stuckincanada

Hi Friends,

I am returning to this forum after a long hiatus. I never posted a "Got It!" post because the extremely long wait in the immigration process gradually robbed all the excitement that the landing papers are supposed to bring, in the first place.

It has been more than 10 months since I landed here and I would like to share a few thoughts with all, that you may find worth considering in your future plans to immigrate.

First, Canada is not what it is made out to be. Enough has been said on this and I would like to add my two cents worth.

There is racism rampant everywhere in Canada, specially at your work. If you are a visible minority, that is, the color of your skin is not white, you are in for a rude awakening here. And it exudes in such a subtle manner that you cannot do much about it except grind your teeth in humiliation and dismay.

The jobs have all dried up... jobs that require professional expertise, that is. You can be pretty sure to find yourself working at the local McDonald's or Tim Horton's. And here comes the jaw-dropper... even jobs flipping burgers or brewing coffee are not easy to come by. You will more likely be turned away because you lack the disgusting "Canadian Experience flipping burgers or making coffee". And even if you do get lucky to find your way in at a drive-thru window, you shall find yourself working next to school teens. Thats pretty humiliating in itself, considering that CIC granted you an immigrant visa based on your University education and your long years of professional work experience.

So, all that talk of "Canada needs hundreds of thousands of skilled immigrants each year" is just bull. All jobs, if any, are filled internally and so they are never advertised. And if you do find a position or 2 in the appointment pages, well you already read the stuff about canadian experience and skin color, above.

The taxes are through the roof. The Government will not let go a single opportunity to suck on you like a leech. A small example... Mail forwarding in the US does not cost you a dime when you are changing addresses. Well Canada Post charges you a cool 30 dollars each time you move.

Generally, I have found Canadians extremely cold and non-receptive to new immigrants. This is very contrary to popular belief but it is a fact. All the talk about Canada being the best country to live in and blah-blah-blah is rotten. Every day Canadian papers run articles on horror stories of recent and not-so-recent immigrants to Canada. One such story was on a rocket-scientist from China who immigrated here only to find herself working at a cinnamon bun store in a mall. What a pity and what a waste of talent. This scientist was planning to return back. Then there are many stories of physicians and doctors who immigrate from developing countries and switch careers to making coffee and hot chocolate at the local Tim Horton's.

Yes, and if you may be wondering, I too am seriosly considering leaving Canada. Difficult as it may be uprooting oneself from one part of the world to another and then back again, it leaves me with very little choice.

All the Canadian glitter is just a mirage. The closer you get, the more it fades into oblivion, until you find yourself in a land of nowhere and left with the only choice to retrace your steps back.

Robert

My move was better than i thought. Its much better here than i imagined.
I had no pre-concieved thoughts even though i had visited many times before

Remove the LARGE chip from your shoulder and get a life or do the next best
thing
Take your chip with you to wherever it was you came

Posting snippets of information gleaned from other sources to make a post
means nothing...........

Having worked in a variety of environments i can say that i have seen FAR
LESS racism here than i ever saw in europe. In fact i see more cultures in
reasonable positions than i could have imagined possible

Maybe YOU have somthing to deal with first

The only hype is from those who dont (or wont try) to make it, or who want
it all on a plate.....eh ?

Ravi

"stuckincanada" <member21988@british_expats.com> wrote in message

    > There is
    > racism rampant everywhere in Canada, specially at your work. If you are
    > a visible minority, that is, the color of your skin is not white, you
    > are in for a rude awakening here. And it exudes in such a subtle manner
    > that you cannot do much about it except grind your teeth in humiliation
    > and dismay.

Show me a country where there is no racism at all. I bet that you are
discriminated against even in your home country if you are not from certain
area/race. From my experience, after living in several part of the world,
Canada has very low level of racism. One of the best place indeed.

    > The jobs have all dried up... jobs that require
    > professional expertise, that is.

