What sucks about Canada?
 

Just wondering what everyone does not like about Canada.... I feel I might be wearing my little rose tinted glasses thinking that everything is beautiful and affordable and generally "better" than back home so really would love to get some insider pointers on what's not to like over there.
Might be a big mistake and really not trying to prompt arguments on here (again ;)) and as always everyone is entitled to their own opinions but please do share what YOU think sucks about Canada....
Aaand GO - ding ding ding :thumbsup:

Re: What sucks about Canada?
 

Winter.

Re: What sucks about Canada?
 

Immigrants ;)

Re: What sucks about Canada?
 

Not having family living a few minutes drive away. It was our choice, but that was probably the hardest thing to get used to.

The odd day of -30 can be a pain, as can the occasional snow drift blocking the road. However, both are temporary and you get used to it.

Re: What sucks about Canada?
 

Architecture.

Re: What sucks about Canada?
 

OK, that's good - keep 'em coming :)

Re: What sucks about Canada?
 

can't comment for the rest of the country, but definitely cost of living in Vancouver.

Re: What sucks about Canada?
 

Whining immigrants.

Re: What sucks about Canada?
 

You took the words right out of my mouth !!

Re: What sucks about Canada?
 

fake smiles

Re: What sucks about Canada?
 

You should look at the UK - here it's the locals and the immigrants who are whining :rofl:

Re: What sucks about Canada?
 

About each other? That should make for a kolly chat down the local!

Re: What sucks about Canada?
 

Yes, I frequently chat about my kolly in the pub too.

Re: What sucks about Canada?
 

Too close to the Mercans.

Re: What sucks about Canada?
 

Well, so far it seems my "rose tinted" idea of Canada is pretty accurate.... Come on guys, gimme the dirt!!! ;)

Re: What sucks about Canada?
 

The radio.

Re: What sucks about Canada?
 

The incessant bleating that Canadians are somehow different from Americans.

Re: What sucks about Canada?
 

You don't get distinct seasons.

The price of booze.

Re: What sucks about Canada?
 

Indeed!!

Re: What sucks about Canada?
 

i tend to agree, but the area around gastown, west georgia/pender has some great examples of Edwardian architecture and west coast flatiron designs. Sadly some buildings have fallen into poor repair.

Re: What sucks about Canada?
 

But very few and far between! They do need to make more effort with Heritage Planning !

Re: What sucks about Canada?
 

The roads. The slowness to fix potholes and repaint lines on the roads. The time it takes them to construct new roads. All the totally unnecessary stop signs on the roads. Oh, and don't get me started on old people being allowed to drive on the roads.

Re: What sucks about Canada?
 

I suspect it is totally dependent on where you live, given the huge differences in geography and outlook across Canada. For me in BC the major downside is that going home or having visitors is very difficult because it's so expensive.

General things, mobiles are very expensive, and quite archaically you have to pay to receive calls. Depending on where you live your shopping choice may be reduced (but we did go from London/New York to a small town, which may have more to do with it). I think there are probably quite a lot of things that are more expensive - I know that we feel eating out is costly, but that might be more because of moving from New York. Many towns are also really quite ugly - lots of "box" houses and stores, which I found a little upsetting when on recce - beautiful countryside and then really unattractive settlements. However after a while you stop noticing - I'm sure next time I'm in England I will be saying how lovely the old villages look!

Oh and the other thing I personally find weird is that no one seems to talk about politics at all (my boss says this is because Canadian politics is just so boring). TV sucks too unless you are in to popular American series (I like the more BBC Two type offerings).

Re: What sucks about Canada?
 

Catseyes

Re: What sucks about Canada?
 

fewer days holiday - you might think it wont make a difference but it does:(

Re: What sucks about Canada?
 

• lack of employment rights for part time staff
• poor empoyment rights generally
• little annual vacation time
• seniority
• very old union practices - closed shops
• having to pay for prescription drugs, OP physio, fibre glass casts, etc
• poor health and safety regs to protect employees
• an 'we've always done it this way' attitude
• superficiality
• lack of discussion of politics/philisophy/literature/music/arts
• filthy shops and restaurants
• odd ideas on what accessibility for people with disabilities is
• rotten fruit and veg for sale, so having to pick through everything before you buy it.
• architecture
• mediocrity and proud of it
• expensive cut flowers even in the summer

will that do?

Re: What sucks about Canada?
 

yes they do and there have been some tragic losses over the years (Birks and the original hotel Vancouver to name but two). Vancouver though grew very differently than older cities. Land was cheap and plentiful, menial workers could afford detached houses in what is now the west end - vancouver went straight to a suburban model. Fewer apartments were built as was typical in older cities. Density was not an issue in the 1880's. By the sixties, city hall had relocated from hastings and main, the street car had been closed down (start of the problems that still linger in the area today), and the west end had become a slum, many houses had become tenements with no indoor plumbing and deplorable living conditions. Vancouver was not a wealthy place. A radical plan evolved to demolish the west end and build the highrises you see today. tragic but inevitable.

Re: What sucks about Canada?
 

Good stuff! More please :)

Re: What sucks about Canada?
 

Cancon.

Re: What sucks about Canada?
 

so otherwise, pretty good then?

Re: What sucks about Canada?
 

touche

Re: What sucks about Canada?
 

The fact that milk is almost twice the price of gas. I'm sure there's enough space here to fit a few extra dairy cows in.

Re: What sucks about Canada?
 

You must be delighted the BA strike is deferred.

Re: What sucks about Canada?
 

Sure you're not an urban planner in disguise;)

Re: What sucks about Canada?
 

Cows are full of gas, that could be why!

Re: What sucks about Canada?
 

Funny you should say that. If I had my life over, I would be a civil engineer. Would love to be involved in city planning. I love architecture (not sure why I;m here then). But alas, a coppers life it is.

Re: What sucks about Canada?
 

I believe the stained-glass windows from that branch of Birks were saved and built into the one in down-town Calgary where hubby used to work, in TD Square. They're very pretty :thumbup:

Re: What sucks about Canada?
 

Urban planning is one of those professions that you have to make excuses about at dinner parties or other social gatherings. A person is highly unlikely to be a wannabee planner...it is more likely that they would secretly aspire to be an architect..a la George Costanza.

Re: What sucks about Canada?
 

I have to agree with you there as if it wasn't for CanCon most of us could have escaped from Rush, the Tragically Tragic, Bryan Adams, Celine Dion and Loverboy.

Re: What sucks about Canada?
 

Oi I'm an Urban Planner and make no excuses about it - cheeky arse!! :frown: