January 31, 2008

Top 8 Reasons not to Immigrate to Canada

You've probably heard about the Top 8 reasons not to immigrate to Canada. If not, click here. This was forwarded to me by a client asked me to comment on it. I thought of posting my reply here.

8. Discriminatory and Dishonest Immigration System.
Immigration to Canada is based on a point system, obtained with your education, qualifications and job experience. Points are good enough for immigration, but in Canada, they are not good enough to get a job in your field. Amazing, how the credentials that qualify you to come to Canada are the same credentials that don't qualify you for your profession in Canada. The reason is, Canada only wants immigrants to do the labor jobs - pizza delivery, driving taxis, factory work etc.

Before you decide on filing your application for permanent residence in Canada, you have to ask yourslf- Why are you doing it in the first place? Are you doing it for the right reason? If you think you're comfortable with your life, why is there a need to apply?

If you decide to apply, be prepared to start at entry level jobs and sometimes even odd jobs. If you're not ready for this, forget about Canada. It is not for you. And if you're planning to apply because you are looking for a better quality of life, remember that it entails sacrifice.

I have a friend who is a network administrator here in the Philippines and his first job upon landing in Canada was as a service crew. But after several months, he was able to get the job that he wants. He now have a car and his own house and lot (Hi Adonis!). But not everybody starts with odd jobs. Read success stories here.

You find the immigration system discriminatory? You always have the choice not to apply.

7. Out Of Control Cost Of Living.
From rent, to utility bills, to shopping, to phone, internet and cable bills, to gas, to car insurance, to eating out, to basically anything you have to pay for or buy, the cost of living in Canada has become astronomical. Recent immigrants are astonished as to how expensive everything is. It is estimated that compared to most countries around the world, the cost of living in Canada is on average five times greater.



If one will compare cost of living between the Philippines and Canada, it may indeed be five times greater. But that's comparing apple to an orange.

Here's a cost of living comparison by cities/countries. See it for yourself.

Based on the Human Development Index Study conducted by UN for 2007/2008, Canada is No. 4 in the rankings. For six consecutive years until 2001, Canada is No. 1. Human Development Study focuses on cost living, quality of life and literacy rate.


6. Health Care Crisis.
Practicing physicians in Canada are in a shortage, 1 in 4 Canadians cannot get a family doctor. Canadian doctors are leaving to move permanently to the United States. Statistics Canada and the Canadian Medical Association both have identified that for every 1 American doctor that moves to Canada, 19 (nineteen) Canadian doctors move to the United States! Doctors in Canada are overworked and underpaid, and there is a cap on their salaries.


Canada medicare provides high-quality health care for free. It may not be perfect but it's working. Here's an answer to Canada health care myths.

But then again, you always have a choice. If you think your country has a better health care system, why go to Canada in the first place?

5. Very High Taxes.
Yes, you have the GST, the PST, totaling 15%, on practically everything you purchase and many other taxes taken out of our weekly paycheck. You have to pay a whopping amount to the government, out of your hard earned salary, so that the government can turn around and give it to beer drinking, hockey watching welfare bums. Fair? It does not matter, it's Canada.


Whew! What can I say? Man by nature is insatiable being and is very difficult to satisfy.

Taxes is where the government gets funds to finance its operation, to deliver social services and other social benefits to its constituents. In the Philippines, we also have high tax rates. In fact, Value Added Tax was even increased from 10% to 12% (No thanks to Sen. Recto). And it's open secret where these taxes go, Hello Garci!

4. Money Hungry Government.
Canadian Embassies around the world lie to foreigners, painting this picture that Canada is Utopia, because they want them to come to Canada. Why? Because foreigners bring money! So after being deceived, these foreigners come. They must bring with them at least $10,000. Canada has an immigration quota of 250,000 per year. So please do the math, 250,000 multiplied by $10,000 each equals a whopping 2.5 Billion dollars that Canada gains from immigrants every year.

I know my math. But there is also a thing called logic.

Sure, immigrants are required to bring in certain amount of money as their settlement funds. It's not as if you will give this amount to the Canadian government upon landing in Canada. It is still yours and you can bring that back home if you decided to leave Canada just because you can't figure what a Canadian food is (Reason No. 3).

3. No Culture.
Unlike almost every other country in the world, Canada has no culture. Actually American culture is what dominates Canada. When was the last time you had some 'Canadian' food? There are no Canadian traditions and there is no national identity. What does it even mean to call yourself a 'Canadian'. . .nothing really. People living in Canada, still identify themselves with the country they 'originally' came from.


Wow! While some people seeks Canada Immigration looking for an opportunity to have a better quality of life, here you are driving yourself carzy figuring out what a Canadian food is. Way to go! :-)

But since culture is what you are looking, I think you'll be interested with this video.


2. Worst Weather.
Yes, Canada has the worst weather conditions of any country in the world. Freezing cold temperatures, snow, ice, hail, winds, storms etc. From the Prairie provinces to the Maritimes, from the Territories to southern Ontario, the weather is so horrific and disgusting that many Canadians leave Canada simply because of this reason alone.


Don't go to Canada. Weather is really bad. Stay where you are.

The easiest thing to do I think is to complain. Even kids can do that.

1. No Jobs.
Yes, coast to coast, there are no jobs. Immigrants are highly qualified (MD's, PhD's, Lawyers, Engineers etc.) but they are driving taxi cabs, delivering pizza's or working in factories. Even people with bachelors degrees from Canadian Universities cannot find jobs after graduation. This is the tragedy associated with immigration to Canada. I feel sorry for those immigrants who are stuck in Canada for the rest of their lives. It is indeed a very sad and hopeless future.

Canadian Government is evil. Aside from opening their country for immigrants, they are now even accepting temporary workers to make their lives miserable. Don't go to Canada. There are no jobs there. Labor shortage in Canada is a myth. In fact, POEA is misleading Filipino people by coming up with list of accredited placement agencies with approved job orders for Canada, I-jobs being one of them.

The world is full of conspiracy. Be safe, stay home.