Originally Posted by Stephanie McLachlan

Hi,

A lot has changed in the past 5 years. There has been a lot of free labour movement into the UK due to the open European Gates. The influx has been quite alarming for the locals in some areas, with a lot of support services ie Doctors, Schools, Housing and Government Coffers struggling to cope with the increasing (daily) demand on them. What I will say, and feel free to correct me if your area differs to the one I describe, but my area and the National newspapers are my main points of reference, is that I have noticed that my City center seems to have different languages being spoken on every corner, to the point where I feel a stranger in my own country. :mad:

Not all areas are the same, but with ever increasing taxes on everything to pay for the added burden, there are a lot less smiles to be found on the streets. I think everyone is feeling the pinch, and I can only see it getting worse for those of us who are desperately looking for a better run for our money. Roll on getting our visas and getting outta here!

I may be tempted back for a visit, or the odd funeral once I leave, but to come back for a Holiday? NO WAY ! :scared:

Sorry to give you a rather gloomy synopsis. Anyone else agree? :confused:
Cheers Stef

Originally Posted by Canada2006

Can't agree less. Immigration into the UK is great for everyone and is really helping economically. Multilinguallity and multi-culturalism are enhancing for everyone - without Asian shops, where would I buy pak-choï???

Taxes are going up because New Labour has put a lot of money into public services. You don't feel the impact because they haven't made the necessary structural reforms.

You'll hate Canada, it's full of immigrants. 20% of Vancouver is from Hong Kong for example. Moreover, Canadian health and education services are suffering from the same structural problems as the UK.

Originally Posted by Daedra

I get the feeling Canada2006 is trying to hog Canada all for himself LOL!!! :D

But yeah, there are lots of immigrants in Canada as witnessed by how many British members frequent the Canadian board here (and thats just one wee island!) so it's not a good idea to move abroad if you dont want foreigners, you'll be surrounded by them *lol* ;) :D

I think the main immigration difference is (IMO!) that Canadians are welcoming to foreigners so long as said foreigners are willing & enthusiatic about joining/appreciating the Canadian culture/way of life... I was horrified to see government signs in English and arabic.. is it called erdu or am I making that up?? And no I am NOT racist before anyone jumps on that band wagon! My first words to my OH was "Are we in England, home of the English language, or are we in little India?!" Canada had 2 official languages, French and English, either or can request/recieve literature in both or one language... I dont feel ANY other language should be on government buildings and literature.. thats what embassies are for! That may sound harsh but it's not meant that way... it's about retaining cultural identification and I think it takes the p*ss for someone to move to another country and demand to have everything in English, Swahili or whatever language they're comfortable with!

Originally Posted by Daedra

I dont think it DOES help integration... if that was the case, then surely every African & European language would be on those signs as well... and no offense but, what a waste of sign space?! If I move to Spain, I will NOT expect all Spanish people to speak English or French, I will first study Spanish and learn how to get by, or I will contact my local Canadian embassy in Spain to have the information I need translated... I respect your viewpoints Canada2006 but I'm afraid on this point, we will differ.

I dont agree with any bashing of any minorities, but at the same time, I think EVERY country should request a level of respect to their heritage from foreigners and I do not think that is racist as I would apply this rule to any country, Canada England Nigeria or Pakistan!

Originally Posted by zigspider

Sorry, have to butt in here, this is about how bad the Uk is, and, from what I'm reading you are saying it's great! You're currently living in Belgium, and from your name 'Canada2006' I assume that's where you're heading. Why not go back to the UK? If it's job related I apologise.

Can't answer the OP, as haven't been back to the UK since 2003, but shouldn't we stick to the original question?

Jerry

Originally Posted by Bradford Lass

Why dont all the would-be immigrants who think you are so much better than the immigrants in the UK create a new thread?
Then the rest of us wont have to read your miserable rantings. Any country would be better of without you! :mad:

Originally Posted by iaink

Right up until they ran into the wrong sort of Redneck.

Originally Posted by Daedra

I dont think it DOES help integration... if that was the case, then surely every African & European language would be on those signs as well... and no offense but, what a waste of sign space?! If I move to Spain, I will NOT expect all Spanish people to speak English or French, I will first study Spanish and learn how to get by, or I will contact my local Canadian embassy in Spain to have the information I need translated... I respect your viewpoints Canada2006 but I'm afraid on this point, we will differ.

I dont agree with any bashing of any minorities, but at the same time, I think EVERY country should request a level of respect to their heritage from foreigners and I do not think that is racist as I would apply this rule to any country, Canada England Nigeria or Pakistan!

Originally Posted by Daedra

Well I feel relatively secure in the fact that as of yet.. the only two official languages that Govt signs/literature is published in Canada is French and English. I have nothing against vendors wanting to advertise to whomever may be their largest clientel as they will more then likely try not to alienate the majority of their clients.

I sound like a complete bigot now which really wasn't my intention... I am just infuriated by the lack of respect shown for countries heritage and culture and feel saddened that political correctness has dictated our lives to the point where people have to think twice about claiming to be proud of the country they come from or the country they move(d) to. It's like heritage and patriosm have become dirty words insinuating isolatic countries and some form of racist extremist.

Originally Posted by flipflop

oh great wise one, so so true :D

Originally Posted by dbd33

This is worthless minutiae though, innit? Apples and bananas.

- the exchange rate can easily swing enough to disrupt the calculation

- direct taxation is a small fraction of overall taxation

- people moving between countries do not usually earn the same amount

- the numbers don't account for the regressive nature of tax in Canada. One you get beyond an income of $100,000 small time tax avoidance is worthwhile, once your income exceeds $500,000 big time tax avoidance is worthwhile. At each milestone the tax rate drops. I expect the same is true in the UK but have lost track

- taxes in different countries pay for different things

- tax breaks in different countries vary, in Canada I've always had deductions for wife, children and mistress, they're not all available in the UK

- customs vary, in the UK wives often work, here they tend not to, so they're deductible

- tax rates don't directly affect quality of life. People give up on Canada because of family issues, the weather, lack of a job or because they couldn't get laid. They don't do so because they had to pay two points more income in the middle band.

Originally Posted by carpenters

:confused: I'm a bit confused as to why you think this is 'worthless minutae'?

Originally Posted by dbd33

I thought I'd explained that both by a list of serious points, such as the fact that an analysis of federal tax rates misses more financial issues than it explains, and by a graphic illustration of how focussing on accounting causes one to miss the big picture; a gay couple would be taxed less in Alberta but might be strung up.

Let's look at this another way. If an analysis of accounting showed a potential for a decrease in household income of 2% would you not emigrate?