That is everywhere in the world. Globally we are going through economic
recession. With the current trend of exporting white collar jobs to low cost
developing countries, more and more people will find it difficult to get
professional jobs in developed countries.

    > You can be pretty sure to find yourself
    > working at the local McDonald's or Tim Horton's. And here comes the jaw-
    > dropper... even jobs flipping burgers or brewing coffee are not easy to
    > come by. You will more likely be turned away because you lack the
    > disgusting "Canadian Experience flipping burgers or making coffee". And
    > even if you do get lucky to find your way in at a drive-thru window, you
    > shall find yourself working next to school teens. Thats pretty
    > humiliating in itself, considering that CIC granted you an immigrant
    > visa based on your University education and your long years of
    > professional work experience.

CIC didn't grant you visa with guaranteed job. It's survival of the fittest.

    > So, all that talk of "Canada needs
    > hundreds of thousands of skilled immigrants each year" is just bull.

You're wrong. Canada still needs skilled immigrants to keep it's population
and economy growing.

    > All jobs, if any, are filled internally and so they are never advertised.

It's true for a lot of jobs, but not *all*. Again, it is true everywhere.
Canada is not unique in that regard.

    > And if you do find a position or 2 in the appointment pages, well you
    > already read the stuff about canadian experience and skin color, above.

It makes sense from business standpoint to hire somebody with local
experience. I've heard employer talking about Canadian experience but never
heard of talking about skin color.

    > The taxes are through the roof. The Government will not let go a
    > single opportunity to suck on you like a leech. A small example... Mail
    > forwarding in the US does not cost you a dime when you are changing
    > addresses. Well Canada Post charges you a cool 30 dollars each time you
    > move.

The reward of paying high tax is huge too. For example, if you are sick it
won't cost you a dime to visit a doctor in Canada. But it will cost you
hundreds of dollar, sometimes it might even bankrupt you in USA.

    > Generally, I have found Canadians extremely cold and non-
    > receptive to new immigrants. This is very contrary to popular belief
    > but it is a fact.

Generally, I've found Canadians are extremely warm towards immigrants.
Actually, it's the best among the countries I've lived before.

    > All the talk about Canada being the best country to
    > live in and blah-blah-blah is rotten. Every day Canadian papers run
    > articles on horror stories of recent and not-so-recent immigrants to
    > Canada. One such story was on a rocket-scientist from China who
    > immigrated here only to find herself working at a cinnamon bun store in
    > a mall. What a pity and what a waste of talent. This scientist was
    > planning to return back. Then there are many stories of physicians and
    > doctors who immigrate from developing countries and switch careers to
    > making coffee and hot chocolate at the local Tim Horton's.

These stories exist in every country of the world. All immigrants don't
become successful. As a newcomer, one has to always work harder than locals
to be competitive. I literally know hundreds of new immigrants who are
successful and hold higher position in Canada. Then, I also know of some
immigrants (whites and native English speakers included) who couldn't make
it. But generally majority of immigrants make it, albeit it takes time.

    > Yes, and if
    > you may be wondering, I too am seriosly considering leaving Canada.
    > Difficult as it may be uprooting oneself from one part of the world to
    > another and then back again, it leaves me with very little choice.

Sorry to hear about your decision. But whatever you decide, good luck with
your new journey.

    > All
    > the Canadian glitter is just a mirage. The closer you get, the more it
    > fades into oblivion, until you find yourself in a land of nowhere and
    > left with the only choice to retrace your steps back.

Our dream for glittering life itself is a mirage. But if we plan properly,
be competitive and determined then we can build your own oasis.

--

Julien Chaupitre

Sounds like a troll to me...

Good to hear people with real life experienced jumping here and provide
comments on their own...

And after all, life is not a given, you got to fight for what you want and
never stop... And this will be true in any country you want to leave in...
and when you think about it, would you really want everything to be easy and
simple? I found a lot interest in having difficulties getting my dreams
accomplished, if it was easy and simple, it wouldn't be a dream...

In any case, good luck to you all and may your dreams come true...

Chenghung1

Maybe my own experience can add something to the whole picture.

I was landed in Toronto in June, 2002. A few months later in Novermenber,
after finishing a three-month job-searching program sponsored by the
government, I got a job in downtown Toronto as a financial analyst for a
commercial real estate brokerage house. This position was the same kind of
job I had had 6 years ago back in my ex-country. Although this was
considered as a step-back in my career progress, the overall working
environment and benefit package is very decent. And, I have been earning
enough to support my family and a mortgage loan used in purchasing my first
house in August 2003.

In general, we have been very happy. My wife is learning English free of
charge in LINC. My two children are doing great in the school. In weekends,
we enjoy exploring the great Canadian outdoors. To us, Canada is like a
paradise. We appreciate very much that Canadian welcome immigrants.

And, to me, I haven't felt any racism in anywhere so far in person. However,
I have encountered some racism remarks over the internet though.

Hope this helps.

"Julien Chaupitre" <[email protected]> ¦b¶l¥ó
news:[email protected] ¤¤¼¶¼g...
    > Sounds like a troll to me...
    > Good to hear people with real life experienced jumping here and provide
    > comments on their own...
    > And after all, life is not a given, you got to fight for what you want and
    > never stop... And this will be true in any country you want to leave in...
    > and when you think about it, would you really want everything to be easy
and
    > simple? I found a lot interest in having difficulties getting my dreams
    > accomplished, if it was easy and simple, it wouldn't be a dream...
    > In any case, good luck to you all and may your dreams come true...

CalgaryAMC

This is recognized by the government as a massive issue, costing Canada billions of dollars a year. I am not confident the situation will improve in the near future because it is largely not a federal government created problem - it's a problem primarily caused by provincial professional associations.

Master Jedi Koji Kabuto

hi,

may i ask where you immigrated from?

kabuto

stuckincanada <member21988@british_expats.com> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
    > Hi Friends,
    >
    > I am returning to this forum after a long hiatus. I never
    > posted a "Got It!" post because the extremely long wait in the
    > immigration process gradually robbed all the excitement that the landing
    > papers are supposed to bring, in the first place.
    >
    > It has been more than
    > 10 months since I landed here and I would like to share a few thoughts
    > with all, that you may find worth considering in your future plans to
    > immigrate.
    >
    > First, Canada is not what it is made out to be. Enough has
    > been said on this and I would like to add my two cents worth.
    >
    > There is
    > racism rampant everywhere in Canada, specially at your work. If you are
    > a visible minority, that is, the color of your skin is not white, you
    > are in for a rude awakening here. And it exudes in such a subtle manner
    > that you cannot do much about it except grind your teeth in humiliation
    > and dismay.
    >
    > The jobs have all dried up... jobs that require
    > professional expertise, that is. You can be pretty sure to find yourself
    > working at the local McDonald's or Tim Horton's. And here comes the jaw-
    > dropper... even jobs flipping burgers or brewing coffee are not easy to
    > come by. You will more likely be turned away because you lack the
    > disgusting "Canadian Experience flipping burgers or making coffee". And
    > even if you do get lucky to find your way in at a drive-thru window, you
    > shall find yourself working next to school teens. Thats pretty
    > humiliating in itself, considering that CIC granted you an immigrant
    > visa based on your University education and your long years of
    > professional work experience.
    >
    > So, all that talk of "Canada needs
    > hundreds of thousands of skilled immigrants each year" is just bull. All
    > jobs, if any, are filled internally and so they are never advertised.
    > And if you do find a position or 2 in the appointment pages, well you
    > already read the stuff about canadian experience and skin color, above.
    >
    >
    > The taxes are through the roof. The Government will not let go a
    > single opportunity to suck on you like a leech. A small example... Mail
    > forwarding in the US does not cost you a dime when you are changing
    > addresses. Well Canada Post charges you a cool 30 dollars each time you
    > move.
    >
    > Generally, I have found Canadians extremely cold and non-
    > receptive to new immigrants. This is very contrary to popular belief
    > but it is a fact. All the talk about Canada being the best country to
    > live in and blah-blah-blah is rotten. Every day Canadian papers run
    > articles on horror stories of recent and not-so-recent immigrants to
    > Canada. One such story was on a rocket-scientist from China who
    > immigrated here only to find herself working at a cinnamon bun store in
    > a mall. What a pity and what a waste of talent. This scientist was
    > planning to return back. Then there are many stories of physicians and
    > doctors who immigrate from developing countries and switch careers to
    > making coffee and hot chocolate at the local Tim Horton's.
    >
    > Yes, and if
    > you may be wondering, I too am seriosly considering leaving Canada.
    > Difficult as it may be uprooting oneself from one part of the world to
    > another and then back again, it leaves me with very little choice.
    >
    > All
    > the Canadian glitter is just a mirage. The closer you get, the more it
    > fades into oblivion, until you find yourself in a land of nowhere and
    > left with the only choice to retrace your steps back.

Ashok

Rocket science is a highly specialized expertise.
I think such scientists as well as you are aware of job prospects in such areas.

Let me tell you, after Three mile nuclear core melt down and chernobyl disaster, Nuclear industry as well as scientists had a real bad time and many young PhD's, on US side were washing cars, cleaning swimming pools. I don't know of Russians.

Similar things have happened in Oil industry and now it is happening with certain section of computer industry and related jobs. Rather Low cost communication and computers are bringing in a new shift on a global scale.

Life is a challenge , things do change abruptly , we need to adjust. Enjoy roller coaster ride , be it Canada or any other place in the world.

One of my friend in India, came back after 1 year of Canada stay. He is back to Canada!! Could not adjust back in India, either.

Make sure you are in the company of optimists and would be achievers. I am sure you can feel them.

Best wishes, from India.

May be I join you 2 years down the line.

Donken

I'm a Canadian living in the UK.

In the UK racism involves pipe-bombing a mosque, street riots
(remember Oldham?), and boo-ing coloured football players, etc... to
my recollection this has never happened in Canada.

RoyalMail charges you $16 to redirect your mail to a new address for 1
month (and they screw it up so you never get your mail!). But I don't
see how this makes for a good or bad country...??



stuckincanada <member21988@british_expats.com> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
    > Hi Friends,
    >
    > I am returning to this forum after a long hiatus. I never
    > posted a "Got It!" post because the extremely long wait in the
    > immigration process gradually robbed all the excitement that the landing
    > papers are supposed to bring, in the first place.
    >
    > It has been more than
    > 10 months since I landed here and I would like to share a few thoughts
    > with all, that you may find worth considering in your future plans to
    > immigrate.
    >
    > First, Canada is not what it is made out to be. Enough has
    > been said on this and I would like to add my two cents worth.
    >
    > There is
    > racism rampant everywhere in Canada, specially at your work. If you are
    > a visible minority, that is, the color of your skin is not white, you
    > are in for a rude awakening here. And it exudes in such a subtle manner
    > that you cannot do much about it except grind your teeth in humiliation
    > and dismay.
    >
    > The jobs have all dried up... jobs that require
    > professional expertise, that is. You can be pretty sure to find yourself
    > working at the local McDonald's or Tim Horton's. And here comes the jaw-
    > dropper... even jobs flipping burgers or brewing coffee are not easy to
    > come by. You will more likely be turned away because you lack the
    > disgusting "Canadian Experience flipping burgers or making coffee". And
    > even if you do get lucky to find your way in at a drive-thru window, you
    > shall find yourself working next to school teens. Thats pretty
    > humiliating in itself, considering that CIC granted you an immigrant
    > visa based on your University education and your long years of
    > professional work experience.
    >
    > So, all that talk of "Canada needs
    > hundreds of thousands of skilled immigrants each year" is just bull. All
    > jobs, if any, are filled internally and so they are never advertised.
    > And if you do find a position or 2 in the appointment pages, well you
    > already read the stuff about canadian experience and skin color, above.
    >
    >
    > The taxes are through the roof. The Government will not let go a
    > single opportunity to suck on you like a leech. A small example... Mail
    > forwarding in the US does not cost you a dime when you are changing
    > addresses. Well Canada Post charges you a cool 30 dollars each time you
    > move.
    >
    > Generally, I have found Canadians extremely cold and non-
    > receptive to new immigrants. This is very contrary to popular belief
    > but it is a fact. All the talk about Canada being the best country to
    > live in and blah-blah-blah is rotten. Every day Canadian papers run
    > articles on horror stories of recent and not-so-recent immigrants to
    > Canada. One such story was on a rocket-scientist from China who
    > immigrated here only to find herself working at a cinnamon bun store in
    > a mall. What a pity and what a waste of talent. This scientist was
    > planning to return back. Then there are many stories of physicians and
    > doctors who immigrate from developing countries and switch careers to
    > making coffee and hot chocolate at the local Tim Horton's.
    >
    > Yes, and if
    > you may be wondering, I too am seriosly considering leaving Canada.
    > Difficult as it may be uprooting oneself from one part of the world to
    > another and then back again, it leaves me with very little choice.
    >
    > All
    > the Canadian glitter is just a mirage. The closer you get, the more it
    > fades into oblivion, until you find yourself in a land of nowhere and
    > left with the only choice to retrace your steps back.

