Originally Posted by pinkkristen

Hi, we are all going out Friday 13th (hope your not supersticious!). Its a few people's biffdays, would be great to see you. Didn't get a chance to chat when i last saw u! Hope u recovered!!

Originally Posted by Ciderman

One of the biggest shocks for me about Canada is the environment thing. From the outside world the perception- for me anyway- was that Canada was a very environmentally friendly country, caring for the environment.

Having lived in Alberta for 3 years and BC for 3 years it's clear it's the exact opposite. People leaving cars/trucks etc. idling unnecessarily, outside house lights permanently on, seeming inability to do anything without turning a key- cutting the grass, trimming the edge, washing the car, clearing up leaves.

At the larger level the disregard for the landscape and wildlife is quite shocking- hill sides clear cut, streams, rivers and ground water polluted, bears indiscriminately shot because the local law enforcement can't be bothered with the process of moving them out of the area when they cause problems.

The biggest shock of all was reading a book on the oil sands in northern Alberta; I think it's called "Tar sands- dirty oil and the future of a continent". All I can say is that I'm glad I don't live anywhere near there anymore.....yes we need oil but come on use a bit of common sense.

I'm not a greenie or tree hugger by any means but Canada is one of the last great wilderness areas left in the world and the country seems to be doing it's best to wipe it out of existence rather than looking to places (Europe for example) that have made that mistake in the past and trying to learn from it. Yes Canada has numerous "protected" National Parks such as Banff but "protected" is often used loosely.

The UK's far from perfect but with regard to the environment it's light years ahead. We have a thing here in BC called Air Care that's a bit like the British MOT except it's only for vehicle emissions. The provincial government are thinking of getting rid of it because new cars are a lot cleaner on emmissions- yeah, but the aim of Air Care is to ensure cars continue to be that way. Smacks of cost cutting methinks.

Originally Posted by dboy

You want to try working in law enforcement and being called out to a bear or cougar - we've had more than a few in Burnaby. We once waited 5 hours for a wildlife guy to show up. The only option we have is the shot gun. It is still relatively rare when we have to shoot one.

Originally Posted by dboy

You want to try working in law enforcement and being called out to a bear or cougar - we've had more than a few in Burnaby. We once waited 5 hours for a wildlife guy to show up. The only option we have is the shot gun. It is still relatively rare when we have to shoot one.

Originally Posted by The Aviator

Just love those who have never been in a situation judging how it should be dealt with. Do something that's wrong, don't do something that's wrong also.

Originally Posted by brizzle

Indeed, count me in !! What area do you live in ?

For me, although IMO some things are better here (overall it's cleaner, nicer parks, good recreation etc for kids), and some worse (endless urban sprawl, fewer job prospects, rubbish tv etc). Overall most things balance out in comparison to the UK. But I don't feel at home here at all.

I find it dull too. Everything is very insular and inward looking. People I knew in the UK used to talk about anything and everything under the sun. Here conversation and debate seems so limited. Anything that happens outside the city or province (or at a stretch N. America), may as well be taking place on a different planet. Yes, it's a decent, pleasant place with nice scenery, but it seems such a backwater at times where the status quo must be maintained at all costs. Things like entrepeneurship, enterprise, innovation and different thinking seem stifled at every turn.

I feel as though everything is going on elsewhere and life has stopped here. It's hard to clarify, but in the UK, I felt part of something and close to what is happening in the world. Now I feel like I've retired to somewhere quiet, boring, and where not very much of interest ever happens.

Originally Posted by Merseygirl

I think this is a common theme in countries of the "New World" that don't have the history and diversity of Europe.

Originally Posted by The Aviator

Or maybe some people just don't adapt that well.

Originally Posted by The Aviator

Or maybe some people just don't adapt that well.

Originally Posted by Ciderman

Ah but if someone's realised that the country they've emmigrated to is not for them- for whatever reason- and they have the choice and wherewithal to "fix it" by going back to the UK why would/should they want to adapt?

I can see why people may be fearful of going through all the upheaval, financial loss and change again, so choose to make a go of it in their adopted country and respect them for this. Many people are also afraid of being seen as a failure for returning but the real failure is being in a situation that you don't like, having the power to change it and then not doing anything about it. This equally applies to people in the UK who are unhappy with their lot and continually complain about life there, have the ability to fix it and yet do nothing.

We only get one shot at life so owe it to ourselves to ensure it's a good one.

Originally Posted by jonfrank123

yep, and some do adapt well and still don't like it.

Originally Posted by The Aviator

.....What astounds me also is people who moan about the UK, move overseas, moan about that and then UK was not so bad after all. Countries are different, living there is way different to visiting. You don't get to know a culture until you are immersed in it.