't and certainly if they had to pay for it.

I will stand by the fact that living in Toronto and doing day to day activities and having to spend my life here that it is 2 to 10 years behind the UK in nearly every industry.

I have worked in Telecom and Software and that held true. I shop in Solbys and Loblaws and they are light years behind Sainsbury and Tesco.

The lack of competition in Canada in most sectors makes them unproductive.

It's a simple life here. Little efficiency and little choice. That's not necessarily a bad thing but it is what it is. To kid someone wanting to move to Toronto that they are coming to a global metropolis with the opportunities and the cutting edge of say London, New York or Tokyo would be dishonest.

In Toronto we have poor radio, poor TV, crap supermarkets etc......This is offset against low crime, cheaper accommodation with more space and table service in bars. It's your own personal requirements that will determine if you stay or like it.

lmartin999

What's the deal with ID here? I am going to a gig in a couple of weeks where it says "ID required". Given I will neither be driving a car nor travelling internationally I see no reason why I should be required to show a bouncer either my driving licence or passport. It amazes me how ready people are here to "show ID" to people who have no right to see it.

JamesM

Agreed it's a little over the top.

They do do it at some clubs in England. It gives them confidence that if you cause trouble and the doorman have to throw you out they can check who you are for police etc.......

In Boston last year I was refused alcohol on my Canadian driving license. They would only accept passport. They had a policy of ID-ing everybody!

Novocastrian

Surely it's a well known fact that only 30% of US folk have a passport?

Does that mean that the rest can't buy booze?

JamesM

That's one for the USA versus Canada forum...........

I can't keep up.............

Novocastrian

Well yes. The UK these days is 2 to 10 years behind Canada in multitasking, Young Jedi.

MarylandNed

AstraZenica is a global pharmaceutical company with historical roots in Sweden. In fact its R&D headquarters are in Sweden. It's corporate HQ just happens to be in London.

Similarly GSK is a global company. It has significant American and New Zealand roots. It grew with the help of acquisitions in Belgium, Canada and Poland.

Both companies have a significant presence in Canada because Canada has a highly educated and skilled workforce. And, yes, there are also pharmaceutical companies with HQ's in Canada.

MarylandNed

No, because a significant number of the rest have US drivers' licenses or ID cards. Also, not everyone gets asked for ID. I'm 45 and look it and no-one bothers to ask me for ID anymore - at least not in Maryland, Virginia, or DC.

JamesM

I can't multi-task because I'm male. That is one weakness in the sexes I have never been to proud to acknowledge.

JamesM

Alright I'm moving on anyway.......but only because I see Belfast and Manchester in your signature so your probably rock hard and I don't want to be pummelled in.

MarylandNed

LOL! Seriously, that made me laugh. I'm actually the intelligent, sensitive type....who misses his mum.

fledermaus

I misread your name as Mary and Ned.....

MarylandNed

Maryl's a name so it could be Maryl and Ned

JamesM

That's actually what I thought???