Well; first, thanks for having the time to write such a long overview of Canada's medical admissions' reality here: www.caribbeanmedicine.com/openletter.htm

I tell you my short history, yet im actually a medical student. I came to Canada, in part due to the social difficulties my country is facing (Colombia), in part because i have always wanted to study medicine overseas. My father is a 15 years experience orthopedist and my mother a 15 years experience nurse, with two masters. He has gone back to work in Colombia . . . no losts to regret.

Back in Colombia, i was about to start the 8th semester of Medicine. 8 out of 12. I came to Canada, being accepted as a Permanent resident; the only way i might have accepted since i am aware of the big expenses we have to face in order to live in Canada. I live in Quebec, and i have spent one year to learn French, which i manage quite good at the moment.

I sent my papers to three universities in Quebec, applying for admission in Medicine. Laval, Sherbrook and Montreal. They all refused me, in spite of being accepted in Microbiology and Kinesiology, in Laval and Sherbrook respectively. I also was placed in the waiting list for Physiotherapy at Laval's University. As its medicine which i really want, i refused them all.

And this is what i find unjust....they tell me i have to do an undergraduate program, no matter what, in order to be eligible to apply for Medicine. God! i have already done 3 years and a half of that!!

The answer....In Quebec we have the College which accounts for two years. Yes! but in Colombia medicine (undergraduate) takes 6-7 years, so that's all the same!

They are telling me that a student having done two years' college is eligible to apply for Medicine, whereas i (3 years and a half done; university) have to do 3 years university in Canada so that i could apply.

They tell me also...for foreign students..we want them to have completed their pregraduate studies before applying for Medicine. In my case, it means i will only be eligible, after finishing Medicine back in Colombia....but then...coming as a Doctor, shouldn't i have to pass all the exams we already know?

Thanks for having the time to read this. sorry for the mistakes i could make by writing in english.

Dear Sir,

I viewed the recent W5 story on the hardships faced by professional immigrants with equal measures of shame and disgust, and commend your organization its efforts. Without question, this national disgrace could be avoided with a simple truth in advertising policy, wherein Canada makes its need for unskilled labour clear, as opposed to the bait and switch employment nightmare that has ruined the lives of thousands of immigrants to our nation.

Much to your good fortune, W5 did not dissect the finer points of your website. Your basic thesis of professional immigrants who have been deceived by Canadian representatives in their homeland, and had barriers put in place at every juncture upon their arrival in Canada is lost amid a constellation of tangental complaints about Canada. Few would deny that Canada has a high cost of living, high taxes, difficulty in achieving full employment for citizens born in Canada, harsh weather, an imperfect medical system, and so on (your previous 'Top Reasons Not to Immigrate to Canada' was quite revealing). Few would also deny that such issues are unique to Canada.

Immigrants are often accused of lamenting their treatment in Canada, deservedly or not. I believe that your key focus of the very real employment problems faced by professional-class immigrants has been obscured in a fog of whining that simply affirms the perception of immigrants as perpetually discontent. Goals 1 and 5 are the only ones that could conceivably be broad enough to encompass a justification for inclusion of the social and economic problems you mention. Again, however, to suggest that they are any more prevalent in Canada than in any other immigrant-seeking nation is simply naive.

Douglas Coggon

Brampton, Ontario dcoggon@hotmail.com

Dec 26, 2005

Good afternoon -

I have spent the last several weeks perusing your website and I wanted to add a few quick comments. First, a little background on myself, I am a U.S. Citizen, born and bred who met and married a Canadian girl. During my exposure to the Canadian Immigration system, I became very disillusioned with the entire process, Canadians and Canada in general. Prior to my giving up everything that I had, job, apartment, friends, family etc...back home in the U.S. to come and live with my wife in Canada, I was told that U.S. Citizens may enter and remain in Canada for six months with no visa of any kind, and that the reverse was true for Canadian Citizens to the U.S... Well, in point of fact, it's not true at all. When I arrived at the U.S./Canada border on the Vermont/Quebec line, I was told that Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) issues what's known as a "Visitor Record" (VR). The VR states the name of the person entering Canada, how long they are authorized to remain, what they can and can not do, work, study etc...and has an expiration date up to six months out from your original entry date. A Visa, no? At any rate, we informed the CIC Officer that I would be living in Canada, transiting the Border to and from the U.S. ever day to go a job in Vermont and that we would be married within six months at which time I would be applying for Permanent Resident status. The Officer asked a few quick questions, how would I support myself, am I importing anything, and said that our plans were perfectly appropriate, legal and permitted by Canadian Immigration law. Further, I could apply for an extension of up to six more months on my VR a month before the VR she issued that day expired. Perfect, everything is on track, above board and legal right? Wrong.

Fast forward five months to the end of October, one month prior to the expiration of my VR. I filled out the application, 100% truthfully, enclosed my $75 fee and sent it off to Vegreville, Alberta for processing. On December 11, I received a letter from CIC stating that my application could �not receive favorable consideration�, no reason given, and oh, by the way, your current VR is expired and you have to leave Canada....now, right now. Leave to go to where? I LIVE in Canada. Now before I get flamed for being the arrogant American who just assumed that he could come to a sovereign foreign nation and squat, let me stress that everything that my wife and I did was done with the blessing of CIC. We checked, double and triple checked all of our plans PRIOR to my going to Canada, and every time we asked, we were told sure, no problem, that's perfectly ok by the Canadian GOVERNMENT, not an Immigration lawyer or a guy at McDonalds. Now, six months later, it's not? What changed, and why was I given NO explanation of why my application was denied. Since I've been here, I have had no criminal involvement, no police contact and I have not in ANY WAY violated Immigration law or any other law of the land beit Federal, Provincial or local. Prior to going to Canada, I was a police officer, and I served in the U.S. military, and I have no criminal record whatsoever. I pose ZERO security risk to Canada. I arrived here, blended in, paid the enormous taxes levied on everything from groceries to gasoline (although I didn�t benefit from it at all) and did it BY THE BOOK, their book, and I was still denied. Our seventy five bucks didn't even by an explanation why, just sorry, and get out.....now. When we called CIC, we were told by the woman that answered the phone that she had no access to my information, although she asked me for all of my vital information, including my CIC case number, and insisted that the letter that I received MUST have given a reason why my application was denied. I informed her that since the letter was in front of me and that as I am an educated and literate man, I was indeed pretty sure that the letter contained no explanation. After holding for no less than fifteen minutes, she returned to the phone and informed me that she still had no information, but was pretty sure that I was denied because I didn�t �meet the requirements�. Insofar as we had been told by CIC, the only requirement for U.S. Citizens was a pulse and a passport, I assured her that I had both. She was also unable to state what exactly the qualifications were, but did in fact reiterate that I needed to leave Canada on the hop and I may re-apply at the Buffalo, New York Consulate office should I desire. I was stricken by the fact that CIC seemed totally indifferent to the fact that they were dealing with peoples lives, and really couldn�t care less how their arbitrary decisions affected real people.

After doing some checking, we discovered that in all likelihood, we were denied due to the fact that we stated that I would be applying for Permanent Residence after marring. Therefore, I am considered a �landed immigrant� and that allowing me entry into Canada somehow increases the likelihood that I wouldn�t leave at the expiration of my VR. Right, we told you that when I got here. We are intent on marring and I will be staying in Canada. And what information do you have that leads you to believe that I would violate the law in my host country by not complying with a request to leave? Moreover, why didn�t CIC say that when I arrived here????? Why did they allow us to do something that they knew they didn�t allow? Denying us originally would have been disappointing, but it would have allowed us an opportunity to proceed on a different course of action and have a full understanding of what is permissible and what is not permissible, and we could have avoided the upsetting situation that we are in now. The reason for wanting an extension of my VR is the same reason we gave to CIC at the border when I arrived here. Again, what changed? Why was it ok then and not ok now? Being a law abiding person, I was compelled to leave Canada to wait in the U.S. until our Permanent Resident application is approved or denied, a process that can take up to a year or more. Meanwhile, you are away from your spouse and made to feel that should you try to enter the country to visit with each other, you will be breaking the law. Again, let me stress that our anger resides solely in the fact that we were led to believe that our actions were allowable under Canadian Immigration law, and then CIC pulled the rug out from under us. Certainly Canada is well within is rights to set its own Immigration policies free from influence and or intimidation from the rest of the world, to include the United States. But, it would be nice if they abided by them. We want no sympathy, we�ll get through this and be stronger for it. I read postings on this site and others from people who come to Canada from places like Southeast Asia, Africa and the Middle East, who in spite of what they were told in their native countries by Canadian Consulate employees, are refused Immigrant status or even entry into Canada. Many of these people are educated professionals who left behind their entire families and spent tens of thousands of dollars to try to make a better life for themselves, a fundamental human right. These are the people that deserve sympathy.

Memo to Canadians�.People like me get upset with Canada because Canadians like to offer to the rest of the world that Canada is the last beacon of freedom and human rights in left in this dismal and awful world that has been tainted by the greed and racism, mostly by the United States. But in the light of day, the Canadian government, your Government treats people with utter disrespect, indifference and makes arbitrary and contrary decisions that affect real people. I can say this, I�m living it. This isn�t something that a friends brothers cousins best friends sister told my co-worker, it�s very real to me and my wife, a Canadian Citizen, and it�s true for several thousand other people. Several thousand other people who are in far worse positions than we are, and are really screwed. Before you say that the United States does the same thing, stop. No we don�t. The U.S. has a fianc�e visa that allows a U.S. Citizen to bring their fianc�e to the U.S. to live and work while until their marriage and remain in the U.S., allowed to work, study and live while their Permanent Resident status application is processed, often for years. That may seem excessive and perhaps it is, but you are at least given the opportunity to be together and do the right thing. In Canada, the answer is no. You wait outside until your fate is decided. Now, you can make the case that �hey, that�s our policy, if you don�t like it, you don�t have to come here�. True, very true, and I�ll be the first to say that that�s your right as a Canadian and you are entitled to it. But, I don�t want to hear another word about how warm and fuzzy, tolerant and open Canadian society and international policy is. You can not have it both ways. To maintain credibility, tell it like it is. In Canada, your immigration status is evaluated on points, and basically what you bring to the table. That doesn�t sound like an appropriate policy for nation that prides itself on tolerance, openness and being better that the rest of the world. And please, get over yourselves. Why is it that every time I meet a Canadian, within five minutes of discovering that I�m an American, they want to tell me how awful my country is and how much better Canada is? Why the insecurity? A refrain that I hear from Canadians is that Americans don�t know enough about Canada, and that Canadians are taught massive amounts about the U.S., and then shortly thereafter they throw in the clich� �I�ve even had Americans ask me if I live in an igloo�. Stop, please just stop. To hear a Canadian tell it, every American thinks every Canadian lives in an ice house. It sounds ridiculous and it�s insulting. You don�t hear it in the U.S., not on the level that you hear it here. It�s everywhere, you can�t pick up a newspaper without reading a letter to the editor from a misinformed Canadian bashing the U.S. for something that they have a very limited understanding of.

For instance, a letter in today�s Montreal Gazette from a reader outlines how sickened he was to see a forest thinned by logging during a flight from Canada�s east coast to the west coast. His answer to the problem? Stop selling lumber to those damn Americans. Yep, it�s all our fault. Never mind the Canadian lumber companies who enjoyed enormous profits off of that lumber, which by the way, was harvested largely off of Crown (government) land. Yes, I am aware of the softwood lumber dispute, and I�m not ignorant to the Canadian position that the U.S. has unfairly, illegally is the most often used term, levied tariffs against Canadian lumber companies. And no, the NAFTA panel DID NOT say that the U.S. was wrong to impose levies on the wood. The decision states that the U.S. miscalculated the fees, and over charged the Canadians. And yes, it also states that in its opinion, Canadian lumber companies harvest lumber off of Crown land, thereby making them, at least partly, subsidized by the Canadian Government. Read the decision. Fine, return the overage and let�s get on with our lives. And to address the claim that Canadians have no culture, yes, I do believe that there is a Canadian culture, actually Canadian cultures. I�ve lived in Quebec, and I am painfully aware of how vastly different the various Provinces, all ten of them, are. And that�s a large part of the problem, Canada has yet to fully understand and celebrate the things that make them different. A large, vocal part of Quebec wants nothing to do with Canada, and a large not so vocal part of Canada wants nothing to do with Quebec, who wants nothing to do with Ontario, who sees itself as having nothing to do with Alberta, who has nothing in common with Newfoundland, who cant identify with British Columbia, which looks nothing like PEI, that can�t understand why Nunavut and the Northwest Territory are a part of the same country etc�etc�.etc� In the U.S. we have fifty different nations who somehow manage to get along with each other despite having vast cultural values and political differences. We work out our rivalries in different ways, there called football teams. We in the U.S. have Immigrants from all over the world, just like Canada does and we somehow make it work.

To those of you who are thinking of coming to Canada, the only advice I can give you is to do your homework. DO NOT assume that what the Canadian Government does is what it posts on a website. Read this site and others like it. The information given here is as real as it gets. And don�t get intimidated by overly nationalistic Canadians or Americans for that matter, who are threatened by Immigrants. Finding a better life is a basic human right that yes, you ARE entitled to so long as you obey the law and customs of your new country. Don�t listen to the �they are taking our jobs� crap, because that�s exactly what it is, crap. I�ve never wanted anything handed to me, and I only want what I earn. We have a friend in Montreal who quit her job, mostly because she didn�t like it, and now draws unemployment from the Government. In that environment, no one has a case for keeping �job stealing Immigrants� off of their shores. And to any fellow Americans who are contemplating doing what we did, do not make the mistake of transposing American Immigration policies or ideals onto Canadian Immigration policy. They are different and you will be disappointed and in deep do-do if you do. You should seriously entertain the idea of settling in the U.S., an option not available to us right now as my father-in law has MS and is in a hospital bed in Canada. If circumstances we different, the choice is bilaterally clear, after our experiences in Canada, we would be in the U.S.

On a final note, understand that despite as bitter as I sound, and am in many ways, I bear no ill will toward the average Canadian. I want that to be clear. I do not believe that level headed, fair people believe that what�s happened to us, and others, is anything less than unreasonable, and we have enjoyed support from Canadians to that end. With any luck, I�ll soon be back with my wife in Canada, and we�ll be able to get on with our lives as productive Citizens who contribute to the grater good. I look forward to that day.

Good night and good luck�. (thanks Edward R Murrow)

Jimmy Brooks-Starnes
amucks@sympatico.ca

Dec 25, 2005

Hi,

I highly appreciate your site and it is surely needed for people who want to come here to know these before they are uprooted from their land. I am a sufferer as well in the same way by committing the biggest blunder of my life by immigrating here.

I am a bachelor degree holder and worked in my country in two big ( Sears & Walmart ) US companies and achieved service awards too, and here I had to work in factory, drove taxi, sweep floor and so far struggling. In terms of 2.5 billion dollars, it will actually be 3.5 billion as from next year they are planning to bring 350,000 immigrants. Additionally I would add that the immigration ministry is toooooo slow to act. I sponsored my mother and they took 24 months to reply me that all was Ok now I have to wait 3 more years and they said exact time only be told by their Singapore office and I called them and they said it should be actually by Canadian office. Simply they have no coordinations in between them.

My mother came to USA for 3 times and they do not even issue a visa for her for Canada
where as the new policy allows all sponsored people to have multiple visa. But in realty they do not issue it. The reason they said her is that she does not have income ..... even though. she is 65 years widow house wife !! I wonder if the visa officer's 65 years old mother earns other than the pension. It took them 9 months to only acknowledge my sponsorship application.

They took 8 months to issue my daughters birth certificate who was born in Toronto and I had to have a special letter from city hall and notarized letter from some one else and allowed us to travel for short period.

Last but not least situation is so bad that no doubt that you will not only be sufferer
but also your kids those born & brought up here too as well most likely will face they same problem. So in one sense it is worthless to sacrifice your carrier & life for the hopeless benefits of your kids too. Better stay back home and it is true that we read in the book when was kid that the grass on the other side of the river always ( seems ) green. I figured it 101% accurately here. So far that is my achievement.

Sincerely,

Reaz Rabbani
r.rabbani@sympatico.ca

Dec 24, 2005

Hello everyone!
I'm sick and tired of hearing about what a great country Canada is! Compared to what it should be, this country is a mere shadow of its potential. Yes, it might change some day--but I'm not holding my breath. I'd like to be a proud Canadian, but the "pure Canadians" and "government functionaries" make it really hard.
We pay much higher taxes than in the U.S.--but that's okay--because we have social programs like Medicare, right? Tell that to the good friend of mine who had surgery, and was sent home two hours later with a handful of Tylenol 3's. After a couple of days, he was in so much pain that he had to call an ambulance--after which the hospital gave him the pain killers they should've given him in the first place.
And what about Canada's national sport--America bashing? Yup, avoid talking about your own problems and shout from the rooftops about how "We're much better than our richer, more powerful, and successful neighbor to the south!" When we have trouble with another country--like when they torture and kill our journalists--we write them nasty letters. Yup, "harsh language"--that's the ticket. I bet they're just shaking in their boots now!
Yes! Canada protects its citizens! (If you believe that, I have a bridge to sell you!) Tell that to the woman who was kidnapped by terrorists in Iraq, managed to escape--and had to pay an arm and a leg to get a new passport and a ticket to return to Canada. (At least the U.S. airlifts its citizens out of trouble spots.) She had to beg, borrow, and steal her way out of there. It was either that, or wait for the terrorists (who must have been rather "miffed" with her) to take revenge. When she got back to Canada, an official from the government even tried to get her to make a public statement praising the Canadian government's assistance. She refused. Oh, and by the way, she was picked up by AMERICAN FORCES. (I guess the Canadian officials were too busy translating documents into French, or filling out padded expense reports.)
Add that to the clearly RACIST comments posted in here by "real" Canadians and "pure" Canadians--and I think I can rest my case: Today's Canada is a bogus, bureaucratic, wimpy, whiney, thinly-covered-racist, holier-than-thou, point-the-finger-at-everyone-else, divisive, divided, dupe-the-public, sham of a country.
Don't get me wrong. I really do want to become a "proud" Canadian (notice I didn't say "pure" Canadian, or "real" Canadian--those people are just an embarrassment), and I would greatly appreciate anyone's help in transforming Canada into the kind of country that EVERYONE could be proud of. Real change is what this country needs now, not more rhetoric. And--for those of you who just don't get it--"real change" has to come from the inside out. It's time for Canada to stop paying lip service to its greatness, and start demonstrating it. Who knows? Maybe someday "Not Canada" will become "Yes, Canada!"
Sincerely, JD MacDonald (A "less-than-proud" Canadian) canadianentrepreneurs@yahoo.ca

Dec 23, 2005

Having read the many comments in the past few days, I have to say this:-

Where have you shown respect to immigrants that when you who all are born in Canada of immigrants when called immigrants you feel hurt and think that we do not have respect for Canadians. No country is bad � it is the people who govern it (Politicians and Bureaucrats) who give it a bad image international.

As many of you Canadians say that immigrants cannot integrate into Canadian Society for all you guys info my kid�s BEST friend is a Caucasian Canadian. Both our families respect each other�s cultures and religions. As a matter of fact when the kid�s BEST friend�s parents celebrated their 25th Wedding Anniversary recently, only immediate family members were invited and our family was invited � I do not wish to boost but if we were unable to integrate into the Canadian Society then we would not be invited. We are from India but we celebrate Christmas, Thanks Giving, Easter and other Canadian festivals as all Canadians do � like having a Christmas tree, Christmas dinner, giving gifts, Thanks Giving dinner.

It is unfortunate that you have not understood the heart of the matter. The heart of the matter is the deceit played by Immigration Canada on skilled/professional immigrants. When skilled/professional immigrants file their papers for immigrating to Canada they are told that their qualifications are suitable for them to get a job. What they are not told is that they would have to re-qualify if they wanted to work in Canada. Only after a skilled/professional immigrant has landed in Canada and when he/she looks for a job he is told that his foreign qualifications are not recognized and that he/she will have to re-qualify before getting employment in his/her field of work. May I ask WHY - WHY this deceit????? It is so because Immigration Canada knows that if skilled/professional immigrants are informed that they would have to re-qualify then most would not immigrate, and it is these skilled/professional immigrants who have money that is brought to Canada. I gain repeat we skilled/professional immigrants are not asking for freebies � all that we are asking is that our foreign qualifications be recognized, so that we can work in our fields of expertise and contribute to the development of Canada.

Regarding the increase in violence in Canada � if close attention is paid it will be noticed that the creators of this are mafias which have entered Canada, thanks to Immigration Canada who allows one and all to immigrate � the only clause being money brought into Canada.

Now that the Federal Elections have been called let us skilled/professional immigrants ask Mr. Martin, Mr. Harper and Mr. Layton how are they going to tackle this problem?????

H.M.Fitter
fitters@shaw.ca

Dec 22, 2005

I found your website, and thought your reasons why you should not move to Canada to be stupid. First of all you can't expect to come to a foreign country and expect to get a job right away. My Grandparents came to Canada in 1952 from England. My Grandmother was a teacher in England and had a masters degree, when she came to Canada, She knew she would have redo some of her qualifications, which she did do eventually. She took small jobs which didn't pay much, because she knew things would be better here, then in England at the time. My Grandfather also took small jobs to help make ends meet. They lived in a small cottage with two other families and did not complain. In 1964, 12 YEARS after coming to Canada, My Grandfather started a small business which is became quite successful.

About what some people are saying about how mean Canadians are is completely not true, Yes I will Agree in the big cities people are pretty ignorant, but just drive into the country, and everyone is nice. And about how bad our weather is, How is that our fault? There are other countries which get cold to, not just us, like the northern states for example, Russia, Siberia? But your not bitching about those countries. My Point is, if you have a good job in your own country why do you want to come here in the first place, To make more money perhaps? (getting a little greedy?) Oh, and the US isn't all sunshine and roses either, at least in Canada we don't go and bomb countries and kill a lot of innocent people, for a really stupid reason (oil) Every country has it's down side, not one is perfect. So please stop bashing Canada!!