Juan Serta

Hi Stuck,

Sorry to read your misery-striken experience as a new immigrant.
However, you have to come to the realization that life is always what
you make of it. "Attitude Makes the Altitude" , this is a saying that
underlines all the makings and breakings in life.

Your untamed negative emotions, as shown by your fuming exercise
above, are the real culprit that hinders the pursuit of your dream,
and may continue doing so until you get a grip of it. It is always
easy to blame on the external factors, such as your ethnicity, origin,
politics and even your adopted country. If anything, you should only
be grateful to Canada and the canadians whose generosity allows you
the entry into the New World, while US and Australia will simply shun
you away with their immigration policies much tighter than ours.

Think Irshad Manji, an asylum seeker from Uganda, whose contribution
to civil rights include anti-homophobia, and misconception about
Islamic groups in Canada.
Think Governor General Adrienne Clarkson whose parents came here as
Chinese refugees.
Think Honorable Anne Chambers and many other Black Canadians whose
success punctured the myth of "the Great White North". The truth is
that Canada evolves with and takes pride in its immigrants who exert
their potentials to accomplish monumental deeds.

So you see people do make it here, and your non-WASP status is
irrelevant. Instead of replying to my post, I hope you use your time
more wisely by checking out job sites, updating your CVs, and making a
few cold calls to the employers. Please do not persist on your
negativity, and dampen others' spirits.

Robert

"Juan Serta" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > Hi Stuck,
    > Sorry to read your misery-striken experience as a new immigrant.
    > However, you have to come to the realization that life is always what
    > you make of it. "Attitude Makes the Altitude" , this is a saying that
    > underlines all the makings and breakings in life.
    > Your untamed negative emotions, as shown by your fuming exercise
    > above, are the real culprit that hinders the pursuit of your dream,
    > and may continue doing so until you get a grip of it. It is always
    > easy to blame on the external factors, such as your ethnicity, origin,
    > politics and even your adopted country. If anything, you should only
    > be grateful to Canada and the canadians whose generosity allows you
    > the entry into the New World, while US and Australia will simply shun
    > you away with their immigration policies much tighter than ours.
    > Think Irshad Manji, an asylum seeker from Uganda, whose contribution
    > to civil rights include anti-homophobia, and misconception about
    > Islamic groups in Canada.
    > Think Governor General Adrienne Clarkson whose parents came here as
    > Chinese refugees.
    > Think Honorable Anne Chambers and many other Black Canadians whose
    > success punctured the myth of "the Great White North". The truth is
    > that Canada evolves with and takes pride in its immigrants who exert
    > their potentials to accomplish monumental deeds.
    > So you see people do make it here, and your non-WASP status is
    > irrelevant. Instead of replying to my post, I hope you use your time
    > more wisely by checking out job sites, updating your CVs, and making a
    > few cold calls to the employers. Please do not persist on your
    > negativity, and dampen others' spirits.