Catherine Nicholson
shippingreceiving@polyformltd.com

Dec 22, 2005

Hello everyone!

Once again, I'm going to tell you all that the very best way to gain control of your life is to take possession of it. And the best way to do that is to get rich through investing in yourself and your own business. Once you're rich enough, no one can control you. If you don't like the way a certain country treats its "guests", you can just move on. I mean, this whole big blue marble belongs to all of us--right?

Wealth gives you "freedom of movement", and "freedom of movement" makes countries irrelevant. (And they certainly hope you never figure it out!) Once you're rich enough to go "wherever you choose", you can "choose" to go wherever you can get the "best deal", in terms of living standards, costs, and taxation.

Now, I've had tons of people asking me the same questions about starting a business and/or getting rich, so I'll just respond a bit here. Please, please, please open your eyes, ears, minds, and hearts! Otherwise, you'll make me feel like I'm talking to myself...and possibly hurt my feelings.

Q: It takes money to start a business. How can I start a business without money?

A: Start a smaller business. Start from home and/or part-time. Build that business up, and then move to the next level. I once knew a Vietnamese refugee who went from selling T-shirts in the hallways of our school during breaks (which he got at a huge discount directly from the maker, and sold for a very fair price) to owning his own electronics company. Somewhere in between, I ran across him working on a neighbor's car in the neighbor's driveway. He told me he was working on cars to pay his way through electronics school. Now that guy had the right idea!

Q: Rich people are bad people! They get rich off the backs of the poor! How can I do that?

A: So, you're saying that...since you're a "good" person, who doesn't want to get rich off the backs of the poor (as if that were the only way)...you won't even try to get rich? This is just stupid. It means that you'll let the "bad people" have the money by default--since they won't have any competition from you. Good plan! Stay poor, and let the bad people have all the money! :p

Now, here's something else you need to know. Whether that rich person is nice or nasty doesn't matter at all--either way they benefit the economy, and everyone involved in any aspect of it, with every purchase they make. And even if they did "hoard" all the money, governments would just print more. This whole idea that rich people are "bad" for a country is a great "destroyer of economies". Just look at the former Soviet Union.

Furthermore, YOU can choose to do good things with your wealth. You can ease the plight of those in need, and you can fund alternative schools and medical care. (No one will stop me from building a hospital in Canada...as long as it's not private.)

Q: It's not fair for one person to have so much money! Why don't they distribute it evenly to everyone?

A: Firstly, this is what I call "scavenger thinking". In nature, when a lion goes out and makes a kill, the scavengers have to wait until the lion finishes eating to gnaw on whatever is left over. Saying that the lion shouldn't use its superior strength and speed to make the kill is about the same as saying that it's unfair for people to use their superior talents and motivation to get ahead. The scavengers can complain all they want, and try to shame that "lucky bastard lion" (who's done all the most important work) into giving them a full share--but they'd starve without the lion. What they're really trying to say is, "Since I'm a scavenger, it's unfair for you to be a lion. You should be a scavenger like me." (Which would mean the end of all scavengers everywhere, by the way.)

The upside is this: People can "choose" (there's that magic word again) to be lions! In nature, the scavengers don't have a choice. All they can do is whine and complain--and take whatever is left for them. Choose to be a lion, and get rid of scavenger thinking!

So, if you have any further questions concerning business and/or wealth, you know how to contact me.

Now, back to "freedom of movement". In my opinion, the absolute best place to go and make your fortune right now is the United States of America. You'll have to "Be prepared!" and "Suck it up!", but you'll have more opportunities and pay lower taxes than you will in Canada or Europe. (Asia is still up in the air. There are still a lot of controls, and a lot of problems.) Canada, on the other hand, is a better place to retire than the U.S. if you're not really rich. (Notice I didn't say "the best place".)

Good luck everyone! Have a happy holiday, and a very prosperous new year!

And keep telling all your friends about NotCanada.com, and the valuable service it provides. The site-owners deserve our encouragement and support. They certainly have mine.

Sincerely, JD MacDonald
canadianentrepreneurs@yahoo.ca

Dec 21, 2005

Hi all.
I've read most of the posts, not all but i have noticed a very strong common feature, most are highly educated. As with most people of this stature you will notice that high intelligence and common sense rarely go together. Who in there right mind sells all their worldly goods, ships their entire family to the other side of the world with absolutely no idea where the next dollar is coming from? They complain that they can't feed their family then another baby appears, that's clever isn't it. I find it inconceivable that anybody believes anything that any government says. "They said i would find work, they lied, they've took all my money and now i have to go back". Dear God, hasn't anybody heard of planning.

I've heard Canadians say that Tony Blair is great. Well, Tony Blair is a Lawyer, so is his wife, as is most of his cabinet. We all know what lawyers are good at, does that change your perception any? It's true that Canada has few jobs but there is a lot of work, it appears that most people can't tell the difference. "I've sent thousands of e-mail's but nobody ever replies" Have you tried a follow up phone call? i did and guess what? results!! Amazing.

Forgive me, my name is Andy Rudge and i'm a UK resident wanting to emigrate to Canada. Your people advertise for skilled workers in our national news papers and it hasn't gone down very well. "those immigrants are taking Canadian jobs off Canadian people" This isn't strictly true, it is illegal to take a job from a Canadian, a Canadian company must PROVE that is nobody available before the government will issue a work permit to a foreign national, no permit no job. The government has the last word. The only exception to this are people with high education, they are deemed intelligent enough to be able to forge their own future but it's not working, is it. This is one aspect that the Canadian government have got wrong. Qualifications only prove that you have an understanding in that particular field, they don't prove that you can do the job, or enpower you to do the job. Only experience can do this and that only comes with time, in my trade that takes 15 years, but nobody wants to wait anymore. Which is why your government looks overseas, Canadians clearly don't want this type of work.

I've read that they complain about high taxes and high cost of living. If your going to compare then you can only compare like for like, as Canada is a G8 country then you can only compare with other G8 countries, not the third world. Our sales tax is 17.5%, most of Europe is 22%. My total income tax works out at 33% of my total wage, our gasoline price is almost double yours at $1.68 per L, it was just over $2. I'm not saying Canada is cheap to live but it is cheaper. One guy said that his entire worth, $80.000 was spent in five years, even the most frugal of people would be lucky to get that to last more than two years here, what do they expect?

Now your worried about pensions, come to the UK. I've read one guy complain that he worked 30 years in Canada and still didn't get his full pension, in the UK you have to work 44 years to qualify for the full pension. If your 40 you'll be working until your 72, and that's the official line. A good friend of mine retired at 68 only to have to return to the workplace full-time 2 years later. This has become normal. My own mother worked passed retirement as did my father-in-law and my mother-in-law. If you have a private company pension don't think your safe, company's go under and the pension goes with it. There's no government compensation for this. This is not the future, this is NOW. Canada isn't the first to suffer these pitfalls, it's one of the last, your problems have only just started, ours started 20 years ago.

I have had no problem whatsoever finding out whatever i'm looking for from my own computer in my own home. Yes, i've spent months doing it but i'm still working and earning. I would say that i would take anybody 6 months to learn how the system works, to enable them to look for work successfully. Move when you have something to move to.

I didn't send thousands of e-mail's, i sent about 10 before i realised that people don't reply to e-mail's, they read them but don't have the time to reply. What may be important to you is not important to them. I quickly found that people don't return voice messages either, again to busy, the guy who is talking to him will get his attention before a voice mail, and before you know it the week has gone and so has any memory of your voice mail. But if you perceiver and actually speak to the person you want to then they will talk, engage them in conversation, ask how their day is and ask about the company, get at least 20 minutes of conversation out of them then they will remember you, not "have you got any vacancies, no? oh well, thank you". Conversation is not rocket science and if nothing else it will generate interest in you. Last of all, go and visit all the people that showed interest, may not have granted you an interview but visit anyway. If can't afford it you can't afford the move. It seems to me that people make mistakes but fail to learn from them, if one tactic doesn't work why continue with it? 10,000 e-mail's?!? i sent 10 before the alarm bells started to ring.

I can't see that the government has got that much wrong, all the facts are on their web pages for you to read, but people don't bother do they? The main questionable element is peoples own understanding. People miss interpret information and fail to adequately research the subject. They get it wrong then blame everybody except for themselves. Canada IS the land of dreams, but dreams are not given to you, you have to create them. There is no future other than that, that YOU MAKE.

I love Canada, i love it's people. They are warm and kind and honest. People don't steal your things like they do in the UK, not to mention being a very safe place. In 1995 4,000,000 cars where stolen in the UK, you never see them again, there either broken up or burnt out. I've had my house broken into 3 times in 10 years. The UK has a huge network of CCTV, so huge that the average citizen is photographed 300 time a day yet still crime persists. Crime? for 2003/4 Burglary stands at 943,000 homes broken into. Criminal damage 2,465,000 acts and violent crime at 2,708,000 incidents. All from a tiny island in the North Sea. Don't go knocking Canada until you've lived elsewhere, enjoy you country, it's one of the best.

Andy Rudge
ARUDGE@aol.com

Dec 20, 2005

Hi,

I recently wrote an article of support for your website. You can see the entire magazine at:

http://www.cobblestonescommunications.com/Low_Res_Holiday_2005_News___Current_Events.pdf

The article is on page 4. I also attached a PDF copy of the page that you are free to use on your website or for any of your causes. It is important to encourage Canadians and immigrants to get out and vote on January 23rd. That is our way to have our voices heard and make things change. I believe the only way we can implement change in Canada's terrible immigration system is to:

a) Get the current party, The Liberals, out of power.
b) Insist on a complete rehaul of Canada's immigration system
c) Demand that the new political party in power invest in programs to get immigrants back into their fields

I wish you well in your fight and commend your courage in putting up this website.

Sincerely,

Jamie Saari-Alvarez
President, Cobblestones Communications
Publisher, Cobblestones Magazine
26 Carnarvan Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3J 0X3, Canada
Phone: (204) 772-0440
Fax: (204) 772-0662
Email: cobblestonesmagazine@shaw.ca
Website: www.cobblestonesmagazine.com

Dec 19, 2005

I was very disappointed to see the website www.notcanada.com and all the
negative messages and anti-Canadian sentiment expressed.

I am a 4th generation Canadian and my family has struggled like most
Canadian families to make a new life in Canada after emigrating from Europe.
To this day, all the members of my family do not live any sort of
privileged life and are subject to the same challenges all Canadians face.
I have never inherited a dime from my family, never received a nickel from
government handouts and have had to pay every red cent to put myself through
university and get a job. It is extremely offensive that you have labeled
Canadians as "beer drinking, hockey watching welfare bums".

Canadians as a group of people are some of the most tolerant and giving
people. I have spent time in the United States, France and the UK, and can
tell you that Canada has a much smaller disparity between the classes and
better quality of life than most any other country in the world.
Immigrating to Canada should not be seen as a guarantee of success in life
or riches, but rather an opportunity to contribute to our great country as a
Canadian.

For you consideration,
Mr. Chris Dovell
chrisjdovell@hotmail.com

Dec 19, 2005

Canadians are too innocent of the world happening around us. In the international arena, Canada is far from a major key-player. Please refer to WTO's latest statistics. Our GDP growth, GDP per capita, world's economy/trade/services/tourism standings are even much lower than the small island of Hong Kong. It's unfortunate that due to the very heavy taxations, Canadians after footing daily necessaties ie food, housing, car, little or nothing is left to any savings. Thus many Canadians never in their life time could afford to travel around the world to see the fast changing pace of the arena. Indeed, Canada is the most sparsely populated on earth, resulting taxation per capita being one of the highest.

We should all be grateful for anyone who's willing to come to this remote, no activities, quiet, cold and harsh land to help develop our economy and help out in our heavy taxes.

Apart from refugees, majority of Immigrants are from the wealthy and skilled categories who are very much respected in their homeland. For instance an investment Immigrant from Hong Kong is required to put down CAD$500,000 in cash in exchange for the status, how many of us here got this kind of cash in our bank accounts?

Immigrants in the old days, esp those after the 2nd WW who fled here because of Nazis' and fascists' defeats just cannot be compared with the wealthy and professional immigrants of today. The world has changed alot since then. These rich and skilled immigrants are welcomed by many countries around the world, including the US. If we continue to be hostile to our newcomers, the end result is that our very sparse population just have to share a greater burden of the taxes.

It's also unfortunate that Canada has been too heavily depending on our South neighbour for well being. We talk and think like an American, in contrary to Canadians, our S. neighbour is a genuine world player and repected multi cultures, reasons being the US has the most no. of multi national corporations around the globe, giving Americans numerous opportunities to travel, live and understand different cultures of the world. Because of their broad scope and knowledge on international affairs and perspectives, Americans at home respect and treasure skilled and talented from around the world. On the other hand, because Canadians dont have that same opportunities to travel and live outside of the country, making mostly Canadians very naive and ignorant of the outside world. If we do not change our perceptions, Canada will continue to fall behind the world's competitiveness.

J. White
jwhite@yahoo.ca

Dec 19, 2005

Are you serious! How can you publicly insult Canada the way you are. For
your information, there is canadian cuisine, it's not the most fancy food
but it is world known. That's "Canadian Bacon" idiots. You idiots, it's not
Canada's problem that you can't proper jobs. Canada has plenty of jobs. And
if u really want a good job become a doctor or a nurse because you can never
have enough doctors. All the extra things you can buy are your own choice.
You aren't forced to eat out or to buy extra furniture. How dare you insult
Canada, we call each other canadians because we are proud of the opportunity we have. Some people in the world make 2 dollars a day. So be proud that you have a chance to do better that them. You say that Canada has no culture, Canada may not have it's own unique culture, but it's general world culture is phenomenol, it has the culture of idians, french, mexican. Canada embraces the cultures it receives instead of neglecting them like the
americans do. Canada has one of the richest culture embracers in the world.
Just a few more points, Canada do has some aweful weather, but that's in
winter. If you leave your original country in Summer then you'll be fine,
you'll find work, by the time winter comes. You'll have a hefty sum and
enough to buy a nice warm jacket. Canada is already known for it's weather,
if you come without being prepared then what are you doing in the country?
Jobs are very easy to find if you are willing to look. This is the last
point of my letter. Please DO NOT JUDGE before you have completely
understood the way of the country. After all, we're all immigrants
somewhere. And we want everyone to treat our country with respect and
dignity.

Julian Legrand
coolkidj@hotmail.com

Dec 19, 2005

To Whom it May Concern,

After reading the contents of your website, I am rather shocked that you have such a negative view of my country. you seem to wish to portray aspects of Canadian life in black and white with no middle ground.

In your top 8 reasons not to immigrate to Canada you cite the supposedly discriminatory immigration system. Isn't the purpose of an immigration system to decide who should enter the country and who should not? Since this is the case, the system is obviously discriminatory.

Your website also speaks of the problems encountered by immigrants who come here and then seek jobs. This process is, in itself, a rather foolish way to move between countries since I don't know anyone who has come to Canada with a small amount of resources looking for a job. Both of my parents are first generation immigrants: One from Britain, the other from India and both came to Canada with support systems already in place so that they would not find themselves without money.

I'll agree that there is a health care crisis, but you can hardly compare it to developing countries where conditions are by far much worse. Taxes, also, are very high. However, the purpose of these taxes is to maintain the services provided in this country for all of its citizens such as healthcare, education, infrastructure, etc.

I also believe that your assumption that there is no "Canadian culture" is completely false. Canada is an immigrant nation and, as such, creates its culture from the multitudes of cultures that exist simultaneously within its borders. Regional culture is also quite apparent. For example, culture in the Maritimes is thriving with a rich musical community as well as regional foods such as fiddle-heads and lobster, Quebec, as is very apparent, has a rich cultural history distinct from the rest of Canada with its unique food (with dishes such as tourtiere and poutine), unique language (which differs from European french as much as Australian English differs from British English), and strong musical tradition (as seen by the extreme high percentage of Quebeckers tuning in to see Star Academie). Across the country, there are several examples of cultures that are not as apparent as one would expect. Having travelled to 8 of the 10 Canadian provinces, I'm certain that there is a distinct Canadian culture. Of course, one cannot forget the nationally popular sports of Curling and Hockey which enjoy immense popularity similar to Rugby cultures in Australia and New Zealand.

Finally, I hardly think the claim that Canada has the worst weather is accurate. Southern Ontario enjoys marvellous summers while many immigrants marvel at the wonder of winter (though they definitely complain about the cold. That's a given). Also, the climate of the west coast is really quite mild (though rather gloomy for the winter months) and is much like the weather would be in European cities like London, Brussels, or Paris.

I hope I haven't come across as extremely combative in my arguments, but I simply do not think that your arguments about life in Canada are true. My mother grew up in a small village in India in relative comfort, but not extreme wealth and is now able to live a comfortable life in a nice community outside of Toronto. Since she was able to make a life for herself and integrate into this country, I think it's quite possible for others to do the same and I have seen several other examples of this happening.

Sincerely,
Brian Keast
bkeast@appleby.on.ca

Dec 18, 2005

Hi There!

This is my second response to the forum. I just wanted to react to couple messages posted by the proud �CANADIANS�. Some people said we, immigrants, should leave Canada, if we don�t accept the Canadian culture, laws & regulations. Why don�t you force your PM, Mr. Paul Martin, to change the charter of rights & freedom? Why does the charter say that we have the right to keep our culture & religion? Also, are we the ones who break the laws of this country? Are your jails full of immigrants & your courts overburdened with criminal cases committed by immigrants? Do we pay lower rates of taxes to the Canadian Government? I�ve paid CDN$ 1,500 visa & landed fees before even stepping on to Canadian soil. I pay high taxes every year. I have to support my parents & sisters back home, but can�t claim tax refund.

Mr. John Newton from Victoria has said that standards are higher in Canada than in India. He is afraid that Canada would be lowering its standard to accommodate immigrants! May I ask him whether his Canadian employees taking care of quality control & R &D of Asian products that flood Canadian markets? Shame on you Mr Newton! If our skills were lower than yours, our products wouldn�t be every where in your country! You think, Canadian Government is doing charity for us by allowing Asian products into the country? If there�s still poverty in Asia, then it�s due to your forefathers plundering our wealth for 2 centuries. In India, people don�t say Ford, Chrysler & GM vehicles as their local cars simply because those US companies have manufacturing facilities somewhere in India. There are Indian vehicle manufacturing companies like TATA, Maruti, Mahindra, etc, etc.

Bachelor�s Degree takes 4 years to complete in Universities. If there�s a 2-year teacher�s training program, then it�s enough just to train teachers to teach kids! If Canadian teachers need more time to train, then they have lower intelligence level! Most of you guys can�t even speak French, which is one of your national languages. What sort of education you guys get in your schools?

Folks, just try to understand that we don�t live here for free in Canada. We had to enter Canada with $10,000. In spite of being severely discriminated upon, we support your CPP & other benefit plans. Your internal population growth is not sufficient to support the aging population. A lady contributor to �notcanada.com� has said that she is not afraid to get laid before marriage as in Pakistan� I�m giving all the ladies this advice: it�s really good for you - get laid with who ever you bump into & get laid more often, produce more babies, so that the Canadian Government would not need its immigration program!

Now, the question is: why did I come here in the first place? I expected a level playing field� I didn�t mind taking up one or two trainings to get used to the Canadian environment, but I didn�t expect that my past education & experience would not have any value... I�m a professional; I look for better opportunities� Nothing wrong with it! Of course, I�m not going to waste my life complaining, I�ll move out of Canada soon!!

Hasan Akhtar, B.Sc. [ME], MBA
hasan@myeweb.com

Dec 17, 2005

My sincere advice to anyone contemplating
coming to Canada would be DONT !!

In my experience unless you have absolutely
nothing to loose it is not worth it, be prepared to retake examinations
for every qualification that you already possess in your native land
..mainly .. at your expense !

When you have these "re-qualifications", one
would expect to be "on par" with the system ...not so, you will always be
second best. The Canadian province I live in has an official
semi-illiterate rate of 45% but I might as well be in that category !

The other side of this is, when one gets to
the point that to leave Canada is the only sensible option, the country of
origin will be unwilling to take you back as you have by leaving in the
first place expressed dissatisfaction there by emigrating.

My personal story is that I left a good
paying job with security, only to find out in Canada that things are not
the same, and once bridges are crossed there is no second chance.

Unfortunately I have to stay here now with
my family but consider my remarks folks, before its too late !
Peter Richards
p.richards@ns.sympatico.ca

Dec 14, 2005

Do most people realize that "old age
pensions" in Canada will be phased out? A lot of people expect to retire
at 55 - 65 but it will never happen.  Having successfully removed the
"mandatory retirement age" at 65, the government will now begin to slowly
whittle away at retirement benefits. When complaints roll in, the
government will state that you have the "right" to continue working until
you die at which time whatever is left over will go towards any tax owed.

Ever deal with AGE discrimination? How many think
that even a factory will want to hire them when they reach 65? Does
working into yours 70s or 80s as a China*Mart greeter or a McDon*lds
"team member" sound appealing? The only people who will retire will be
those already past the age of 50 or the 5% who literally have millions.
The rest of us - immigrant or not - will work until we die in this
country. The companies will continue to fill their ranks with ever
increasing immigrants being paid ever diminishing wages.

How about the Delphi auto parts wage cuts in the
US? Delphi, is a "spin-off" of GM, a company heading towards
bankruptcy.  WAGES ARE BEING CUT FROM $26 / hr (US$ ) TO UNDER $10 / hr
with major cuts to health care coverage, pensions and benefits. If
wages in the US manufacturing sector are being cut 60% what do you think
will shortly happen in Canada? All jobs will eventually have their pay
"right-sized" in the area of 60%. TAKE YOUR CURRENT SALARY AND REDUCE
IT BY 60%, REMOVE ANY BENEFITS AND/OR PENSIONS, and you'll have seen
your future.  Enjoy the "easy life" while you can, it will be 60% more
difficult soon enough!

How-about "peak oil"? Whether real of artificial,
fuel prices will go up. As fuel prices rise and so will everything else
BUT your salaries which will go down. Some people think the cost of oil
may hit $100/barrel within 12 months, perhaps $400/barrel by 2010. That
would mean gas would sell for 4.50/liter ($200 to fill up a car). I'd
hate to think what a home heating bill, electricity bill would cost
or what would happen to the price of all our imported foods and consumer
goods. I hope this never happens, I SHIVER to imagine living conditions
in Canada without plenty of cheap energy sources. Cheap oil is all that
keeps Canada from being a frozen wasteland.

I have watched salaries drop since 1981 when as
high school graduate could get a starting wage of $ 20/hour. Back then
taxes were much lower and the cost of living a fraction of what it is
today. Today that same job pays under $ 10 / hour yet all expenses have
exploded. My apartment in Toronto sure doesn't cost $225 / month it
used to cost me 12 years ago. Life in Canada is getting harder - not
easier - and this will not change anytime soon.

Food for thought, immigrant and native born alike.

Eric W.
ericw33@hotmail.com

Dec 14, 2005

Dear Sir or Madam:

I am very lucky, I never had much difficulty finding work in Canada
or the United States. I cannot begin to imagine how frustrating it
must be to move to a new country and a new life only to end up not
receiving what you believed you would receive. Canada's immigration
system is a mess. For example, our health care is in crisis and we
have medical doctors driving taxi cabs.

Many of your top eight reasons to not immigrate to Canada are
extremely valid. However, some have nothing to do with our
immigration system:

Climate: Anyone that moves to Canada believing that they are moving
to a climate like Hawaii cannot possibly have the education they
claim to have. Canada is a country known for ice hockey, ice
fishing, ice storms, etc. Anyone that moves to Turkey and then
complains about the heat deserves what they get.

Culture: We are a young country of immigrants. Our culture reflects
this. It is something that we struggle with: we have no culture and
at the same time have nothing but culture. In Toronto you can visit
Israel, Italy, and India and then have Chinese for lunch. No country
in the world embraces other cultures like Canada. Do we have problems
with multiculturalism? Absolutely. Have we done it perfectly?
Absolutely not. But by and large, we have a working solution. Look at
the events that occurred recently in France. What would the outcome
be of an India vs. Pakistan cricket match in either of those two
countries?

Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal: Canada is an enormous country; there is
a lot more to Canada than these three cities. For work I suggest
northern British Columbia or Alberta. It's not practicing medicine or
marketing but it pays much better than driving a taxi cab. Of course,
it's also very cold in the winter time: please see my first point.

Your website performs a great service for Canada. We need to embrace
immigrants much better and your website calls attention to our
shortcoming.

I am truly sorry that things have not worked out as you, and many of
your readers, would have liked. Optimally, I would love to see things
work out for you in Canada, but I hope they work out better wherever
you decide to call home.

Sincerely,
Damon Torgerson
damon@ranksix.com

Dec 13, 2005

In reply to letter below, dated Nov. 22, 2005, and signed Traci

Without prejudice,

(The phrase �white people� is used throughout this text to mean all immigrants regardless of color or race.)

Traci, you stated that, �� if � these racist Canadian ancestors �had gone back to their own country�, then your people would be so much �better off�. I instead submit that your people would still be dancing in their freshly killed buffalo hides and thumping their war drums. Who the hell do you think you are kidding? Even your own people know this is pure bunk meant to only extort more �white man� cash to pay for all your great �suffering�!!

Yes, white man did cause you a great deal of suffering. Sorry� I really am. But those times were times of conquest and expansion world wide. Even the various Indian tribes in North America were fighting other tribes for their territories, their women, their � well, that�s about all you had to fight for, I guess. It definitely wasn�t white man that introduced your ancestors to the fine art of fighting and stealing. You already had that down pat. It�s just that we were better at it.

I am so tired of hearing how your people have suffered and how much is owed to you. I lost several relatives in WW 2. You won�t hear me whining that the German people owe me a living because our family fortune was stolen by the Nazis and my relatives were killed. God only knows how much further ahead financially my family would be today had these events not occurred� how many of my relative�s offspring would I have had the privilege of knowing today had those uncles and aunts of mine not been killed back then? Your people do not have the monopoly on suffering!!

When white man came to North America your people were at least 2,000 years behind the world in development. You had only basic survival skills and lacked any of the innovations of the modern world. Maybe you say that you consider this being �better off�, but we both know that�s a lie. Yes, we brought over sickness, we killed off many of your ancestors, we lied and we cheated. I really am sorry� really. But if your ancestors were too stupid, too gullible, too trusting, then perhaps your people were never meant to survive. It�s nature�s way of preserving the strongest and the smartest. And your people claim to know all about nature.

I know all about the Christian schools your people suffered in. I know all about the attempt by Canadian government to assimilate your people and your cultures. If you really look at it objectively it makes perfect sense and helps preserve the whole of the country. As it is, you�ve separated yourselves from the rest of Canadians and stand on the sidelines, or on pedestals, with your hands out claiming everyone else here owes you a living. Bull crap!! Try working. How does it feel being part of a group of people whose only claim to fame is that they owe everything that they have to someone else? But let me guess, you would have achieved all this grandeur and wealth on your own had white man not interfered. I think not. All one need do is drive onto any reserve to see just how little is actually achieved by your people on their own, even when everything is paid for by the white man. You seem to be uninitiated by nature and lazy by choice.

Give me just one example of your great people�s contribution to mankind and to world development. Ok, corn, tobacco and the canoe. By the way, you have killed and still are killing many of my people with this tobacco crap. I, and all my white brothers, should seek compensation from your people for all our relatives and friends you have murdered. But then, where would you get the money? We�d have to give it to you first.

We, the �white people� of America, are sick of your people draining our financial resources and living off our toils. You really make me sick! I�ve talked to many natives over the years and most of them have one thing in common, and it�s not their pride in their heritage; they all brag about all the free handouts they get from the government (white folks). Free higher education, free medical, lower taxation, monthly tobacco and liquor tax rebates, business loans backed by the government, no sales tax (until recently), monthly status cheques, etc. The list goes on and on ad nauseum! And us white people will probably continue paying over and over again. I can�t promise my kids a bright future filled with health and financial rewards for their hard work, but I can surely hand them the legacy of the Indian; for as long as they live they will always have to put into the welfare pot for our great Natives� the North American Indians!! You may have been first on this continent, but you sure as hell had no idea what to do with it when you got here. It took the white man to come and show you the potential of the resources here.

You cry of your traditions and your heritage. You claim rights to traditional hunting and your inherent right to hunting and fishing lands. Then you show up in your traditional pickup trucks, traditional quads and snowmobiles, with your traditional Winchester rifles, cowboy boots and hats, sucking back a traditional beer and lay claim to some area being developed by a white business man!!! Who do you think you are fooling? Go suck a friggin� traditional lemon!! All you�re after is more traditional white man�s cash!! Sure beats working for a living, doesn�t it?

I wonder what you proud First Nations people would do if all the various welfare money just dried up? Who would pay the bills if all white men married a native and all the children became eligible for all the various handouts? One does not need a lot of native blood coursing through the veins to qualify for these alms.

Just for the record, I am an egalitarian. I do not think myself better than anyone or any other race, nationality or gender. I said what I said above only to draw a point, �we�ve had enough. Many, if not most, white people feel this way, but few are brave enough to say it out loud lest they get charged with hate mongering or some other lame charge meant only at keeping white people oppressed and at bay. Only the white man lacks the right to speak his mind. All other races are praised for fighting for their rights when they speak out like this, white man gets thrown in jail. Until we all learn to live together on the same level and get over our past errors, until we all learn that none of us are better than the other, until we learn to forgive, then we will never have true peace, and resentment will prevail.

Yes, white man has not been the kindest to your people, but then we haven�t been the kindest to our own people either. At least we�re consistent. But then, your people are not without sin either. Ask your elders just what your history really is, the violence, the poverty� the unbiased version, and most of it predates white man�s arrival.

So Traci, this IS my land. My family worked hard to create a home here, earn a living and contribute to this great country. We�re here to stay, and we�ll continue to build a great nation here for all people who are willing to contribute earnestly to its continuous betterment and development; no matter where they come from or what race they are. And if not with your help Traci, then we�ll do it in spite of you. But do it we will. The only way you�re getting my land is by prying it out of my cold dead hands.

So go ahead, send me your hate mail and tear jerking rebuttals. Just remember, I don't hate you... I do mildly resent you though, but I don't hate you.

Jake Pender

jakepen@hotmail.com

Dec 13, 2005

I am beholden to the individuals who have constructed the valuable information tool that is this website. If it be permitted, I would like to relate a rather long story that may contribute to both sides of this debate.

I was born in Barrie, Ontario to white British immigrants and finished high school in 1978. I then went to university, on a government student loan, aided by the fact that repayment terms were "frozen" at a fixed interest rate of 6%. After 2 years of studies the officer handling my loan was changed, and the new officer declared that the previous officer has made an error and that I no longer qualified for any aid from the program. I complained, but was told I should consider myself lucky that I wasn't required to pay it back immediately. Unlucky me, I had just spent all my remaining money save 40 dollars on tuition on registration day. I managed in that harsh oil crisis winter to land a temporary moonlight job running the till at a 24 hour gas bar, just enough to cover my expenses and rather sleeplessly finish the term, but I simply had to discontinue my studies. After that, I managed to find a kinder but rather poorly paid job making sandwiches and soups in a deli. Meanwhile the government changed and decreed that student loans that came due would be paid back at prime, which currently was 15.75%.

Since I was no longer in full time education, the loan came due. I refused to pay because I felt the loan contract had been alterred unfairly/illegally and sent letters to the authorities to explain my case. There was no satisfactory reply, and then the bank sold my case to a collection agency. However with a part time job on minimum wage and no assets they gave up, thankfully. After this fiasco, and a long stint of odd jobs (courrier, flight attendant to replace striking personnel [a job required by the local unemployment agency, or be cut off benefit], audio-visual equipment sales), I decided to immigrate to the UK, for, being British by decent, I could obtain a British passport. So in Thatcher's Britain to my delight I discovered that if I could prove 3 years of continuous employment in Britain, I was entitled to 10 000 dollars a year in grants and loans and I promptly found a job for those years, then did a full BA in languages. I then went on to France and taught English at some very highly reputed universities. The French accepted my British qualifications without any troubles. I decided to change carreers in 1998 and my French wife and I, both being open to change and curious by nature, decided to move to Canada.

So I applied to immigration Canada to sponsor my wife and enrolled in an intensive night school course in technical writing. I was horrified to learn that I had to pay the full whack to bring my wife to Canada. Being married to a Canadian-born man meant nothing! She didn't need to fullfil the points test, certainly, but in every other respect her immigration procedure was identical to anyone else's as published on this site, including the payment of those large fees, which greatly surprised me, seeing how I was born here and we are married. Once I finished the course, my wife quit her job and we went to Vancouver, mostly because I was impressed by ongoing press reports of a booming BC economy, especially in IT. It was quite a different reality once we were in place. My wife was in shock at the amount of poor people doing the dumpsters, the drunkenness on the streets, and particularly one appalling scene one night of an asian father searching through MacDonald's restaurant refuse while his terribly thin wife and two children looked on. She had never seen people starving like this in France. Meanwhile we had to endure the confidences of Canadian people about there being too many immigrants, about how taxes were too high, and so on. I sent out many, many CVs, and was not receiving any responses, nor was my wife. Our university studies/work experience in Britain and France were considered meaningless in the face of no Canadian experience in our chosen careers. I had spent 6 years in study after high school, totalling up my specialist diplomas in teaching and technical writing (8 if we include the unfinished degree in English Literature), and she had done 5 herself in her field.

I was so surprised at an employment open house at a well-known software firm. I couldn't believe how many people were lined up outside the building. After 3 hours of waiting, at the entrance I questioned staff as to how many people had attended: 3500 so far they told me. That evening I said to my father "Something is wrong here, there is no way this province is experiencing 20% growth, if it keeps up like this, I'm going back to France, at least there I'll get work." Then came the delightful news report: the provincial government had been reporting false economic data to Stats Can and other international bodies (Quid, for example): in reality, the provincial economy had shrunk by 4% the previous year. This was front page news on day one of the "scandal", page 4 on the second day, near the end of the paper by day three, and the information had completely disappeared from the press, both television and print, by the end of the week. We returned to France soon after, after only 7 months. Enough is enough.

And yet, and yet, even though we would have to pay full fees to sponsor her again, we still toy with the idea of coming to Canada. The fact remains that if fully employed, a couple with two children can enjoy an excellent quality of life in Canada. In addition, it must be said that Canadians as a group are gentle, considerate and thoughtful people. They are loyal, the friends I made are all still there, 20 years later. Europe has been good to me, but I still think another extended trip to Canada, of say 5 to 10 years, would be a positive experience for my family. I will certainly be more careful if there is a next time, and I will certainly head off alone and then have my wife and children follow, so as to ensure work and accomodation are in place, which I didn't do the first time, an error which virtually erased 5 years of frugally-earned savings.

For those of you who want to know if they should go to Canada: at the darkest hour, a friend pressed me to go down to a famous burger bar and work behind the counter, he assured me a break would happen soon enough and then I would be in a proper job. I simply said to him that I felt this sort of thing unacceptable for a 38 year old professional, that if he felt I was being "European" about it, so be it, but that I knew for absolute certain that I had the skill set to go to either the UK or France or elsewhere in Europe and that I would find employment virtually right away. He was upset at our decision to leave, he even accused me of betraying my origins.

This anecdote should help people understand something about the nature of Canadians and whether they would want to live there. No matter what the pain, no matter what the drop in status or employment, when the going gets tough in Canada, you musn't break from the group, for solidarity in the face of adversity is the key to the Canadian character. The unfortunate fact is that this adversity is mostly designed by the richer economy to the south enforcing its rules upon us, and of course by our own inherited British and French oligarchy of favoured families who rule over the less-well-off in a rather imperious manner. But it should be recognized that this is the case for a great many nations, and that not all of them choose to deal with it with such grace and good manners. That Canada has choosen to abandon the very poor to their fate and the dumpster is a recent turn away from the more British social model that I feel, given a change in mood and perhaps a few governments could be reversed one day, or at least more justly balanced. At least I hope so.

And it is my heartfelt belief that going through life as an individual who knows they can weather any storm is a useful asset. This character trait is clearly one that can be acquired in Canada, in a context of gentle friendship and of belonging reciprocated. People can be trusted here, and trusting is most difficult for those who did not grow up here, for it is the sad fact in many nations that this certainly naive trait has completely disappeared from their national fabric, and I'm sorry to say it but their societies are the poorer for it, whereas in Canada it is still very much in full swing in so many unexpected ways. Example: recently I came over from Europa to visit my parents, and this involved riding a ferry boat. I had heavy baggage, and was told to drop it at the luggage rack and that it would then be taken onto the boat for me. I looked around. The luggage area was unguarded, virtually unsupervised, the boat sailed in 2 hours time. My bag, fresh from the airport, would be sitting for 2 hours all by itself in a spot easily accessible to anyone with a ticket to any sailing over that period, until the luggage van for my sailing rode up and collected it. I carried the heavy bag with me, because I have been living in Europe and it is simply unthinkable to leave my bag there all that time. But just behind me a women dropped off her bag and strode on, putting her trust in her fellow passengers, much as one might leave towels and sandwiches in a bag at the beach and plunge into the waves.

Hats off to them! I have been changed beyond recognition by Europe, I can no longer trust like that. But here, in certain places, for certain activities, you can trust like that. And this is a thing of great beauty, here on the cusp of 2006.

Sincerely,

Blake
blakevancouver@yahoo.fr

Dec 12, 2005

Dear News Reader,

This attachment have been forwarded to all the members of parliament,including the Honorable Prime Minister, Opposition Leader, NDP leader Including our Constituency Member Mr.Rahim Jaffer. So far no response has been received.

Our question: When a response cannot be obtained by a general member of public, what guarantee does the public have that these leaders/parties will to keep their promises?

We have noticed that you have been covering the election campaign for these parties. Other then the liberal party none of the other parties seem to have plans to recognise the qualifications, skills and experience of the professionally skilled immigrants which amount to more than 300.000 voters.

The liberals past and future agenda in relation to this issue is an eye wash. True patriotic Canadians have to use their logical mind and ask these leaders the following questions (especially the Immigration minister who claims to have allocated $ 700 Million to help new immigrants recently and similar amounts spent in the past by different ministers):-

1. What contribution did this investment make to the Canadian Economy?
2. What was the Rate of return on these tax payers money at large to the National income of  Canada?.
3. How many professionally skilled immigrants qualifications, skills and experience have been     regonised and get back into their own professions?
4. What do they mean by New Immigrants( There are 3 categories of Immigrants )
5. What is the point of having these professionally skilled immigrants centres in provinces at     the tax payers expenses ?( Every Training Centres get $ 5Million for this project )
6 How many of this training centres have helped these people to get back into their fields ?

Our names are Nesamalar and Selladurai Premakumaran - the couple who had taken the government to court over this issue. The courts claim that this has to be settled in a ballot box and all these leaders including their subordinates have been informed in writing. Till today we have not received any response from the leaders.

We have the solution to this ongoing problem in Canada but are the Ministers prepared to talk to us and resolve this issue?

NESA & PREM Premakumaran
Edmonton
premavla@telusplanet.net

Dec 10, 2005

Hello again, everyone!

In response to numerous and repeated requests for information, I have created a webpage which I will use to answer some of the most common and relevant small-business questions. (In other words, "I surrender!") :p

The URL is www.geocities.com/canadianentrepreneurs and the email address is the same as for this posting (canadianentrepreneurs@yahoo.ca). The site will be updated approximately once a week, so be sure to check back at least that often. I'm sure you'll find the information useful.

For those of you who wish to submit questions, please try to keep them as brief as possible--and, before you write anything, please check the site to see whether your question has already been answered. I reserve the right to post your questions (in summarized form) on the site--however, I will only list your first name and the initial of your family name ("Tom B.", for example). If you wish me to use a pseudonym (i.e. a fake name) for you, include it in your message. Something along the lines of "Please call me Dorothy," will do just fine. Also, please make the subject of your message "small business 101"--so I'll know it's not spam.

The site is not limited to immigrants--so anyone may write in and pose a question. Also, based on the volume of mail we've received so far, it's clear that it will not be possible to answer every question. I will, therefore, select questions on the basis of how representative they are of common small-business problems, and what we've covered up to that point. (I plan to archive previously asked questions.)

For those of you who are new to NotCanada.com and have not yet read my previous posts, I would like to emphasize that I DO NOT RECOMMEND Canada as a destination--especially for skilled immigrants. You'd be much better off in the States, or in Europe. I am only trying to help those immigrants who are already "stuck" here. If you still have doubts, read "all" the postings--especially the ones by the neo-nazi types who are trying to pass themselves off as "average" and/or "pure" Canadians.

I would also like to take this opportunity to wish everyone at NotCanada.com a Merry Xmas and a Very Happy New Year! And to thank the site-owners once again for the valuable service they are providing.

Sincerely,

JD MacDonald
canadianentrepreneurs@yahoo.ca

Dec 9, 2005

We brought a licensed physiotherapist to Canada as a domestic nanny, just to get her into the country. She is still not practicing physiotherapy after four years of being in Canada, simply because our standards are higher than they are in some other countries.

A good example: Teachers in India graduate with only two years of university training. Should Canada lower it's standards to accommodate professionals from other countries, that's really a tough decision to make in a country which has been deteriorating dramatically over the past few decades. The imported professionals should come to Canada knowing that they'll be required to put in few more years of training, in order to come up to our standards. They cannot arrive here with families and expect to work immediately. I sympathize with these people (as I do with the women we brought to Canada), but I think that such professionals should consider relocating to a country which recognizes their credentials. If an American gas fitter came to Canada, do you think he'd be able to perform work immediately?

John Newton

Victoria, Canada victoriaman46@shaw.ca

Dec 9, 2005

I recently watched W5 which told me about this website. I find it very interesting. I am not an immigrant. I was born and raised in Canada. I never realized that Canada advertised in foreign countries to come here for work. That is ridiculous...Canadians have a hard enough time finding work. Now, if it's for professions we need such as doctors that's a different story. We need doctors!!!! I've noticed a huge difference in health care over the last few years...it's just not there. There are too many people coming here and not enough doctors.

I have a story to tell. My brother has worked in a warehouse for about 5 years now, earning a few raises making $18/hour. Recently he was let go. The reason. Most of the people he worked with were Indian and settling for $9/hour busting their balls working 12-14 hour shifts. Why would they want to keep my brother? I'm not blaming the immigrants but want to give them a message to be stronger and stand up for themselves and fight for higher wages...don't settle. Not only our Canadians rights being taken away, but you are agreeing to slavery. It's not right! My grandmother told me when she move here from Ireland 60 years ago she was so intimidated she would have settled for anything as well. Don't settle otherwise we are headed for big trouble!

Anyway, I agree that it is a land of shattered dreams when it comes to people coming here without education and automatically applying for welfare but for those who can bring education...we do need you. I also thought the one comment about Canada having the worst weather in the world. Sure, it's easy to think that because it goes from one extreme to another (so hot to so cold) but remember we don't get hurricanes, earthquakes, etc. I'm not complaining.

D Bissonnette
dbiss@cogeco.ca

Dec 8, 2005

HELLO EVERYBODY! Now that I have read all of the letters; I�m ready to write to you too.

I�M AN IMMIGRANT. I have been living here in Quebec for 20 years. Originally I�m from Switzerland. Now you probably are saying: �What? Why is she here?� Well, long story.

I can relate to what some of you people say: it�s not easy to immigrate� But don�t forget: The choice to come here who�s was it? Was it yours, or the Canadian government that forced you to come? I know this may sound harsh; but sadly to say, there is no perfect country in this world� If there would be; everybody would go there and we would have another problem: over crowded.

When I came to Quebec, yes it all sounded nice, and don�t forget the CANADIAN DREAM. I�m coming from a country where we do have 4 official languages, and here in Canada, there are two, and I do speak but of them. (Of course with an accent since my primary language is German.)

It was very hard, and it still is to this day. I�m white so from the outside I look like everybody else . But since I do have a accent when I speak, you should see the faces!!! I did have a hard time to get served at the bank, where I do bring money to them, same at the stores etc�

For the last 14 years, I have been working in transportation; Canada �USA and even Overseas. I worked hard to get where I am today, but it�s still not enough for the people over here. I have been with the same company for 8 years know; I�m the only immigrant there; everybody else is French Quebecer. I do have some plus, I do speak German, English and French fluently, and I also have a base of Italian, & Spanish. I have a lot of knowledge in the transportation field, but you see, there was opening a couple months ago for a higher position � I did not get it, a person from the office got it. That person has been with the same company for 2 � years only, but never before was working in transportation. I�m the one that still explains to that same person, how it works in different things regarding transportation.

Is that fair??? NO its not. I pull and bring more to this company but still, I�M AN IMMIGRANT!!! I have the Canadian passport and I never got a penny from the government� I pay my taxes etc� I have no debts� I respect the laws and follow the rules... And don�t mind to stay after work to get more knowledge. But you see I came to one conclusion . I have pride and I�m better than what they are.

I�m open minded, I did take a chance yes, but I�m still standing. I�m not like some of them . I can take the hard work � I don�t need to go on welfare! What ever I have today is not because of any of them, it�s because of me. I worked for it. It was hard, but I did not let any of them break my dreams and hopes. You have to stand on your own, regardless if it is in your own country or in another one, nobody is going to give you a bed of roses for free.

I know it sucks, that the government of Canada makes you all of these promises, but think back, what promises did the government in your country make you before you came here?

It�s my opinion to think that all the governments & politicians are alike: they want your money, your mind, and soul. I don�t agree with all the things that are happening here in Quebec or Canada, but I will stand up for what I believe.

But than there is one thing that I do have to say about some immigrants: You are in another country; not in your country! Respect the rules and the laws in this country. If you don�t well sorry to say then: Go back where you came from! You can keep your traditions, believe etc... Nobody can say anything about that. I still have my traditions and beliefs which I will keep, regardless of how long I will live here, or where I will live. But I don�t ask the Government of Canada or the people, to change there rules and laws to your beliefs and traditions.

All this to say: if you want to leave your country and come to Canada, or any other country, read about that country� Get some information and be ready to get disappointed, because it�s not just Canada it�s everywhere! Because EVERY country has it�s cons and pros, and you need to be able to take the good with the bad. And of course there will be always people that will discriminate you. The same way as it happens in your own country! We are humans and it is in our nature to complain. Especially when we feel mistreated!

I wish all of you BEST OF LUCK!

Petra
Montreal, Quebec
pbaerli@hotmail.com

Dec 7, 2005

Dear All:

I would like to share my experience(s) with all
(immigrants and Canadians). I just ask that you bear with me until the
end and NOT jump to any conclusions before the end. This is not a
fabricated story; this is the truth about my life and I am living it even
as I type this. Feel free to e-mail if you like. I have been a Canadian
citizen since 1975.

First, a bit about my background. I came to Canada
at the age of 4 (1970) and have done all my education in Canada. I got my
BSc. in Chemistry from Concordia University (Montreal) in 1992 and got a
BSc. in Engineering from the University of Toronto in 1998. I graduated
with a student loan of approximately $19,000 to pay off (all from
Engineering only).

When I hear about all the immigrants complaining that
they are well educated and cannot get decent jobs in their area of
expertise because they lack Canadian experience, I cannot help but laugh.
Not laugh in a malicious or cruel sense, but, more of a reality sense.
Why? After getting all my education in Canada and speaking English
perfectly, knowing the system, knowing the way of life and being
completely comfortable with life in Canada, I am unable to get a job in
either of my fields of study!! First, you must understand that I did work
for a Chemical company after getting my Chemistry degree for about 10
months (Nov. '92 - Aug. '93) when I decided to pursue another degree in
Engineering. As a result of pursuing my Engineering degree, a 5-year gap
was created in my Chemistry discipline. After graduating from Engineering
in 1998, I tried to pursue employment in either of my fields. I knew and
expected that it might take anywhere from 12-24 months before getting some
kind of "break" and I was mentally prepared for this. I did not know this
at the time, but in reality, I was overly hopeful of my time period.

From 1998 to 2000, I tried my best to get employment
in Canada in either field, but no luck. I also tried in the U.S. as well
for a while but nothing materialised. I even spent 6 consecutive months
in Toronto during this time and got nothing. Not even an interview. In
1999 (7 years after graduating with my Chemistry degree and 6 years since
I had about 10 months experience in the Chemical sector), I also tried to
go through an employment agency that dealt with the Scientific field
(specifically for Chemistry). Do you know what they told me?? You have
been out of your field for too long and it will be difficult to sell you
to our clients, therefore we cannot help you!! Encouraging, no?? Some of
you might be thinking, that perhaps my CV was not the best. I changed and
revised my CV several times during 1998-2000 with help from experienced
people. At one point I thought I could go back to Concordia University
and get in touch with some of my old chemistry professors in 2000, but,
guess what?? They are all retired now and I have no way of reaching them.

In any case I continued to struggle
to find work in either field. In early September 2000, a friend of my
father's who lived in Ottawa suggested I try to look for work there, just
to try a change of scene My father suggested to me at the time that for
now, I should consider taking up some small odd job just to get working
and feeling good about myself. I agreed; it's not good to be staring at
the ceiling or walls for 2 years without work!! After going to Ottawa, I
found work at a high tech fibre-optics company towards the end of
September 2000 through an employment agency. My pay was $9.25/hr, not
much, but certainly better than $0/hr over the last 2 years!! I rented a
1-bedroom apartment with my cousin. We split the rent and utilities which
was about $400/month each; in addition I was repaying my student loan back
at a rate of $200/month. I was no longer entitled to any more extensions
on my student loan as I had used up all my deferral periods. I thought I
would finally get some luck, but once again I was so wrong. In April of
2001 (after working for only 7 months), the extremely profitable demand of
the high tech fibre-optics companies came crashing back down to earth!! I
was unemployed again. I was entitled to some UI assistance and received
it for about 2 months while still paying back my student loan. During
these 2 months I tried hard again for a better job, but nothing. After 2
months of UI and struggling like hell with the amount, I decided it was
better to find work anywhere. The best and quickest choice was work as a
security guard in Ottawa. I applied to a company and was hired about 2
weeks later in July of 2001. My starting pay was $9.25/hr. I remained
with this company for the next 3 and a half years and finished with a pay
of $10.50/hr. During my time with this security company, I continually
applied for better work, but nothing, with further revisions/changes to my
CV.

At the end of December 2004, I had to leave this work and head back to
Montreal. My parents were getting old now and as the only son they wanted
me back with them so I could help them out. My parents were taking a trip
back to Pakistan after 7 years to visit family and relatives and I decided
I wanted to go as well, since I was now unemployed and not limited to time
off. I spent 4 months there and got married. I returned to Canada near
the end of May 2005 to Montreal. I began in earnest once again to look
for "better" work. I spent nearly 7 weeks in Toronto again, but still no
luck. In fact, I am even struggling at the moment to find the "odd" job.
The reason?? Who is going to hire someone as educated as myself for some
odd job? I am either overqualified or have too little experience. I have
tried and failed miserably. I now find myself unemployed, a wife overseas
that needs to be sponsored and nearly $9000 in student loan yet to be paid
off!! Frustrating, damn right!!

Some of you might be wondering why is he not trying in the U.S. again?
Guess what, I am! Over 2 months ago I sent my CV to an employment
agency. They suggested that I try to look for work there. I said that I
had no problems going to the U.S. as long as I could find work in either
field. I was asked if I was a Canadian citizen with a valid Canadian
passport. I told them yes on both questions. I have been in touch with
them over this time, but so far nothing has come out of it. In terms of
reality, I'm not sure anything will come out of it. I told the agent I
was dealing with that I wanted to concentrate on my Chemistry only.
However, my gap there is now 12 years! Have I just been extremely
unlucky?? Perhaps, but that does not make it any easier to deal with: 2
BSc. degrees from Canada and still struggling to find even the odd job! I
am not even thinking about an experienced position, I'd be happy with an
entry-level position in Chemistry!!

The saddest part is not even my story. There is actually something sadder
than my story. What?? I am not alone as a Canadian citizen with this
problem!! I have met enough other people who share my dilemma.

To all the new immigrants who have come or are thinking to come to
Canada: How can you expect anything better for yourselves here when there
are enough Canadian citizens suffering the same problems as you? Really
stop and think about this and be honest with yourself!! My advice to all
the immigrants thinking of coming to Canada is that unless your area of
expertise is in extremely hot demand in Canada, don't waste your time
coming here!!

DISAPPOINTED CANADIAN

Ali
Montreal, QC
Canada
E-mail:
scorpio66@netscape.net

Dec 7, 2005

Dear Friends:

thank you so much for your interesting and important web site which shows all the people the real situation in CANADA and the immigration office behavior.

I don't know if you are accepting comment and sorry which had happen with us to publish it, but though will let you know my story with immigration office in the Middle East in Riyade Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, year 2001 and how they made me come over and make the interview and been rejected! why i don't know she start throwing on me allot of things like my diploma was not true she was looking at my wife from head to toys specially she was wearing scarf cause we are Moslems, so i understand in the end, we have been refused not because of my 7 years experience of sales ,not because i have diploma of business administration ,not because i speak English French and Russian and Arab as native language but because we are Moslems, I really was disappointed when she just kick us the door with non respected way and she was looking at us in real mean look from her eyes and just said that you are not qualified!!!

Ok I could accept that but why they didn't tell me from the start why they accept me and my wife and our little girl why they made us lose time and open freak hope that we are going to start new life in Canada why they didn't refuse our application from the begging? Frankly i am till now angry from her and from the way she treated us and i know well the it was matter of discrimination but i couldn't say any thing, I was shocked and I wanted to raise my case to the federal court in CANADA but I hesitated I didn't want any dispute for the future if i wanted to replicates still wondering is this the way to treat people who wants to come over and assist hands to hands to build the country and is this the way how they will treat us and treat our children?

I don't know i wish i can face that lady again as normal interview and face her and tell her how do u think in your behave! believe most part of results it`s not connected to how must you have education, or experience, or relative, or.... it depend on the mood of the person who is doing for you the interview.

Even one week back i had send my CV to companies in CANADA which i believe my experience in their field rarely they able to find person who on it, even rejecting Email their was not, i don't know what type of new world whose people thinking or dreaming to move in to it and spend their youth and children to build it? Thank you for your care and listing hope that this Email will be reach to whom it will concern and understand what this comity is doing with people!!!!!

wish success.

best regards

Firas Sabbagh admin@digitalknowledege.com

Dec 6, 2005

Dear Scot,

Thanks for your nice letter (December 5^th 05) (in the guestbook).

Let me first assure you, that you or any taxpayer does not need to feed my mouth or any in my family. I also feel sorry that you as a born and raised true Canadian are not utilizing your college education to the fullest and have to serve as maintenance man. Shame on the system!

If you just for a moment would understand that the immigrants in this forum have the same/similar problems you probably are facing, you/we could actually be helped.

Ask yourself :

Why are jobs and careers so hard to come by?

Think back when you studied economics 1 ( was it part of your curriculum?)

All people have NEEDS>>> Food, Shelter, etc, etc ��

So Humans invented what is called economic activities to produce goods and services......

The very basics needed for those activities are: natural resources, labor and capital.

Let�s face it, one of the above missing and nothing goes. On the other hand if you have all three, but have dumb and ignorant leaders not much good happens either.

Now look around in the country of your birth: wouldn�t you agree the first three ingredients are plentiful, actually in oversupply? Right! What happens to people being conditioned to oversupply, and I am not talking about too much fat on Canadian bodies, but that may be a contributing factor?

Well it makes them sluggish, lazy, resting on their �laurels� and so �proud�! Now enter the �Minimalist Approach� or call it shortcut to wealth:

Cut all trees, dig out all resources, harvest everything sellable and cash it without much ado at bargain basement prices; the foreign buyers love the Canadian Maple Leaf on all their booties and lining up for more.

Come to Halifax or any other main port and watch the big Containerships come in while Bulk carriers are outward bound. Stick your MP3 player in your ears and listen to Otis and his� sitting on the dock off the bay�.� Do you get my drift? Do you see what I see?

With every ship out or in as mentioned, your, mine and many others jobs are being exported!

Some now say �that�s the reality of global economy�; I say B.S.. If we as a Country don�t have the will and guts to determine our own economy we might as well sell out what is not sold already. And Canada is not a small fish; don�t need to be.

Sadly that is also happening; not just major Infrastructure (Sidney Steel plant) but mines and mineral resources, large timber interest, oil, gas you name it, not yours (Canadian) no more! Read the business section and see what goes on. Canada is owned by everyone but Canadians before and now with �Free Trade�.

Now please get me right, I am disappointed about certain groups of immigrants as well as groups of people living in this country who do not contribute, but are maintained by handouts, small as they may be. Government is elected to provide leadership not corruption, solutions not ignorance! But please understand the difference in respect to skilled immigrants; some prior postings (dated Dec. 2nd '05 by mkbl) make some good points on that. These different groups ( Skilled Immigrants, Investor Immigrants, and Refugees) have different characteristics and have and/or cause individual problems.

You mention a whole bunch of issues in your letter; but the issue about cheaters and fakes is a bit too low for someone professional as yourself to put out. Any Canadian Consulate or Embassy can verify documents in their respective countries as easy and quick if they want to. On the other hand, having brought two daughters through university in an Canadian University many reports about buying �Papers� and other cheating have come to my attention. Working with some Canadian Professionals myself; I wondered how some can hide obvious lack of knowledge and talent with nice looking framed credentials and iron rings.

As a closing advice please check and question the following: Next time you notice news in newspaper, TV, etc about things not being right, faulty, screwed up or even outright deadly, find out who is to blame, failed, fell short or acted �Unprofessional�. And don�t blame that unemployed fellow down the road who might have a fancy name you�re not accustomed to..

In other words clean house; start with getting rid of liberals��

Thanks M.S.

marion
mschwarz@ns.sympatico.ca

Dec 4, 2005

Thoughts From a Proud Canadian.

I don't even know where to begin. I'm not going to use this space to post quotes, or agree/disagree with anyone. These are simply my opinions and I know the opinions of many Canadians as well. I was born in Canada and I will die proudly in Canada.

I can hardly watch the news anymore. It's the same thing over and over again. The people who immigrate here, doing nothing but wanting more, and bashing what they have already been given. There are simple solutions to all of the complaints.

1. The True Canadians are ONLY the First Nations People all the rest are Immigrants - Europeans, East Indians, Chinese etc.

That statement is proof there is very little respect for Canadians. The true Canadians are those who were born here, have grown up here and have loved their country each step of the way. Those are the true Canadian - no matter what race they are. If you love, cherish and respect the culture - then you are at heart a Canadian.

If its so terrible in Canada, if the people in Canada have wronged you - LEAVE. Simply leave. We have opened our doors to so many people - people who turn around and expect to have everything then on handed to them, while the true Canadians work extremely hard to maintain what they have already worked for. Nothing is handed to us. We go to school for years, and work for many more years to follow. This is mostly in response to the previous post.

The education systems in every country are different. I would expect if I went to another country - I would have to alter my education to enter the same field I am currently in. So why wouldn't the people who immigrate to Canada? Perhaps you were promised jobs - but in order to get said jobs - you will need to work towards it. While People who already live here work hard to achieve these jobs - why should they be handed to people who come here - without a fair shot? If the education and skill level is the same - then by all means - its a fair shot. Whether it was said to you or not - IT IS THE WAY OF LIFE. Learn to speak proper English - Take English Classes - Learn and Respect our Culture - and THEN expect a good paying job. If i was an Employer I can tell you right now I would not hire anyone who had to wear garments (unless it is related to religion) or anyone who could not speak proper English.

If the people who immigrated here, came to Canada to appreciate Canadian culture - I'm sure Canadians would feel a lot differently. But people who come here don't come here to be a Canadian, they come here to better THEMSELVES. Leaving us Canadians to adapt to THEIR culture and THEIR language. When should we really have to?

I have absolutely nothing against different cultures, I welcome different cultures. All I ask for is a respect for Canadian culture as I think that is slowly being lost along the way. Canada has only 2 languages. English and French. I personally think English should be MANDATORY before anyone is able to immigrate here. In your own home, in your own community - practice
anything you like. But out amongst the rest of the Canadians - have some respect for their culture.

Has anyone ever thought, if Canadians went to let's say China - would the Chinese adapt to the Canadians? NO. The Canadians would absolutely have to adapt to them. Which is the way it should be. But we don't have that in Canada. I have people who call my work every single day - for example - Immigrants from Hong Kong who EXPECT there to be a Chinese speaking employee - some who don't even bother saying a WORD in English. When they finish speaking they learn that hey, we're in Canada - they speak English here.

As for the gun violence? I am shocked to see how much the government is being blamed - when most of the crimes (and may the victims rest in peace) were gang or drug related. I am not saying they deserved this in any way - but the government has no control over whose children decide to be in gangs - or deal drugs. All the government can do is enforce punishment and make it a lot harder to purchase guns. But even then, its too late. The guns are already out there. To stop the violence you need to stop the gangs. It has to start in the community. Why is that so hard to grasp? I am nowhere near those lifestyles and even I can see that.

Another thing on the news that really got me - were Canadians who chose to VACATION during hurricane season - ended up in a hurricane - with a delayed return flight - and turned around and blamed it on the government. it had nothing to do with the government - and every single person in Canada knew what was going on around the world with hurricanes.

If you plan on boycotting the Elections - you will watch the Government turn very Conservative which I can tell right now - will NOT work in your favour. Take a step back and look at what Canadians have actually given you. We have given you an opportunity to live freely in our beautiful country. We have given you the opportunity and a fair shot at everything we have - education wise and employment wise. Every person - born Canadian or not born Canadian
has to work to get where they are. SO WORK AT IT. SPEAK ENGLISH - PRACTICE MORE CANADIAN CULTURE AND SHOW SOME RESPECT FOR THE COUNTRY YOU CHOSE TO LIVE IN.

If Canada let you in here for the financing then so be it. Use it to your advantage - or - if you truly feel as though you have been wronged - go home.

Signed, A Very Proud Canadian.

laurel
laurel_y@hotmail.com

Dec 4, 2005

Hi everybody, I read all your guys response to this topic, Sorry I have to say, you all didn't get the point, the current problem is not the immigrants' experience and overseas education background are not recognized, do you guys ever go to university here? Lots of native Canadian, graduated from good university even with master or PHD degree, if their fields are not 'hot', or without any industry experiences, they can hardly find their first job either, unless they got their job through internship or co-op program. The key point is JOB market is MARKET, that means there is balance between SUPPLY and DEMANDING, in the particular time for particular area and for particular industry, there exists a kind of balance, but the Canada is a country with not much industry, some fields if there were highly demanding couple of years ago, they'll get filled quickly and will be saturated in no time.

Do you guys have common sense? a question for you ,if you were employer, right now there is job opening, when you post that job in workopolis or somewhere, you got 100 or even more responses for this single position, WHAT SHOULD YOU DO? if I was employer I will choose the best of the best, what's the best of the best? of course, graduated for top university in Canada or US, with Canadian experience, further if the above satisfied, I will choose a native Canadian in stead of immigrants because they have no any accent,
why? since the employer know more about Canadian university than a overseas institution, they can hardly verify the overseas experience and failed to find the faked one, native Canadian have no communication problems.

Let's consider another situation, if there are ten positions available, only
one candidate for this position, what should you do? Everybody knows the answer. when five years ago the Internet was booming, I never heard that US IT employers said they need US experience in Silicon Valley, in summary, job market is a market, Canadian government CAN NOT DO ANYTHING for you, NO MATTER how much money they put to train you, to help you to improve your English, to recognize your degree or your oversea experiences, even
give you a BIG CERTIFICATION for that, if there is NO ENOUGH professional jobs available, that doesn't make any sense, the business is business, the market is market. I think the current immigration system is the most stupid one in this world, it has nothing to do with the real job market, Canada do need immigrants, the current job market do need general labors, truck drivers, nanny etc, the immigrants came to this country are not the current market really need.

Here comes a question, why liberal government criticise the industry for not recognizing the new comers' overseas experience and educational background? The real reason is, to use this excuse to hide (correct word?) their "wrong doing" with current immigration policy, otherwise, people have right to ask the liberal government, Why you immigration Canada allowed
hundreds and hundreds educated professionals coming to Canada and the reality is no that kind of jobs for them?

My fellow immigrants, don't expect the liberal government can do anything for us, If they still take the current system to attract the new immigrants, the more immigrants to come, the more immigrants will be disappointed. This will be happen again and again, day after day. Generally speaking immigrants have similar background and compete for similar jobs, new comers never applied for some positions like CEO, senior managers or someone that requires strong communication skills, suppose all new immigrants apply for that kind jobs, I think the liberal government will change their policy tomorrow. If I was employer, I will be very happy to see more new comers since I can hire more cheap labors because of competition.

Last year when I crossed board to US, one my fellow Canadian citizen, he is an immigrant, was turned down by US immigration officer to enter the US, you know why? since they found his resume in his package, so they don't allow him to enter. One US immigration officer joked with me, "it seem every Canadian want to work in USA", I was told this kind things happened frequently, When I was in USA, lots of my relatives and friends, as long as they know something about Canada, they said " oh, you can hardly get jobs there, come to US, we have more opportunities here", you guys know what kind feeling I have, we Canadian like second class country comparing to our neighbor, I really can't say "I am proud of being a Canadian".

That's all my comments about this issue, sorry for my poor English, hope you understand my opinions.

Thanks,
Henry Liu
henryforca@yahoo.com

Dec 3, 2005

Hello everyone!

It is my unfortunate duty to inform you that the
Immigrant Business Initiative, despite having been
expanded to a staff of five, is "swamped" and will be
unable to accept any new business-startup applications
(or even respond to any further requests for
information) for at least a year. It will take us at
least that long to get the startups we are working on
at present to a proper state of self-sufficiency. Once
we've reached the point where a majority of our
current projects are independent enough to function
without our assistance, I will post another message on
NotCanada.com to inform everyone that we are once
again accepting applications.

In the meantime, anyone who is interested in starting
their own business should visit the following links:

http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/engdoc/main.html
http://canadabusiness.gc.ca/gol/cbec/site.nsf/en/index.html
http://www.sbaonline.sba.gov/
http://www.businessownersideacafe.com/

These are just a few that we've found to be extremely
useful for both new and experienced entrepreneurs.
(There are many more.) The first two are Canadian (and
are, therefore, also available in French)--they
provide comprehensive startup information, and links
to various government sponsored business support
programs. The second two are American--they provide
excellent online articles, interactive business tools,
ideas, and general business information.

One final tip: If you can start your business in the
U.S. as a Canadian citizen (under NAFTA), you will
enjoy the best of both worlds. You'll deal with a lot
less red tape, you'll make more money ("real money",
American dollars!), and you will pay far less in
taxes. If you choose to do so, you will have to sever
all ties with Canada...you can't own any property or
maintain a home here, and you shouldn't even have a
Canadian bank account. You want to be a Canadian
citizen, but also a legal 'non-resident' of Canada.
(You can get information on this from Immigration
Canada.) Be careful! If you are deemed to be a
resident of Canada (through business ties, or
whatever), you will have to pay Canadian taxes on all
the money you earn in the U.S. That's all the advice I
can offer you now. If you need more, be
resourceful--and learn to love Google!

Good luck, everyone! And God bless!

Sincerely, JD MacDonald
canadianentrepreneurs@yahoo.ca

Dec 2, 2005

Reading the many responses in NotCanada.com I am prompted to write the following without malice or prejudice.

1. The True Canadians are ONLY the First Nations People all the rest are Immigrants � Europeans, East Indians, Chinese etc.

2. Many have talked about corruption in 3rd World countries � I ask them is corruption not here in Canada or America or UK???

3. To Mr. Kevin H my advice is look south of the border for a job I am sure that you will find one much easily.

4. To all those who say that we immigrants are asking to be served on a Silver Platter - I say to them that you are wrong. You all have not understood what the issue is. The Issue is we immigrants are asking that our qualifications be recognized as promised by Immigration Canada. When the immigration process was carried out, points were given for qualifications and immigrants were even told that you should not have any problem finding a job. What we were NOT told is that we would have to RE-QUALIFY. I ask why this deceit on the part of the Canadian Government?? Put yourselves in our place and think how you would feel if this happened to you. Just as you guys have worked your butts off so have we. I have worked for 17 to 18 months without a break at deep sea to complete my time so as to appear for my examinations. During my vacation instead of going to exotic locations I have stayed at home or in the college hostel and studied for my examinations. So you guys do not think that we skilled/professional immigrants have not seen the rough and tough of life we too have had our share. We came to Canada to give our best to Canada and make this country our home. But it seems that you guys do not like us and are feeling threatened and therefore are putting barriers like re-qualification in our way. Incidentally India is one of the countries, which ranks among the top three in providing seafarers to the world and if the standard of training were not of a very high standard then owners worldwide would not be employing Indian seafarers.

5. Regarding the proper use of the English language (Reading/Writing/Speaking) it is again Immigration Canada who is to blame � Why have they allowed those persons who are not able to use the English language correctly to immigrate to Canada. The TRUTH is to get the finances that these immigrants would bring along with them.

6. To all those who say that they have to wait longer for Health Care then before, it is the fault of the system, because it does not allow doctors with foreign qualifications to practice in Canada � again protecting the medical fraternity from outside competition � this was tried out in the UK and it failed miserably and today the UK is asking doctors from other countries to come and practice in the U.K. It will be a great surprise to all those who think that Indian doctors are not competent, but if you do not believe me ask those Americans, Canadians and others who have been treated in India regarding the conditions of hospitals and competency of Indian doctors. The hospitals are state of the art hospitals where doctors perform open heart and by pass surgeries, hip & knee replacement operations daily and the cost including travel is just about 25% of what it costs in America, Canada, U.K. and other western countries and there is no waiting.

7. I agree absolutely with what Mike S has to say and want to add one more to his list of Professional Goof-ups.
BC ferries places an order for 3 Fast ferries (Pacific fast Cats) and the initial cost for the 3 Ferries is $210 Million. By the time the 3rd Ferry is completed and put in service the cost for the 3 Fast Ferries has gone to about $500 Million which is more than 100% over the initial cost. The 3 fast ferries are not used even for 1 year and are pulled out of service due to several flaws. In the end they are sold for SURPRISE, SURPRISE $20 Million for all the 3 Fast Ferries. Reading the Auditor General of British Columbia�s report of    1999 � 2000 one does not have to be a genius to understand what has happened, but it is surprising that no action of any kind is initiated by either the Federal or subsequent Provisional governments and the taxpayers money is flushed down the drain.

8. What I do not understand is what is this thing called Canadian Experience??
Is it something different from other work experiences? Do Canadians write from
the bottom of the page to the top of it OR from right to left, OR is it that they
hold the spanner in a different angle OR operate the keyboard in some different
fashion OR answer the telephone in a different manner, that new immigrants are
asked if they have Canadian Experience. No acknowledgements being given to
applications sent to employers is in my opinion the Canadian Experience.

9. To all the skilled / professional immigrants whose qualifications have not been recognized this is my plan of action.
As Federal Elections have been called Members of Parliament will be approaching us for our votes. I have decided that I will write to all of them asking them to have my qualifications recognized first and then to ask me to vote. In short we skilled / professional immigrants must boycott the Elections and compel the government to resolve our problem. We have not come to this country for freebies and handouts we have come to work and give our best so as to help in the further development of Canada. However being cheated and treated like this is not acceptable.

H.M.Fitter
fitters@shaw.ca

Dec 1, 2005

"The problem is not the Government. It is
unfortunately the People of Canada. There are too many
similar stories to be coincidence. If anything, the
people are sabotaging their own Government policies.

History repeats itself.

This is just a pathetic and vulgar example of
protecting the top. Who stays and remains on top is
what is all about. So much for equality in the
sanctimonious name of nationalism and good old fashion
country values. Old immigrants accusing new immigrants
of being darn immigrants. Laughable if it wasn't
criminal of course. I love the ridiculous rhetoric
behind the so-called "Canadian Experience Requirement"
disguising the protective fence.

It is just shameful, humanity at its worse."

Miguel Bujan
mabe5454@yahoo.com

Nov 30, 2005

I stumbled across your website and hope that you will publish my views. I am born and raised in Canada. My parents have a high school education and have worked many different jobs to put food on our table and a roof over our heads. They have never complained about hard work so why do people coming into our country expect to be handed a job on a silver platter? In Canada you have to work your way up the ladder but I strongly feel that our country is a wonderful place to live. I have never even considered the possibility of leaving this beautiful country so I assume that people that want to come to our country must be coming from places that are so awful they will do anything to leave, including risking their lives to make the journey on a boat or in the back of a truck. They will leave other family members behind in search of a "better" place. Are you sure that you are just not disappointed that the grass wasn't all green on the other side of the fence?

I would never consider moving away from my family and friends that I have grown up with my whole entire life. I wouldn't even move across the country because my strong Canadian values are what holds me close to my family. And, we DO have our own culture and at the same time we desperately try to embrace other cultures but are constantly told that our very own culture and values "offend" immigrants. Take Christmas for example. If it offends you that my country has mostly Christians and you have a problem with Christians then why on earth would you want to come to my country? We try to be accommodating and have no problem saying "Happy Hannukah" or whatever holiday anyone else might celebrate so why is it such a big deal for us to say "Merry Christmas" and put up a CHRISTMAS tree? On another note, not all Canadians are beer drinking hockey watching lazy slobs. Yes, our winters are cold but a lot of immigrants come from places where the summers are scorching hot so tell me what is worse!

If you are dressed properly and try some of our winter sports you may find the winters a lot more enjoyable. Meat and potatoes and vegetables are what a lot of Canadians eat. We are easy people to please and don't need to add a lot of stinky spices to our food so what gives-food is a personal taste so why are so many posters so concerned about what kind of food we have!!! We are not influenced by Americans the way other posters have said. We do try to honour other cultures and obviously anyone is going to be proud to hold onto their ancestors heritage so we may be Canadian but we are also Irish, Scottish, English, Dutch, German etc.

We are very loving people that just want peace and could care less about fighting over religion because we think that everyone deserves to honour their own religion and we have no problems standing up for our own religion but do not feel the need to PUSH it onto other people (except for those people who are brainwashed and are Jehovahs Witnesses or Scientologists. I think they are always trying to recruit).

So anyways, it brings me to my last point. It is not a difficult one to figure out and I'm not that great in math, but if 250,000 immigrants come to Canada and they all want to settle in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal or Ottawa doesn't it make SENSE that they will not ALL find jobs if they all move to the same place? Common sense would say no. So, if you are a nice person, willing to work hard, can handle wearing a parka and can speak english clearly, please come to Canada.

If you are going to constantly be "offended" but the people who were here first and whine and complain and sit on your ass and collect welfare then please, do us a favour and don't come to Canada. Either way it doesn't bother me. OH, and our healthcare system, it is NOT fair that immigrants come to Canada and take from our healthcare system when my family and previous generations paid into this system for decades and then you arrive and the next day you can go into a hospital and receive healthcare and step in line in front of me (I've been waiting for appointments for six months but just a few years ago this would have been two weeks wait time).

THIS is why our healthcare system is failing and the 250,000 immigrants that come here every year are filling up our hospitals and making Canadians DIE waiting for life saving surgeries. SO, look at it all from our perspective and maybe try to be a little more courteous towards CANADIANS, EH.

Holly C
adollie@hotmail.com

Nov 30, 2005

Dear Saved Ones',

I am very happy to know that some of you decided to launch this website. I am also very happy that you all live outside Canada, because, you know what you would have had faced if you were still living in Canada.

If you think that the Canadian Government, lies to the immigrants, then read how the same government treats it's own citizens. Canadian government lures immigrants to come and SERVE them, and yes, Canadian people thinks that foreigners (specially "Visible Minorities") are in this country to "serve them."

Canadians' think foreigners who are educated in other countries (especially Asian countries, like, India), are "inferior" to their (Canadian) knowledge and standard. Yet, in reality Canadians' have ZERO "common sense" knowledge, little along "academic knowledge" - every hour is a "Miller or a bud hour." I know, because I graduated from high school and university (I had some schooling in my mother land), in Canada, and my work experiences are 100% Canadian.

Canada is the most "oppressive and occult racist" nation that ever existed in the history of humanity. I live for that day when I can return to my mother land.

Sincerely,

Sujoy Deyasi sdeyasi1616@rogers.com

Nov 30, 2005

hi

i was browsing your website and i found some interesting articles there.However i am a student in the US and was thinking of immigrating to canada as a refugee.Some of my friends are already there but none gives you the true picture like on your website.Are there any advantages and benefits to immigrate as a refugee??.I am told after a certain time one will
become a citizen is there any significance because i am also told it will be easier to come back to the US and as a canadian can stay as long as you like.

please advise.

mas
simbax101@yahoo.com

Nov 30, 2005

Mississauga East and Cooksville (Ontario) � General Election

In Canada, there are African accountants who become security guards, Indian doctors who become taxicab drivers, Pakistani professors who are delivering pizza and Chinese engineers who thrown themselves out of their apartment windows because they cannot find work. How ironic then that China is the factory of the world. In Canada, there are people who have moved from the top of success to the bottom of failure.

In his book the Republic, Plato defines justice as situation �where everyone in society does the function for which they are best suited�. By this definition Canada is an unjust society.
Although I am working in establishing the New Immigrants Party of Canada (NIP), I am running as an independent candidate for this election. My objective is to create national awareness about the desperate situation facing new immigrants and to convince the government to develop a complete strategy dedicated to help them get to their profession and to give prospected immigrants a balanced view of Canada. Also, they have to consider the struggle of tens of thousands of new immigrants who are already in the country before bringing new people.

By not establishing a complete strategy that is dedicated to help new immigrants get to their profession and by not preventing the current systematic abuse and discrimination, the government makes it legal for society to abuse them. Also, by not preventing the current abuse and discrimination the government is presenting new immigrants to society as people with less value. This is violation of the Charter of Rights and Freedom besides the misrepresentation of the immigration process and clear failure to disclose their hidden agenda to use new immigrants as cheap labor.

In fact this is human slavery of the 21st century. It is a national responsibility to (1) work towards a truthful point system, (2) show future applicants a balanced view about the Canadian employment and business markets, (3) to work towards the strategy that is specifically dedicated to helping skilled immigrants gets into the labor and business market (4) to work to compensate and honor those who have been affected with the current and previous misleading system (5) not to allow the government to benefit from the crisis happening around the world in an illegal manner and (6) to make lawyers accessible for new immigrants in the civil litigation.

Indeed, all the current political parties fail to upfront the serious problems facing new immigrants in Canada and fail to fix their broken system of immigration. Obviously, nobody cares and nobody is going to call to solve our problems without making our voice be heard. If new immigrants do not wake up and make their voice be heard, no one will remember them. Also, the optimistic solution will not happen without our participation in the decision making.
I concede that the government is not responsible for giving anyone a job and is not responsible for taking care of immigrant families. But they do have a duty to tell the truth and ensure that their policies that affect immigrants are fair.

Your participation will highly be appreciated. Volunteering on a political campaign is exciting, fun and rewarding. If you would like to get involved in my campaign, please send me an email with your name and contact number.

I am looking forward to your feedback and your commitment to make our voice be heard in a professional manner.

Mohamed Elrofaie
www.MohamedElrofaie.com
Email: trustwide@rogers.com

Nov 30, 2005

I watched the special on fifth estate the other day and hopefully I will get
some guidance from you.
My name is Julio Cesar Medrano, I am from El Salvador and have a B.A. in
Business administration and marketing, 2 high school diplomas one from the
States and one from Italy. I am fluent in spanish, english and Italian.
I have come to canada because of security and political problems in my
country and also the downhill of our economy, no jobs and very hard
enviroment of stress and I have a sister living in Ontario since 1989. She
is now a citizen and with family I came in July with a visitors visa
attracted by a promise of good jobs and peaceful life in Canada as every
immigrant I think.

I have sent more than 80 resumes and got good answers since I have been
working in the coffee business for the last 13 years and here in Canada
there are no persons who have the qualifications I have apart from college
education and languages and also experience in every field of coffee from
the planting , picking, washing and milling and exporting the coffee also
marketing to specialty markets and also roasted coffee, cup tasting and
also blending ands roasting.

Many companies were humble and told me that they did not have the budget for
someone like me others will not go thru because the one who I contacted was
sales or marketing and I guess they were uneasy about a person like me
coming to work and probably replaced them but others did not want to go thru
the immigration and landing immigrant process.
I have two good offers and already decide to move to Alberta to work, they
need me over there so quickly but now I am in the process to get the
validation from Human resources Canada and then my working permit.
I have only one month and a half on my first visa but my sister said I can
renew it for another 6 months and give time to get my papers ready. All I
asking is to legalize my status so I can start working and start paying my
taxes.

What do you recommend to do next its been 4 weeks and Human Resources Canada
(Edmonton) has not answer yet and another way was to get married.
please be so kind to guide me because I found the work and probably the
person to marry but you will no better.
Thank you in advance for your time and hopefully your comments real soon!!!!
best regards,

Julio Cesar Medrano Vaquero
passion4coffee@hotmail.com

Nov 30, 2005

I've been waiting for someone like u who dare speak
out about the facts of canada. If u don't start this
web site soon. I will.
I have been in Canada since 1989 and I hate every
minute of it. The whole country is messed up by the
seconds. The crime rate...the shooting...the
kidnapping...new immigrants jump off buildings...new
immigrants jump off subway...This country is a dead
meat long ago.
   The only thing Canada should do is to set up a
booth at Toronto airport. Immigration officer sit at
one side. and any new immigrant who just get off the
airplane should pay them 50,000 us and exchange for
the canadian passport. then the new immigrants should
just leave and go back to their own country. I think
this idea is much better than stay in "canadian jail"
for 5 years of nothingness just to get status.
   No job. No respect. No culture. For the many
years I stayed in Canada. Those years should be for
monks......which is the total vacuum void.
   Thank good USA who give me job after my university.
I finally can open my eyes and see how should a real
government should be. In States everything is 10000%
better than Canada. People are much nicer and not as
mean people in canada. Traffic is much safer, unlike
in Toronto, so many new unexperienced drivers. There
are much much more jobs and opportunitiess. Gosh! I hate
Canada. Hope I will never go back there again.

j w
computerjulia@yahoo.com

Nov 29, 2005

I first became aware of your website on the W5 programme. I think your website is a wonderful idea and I share your sentiments.

I have a similar problem to what your website discussing with one major difference, I am a born Canadian. This year, I had to leave Canada to find work somewhat related to my field and stayed there for 6 months. Unfortunately the position did not work out and I am back in Canada, again looking for menial jobs.

I just wanted to let you know I respect the risk you took in coming here and I see people such as you on a daily basis. If I can be of any help, please feel free to call upon me.

I have a Masters degree in international affairs and I am contemplating going back to school to become a professor as that seems to be the only thing my degree is good for. How pathetic this country has become. It has all become commercialised into who you know and not what a person can do.

Very Respectfully,

Miles Markovic
miles.markovic@sympatico.ca

Nov 29, 2005

He was the brightest in the school
Got two degrees and found no gloom

In his career was the best:
there were no fear in his chest

And traveled around the globe,
for newer projects that he drove

And although having whiter skin,
he never felt a racist trim...

But as it happens in the real
he made mistake, that cost him dear:

About a country he was told,
where people were polite and bold,

Where people had no racist views
and help each other were the news

He took in heart this challenge new
to settle there and to prove

His human views and to achieve
the happiness that he perceives

But as you know in real life,
the stories aren't what one strives

Instead of beauty and just causes
he found corruption, scam and lies

And not that money that he lost,
and years in the foreign host,

But worse - his faith was shaken there,
and what he felt were pain, despair...

Well, luck again got shine on him,
to help escape from deal as grim

Now money weren't his concern -
but other's struggle makes him turns

And witnessing the problems there
he wants to clear a conscious mere...

Ivan D
vrivan@hotmail.com

Nov 29, 2005

Hey,
I am trying to present the topic of Canadian Immigration to a class at
my school and the points I have found for immigration Canada have all
been positive. I know there is a negative aspect from both ends of the
spectrum, the affect of immigrants on Canadians and their jobs and as
well affects that Canadians have on immigrants. I would like to find
more information on these views. From the information I have uncovered,
I am lead to believe that Canada has an immigration system that is
unflawed, but I personally believe that Immigration hurts our economy BIG
time. My family owns a business and even something as simple as a phone
call can be difficult and very frustrating because you cannot understand
any thing they are saying. Immigration has also made Canadians loose
jobs to these immigrants. If they want to come to Canada they can't
expect a free ride and must not take over the Canadians that worked hard
to get to where they are now.

If you can give me any statistics and important information on Canadian
immigration that would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time.

Amelia Shulist
aprilchick72@hotmail.com

Nov 28, 2005

I would like to comment on the "true canadians- the
poet and the accountant. As for the poet it would have been appropriate if this
forum were for refugees who might be living in welfare. But this site is
meant for PROFESSIONAL IMMIGRANTS. I pity your inability to
differentiate between the two .

Ok ,but it is more surprising from your point that even refugees on welfare could buy your whole neighbourhood.My advice is you too get welfare and try buying homes.Your words clearly reveal you are not capable of originally writing such poems.you must have stolen and modified it inappropriately.it is hightime for the true canadians to get serious about their teachers(proper) shortage problem and address it with immigrant talent pool.

The accountant cited lack of English as a major problem .You are not aware that most of the immigrants have to take IELTS exams to prove their language proficiency. i wonder how many true canadians could take such tests given one in four canadian children cannot read properly.their skills in mathematics are dropping such that one engineer has written an article urging the entry requirements to be maintained in enginering faculties.problems have come to this level because there have not been proper mathematics teachers in canada.but there are thousands and thousands of immigrant maths graduates(in south asia including Sri Lanka ,graduate= 3or4 years of serious study+deligence and intelligence to pass entrance exam-of course the tough curriculum hardly allows you a summer job) wasting their skills because of protectionist policies.

Further most of the sri lankan accountants complete ACCA,CIMA courses and work all over the world.corruption is some thing to do with politicians not with accountants. Then what about the corruption in CITY HALL. Even in sri lanka there seems a fair and transparent system of promotions unlike here .don't you read even newspapers.i wonder if you compete with a sri lankan qualified accountant in any other country except canada.of course regulations vary with countries be it accounting ,engineering .it is only a matter of time to get used to these.

Nowdays many western firms are having their customer service call centres in south asia and south east asia.may be other western countries are not "smart" as "canadian firms"..just let me know a single canadian firm/industry in international level.If any existed it would not have taken 7 years to understand and write "an excellent piece".

Before commenting you should be aware of other country's educational and professinal systems rather than a frog in well .many sri lankan and indian accountants,engineers are working in your southern neighbour eg. a research engineer in GM .So would you refrain from buying american automobiles simply because he is not qualified in canada.why dont you tell HONDA and TOYOTA to have canadian qualified engineers in their design labs.moreover india and china now possess space technology. if you still find their engineering capabilities and their engineering faculties inferior you should look at USA and see how it treat professinals from abroad. Until then canada would remain a back yard of USA to provide resourses and you would tell us to take exams or exit.

mahinthan kathiravelu
mainthan@yahoo.co.uk

Nov 27, 2005

First off, I in no way wish to trivialize the experiences of those
individuals who believe that they were "mislead" by the government in terms
of employment opportunities when they first came to this country. Rather I
wish to point out that these immigrants are FAR FROM the only ones who are
having a near impossible time finding employment in this "great country."

I was born, raised, and received all of my education in Canada (Ontario to
be specific). I have not one but TWO master's degrees in psychology
(counselling, and experimental psychology), and have well over 5 years
experience serving in the mental health field in a variety of positions
(unfortunately all unpaid- internships, or volunteer which doesn't seem to
count for anything in the real world). I finished my last master's almost a
year and a half ago and have yet to be able to find a job ANYWHERE in the
country where I can put my skills and experiences to work. I have been told
multiple times by people in the field that "you have the background,
education, and training that we need; you are fully qualified to do the job,
but we've given it to someone with more experience," or "there are no
positions available right now because we just don't have the money to hire
anyone."