Well spoken..........

stuckincanada

Thank you all for your valuable thoughts. Seems I ended up touching quite a few raw nerves and inflamed some. But, the truth remains, no matter how much you deny it. Accept it or leave it.

There is racism rampant in Canada. More or less than that in Europe or other parts of the world, racism is racism is racism. Period. I have experienced it first hand, not once but on several occasions. And a lot of my Indian friends have gone through the same treatment. And the employers are not as stupid to 'talk' about skin-color. I mentioned 'in a subtle manner', remember?

Ignoring snippets from sources like national Canadian dailies (eg. Toronto Star) is nothing but short of stupidity. It will 'mean nothing' to ignorant people or those who simply refuse to understand or rather do not have enough grey matter to decipher. For the rest, the message is loud and clear. Canada is no longer a nation that can even play second fiddle to US. The Government is drowned in a multi-billion dollar debt, with no choice but to raise taxes even further. There are no jobs except at the local grocery store or coffee / burger shop, the weather is horribly cold (doesn't that explain the cold attitude towards immigrants???), there is just one major HWY 401, so to speak, in ON and even that is littered with potholes that is sure to cause atleast a major oil leak in your car and then there is racism to deal with.

Speaking about the benefits to justify the taxes through the roof... how many times do you think you generally need to see a family physician in a year? Now how much more in taxes have you paid in a year? Do the math and check it out for yourself! And thats not all. You would have to be extremely lucky to find a family physician to go to, in the first place because for each such physician in ON, there are hundreds of thousands of old patients. So new patients (read new immigrants) are left wondering. And then, you have to PAY for prescribed medicines if you do not have medical cover. Now, is the high tax paid justified? And even then, Canada is as stubborn as to NOT allow immigrant doctors to practise. Why? Becuase they feel they are not at par with their standards. What a joke! First, qualify them as immigrants in the skilled category and then later forbid them from practising their profession because they are not skilled enough. Ridiculous! And someone thinks such people want stuff on a plate. Take a hike, dear friend for you have no idea how hard working we Indians are.

mickj

You have a choice you know, its not like you are being held here against your will. You can always go back to India, and making the same complaints about the government.

Some people are struggling to have what you've got, and now you are complaining about the country that granted you residency. Why don't you put a chip on your other shoulder, and then you will get the balance you are looking for !

Its people like you that give other immigrants like us bad names. Am sure India is a lot better, that is why everyone is flocking there.