Now how the heck am I supposed to get more experience when no one will give
me a job?! I've been bold enough of late to ask them this very question when
they feed me this line, and do you know what they told me? "That is a
problem isn't it," or simply "I don't know." Fat lot of help that is. As
such, here I sit banging my head against a wall trying to break a cycle for
which there is no end: You need a job to get the experience and experience
to get the job.

Some of the other comments I have read on this site just make me even more
frustrated. I agree, it sucks that there are people with higher degrees who
are delivering pizzas, driving cabs, or working in retail to make ends meet.
But do you know what? I CAN'T EVEN GET THESE JOBS ANYMORE! I worked in
retail for 10 years; all though high school and university and when I've
applied for these jobs now (even though it sickens me to have to do so),
I've been told I have no hope in hell because I have "too much education.
Why should we spend the time and money to train you when you'll just leave
as soon as a position in your field opens up?" And they are right; I would
blow them off in a heart beat. So would any of those cab driving, pizza
delivering PhD's out there if they could get a position in their field.
We're not stupid after all.

So you see, immigrants are not the only ones that the system seems to chew
up and spit out; it does it to its own people too. And another thing: I am a
white, male so it has nothing to do with race, creed, colour, nationality,
or any other factor that is commonly cited as the "real reason" for people
not being hired in Canada. But that is another argument completely.

Kevin H
forseti_nm@hotmail.com

Nov 27, 2005

Hi
I have the British qualifications: BTEC higher national certificate and BTEC higher national diploma in electrical and electronic engineering.

I have been living in Alberta for four years and am at long last resolving problems I have had getting my qualifications recognized in Canada.

I lived in Campbell River, BC for five and a half years, since arriving in Canada in 1996.
I foolishly relied on what I assumed to be the best minds around Campbell River to assess my British qualifications, those being college professors. I have since realised that they guessed at what my qualifications are. They told me that in their opinion my qualifications were not degree level. That they were trade level and will get me a job as an electrician or similar. I believed them and got nowhere in BC.

The association that is helping me now is the Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists, and Geophysicists of Alberta (apegga). I was 42 years when I arrived in Canada, I have gone through all my savings to get to this point and made a lot of people in BC (and Calgary) very angry at my insistance about the level of my training. I would have long since had my British qualifications recognised had I come to Alberta in the first place.

I should have contacted Canadian university engineering professors for information in 1996 ie.
gone to the top. My advice to anyone is ask an expert. Canadians think it is still the wild west - they go it alone!

Frank Hatton
frankhattonus@yahoo.com

Nov 26, 2005

A poem from a REAL Canadian

I cross ocean, poor and broke,
Take bus, see employment folk.

Nice man treat me good in there,
Say I need to see welfare.

Welfare say, "You come no more,
We send cash right to your door."

Welfare checks, they make you wealthy,
Free Medical it keep you healthy!

By and by, I got plenty money,
Thanks to you, Canadian dummy.

Write to friends in motherland,
Tell them 'come fast as you can.'

They come in turbans and Ford trucks,
I buy big house with welfare bucks.

They come here, we live together,
More welfare checks, it gets better!

Fourteen families, they moving in,
But neighbor's patience wearing thin.

Finally, white guy moves away,
Now I buy his house, and then I say,
"Find more aliens for house to rent"
And in the yard I put a tent.

Send for family they just trash,
But they, too, draw the welfare cash!

Everything is very good,
And soon we own the neighborhood.

We have hobby -- it's called breeding,
Welfare pay for baby feeding.

Kids need dentist? Wife need pills?
We get free! We got no bills!

Canadian crazy! He pay all year,
To keep welfare running here.

We think Canada darn good place!
Too darn good for the white man race.

If they no like us, they can scram,
Got lots of room in Pakistan.

SEND THIS TO EVERY CANADIAN TAXPAYER YOU KNOW

***~~~CHRISTINA BALDASSARRA~~~***
via Shauna Welsh
shauna060278@hotmail.com

Nov 26, 2005

I originally saw your website advertised on the W5 Program aired a week ago.
I think this is a great website. Unfortunately, those who really need to
read and understand what it is being conveyed on your website are probably
not going to be able to understand as most immigrants don't speak english in
their country or origin, especially those Canada keeps letting in from
countries like Sri Lanka, China/Hong Kong, India, Pakistan, Somalia, and
just about anywhere in South America. Need any proof? Just look at how
many are in need of ESL classes.

Myself, I am a 32 year old white male, university educated with a Bachelor
of Business Degree and in the workforce now 7 years full time.

I've noticed the decline of society in the likes of Downtown Toronto
starting in 1994 due to the immigration policies of the Liberal Government
who have been in power just as long. They are the true cause of the
problem. The immigrants themselves don't become a problem until they get
their Canadian citizenship and start voting. Who do they vote for? Why the
Liberals of course. It is from this point when they cast their first ever
vote in Canada that they become part of the problem and the main reason that
the Liberal Government lets so many of them in.

I work in an office environment where we are in groups of 7 people on a
team. On each team there is usually 1 white person, and the other 6 could
be from any of China, India, or Sri Lanka. It gets quite frustrating for me
when some of the other 6 people keep f#$king up in their daily tasks and I'm
asked to jump in and help them when I have my own responsibilities to deal
with. 75% of the time, the reason the mess up started was because of a
"miscommunication" between the administrator and the client and the losses
are very costly to my employer. The miscommunication was a result of poor
english speaking skills on behalf of the administrator OR even the client
(As the client hires poorly skilled immigrants also). Forget about not
getting the job because of lack of Canadian Experience, the real reason most
immigrants are not hired is due to poor english skills! 75% of my job is
being on the telephone talking with the client about money and reporting
issues. If you can't grasp the english language, maybe working at McDonalds
is the way to go.

As for those immigrants coming with professional skills, if they're not
being recognized, go back to school and get a degree from Canada! Coming
from an accounting background (Accounting being my major in University), I
know first hand how complicated and thorough Canada's accounting and income
tax reporting system is. Heck, even I need help understanding some of the
rules in the Canadian Income Tax Act for Corporations. How the heck is
someone from another country who speaks poor english, if any at all, going
to understand even the most basic parts of the Act? In fact, taking into
account an immigrant was doing accounting in let's say, Sri Lanka, just
exactly how complicated is the Sri Lankan Income Tax Act???????? Judging
from the shape of their corrupt economy, I bet their Act can't be more than
a few pages long so why does a Sri Lankan immigrant feel they should have
their credentials recognized for Canadian Income Tax Purposes just because
they were master accountants in the Sri Lankan economy? The same logic can
be applied to any other Canadian profession such as dentistry, medicine, and
certainly engineering. I don't want a doctor operating on me using Sri
Lankan medical principals!!!

As for how they will pay for their degree, that's not the Canadian tax
payers problem. As a Canadian born citizen, I had to work summer jobs and
take out loans (for which I am still paying back to this day). I see no
valid reason for the Canadian Government to give out loans or bursaries to
immigrants when they can be giving them to people born right here in Canada.

The whole "multiculturalism" thing that seems to be shoved down my throat
just about everyday (coming from socialist programming from CityTV or even
worse, The Toronto Star) is nauseating to say the least!!! The only people
claiming that it's good is the Canadian Government, and they stifle other
Canadians by declaring you racist or prejudice if you disagree with them.
Talking amongst a bunch of my Canadian born "white" friends/colleagues,
about the only good thing about multiculturalism is that I can choose to
have Indian food today for lunch, and eat Chinese Food tomorrow. These
days, you don't need immigrants to cook it though and I'd give all this up
if it meant I'd be paying lower taxes due to cuts in social programs like
ESL, healthcare, and public education.

As for the argument that immigrants don't enjoy working low paying jobs and
receiving welfare, I heartily disagree. For most, getting enough money from
the Government to just get by each month puts them on a higher level than
they ever were in their home country. If it wasn't, then they'd have no
problems going back and don't give me a sappy story that if they go home
they may lose face in front of their families for being failures. As an
already overtaxed citizen of Canada, I could care less. I don't work my a$$
of in this country to support someone who shouldn't be here only because
he/she's option of going back to Sri Lanka would be a disgrace to them!
Yeah, like their relatives are doing any better back home anyways.

Personally, I did not start out with these views when I entered into the
work force. However, as I grew older, read more, and started realizing
what's going on, only then did I develop my points of view. Most will
claim I am racist. To tell you the truth, I really don't care. In reality,
I became a racist at the point I realized I, and my country (Canada), was
being taken advantage of by both the Liberal Government and immigrants of
all race and creed. Not all racists are created at birth. Most have been
groomed by society as in my case. If Canada continues on this route, there
will absolutely be a situation occurring here much the same as was in France.
Count on it!

Jason Miller
whiskey_siagon@hotmail.com

Nov 26, 2005

Hi everyone!

Immigration has become a big scam everywhere, people pay big money to get carried to UK, to Spain from Africa and to come to Canada, imagine 300.000 immigrants every year to Canada, how much money will bring every person, for sure not less than 10.000 $ make the math's, and for what just to escape from misery, I don't believe that, if some one in Africa has 10.000 $ he can feed his family and even start a business in his home country, in Canada the Pyramidal scheme works perfect for the Big Brother, every year immigration becomes the biggest profit industry in Canada, it feeds the administration and it fits all the elderly Canadians, we come and then we need to spend money in education and others just to see we don't get back our investments in the new country.

Just we go from one slavery to a new one, I have spend more than 100.000 $ in Canada in 6 years just to have a second hand car and a job of 9.50 and hour, imagine this money spent on holidays, in Spain or in Thailand how much good time I could have had, but not my dream was to have roots in Canada, and yes I have a Son 6 years old, where I have problems for visitations because I 'm separated from his Canadian mother, I need to pay child support and I never will have the chance to buy a house (the basic step for having roots) and also is because Canadian families are uprooted, (many of them), so you can put you hope in a lotto 6/49 as every body else, families does not help families like they do in many other cultures, that does not mean somewhere else is better, Canada has the space and I believe has a lot of future but it lacks the identity and the culture to integrate his people, If you show yourself and you complain you never move on, like a Anglo-Saxon society you need to be shy, humble and never complain.

Good Luck to everybody!

Joseph Sala
Joseps@shaw.ca

Nov 26, 2005

Hello All

Much can be argued and discussed here. But the fundamental question that needs to be asked is: What is so special about the Professionalism in Canada compared to most others nations that credentialism is used as tool for systemic racism here?

It is incredible to assume and formulate (albeit secretly and implied) a policy of exclusion and extreme hindrance in regards to professional recognition in a Country that actively searches and invites skilled immigrants from all around the world.

The very notion of selecting and evaluating through a point system implies a desire to have the highest educated, brightest and also experienced persons around the world to come and join, work and live in Canada. So called and much advertised �multiculturalism� is used to embellish the virtue of tolerance and acceptance of all invited immigrants by the established society; that is the message sent out around the globe and inside Canada, correct?

You can see by the many �get out and go back where you came from� messages not only in this forum, that there is an obvious disconnect between a sector of populace and the governing line of rhetoric.

It is easy to look behind the veil of official propaganda and recognize that no true virtue of tolerance, acceptance and inclusion exist. Not where it matters. It is nice to parade multicultural examples and organize all kind of promotional events, but stay stubborn and mum when it comes to true integration where it counts. That is, to allow skilled immigrants to make a living while delivering the best someone is trained for, and not pizzas.

When I look around in this country, the failures and lack of professionalism can be found everywhere. Mediocre-ness rules and substandard performance abounds.

I think it starts right in politics, governments, and institutions and all the way down to management levels; and yes many professions and trades demonstrate the same attribute. Of course generalization nobody likes, so let�s exclude some good individuals.

As harsh as this may sound to some, it is not surprising. A closed system fosters closed thinking and protecting of turf. The outcome then is lacking, but is acceptable to the ones within the circle of interest, and the outside is being kept in the dark, and ignorance of those is welcomed.

Historically the degree of this kind of �gate keeping� has increased, while at the same time the education and skill level of selected immigrants has risen, stealing talents from many developing countries.

Anyone with some grey matter between his ears can see and understand this dilemma, but large portions of populace as well as leaders in Canada are surprised by the outcome.

We appreciate that information and education about this recognition of credential issues have been broadcasted recently and there is more to come; feedback showed that many had little knowledge about it.

I am sure some must have clinched and gnashed with there teeth witnessing this kind of popularity; but look, skilled immigrants are not interested to go on like this no more.

An approval to come here must be associated with a reasonable welcome and appropriate mechanism to fully function, nothing less. The current system is designed to stall, to prevent and to exploit.

And contrary to some commentators and ideas out in Canada, this is not designed to press highly educated ones into trades. Does not work like that! Those with trades have the same problem of licensing on their level. I know that for a fact. Do you know an engineer or physicist who has been handed a trade license document as plumber or electrician when applying to any of the Prof. Eng. Associations instead? Even a proper trade takes years to learn and to accomplish.

But let�s get back to the opening question about what makes the Canadian Professionals so unique in this world; so aloof above the rest! So please some one from that camp present and defend your case!

In Sidney Nova Scotia a very modern Steel plant has been recently disassembled and shipped to China, all the scrap and ore they can get from this Country thrown in for good measure. This plant was state of the art (or not) designed and built by Prof.Engineers, managed by other professions and P.Eng.�s, subject of political wrangling by yes� Professional Politicians� and lawmakers. For the ones remembering exPM Mulroony: �High pay to Politician is a must as to attract the best and brightest�, yeah right!!!!. Throw in a good dose of provincialism and after many spent taxpayers millions, their only answer was the wrecking ball!

Cleanup of Sidney�s Tar pond; same story, same highly qualified players, many millions and no end in sight yet. Westray Disaster in Pictou County; always seams to follow the same pattern: some �professional� development, siphon millions from taxpayer, failure. In this case it blew up in reality��26 men died; no one of all the Professionals found responsible or guilty. Go figure.

How about adding to this list? The pattern is clear:

Professionals deliver (substandard)

Doesn�t work, (not surprising)

Taxpayers asked to foot bill, (somebody needs to get rich quick)

Things blow up or go bad otherwise (Joblessness, under employment, yes injury and death)

Taxpayer footing bill again; more millions (who else eh)

And more repeats of this cycle.

You say you don�t believe that; what you think you paying taxes for, in a country where the riches and resources alone would be sufficient to stand in instead of Taxation?

I am told things are not right within the Health care system either. News you can read or hear indicates that, but I leave this up to the medically initiated to comment. Same for any other profession shortchanging society; tell your point of view.

Can you imagine that you can walk out of the blue and enter their ranks? Not likely; you need to be conditioned with �ethics courses�, lots of �Canadian Experience� and other nonsense, or better yet not admitted at all.

Do we want to change that? I do; and I did not receive nor expect handouts. Only the right and opportunity to be judged on what I can deliver, no more no less! Keep on posting here and where ever; Your silence is your rope around your neck, break it!

Mike S.
mschwarz@ns.sympatico.ca

Nov 26, 2005

thx for your website.I realy appreciate it.i am canadian and have always
been a canadian.the reason there are no jobs here are because there are
too many immigrants here in the first place.stay away from canada and try
the states or other countries and in time there will be more jobs and
opportunities and other oppotunities for people to imgrate here in
canada.but we take too many at a time and thats the problem.we the
canadians are a minority now here in our own counrty.if you ask me thats
part of the problem
Steve Reeves
stevereeves1978@hotmail.com

Nov 26, 2005

Hello everyone,

I'm shocked and surprised at some of the messages I've read in this forum. It's pretty clear that many of the "Canadians" who have written in have no understanding of the real issues.

No one is saying that immigrants should be pampered when they come to Canada...and most immigrants don't expect to be pampered. When someone tells you that it's all wine and roses in Canada (as the Canadian government has done and continues to do), and that anyone who's willing and able can get a good job and live a better life here--what do you expect? How would you feel if someone said, "There are jobs across town and you have just the skills and experience we need!" and then you spent your last dollar to get yourself all the way across town...only to find that, while there were jobs there for people with your training and experience, there were none for you? And how would you feel if you found out that the person who gave you the tip knew all along that you didn't fit some arbitrary profile? Don't you dare tell me you'd put a big smile on your face and say, "Oh well...S*** happens!"--because we both know you'd be lying.

No one here is looking for a free ride--just a fair shake. And they are all victims of "false advertising" sponsored by the "Canadian" government.

It's time to ask ourselves the most important question of all: "Is the Canadian government incompetent--or do they really have a secret plan to use immigration policy to ensure that Canada has the best educated taxi drivers in the world?

I say they're incompetent (any of them who disagree with me on this point are free to prove me wrong)--and I think we should toss out the trash and redesign the system. However, I know that won't happen anytime soon--because Canadians as a group are much too apathetic for that sort of thing. (You create a GST in Britain, and Margaret Thatcher has to resign; you create one in Canada, and Canadians complain...and complain...and complain some more...and pay it. You promise to abolish the GST, and then break that promise...and Canadians complain...and complain...and continue to pay it.)

Personally, I plan to vote NDP this time around. The Liberals are experts in the art of breaking promises, and the Neo-Conservatives seem to have "too many" hidden agendas. At present, I view the NDP as the lesser of three evils. While the smaller parties are interesting, they take too long to get established and become effective--and by the time they do they're usually about as "competent" as the others.

P.S. The biggest problem that I see with recent immigrant candidates and parties is that most Russians will still vote for Russians, most Tamils for Tamils, etc. This divides and weakens "immigrant power". Until all recent immigrants can learn to work together and pool their resources, their political influence will be limited.

-JD MacDonald
canadianentrepreneurs@yahoo.ca

Nov 25, 2005

Canada is not a place for people to come and get pampered. If you came over here thinking we Canadians are going to take care of you and make sure you don't fall off the wagon, then your wrong. Canada hardly has enough money to fund its own born and raised citizens, so why would they support immigrants who aren't even of Canadian Citizenship? We have to make a living and if that means we have to compete with non-Canadians for a job, then there is something wrong.

Come to Canada on your own terms, and keep in mind that most Canadians do not welcome your presence and much as you think.

Neil Serfas
cheapfeel_1@msn.com

Nov 25, 2005

I agree with your opinions in your website as an immigrant to Canada.
Canada is a country for unemployed back home or those desperate to survive
some how here, by doing not only menial jobs but also cheating others by
fake work permit sponsorships.

My colleague who landed with me in canada made hundreds of thousands of
dollars simply by opening a IT consulting company and charging money back
home for work permits, he never used to pay a penny to these workers after
landing in Canada but used to make them dependent on him by signing their
applications for Immigration. Since immigration takes several years many
paid 3 to 5,000 US dollars to get work permits. He used to transfer this
money to Canada by illegal traders in Canada.

When somebody objected for it in Canadian consulates in various countries,
canadian authorities resorted to getting people in the name of 1 yr. PG
diplomas in community colleges like Niagara college, Kingston College etc.
by conducting education fairs in major hotels with the false
assurances/information that Canada has big market for those with Canadian
diplomas in IT and Management. The fees for 1yr diplomas is $10,000 plus
other fees and living expenses which totals to $20,000 in one year. Every
year these colleges admit nearly 2,000 students in Toronto/Ontario. After
completing these diplomas, these people do not get jobs but it is a
disgrace to go back home robbed, they pay money to IT consulting companies
to purchase work permits and then immigration visa sponsorships, some of
them make this money by menial/odd jobs (illegal ) and some of them get
this money from their parents back home through illegal channels.

No one would pay $20,000 out of their pockets unless Canadian government
conducts senseless education forums back home giving false information
about job market in Canada.

In one way or the other Canada is changing its course with the whole
intention of getting money into Canada from Asian economies (because the
people who pay money to get visas are mostly from Asia).

Sincerely,
suresh venkat
sures_venkat@yahoo.com

Nov 25, 2005

I saw a special TV show featuring some immigrants pretty much bashing Canada and it's ways. I was so angry, I went to this website to get a few things off my chest. I was born and raised here. I have a degree, plus college certifications. Both my parents are immigrants that came in the 60's. At that time, my Father being from Italy, was scared to open his mouth for fear of getting spat on! They both came to this country too as they wanted an opportunity to make a new life.....he worked 60 sometimes 70 hours a week, doing whatever he could to survive. At that time, there were no social programs like Welfare, unemployment etc like there is nowadays and both had no education. Today, he owns a multi-million dollar company! This is a man with no education whatsoever and came here not knowing one word of english!!!!!!

What is the problem with all of these "so-called" immigrants with degrees? If you are so "educated" then you must know that every country has different laws and politics. If I were to emmigrate to Pakistan, I'm sure that I would have to go through all the extra education etc because as far as I'm concerned, I don't want a just landed immigrant to be doing open heart surgery on me and I'm sure if you think about it, you would feel the same way!

Canada is the land of opportunity........OPPORTUNITY....and what you do with it is your fault. Sorry to tell you this, but like every where else, you have to work, educate yourself constantly and get experience. Hell, when I graduated from University, I had to do all these factory jobs, bartending, babysitting and so forth just to survive until someone gave me a chance!

I am sure if I told these unhappy immigrants to go back to their country's because they are so unhappy, they wouldn't want to go because Canada has far more to offer them than where they came from because as far as I'm concerned, Canada is the best place to live. I don't have to worry about my brother stoning me because I lost my virginity outside of marriage, or I don't have to worry about bombs and war or only being allowed to have one baby!

I am still baffled as to why, if the immigrants that have degrees, didn't research properly before they came because if they did, they would've found out that you don't just get off the plane and have a job waiting for you, with a huge beautiful home and lots of money ready to jump into your pockets. You have to work for it and sorry to burst your bubble, you may have to work harder and longer....but eventually it will pay off for you!

Thus...all I have to say is if you don't like Canada.....go home!

Tovi Pischiutta
tpischiutta@compxnet.com

Nov 25, 2005

Hi there!