Robert

"stuckincanada" <member21988@british_expats.com> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > Thank you all for your valuable thoughts. Seems I ended up touching
    > quite a few raw nerves and inflamed some. But, the truth remains, no
    > matter how much you deny it. Accept it or leave it.
    > There is racism
    > rampant in Canada. More or less than that in Europe or other parts of
    > the world, racism is racism is racism. Period. I have experienced it
    > first hand, not once but on several occasions. And a lot of my Indian
    > friends have gone through the same treatment. And the employers are not
    > as stupid to 'talk' about skin-color. I mentioned 'in a subtle manner',
    > remember?
    > Ignoring snippets from sources like national Canadian dailies
    > (eg. Toronto Star) is nothing but short of stupidity. It will 'mean
    > nothing' to ignorant people or those who simply refuse to understand or
    > rather do not have enough grey matter to decipher. For the rest, the
    > message is loud and clear. Canada is no longer a nation that can even
    > play second fiddle to US. The Government is drowned in a multi-billion
    > dollar debt, with no choice but to raise taxes even further. There are
    > no jobs except at the local grocery store or coffee / burger shop, the
    > weather is horribly cold (doesn't that explain the cold attitude towards
    > immigrants???), there is just one major HWY 401, so to speak, in ON and
    > even that is littered with potholes that is sure to cause atleast a
    > major oil leak in your car and then there is racism to deal with.
    > Speaking about the benefits to justify the taxes through the roof...
    > how many times do you think you generally need to see a family physician
    > in a year? Now how much more in taxes have you paid in a year? Do the
    > math and check it out for yourself! And thats not all. You would have to
    > be extremely lucky to find a family physician to go to, in the first
    > place because for each such physician in ON, there are hundreds of
    > thousands of old patients. So new patients (read new immigrants) are
    > left wondering. And then, you have to PAY for prescribed medicines if
    > you do not have medical cover. Now, is the high tax paid justified? And
    > even then, Canada is as stubborn as to NOT allow immigrant doctors to
    > practise. Why? Becuase they feel they are not at par with their
    > standards. What a joke! First, qualify them as immigrants in the skilled
    > category and then later forbid them from practising their profession
    > because they are not skilled enough. Ridiculous! And someone thinks such
    > people want stuff on a plate. Take a hike, dear friend for you have no
    > idea how hard working we Indians are.
There you go with the wrong attitude again. Well you can lead a horse to
water but you cant make it drink.

The fact that people countered your "NEGATIVE" post with more "POSITIVE"
ones indicates that yes you are right the "TRUTH REMAINS"

And I knew there would be a race card thrown in somewhere.
You have come to the wrong group to throw that in the ring, take a look at
the whole group, No one in here cares what colour you are, and all are
treated with the same respect in replies.
Will you deny their ethnic background and the fact that they "MADE IT" or
that there is a distinct lack of derogatory remarks in this group.
The only person throwing "racism" around is yourself.
There are jobs around an people do find them. and no they are not all coffee
shop and burger joints. try read your "Toronto star" all the way through.
So there is only one major highway eh !
Canada is bigger than just Ontario and has more than one highway.
Yes Canada has a proper winter, Does it last all year ? Not in Ontario and
some other provinces do even better (or worse if you go too far north <G>)
You want BAD roads then try going down through the U.S. they don't have
potholes they have mineshafts <G>
Ah yes the doctor thing, an old chestnut, but you forgot to include the
initiatives being worked on to overcome it. You would just rather "doom and
gloom"
Did I have problems getting a doctor YUP. but went and overcame it by
ourselves
Are there alternative to "your" own doctor ? YES .
Was a BIG problem ? NO
Did I have problems with prescription charges just like you ? YES but paid
em and moved on
You quote using snippets from dailies and seem to have missed reading about
MASSIVE U.S. debt..

And did you come back with anything really new ? NO just more of the same.

Yes I am white and YES I had to jump the "Canadian experience hoop" (and
others) and was I discriminated against because I didn't fit in ? YES
I too can play my ethnic card but whats the point.
Like you it would get me nowhere, unlike you I overcame my problems. did my
colour get me any favours ? NO !

Have you "inflamed my nerves" No but I will counter with more positive
aspects when I see such a "NEGATIVE" post, as did others.
A point I make pretty regular is that more people who stay the course DO
MAKE IT. again as pointed out by others in this very thread.

Can I guess what you will come back with? I have a good idea.

Maybe it was your lack of research before your application as is shown in
your post.that causes you problems.

Ravi

"stuckincanada" <member21988@british_expats.com> wrote in message

    > Thank you all for your valuable thoughts. Seems I ended up touching
    > quite a few raw nerves and inflamed some. But, the truth remains, no
    > matter how much you deny it. Accept it or leave it.

I don't think you've touched anybody'd nerve here. It is obvious that your
viewpoint is quite contrary to most others here. And you are only getting
reply somewhat in the same tone as you did in your original post.

    > There is racism
    > rampant in Canada. More or less than that in Europe or other parts of
    > the world, racism is racism is racism. Period. I have experienced it
    > first hand, not once but on several occasions. And a lot of my Indian
    > friends have gone through the same treatment. And the employers are not
    > as stupid to 'talk' about skin-color. I mentioned 'in a subtle manner',
    > remember?

If you want 0% racism that will be only in your utopia. Racism is a basic
instinct of human nature. As long as level is low and majority are not
racist then we take it as no racism. There are way low racism in Canada than
most countries in Europe, Asia, Australia or USA. I gather from your post
that you are from India. Even in India, you'll feel that there is
discrimination against minority groups, be it based on skin color, race,
religion or language. Of course, if you are not in minorities' shoe then you
won't see that. IMO, situation there is way more worse than what I see in
Canada. So, where are you gonna go? to your utopia??

    > Ignoring snippets from sources like national Canadian dailies
    > (eg. Toronto Star) is nothing but short of stupidity. It will 'mean
    > nothing' to ignorant people or those who simply refuse to understand or
    > rather do not have enough grey matter to decipher. For the rest, the
    > message is loud and clear. Canada is no longer a nation that can even
    > play second fiddle to US. The Government is drowned in a multi-billion
    > dollar debt, with no choice but to raise taxes even further.

You forgot that USA has MULTI-TRILLION dollar debt.

    > There are
    > no jobs except at the local grocery store or coffee / burger shop,

Tell that to me and most of my friends who have professional jobs. Heck, in
Toronto wherever I go, most of the professionals I deal with are
immigrants. How are those immigrants getting jobs if there were no jobs?

    > the weather is horribly cold (doesn't that explain the cold attitude
towards
    > immigrants???)

It depends, If you are used to hot and humid weather then you'll feel it is
terribly cold. But I like it because it is not as hot and humid as back home
and it has very distinct four seasons.

    > there is just one major HWY 401, so to speak, in ON and
    > even that is littered with potholes that is sure to cause atleast a
    > major oil leak in your car and then there is racism to deal with.

What are you talking about? Did you ever make any effort to get to know
anything about Canada? There are more to Canada than Ontario alone. No
wonder a narrow minded guy like you will find Canada unliveable. Besides,
your beloved USA has even worse highways than HWY 401. What about your home
country? Is it any better?

    > Speaking about the benefits to justify the taxes through the roof...
    > how many times do you think you generally need to see a family physician
    > in a year? Now how much more in taxes have you paid in a year? Do the
    > math and check it out for yourself! And thats not all. You would have to
    > be extremely lucky to find a family physician to go to, in the first
    > place because for each such physician in ON, there are hundreds of
    > thousands of old patients. So new patients (read new immigrants) are
    > left wondering. And then, you have to PAY for prescribed medicines if
    > you do not have medical cover. Now, is the high tax paid justified?

Medical benefits are only a fraction of the whole equation. But usually
healthcare expense is one of the major expense of life in N. America. Most
companies offer additional health insurance to cover prescription medicines
and others. Besides, medicines in Canada are several times cheaper than in
USA.

    > And even then, Canada is as stubborn as to NOT allow immigrant doctors to
    > practise. Why? Becuase they feel they are not at par with their
    > standards. What a joke! First, qualify them as immigrants in the skilled
    > category and then later forbid them from practising their profession
    > because they are not skilled enough. Ridiculous! And someone thinks such
    > people want stuff on a plate. Take a hike, dear friend for you have no
    > idea how hard working we Indians are.

Most of the countries I know of doesn't allow foreign trained doctors to
practice without taking their local test/training. How are them any better
than Canada? If you are qualified for immigration that means you are only
qualified for immigration. CIC doesn't assess your qualification at
professional level. They only assess your skill to make sure you have fair
chance to be successful on your own and won't become a burden to Canadian
economy.

I think you should get rid of your chip on your shoulder and start thinking
positively like many other immigrants have done in the past. Moaning and
bitching about what you couldn't get will not lead you anywhere. If you
think Canada is not for you then you can just go where you think you can
make it. Nobody is holding your hands.

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