I've migrated to Canada from a South Asian country in 2001. I used to be an Assistant Vice President in one of the Banks in my country. I hold an MBA & a BSc Engineering degree. I applied for a job to hundreds of places as soon as I'd gotten my SIN #. No success! It was not possible for me to work for free in a coop program, so I ended up working as a buss boy in a downtown restaurant. There I tried my best to let the managers & big bosses know my qualifications. My strategy soon worked when an European origin office employee suddenly left. I was hired for the position, but with less that 50% of the salary that the company used to give to that guy! I had to accept whatever they offered me as it was a lot better than bussing...

I've learned a lot during the long 4 years I've been living in Canada... I've never seen any caucasian person, even from East European countries working as a buss boy, dish washer or kitchen help for months if they had a little bit of elementary school education. Local caucasians & people of British Isle are highly sought after & are always begged to stay in white-collar positions. These things are not openly admitted, but everybody understands it... These things make me wonder whether ambulance drivers & paramedics in this country are given medical license to sharpen their skills on us immigrants... Corruption is also there.. How about sponsorship scandal, love-affair in the city hall, etc. =

I'm also a part-time student in one of the Toronto universities as I'm preparing myself for CFA exam. There I've discovered that they use all US textbooks, but they change the US English spelling to that of their own, replace US/international examples/cases with Canadian ones & call the books 'Canadian Edition'. These serves 2 purpose, viz., [1] replacement of superior materials with substandard ones & [2] giving an impression that something Canadian is different from the rest of the world!

Overall, exploitation and enslavement of skilled immigrants is well planned... The government organizations ask for evaluation of credentials which costs somewhere around $60 to $150, even though we were led believe that these things were taken care of prior to the issuance of IMM1000. No banks wants to give us any credit as we don't have Canadian borrowing/repayment history, even though we show them VISA, Master Card, Amex, etc. from our local banks. In my case, I could not rent an apartment for a year because I didn't have Canadian rental history. I had live with 6 people in 3 bed room apt. like a refugee. They don't give us driving license even though we hold one from back home. Without mobility one is crippled... Getting a Canadian license costs a fortune. If one is lucky, one becomes a first-time driver in spite of having 10 years driving experience & pays astronomically high rates to the Canadian insurance companies!!

Things are not as bad for desperate people like refugees though... They get a lot of assistance from social welfare. They accept it as they have very little sense of dignity and their skill-level is very low. Their children, the so called 2nd generation, feel proud of their parents' achievement!?!!

I have thought about these injustice, discrimination, invisible barriers, uneven playing field & cartel-like environment in every industry/profession, but never had a chance to express myself. I don't think Canadian government is going to help us or Canadian society is going open up any time sooner. I think we should lobby our governments to put tit-for-tat punitive sanctions & barriers on Canadian citizens & businesses when they go our countries to work, to study or to do business... Economies in Asia are growing very fast & it would not be very difficult for our governments & regional associations like ASEAN & SAARC to do so.

Yours truly,

Hasan Akhtar
hasan@myeweb.com

Nov 25, 2005

Dear Friends,

I am an immigrant with a master�s degree in Mech. Engineering from the US and with fluent English (I tutored English in college). However, they told me I don�t have Canadian experience and my English has an accent that makes it difficult to understand my English. That�s funny since the people that takes my money (Insurance, Banks, Retail Stores) never seems to be confused with my language skills. Therefore, I don�t believe that language is the problem here in Canada. However, your accent, skin colour, international experience is.

I have been following comments from people in this and other websites of similar topics. Personally, I think that the time for complaints is past and reactive attitudes have to be adopted:

Pushing for �affirmative action� regulations just like US.

Making the term �Canadian Experience� a politically incorrect term. This has been done to terms such as �baby� or �babe� in the workplace, why can�t it be done with �Canadian Experience�? Even just listing companies that uses that term when rejecting applicants would be a step in the right direction. If possible, post the name of the person and their company.

For those working and living outside of Canada, require that Canadian companies submit �Certificate of International Experience�, �Certificate of �your country� Experience� and proof that they would not bring Canadian worker into their country for work that otherwise can be done by your own countrymen (and women). After all, products designed or manufacture in Canada may only work in Canada and may not work in India or China where the weather is much warmer (e.g. computers, Blackberries, Bombardier planes and Jet skis). Are you willing to take the chance on such products? English submarines do not work very well in Canada, therefore�.

Canadian manufactured goods must be scrutinized much more carefully for quality issues as it might be second class products that are not acceptable for consumption domestically. After all, more �Canadian Experience� also means less or little �International Experience�. Some manufacturers also export the goods which does not meet their own standards or is not allowed in Canada, so watch out for those. If you are in engineering, you know that optimizing a design to one set of specifications means compromise on another � if it works perfectly in Canada, it will not work perfectly elsewhere (tolerance is different, climate is different, operators are different, motivations such as salary is different, etc.)

Some of these may seem harsh to Canadians but they should remember that Canada owes much of its existence to us immigrants � that which we gave, we can also take away. Why should we be abused or discriminated against?

As a footnote, I am putting a few lines from the American Declaration of Independence:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

This is a copy of text from : http://www.canadianembassy.org/government/constitution-en.asp

Canada entrenched its charter of rights more than a century after the country was founded. (In contrast, the U.S. Bill of Rights was added as the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution within two years of its ratification, in 1791.)

Canada's Constitution Act, 1867 did not include a bill of rights because it was assumed that the unwritten conventions inherited from Britain provided effective protection for civil liberties. In 1960, Parliament passed a bill of rights, but it applied only to federal institutions and did not have constitutional weight.

�It was assumed�, yeah, OK, ever heard this: ASSUME = making an �ASS� of �U� and �ME��..In 1960, it was far from a unanimous vote. In 2005, it is still far from the minds of employers and professional associations (the less certified professionals out there means more money for their members).

And you wonder why you faced barriers entering the �good� jobs in Canada and living the �proper� life. I�ll laugh if it wasn�t such a depressing view.

Frank Ng Msc.ME
Toronto, Ontario
frank_ng_me@yahoo.com

Nov 25, 2005

The response to the W-Five programme and the hits that the website has received is overwhelming. Also the idea of creating Smart Group by Rowena Hopkins is great. I have read some of the suggestions to get recognisation for foreign qualifications, where it has been suggested that the Canadian Government should be approached. Believe me I have done that and it will not get us anywhere. I wrote to the Governor General, Prime Minister, Minister of Citizenship & Immigration, Minister of Human Resources Development, Minister of Transport and to Mr. Gurmant Grewal � Member of Parliament but they have all given only evasive answers.

The only way in which this system can be corrected is by giving it BAD PUBLICITY in foreign countries i.e. in countries from where aspiring skilled / professional immigrants would be immigrating to Canada and in developed countries. This can be achieved by requesting the Editors of popular newspapers to advertise the website www.NotCanada.com in their classified sections asking people to log on to this website to know how skilled/professional immigrants are treated in Canada.

Fitters
fitters@shaw.ca

Nov 24, 2005

My name is Vasant Patel.

I have M.Com.(Cost Accounting) from Uni of Mumbai and CA
from India. I have also CPA and CPS from Kenya.

I applied in Mar200 ot migrate to Canada and in the book it
is mentioned list of field that Canada has shortage of skilled worker,I
thought that with qualifications I have I will fit in the position I
wanted.

I came to Canada in Nov 2000 and started finding job and
apply almost 400 companies and was frustrated that not single co. called
for an interview.
I also learn that there is more frustrating factor is that
if any foreign qualify accountants want to become a CA in Canada one can't
get a chance to become a CA in Canada.

I found that CA institute has prescribe the list of CA's
from their company if you get employment than only U can become CA in
Canada.I tried very hard to get a job in those companies which are
recognised by CA Institute in Canada and at the end my hope to become a CA
in Canada dashed and at the end landed in packing job to meet my end and
my wife also could not find a job even though she is graduate.

I went to CGA institute to become CGA in Canada and they
told me that I have to do 10 papers and it will take 5 years still no
gurantee that I will land in a job in my field.In 2000 CGA has rule that
those who are CPA from USA can get CGA in Canada with 2 assignment and 1
exam to become CGA.
I decided to become CPA.I became a CPA for USA and
requested CGA now what and only to learn that they changed rule that all
CPA from USA has to clear 5 papers and will take 3 years to complete.I
decided to become CMA of USA.

Now I am holding CA fro India,CPA and CPS from Kenya,CPA
and CMA from USA.Still Canadian accounting institute don't recognised all
my qualifications and I can't pratice accountancy in Canada and trying to
make a move to USA as I am Candian Citizen with 2 major qualifications
from USA.

I initially lost all the money I brought it and still
running in debt.Now I am wondering about my family and as I can't give
100% to my family.

I worked as packer for 3 years and aslo study for CPA of
USA only to learn at the end that my CPA of USA is also not recognised.

CGA institute give ads that it is recognised worldwide, I
don't think so. Nobody knows what is CGA aprt from Canada.
They give false ads to attract students and it is money
making business for them.

In Canada education in university and prof qualification is
money making business and is too costly for new comers.

Thanks,

Vasant Patel CPA,CMA(USA)
vasant_acc@yahoo.ca

Nov 24, 2005

If you don't like the country, then get the f*** out!

Canada already gives far too much to uneducated, dangerous immigrants.
There is a reason a Dr. from Pakistan (or wherever) is not recognized as a
Dr. in Canada. Different standards, different laws, different education....
it's not complicated. Immigrants coming to this country should work hard
and make a living for themselves like anyone else. A Canadian born person
is now at a disadvantage, because all the funding goes to the immigrants.

So stop your whining, and pass that message along to the others.....

Robert Richards III
killerkingrob@hotmail.com

Nov 24, 2005

"Russian Hour", Russian-British International TV Portal, is producing a feature about life in Canada.
We encourage any Russian and/or British person who had a kind of "extreme" life experience (either positive or negative) in
Canada to share their stories with us. The author of the most compelling true story will be included into our forthcoming feature, and will receive a fee. Please write to us: info@russianhour.tv

Sincerely yours,
Alexander Korobko

akorobko@russianhour.tv

Producer, "Russian Hour"

www.russianhour.tv

Nov 23, 2005

Hi everyone,

I would like to draw the attention to the increasing budget that the federal
govt. has voted recently towards immigration settlement programs.

I personally think that this is purely a pre-electoral govt. policy, which
would have no effective end results at all except a waste of time and money
and a gain for favorable votes.

We don't have to live here for quite a long time to find out that the
overall settlement program already put in place by the govt is a total
fiasco with lot of immigrants left on their own, anger and frustration in
the end.

I don't understand how the govt could still believe what they've already
done seems good to them, and it's worth injecting much more money!! Do you
think the govt is adding insults to injuries???

Also, I don't understand when immigrants pass the immigration tests, they're
supposed to pass the reasonable level of English to be employable here in
Canada, where the official language is English, at least in Ontario. Why
does the govt then has to spend money to offer the basic English Language
courses for immigrants when at first place, they shouldn't have been here!!!

I think what the govt should do is to encourage companies to hire immigrants
by providing them tax incentives instead. By doing so, the immigrants can
earn a decent living by having suitable jobs in their fields and obtaining
the famous Canadian experience which would enable them to move in their
careers. The govt really doesn't need to tax business as such as it already
has surplus of fund. When we see the job losses these recent
days, particualrly in the manufacturing sector, the govt should draw up
contingent plans to sustain economic growth by providing these fiscal
measures as well as others to encourage entrepreneurship.

I let you be the judge and assess the govt achievements so far.

Chris Wong
chris_wong88@hotmail.com

Nov 23, 2005

There are some arguments are counter arguments are
going on whether Canada is good or bad. Let me tell
something in very plain words.

Myth: There are no countries in the world without
problem. So, problems faced by immigrants in Canada is
nothing serious.
Fact: Which other countries tantalize millions of
immigrants with a promise of better life? If there is
no job for immigrants, why does Canadian govt.
encourage people to come to Canada? The answer is
simple, they want immigrant's money!!! Without their
money, Canada's economy will be in doldrums. Look, USA
doesn't allow anyone to come without a job offer or
sponsorship. I think that is better.

Myth: Canada needs skilled immigrants.
Fact: Canada needs un-skilled immigrants! If there are
jobs for taxi drivers and pizza delivery men, why do
you need so high immigration criteria? You can easily
bring low skilled labors from Asia/Africa. Those
people will be happy to do low skilled jobs. They
won't post letters in NotCanada.com, they won't
criticise the Canadian govt. Then why Canada doesn't
allow them to come? Simple, they can't bring $10,000
with them - and so Canada's main aim will not be
fulfilled.

Myth: Immigration to other countries is better.
Fact: Recently those who migrated to UK under HSMP
scheme, faced the same problem as immigrants are
facing in Canada. They have been told that they need
UK experience. UK often shouts about shortage of
doctors in the country. Yet they don't allow a foreign
medical graduate to practice here directly. They first
need UK license to treat patient. It's the same story
everywhere. So, what's the aim of HSMP? Simple again -
to collect money from Asians/African/Latin Americans
and pump the same into own economy. The same is true
for Australia and New Zealand. So, if you want to move
to a different country, fist FIND A JOB and only then
you should move.

Myth: Canadian companies demand Canadian experience
and education.
Fact: Who does not? Do you know that nowadays if you
get a degree from not-so-famous European/American
universities and look for jobs in India - you will NOT
get any extra credit? I know many people who studied
in American/British universities and now earning
merely Rs 15,000 a month in India - whereas people
studying in Indian universities are earning much more!
In Canada, there is link between industry and
universities. They live on each other. If people from
other countries get the job, what the university
staffs will do?

Myth: Canada has ranked highest in human development
index in the world
Fact: There are 3 kinds of lies - lie, great lie and
statistics. I personally don't trust these indices.
The so called "first world" countries often "sponsor"
organizations to deliver such "information". China &
India rank 3rd & 4th in size of world economy. Canada
doesn't come in top 10. (In fact now G8 should be
redefined) So, these are better countries than Canada.
Isn't it?

Myth: "I am happy in canada, because I don't need to
fear about get my children kidnapped from school
everyday".
Fact: Have you come to Canada because you felt you
life in danger in your home country? Then you should
be very happy and must not complain. If you just came
for that reason, I do encourage people to go to
Canada.

Myth: Canadian health care is among the world's best.
Fact: Do you measure it by how much one has to pay? I
heard that in Canada extracting a tooth cost $1000. In
India, it costs less than Rs 500 ($15). Free for very
poor people. Health care quality does NOT depend how
expensive equipments you use. Rather it depends on how
good doctor you have! Canada's medical system is
simply a rip off! They raise the cost artificially.
Those Canadian doctors try to operate people who is
older than 100 year! Why man, people should die before
the age of 80. It would then solve a lot of problems
for those who are younger. I know many intellectuals
will raise question about my sanity. But I really
don't see a reason to spend $1 million for 80+ older
people. This rubbish costs push up the total cost of
treatment for the masses. That's why so many people
now visit India for treatment (its even cheaper incl.
airfare) from Europe/America.

It's now accepted that non-Canadian
education/experience doesn't count. It's only valid
for immigration criteria. Go to Canada. Forget
everything what you learnt. Start from bottom end and
enjoy "high" standard of living there.

It's a sad fact the many people from so called
"developed" countries believe that Canada is like
heaven. So, they will continue to migrate to Canada
and repeat same stories over and over again.

However, I've noticed following changes.

Canadian govt. is going to increase immigration quota
to 300,000 a year. They also said that they could not
achieve yearly immigration target. This is good. That
means now people understand that Canada is not heaven.
More and more people understand this, better it will
be for everyone.

Don't think that I encourage to you be patriotic and
asking to stay in your own country. I definitely
advocate moving to other countries BUT ONLY IF YOU
HAVE A JOB there. GET A JOB FIRST AND THEN ONLY MOVE.
Don't do it otherwise.

Good luck.
Saikat Basak
saikat_basak@yahoo.com

Nov 23, 2005

Dear Sirs

Every now and then we hear Canada boasting pride about its multiculturalism. This is a myth at best and a blatant lie at worst to lead the lambs to the abbatoirs [read:To entice intellectual professionals from around the world in the hope that this country has more to offer]. Far from being the land of milk and honey and a destination for better life it is one more clever ploy by the money hungry politicians of this country who need billions of dollars to gamble and scandal and cannot bridge the gap inspite of having the highest taxation in the world, to satisfy their ever increasing appetites for wealth. Let us consider this aspect in greater detail.

Canadians have a smug impression that they are THE BEST in the world [better even than the Americans!] and because of their "Multiculturalism" they are immune to such disturbances as across Europe, now being witnessed in France. However Canada is far from proving itself as a "Shining example" of a utopian multicultural society. A lot of what has happened in France mirrors itself in metropolitan cities of Canada such as Toronto. The spread of gun culture reaching out from the streets of Toronto to the high schools, the sex related crimes, poverty, homelessness and the creation of a permanent underclass of highly qualified immigrants living a hand to mouth existence...all lead to a tinderbox waiting to explode while the would be powers and so called leaders of this country snap their fingers in helplessness like the Roman emperor Niero was fiddling while Rome was burning !

There are almost no people of colour who have wealth, power or influence [leaving aside the politicians of course]. Where is Canada's Oprah Winfrey? How many non white immigrants in Canada have ever held positions like Condoleeza Rice or Arnold Swarzenegger? Although we may not agree with president Bush's policies on more than one occasion, one thing worth noting is that Americans know professionalism, it is there in their blood and work and also know that the best professionalism and progress can be achieved by judging the true worth of each individual regardless of his race, colour, ethnicity etc...a value still to be understood by the northern civilization living in its coccooned old world ideas of racial superiority, colour etc [if not in words, in mindsets and actions].

No wonder Canada has lagged behind the U.S in development inspite of having the best professionals around the world who are busy cleaning latrines and delivering pizzas on survival incomes of paltry 7.15$/hr !

George Bush's cabinet is a true rainbow of diversity containing Asians, African-Americans, Latinos and even a Russian Jew. Even the "Red" state of Louisiana elected an Asian (Bobby Jindal) to represent it in Washington. All these pointers indicate that Americans don't scream as we Canadians do about multiculturalism but have put the principles in practice with excellent results.We should stop having the North American bias and misplaced arrogance of our being "The BEST" in the world and start clearing our mental blockades to forge ahead with the times. Already the ugly results are raising their heads: We have steadily slipped from being the best country in the world to live in to a number 6 position.

We need leaders with proactive solutions for our problems, not leaders with myopic eyesights delivering only patchwork solutions keeping an eye on elections. Unless we start analysing the root causes for unrest, such patchwork solutions of opening the federal purse-strings without clear objectives and targets will only give rise to bereaucratic mismanagement of finances and lack of desired results. It is time we put our politicians on notice. Election is approaching. Strike the iron when it is hot!

Shirish Gadgil
Toronto, Canada
srgadgilin@yahoo.com

Nov 23, 2005

The W5 program touched a raw nerve. I cried as i watched
it. Though i must say that the issues mentioned are only the tip of the
iceberg. Even if you land up in a job, you will notice that
immigrant professionals find roadblocks and discrimination at the
workplace too. This is not part of the immigration deal.

Before i came to Canada, i had heard good things about job
and career prospects here. Still immediately on arriving, i obtained
my Masters in Engineering from one of the best universities in Canada. I
had hoped to rise very rapidly in my job given my education and work
experience. But now after 6.5 years i am a little disappointed and slowly
helplessness is setting in, but i still have not given up yet.

Generally speaking, in most cases the discrimination is very subtle, but ask the person who has been discriminated against. It
kills a part of you every time such an incident happens. It shakes your
spirit to the core.

So i would really sympathise with my fellow professionals
who are in some what a worse career situation than me, but one thing is
sure, i will never forget them and their stories.

Good Luck to you all and my humble advise is that " the
educated fight with the pen", so keep those comments going and maybe
someone will hear.

Also i would like to underscore the point that these days
most of the immigrants who come to canada are qualified professionals, who
have left a comparable life style to come for a better life style. They
are not the non - economic immigrants who used to come 100 years ago. They
are professionals who have made a decision to come here and will give it
their best shot.

Vikas Suri,M.Sc., P.Eng.
engvik2002@yahoo.co.in

Nov 22, 2005

As an Aboriginal/First Nations/Native Canadian, I find it very amusing the remarks that some of the Canadians have posted on this website. Most smack of racist rhetoric, labeling immigrants as �whiners�, usually followed with the lame story of how their own ancestors struggled when they first came to Canada several generations ago. I find it very ironic that they ultimately always end in saying �If you don�t like it here go back to your country�.

In my people�s perspective, this country was stolen by the white invaders hundreds of years ago, when they decimated populations of my people with their genocidal practices. After stealing our rich land and numerous resources, they herded us like cattle into their government reservations (which the South African govt used as a model for their apartheid practices).

After displacing thousands of our people, they then kidnapped our children from loving families and communities and made them attend church run residential schools were they were abused and often raped by the Christian clergy. They beat our children if they spoke their own language, if they practiced their beliefs, and instead of educating them, usually these children were installed as cheap, slave labour.

Those Native people that tried to work within the system and thrived against all odds by becoming self sufficient with solid businesses and communities, the Government then made sanctions and laws to prevent them from becoming competition to whites, by ensuring that we were kept �in our place�, that is poverty stricken and dependant upon the government handout.

The Red River colony was a thriving Metis (half caste, mixed blood) community, until more whites came to settle, usurping the Metis founders and executing their leader, Louis Riel, with the help of the Canadian govt of course. When many of our warriors decided to join the armed forces and fight for Canada in the World Wars, all of them came back from overseas duty and were denied the benefits that white Canadian soldiers took advantage of after doing their duty for King and Country.

They kept us from the vote until 1960, although by this point our people were so beaten down and defeated they hardly had the confidence to vote in such a biased, discriminatory country�s elections (even today there is low voter turnout for Aboriginal Canadians, hmm wonder why???).

Basically Canada and white Canadians betrayed my people and have done everything in their power to put the First People (Aboriginals) last in society. Even new immigrants distain Aboriginal Canadians, which really breaks my heart, but by not understanding the historical reason why our people are last in this society (Canada has made sure that our history and their racist legacy is downplayed) this can be excused as ignorance of our struggles.

New immigrants please take note, unless there is some sort of revolution or cultural change, Canada will never accept you as Canadians, you will always be a minority or foreigner within this society. My people have learned this long ago the hard way. If only these racist Canadian ancestors had �gone back to their own country� I can assure you my people would have been better off for it.

Traci
traci_wpg@yahoo.com

Nov 22, 2005

I just want to tell all those professionals, who are intending to
immigrate to Canada, to be very much clear in their minds that once they
land at Canadian soil, they are no more' PROFESSIONALS '. Their is only
nothing. There are some professions which I am mentioning here. They should feel fortunate if they find any one of these in Canada:

Taxi driver, After at least more than a year stay in Canada and passing
driving tests. Security Guard, after getting the training for it paid from your pocket.
Gas attendant, filling others cars with petrol.
Worker at Green house, where temperature and humidity are
set for plant growth and not humans.
Berry picking worker is another occupation waiting for
them.
Production worker at factories, you will be lucky to find
one.
Ware house labour after getting some training.
So be prepared for enjoying life in Canada. You must be thinking about what I am doing here. All I can tell you only this, that I am a Mechanical Engineer but here I am working in one of the above stated professions. Will I live here for ever, absolutely not. I am trying my luck outside of Canada and the first opportunity that I may get, I will await and never see back on this marshy place for foreign trained professionals.

Akbar Zaman
akbarzaman123@yahoo.ca

Nov 22, 2005

After watching the W5 show I felt that we owe these poor immigrants an
apology and compensation for purposely pulling a "bait and switch scam" on
them. It's so easy to blame the victim of corruption and say " suck it up and
work harder" or " don't expect the government to hold your hand"!

The thing is that our government has been pulling this deception since the 1970's or
earlier. Tell the immigrant the truth and then let them make a decision based
on factual information not misinformation. It doesn't take a telescope to
find one unethical person we should remove from office immediately !!!

This would be Judy Sgro our Liberal immigration Minister who has previously worked hand in hand unknowingly with organized crime by allowing women to enter the country with the promise of real work. These poor women are forced into prostitution and or
stripping to pay off debts to organized crime.

But of course Mr. Volpe you are right when you said on W5 the other night ["I don't believe any job is a dead end job"] Are your referring to women crawling on top of men on a dirty
mattress to earn their passport back and pay off their debt for being
transported to Canada.

My possible solutions to our immigration problems five suggestions would be:

1) We change the point system from higher education degrees to labour shortages such as construction workers.

2) We link immigrants to employment in Canada before they sell possessions in their country or resign from their jobs.

3) Warn immigrants with degrees or papers of experience that foreign education is often [NOT] recognized in Canada.

4) Inform immigrants that home country work experience is [NOT] recognised here so they will need "CANADIAN work experience" before most employers will hire them.

5) Most importantly warn immigrant women that organized criminals in Canada involved in "WHITE SLAVERY CRIME" may hire them to be exotic dancers but excess transportation charges for delivery to Canada or holding of their passports may force them into forced prostitution traps to pay excessive debts.

I.D.
Orillia, Ontario
capdanks30@hotmail.com

Nov 22, 2005

Hello,

I was wondering if I could share my point of
view as a native Canadian living and working in this country.

I have a serious concern regarding reasons # 7
and # 5 in your "Top reasons not to migrate to Canada".

I am not a Doctor or a Lawyer, but I had jobs
that should have paid 35 K to 40 K salaries but when I finally reached a
40 K position, I was getting only 35 K for the first time ever ! and
then was finally laid-off not too long thereafter.

It seems that no matter what I do or how hard
I look, I could never get past 35 K, let alone earn 35 K again some
day, as sadly, I am now earning less than 30 K and much less after
taxes, and I am finding out

that a lot of jobs that should pay 35 - 45K
are indeed paying less than 30 K !! and the tasks and responsibilities are
even more than ever before, so why should I bother looking for a
better paying job if all I am finding is higher stress for nothing with
the same salary as I am earning now ?

My biggest concern regarding living in Canada
right now is that all these problems do not stop here, it seems that
all prices for all things (including taxes) are getting higher and higher
until a lot of salaries will simply fail to make ends meet, and our
government is very ignorant regarding these matters, they are just letting
this happen without a care in the world.

For example: I wonder why we have to pay tax
on things like heating oil, natural gas, electricity, sales tax on simple
properties, even fuel, aren't these all basic necessities ? believe me, if
I could do without them, I would. I wish I didn't have to drive 64
kilometers a day just to go to work and home again, (there is no bus or
train after my shift) I wish I could turn off all my lights at home and
all the heating in winter, but I can not, so I have to pay high prices +
tax, pay and pay again.

I am really stuck, as I can not migrate to
another country as a mere purchasing agent or inventory controller or
even a supervisor, right ? how can I find a good paying job in another
country as a non-professional ? It just does not happen now does it ?

I fear that I will be forced to sell my
home at this rate, and with rents costing so much, I am scared of what
type of place my family and I will be able to afford IF ANY.

I have one question: In this
country with no jobs, "Out of control costs of living," and
"Very high taxes," is this not a guarantee to have even more people
ending up on welfare against their will ?

Shame on Canada ! Shame on Canada Indeed !
This was once a great nation. I am very grateful to have grown up in
Canada, and now Canada is ruining me and my family.

How can an Immigrant succeed in a country
where even the natives are facing so many problems ?

Peter
icoh@total.net

Nov 22, 2005

For all those immigrants, especially the blacks, who complain about racism,
Give me a Break! I am half Irish and half French Canadian, I am Canadian.
The Irish and the French Canadians have gone through a hell of allot of
racism when they first arrived in Canada. The irish where working in
factories, sweeping the streets and doing other quote on quote crapy jobs.

The French Canadians have always been considered the part of the low class
of society. when the Chinese first came the Canada in the 1800s, they had to
pay a head taxes to enter. Usually their life savings. During WWII, Italian,
German and Japanese Canadians, where all pout in work camps till the war was
over. Most of them where seconded generations CANADIANS. This things where
wrong and these people had to put up with it. Today most of them don't
complain about this. Yes, some doe, but there's always some complaining.

This is just to say that immigrants to Canada have gone thro more crap
before than now. Most immigrants today, can get all sorts of money from the
government. Are taxes pay for them to live. Especially, most of the refugees
who live off welfare for a big part of there life. I am not a racist or
against immigration, I do think that the immigrations system needs work.

But, I do think that immigrants have to suck it up, like all Canadians when
it comes to getting a job in you're profession. They shouldn't aspect a hand
out. If they think its so bad in Canada, then they can go back to there war
torn countries, there communist states and so called "democratic republics",
which are nothing more than dictatorships. And if they hate Canada so much,
maybe Canada should not expect Canada to give them foreign aide and help
when a civil war irrupts.

Philippe Chartrand
irish_connection_@hotmail.com

Nov 22, 2005

HI Fellow Immigrants,

Like most of you, I came across this Website through a
program on W5. I see a lot of the postings are from disenchanted,
highly-qualified professionals who could not find employment in their
field and feel cheated. A few of the postings have racist undertone and
seem more suitable on a Nazi website than this one.

As an immigrant from Malaysia living in Quebec for the
past 30 years, let me share with you some of my own personal
experiences. I came equipped with BSc and Ph.D degrees from the U.K but
like practically all of you, I did not have a job offer before I came.
It was tough going for a few months but I was able to find employment as
a research engineer in the nuclear industry eventually. In retrospect, I
would probably have landed a job earlier had I done my research properly
and knew the right buttons to push earlier. (This is extremely important
in your quest for employment in Canada.) I have changed jobs several
times but have never ever been unemployed. I was even offered a job in
Australia and moved my family there with the intention of staying there
permanently. (We decided to come back to Canada after a year.) I
now have a salary well above the Canadian average and I intend to
continue working for a few more years before retiring at 65. Is my case
unique? No, because I know of quite a few professionals in my field who
are as successful, or even more successful than I am. I will have to
admit though that we may a minority - I don't have the statistics. BUT
IT IS POSSIBLE TO GET ESTABLISHED IN CANADA !!! DIFFICULT, BUT POSSIBLE
!!!

Here is what I would suggest to professionals who are not
sure if they should come to Canada:

1. Don�t move here if you are already well-established in
your profession at home � unless you are prepared to be down-graded big
time. ( I don�t know if you will end up washing dishes or driving a cab,
but I think this could be a real possibility as many have testified.) It
is a very competitive environment and there is no shortage of local
talents in most of the professions (except perhaps medical). �Canadian
Experience� should not be taken literally and often has nothing to do
with your skills. It is a euphemism for �You don�t have the right
profile we need and will probably not fit into our work environment.�
There are lots of professionals I know who got jobs without that magical
�Canadian experience�. Discrimination? Of course, but not necessarily
against the color of your skin.

2. Move here if you have a job offer or feel that the
political/economic conditions in your own country are unbearable and
that you are prepared to make sacrifices. You know, sometimes we have to
make difficult choices to protect yourself and your loved ones.

3. When you are here, make sure you understand the rules
of the game in your quest for employment. For example, sending out
hundreds of resumes that are not well presented and contain spelling
mistakes is a complete waste of time. Employers get hundreds of these a
day and yours will end up in the garbage can. Be persistent and follow
up your applications with phone calls to the right individuals.

4. Have a game plan. Why do you need to sell everything
and risk losing all ? Why not come and take a look for yourself first
before getting your family members involved? Look for a way out should
you fail to find employment within say, a year.

As reflected in some of the posts, Canada is not perfect
and like other countries, we have our social, political and other
problems. However, Most of these problems are mild in comparison with
what you often hear in other countries. I have traveled extensively in
the U.S and many countries around the world. I would have to say that
there aren�t many countries with a comparable quality of life that are
as civilized, fair, tolerant and democratic as Canada. I have absolutely
no regrets in moving here.

Happy Immigrant
fight2win_all@yahoo.ca

Nov 21, 2005

I saw the W-Five programme on Saturday 19 November 2005 and also visited your website. Here are my experiences.

I am a Marine Engineer having qualifications from the United Kingdom. When we applied for immigration to Canada our interview was held in New York.
So imagine the amount of money we shelled out - the Lawyer's fees, the Processing fees, the Medical fees & also for our flights from and to India.

At the interview the officer was very goodie good. At completion of the interview, as we were about to leave the officer handed me a form saying - "I would advise you to have your qualifications accessed. Everything is self explanatory and easy to follow." From there I sent of the form along with the required copies of the documents to the address mentioned. We returned to India and after almost 6 weeks I received a reply informing me that as my qualifications were very specific to the Marine field I had to make inquiries with Transport Canada.

I wrote a letter to Transport Canada but to this day have not received a reply from them. After landing in Canada and during my job search I was informed that my qualifications were not recognized and that I would have to re-qualify if I wish to get employment in Canada.

The joke is that though Canada is a part of the Common Wealth and Her Majesty The Queen is the Sovereign Head of Canada qualifications from the United Kingdom are not recognized by the Canadian Authorities and unfortunately the UK authorities are not willing to do anything about it.

What I understood later and it has been voiced by many, is that if the Canadian Immigration Authorities were to disclose the fact, that the applicants qualifications would not be recognized and that they would have to re-qualify, then most immigrants would not apply for immigration.

I can�t comprehend the difference in my qualification obtained from the United Kingdom and those of Transport Canada, and thus see no valid reason for re-qualifying. In the numerous letters posted on your website I have read the under mentioned comments and my reply to each is as follows

1. That many Immigrants come with forged documents. In this day & age it is very easy to send the documents to the issuing authorities to check for correctness. I am sure that the immigrants would have no objections to this procedure especially if their qualifications were obtained truthfully and honestly.
2. Many persons would not want an immigrant who didn't have Canadian qualifications being their doctor or engineer.

Let me tell these persons that India has one of the best Doctors, Hospitals, Engineers, Information Technology Technicians, Scientists. Many persons from America, Canada and other developed countries go to India for medical treatment, which of course is of the highest standard, much cheaper and there are no long waiting periods. Also almost 35% of doctors in America are from India.

India is one of the top 3 nations in the world, which has the highest number of officers and crew working on merchant ships that operate worldwide. If the standard of training were not high then international owners would not be willing to employ Indian seafarers.
A high percentage of Engineers working at Microsoft and NASA are of Indian origin. India has launched satellites and has also nuclear capability.

India has many Noble Prize winners - if not more than Canada then at least equal.
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) is ranked as one of the best in the world. Headhunters from big corporations come to India to recruit Graduates from IIT.
To all those who say that Canada has not called you, you have come to Canada � I say to them get your facts correct. The truth is that advertisements for immigrating to Canada are issued in the newspapers by immigration lawyers with the blessings of the Canadian government.

Fitters
fitters@shaw.ca

Nov 21, 2005

I just mention that, if you are interested in
immigrating to Canada, do it if you have nothing to
lose in your home country. Never sell property to come
here.

Most skilled immigrants come and do labour work, and
don't tell their families that they are doing this
kind of work because they don't want to show to people
in their home towns that they are 'losers', they
didn't succeed here.

Another problem people encounter is the ethnic
discrimination. I am Caucasian, but was born in Latin
America. Even being white, if you are not of English
background, you will never be treated as white. If you
are an immigrant, it doesn't matter your color, your
accent is enough to be treated as an outsider.

Ritchie Cintia
rich_cintia@yahoo.ca

Nov 21, 2005

I also found out about this website from W5 and think
that it is a good thing that someone is showing the
flip side of the canadian immigrant experience. I have
also persuaded people not to immigrate to Canada - not
out of any malice or ill will, but because I knew that
the teaching jobs that they had been promised in
Toronto, would not materialise.

I have read a large number of the comments on this
page and wanted to respond to them in a calm and
dignified way.

I am a British Immigrant to Canada and a Permanent
Resident of New Brunswick, where I have lived for over
2 years. In general I am happy here. At this time of
year the weather is not my favourite topic of
conversation, but had I wanted balmy conditions I
would have moved to Hawaii;-)

Firstly to respond to the issue of fake foreign
qualifications. Yes, I am aware that foreign
qualifications can be forged and that this does need
to be taken into account

However, firstly, immigrants are asked to provide
large numbers of supporting documents - not only
certificates. These are much more detailed and
difficult to forge. If there was any question of
authenticity the certifying body would then be
contacted to verify a persons qualifications.

Secondly, this is not the problem. People from well
known universities and colleges with a world wide
reputation for high standards from countries in
Europe, Australasia and the USA are also suffering
from the Canadian system of recognising
qualifications. This is not as issue of protecting the
Canadian public from fake doctors. It is Canadian
Professional associations wanting to keep foreign
professionals out. They simply do not want the
competition.

Which raises the question, if there is a risk of
Canadians losing out to foreign born professionals,
why are they being recruited to come to Canada? It is
not the fault of a New Zealand Physics teacher or a
Kenyan Cardiologist that Canadians see them as a
threat to their own jobs. These professionals were
asked here at the request of the Canadian government,
and have had to pay handsomly to come here to do jobs
that they were led to believe there was a shortage of
Canadian skilled workers to fill.

Believe me when I say that we do not want to steal the
jobs of Canadians. We do not expect special treatment,
or to be pushed to the front of the queue. We would
just like to be treated humanely and to compete on a
level playing field. If we are not needed, then please
do not invite us here in the first place.

As for the issue of ethinic diversification. It is
true that people fear what they do not understand, and
this goes in both directions. Sadly many Canadians
feel threatened by the presence of coloured faces and
unusual accents at the local superstore, despite the
fact that these people bring variety to the country.

From the other perspective, immigrants moving to
Canada have to give up a great deal to come here. They
arrive with a small suitcase of their belongings and
try to build themselves a new life. Every day they are
making an effort to fit into a world that is very
different to that of their birth. At this point the
more xenophobic will respond that they should go back
there but please remember that in the case of the
skilled workers, they were invited here by Canada!

If I was to move to China, even if I spoke fluent
Chinese I would still prefer to speak my native tongue
in my spare time. I might well hang out with other
English Speaking expats and cook British food at home.
I would probably listen to British and American music
and read British novels. I would in all likelyhood
listen to the BBC WorldService or Voice of America.
Yes I would try to learn about Chinese culture, but I
would not like to lose my own.

In fact if you visit most countries in the world you
will find the Europeans and the Americans and the
Canadians doing a frankly lousy job of integrating.
Instead, prefering to hang out with other Expats
taking part in Expat activities. Why then should
immigrants to Canada not seek the same kind of comfort
zone?

Finally, it is important to remember that Skilled
Workers move to Canada to work and not live of Social
Insurance. For that reason most Skilled Immigrants do
take low paying, Dead end jobs, to keep themselves
sane, to try to make contacts, to socialise and learn
about their new home. They are making an effort that
many (but not all) Canadians under the same
circumstances would not.

So in summary

If Canada really needs doctors, nurses, other health
professionals etc something drastic needs to be done
to improve the system of qualification recognition,
which from my own experience I can assure you is
highly flawed.

If Canada does not have any need for Computer
Technicians, Engineers etc then CIC needs to make that
blatently clear to potential immigrants. Immigrate at
your own risk!

Canada is already a multicultural society. It is not a
European or British Nation it is Canada and Canada
encompasses people of all ethnic backgrounds with the
exclusion of none. If this is not the case than Canada
should cease to pretend the be the USA's more friendly
big brother. If people want Canada to be what it
historically was then we should all pack our bags and
leave the indigenous to take back their land.

This is not about preferencial treatment. It is about
fair treatment. It is about respect. I hope to
goodness that no Canadians ever get treated with the
level of indignity that I or other immigrants have had
to suffer, (not I should stress, at the hands of the
Canadian people, who are every bit as friendly as the
books say!) but at the hand of smug beaurocrats who
get paid handsome salaries to make our lives
miserable.

Rachel Harris
rachiach@yahoo.ca

Nov 21, 2005

I live in the province of Quebec, where the people speak french.
I am so surprise that the mentality is so small, they keep the things for
themselves. (work) Seems that the image of ART and development is just an ilusion, the same
"festivals" are running over and over again with the same people, there's not evolution and they
don't care about new ideas.

If you come to Quebec (Canada) get ready to speak the "quebecua" , not
french (France) even the french people as problems with racism " They speak too well"
(french) and the rest of the inmigrants speak "too bad" (french). (?)

Expect the "CANADIAN SURPRISE"
The Canadian surprise consist in "give me your money and then we talk",
expect to receive (and pay) hundreds of bills with "extras" continuously ,
phone, mobile, heat, electricity, insurance , taxes, cable, etc many of them
without a clear reason, many times you will be extra - charged for things
that you didn't ask for.

At the beginning you pay because you don't know the system, but then after
seeing how all your money goes...you start to take the time (many people
can't go thru all this because they have 2 or 3 jobs ) to find out that
those extra charges are "mistakes". And of course they don't give you the
money back, they give you "credit", their favorite word.

Of course many people give up before find out all this because they have to
spend at least one hour on the phone and they don't have that time ! that is a cheap strategy of some corporations around to make you quit...
Expect never pay the amount they told that you will be paying.

maurice LK spokesman
Montreal
artmaurice@hotmail.com

Nov 21, 2005

To whom it may concern,

I read some of the concerns some immigrants have with Canada and I would like to say two things.

First, the issue with the weather being too cold and too much snow. Well, this is Canada. It snows here. It snows here a lot. In some provinces, we may only have 2 or 3 months of the year when it doesn't snow. Snow is cold and in order for us to have snow, the climate must also be cold. That's the way it is.

Secondly, I don't know if it is a solution to the problem, but maybe more immigrants should look at other areas other then Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver. You may not be accepted immediately in smaller locations like Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, for example, but I think you would be accepted into the smaller communities quicker. Don't brand all areas of Canada because of experiences in larger urban centers.

GM Hunter
MandMCourier@aol.com

Nov 21, 2005

When I was watching the CTV W5 I was very disturb how Canada was mis leading Immigrants. Being born and raised in Canada, in Canadian Education system, only prepares students to work in the Canadian or American workforce. My comment when I heard that when people who come to Canada that except to get a job in there chosen career, should gotten there head a shake!

Why on earth you would be expected to jump in a career like M.D. Engineering when you don't even know how the health care or government regulations are. I have two part time jobs and live off of pay check to pay check in a low income bracket and graduate with honors from a good college and still looking.

Quite frankly I don't think its fair to pull the rug out off my feet and paid lot of money to go to college and have it stolen from a immigrate in my profession who has never been trained in Canada with the standards we hold dear. I am not saying that the system is perfect but if I had to choose anywhere to live it would be Canada only because I don't have to worry about my freedom to speak and able to vote out of government.

In countries where you don't have that luxury are feared to be in prison or shot or have the right to wear or traditional clothes and practice your religion without fear in your community and not to be forced of area i.e.. West Bank because a government says so. Canada is the safest and tolerate of all countries. And you can't expect a white collar person applying for a doctors jobs without the education. Think about it health standards vary and if I know a doctor that at least taken residency and one year of training is a cake walk compared to 12 years of redo your education from another country. The only reason there a Dr.so as taxi drivers are there are two stubborn to go to school for one year and residency to gain Canadian medical knowledge its there fault not Canada's. And if you are talking to me in another language and can't understand the hell your talking about I will be more scared for you to operate on me.

No Free Rides To Canada!

K Elliot
Toronto
muffy629@sympatico.ca

Nov 21, 2005

I just wanted to post to your site.

My partner and I are from Australia, we have not immigrated yet but rather have come with working visas. We have both finished university and have some experience in our fields of employment in Australia.

We both had no problems finding jobs in our fields in Canada, we have been here for about a year and half now. We have spent our time in central BC and in Manitoba in rural areas. We did not want to live in a big city. I agree the taxes sure suck and the government sounds pretty dodgy but in general we have found Canadians to be great people. I love the weather, i mean get with it people, surely you knew what the climate was like before you got here. It hasnt all been easy, but we managed to hook up with the right people and i am glad that we came to Canada.

Maybe you guys should get out of the big cities and you will have more luck finding jobs. There are a lot of Canadians that are professionals and live in the big cities too. Its in the rural areas that there is a higher demand for experienced professionals. If you are in one of those regulated professions, teacher, doctor etc i feel sorry for you, not having your training and experience recognised, but surely you knew it was going to be like that before you came. It is detailed on the Canadian immigration website.

Just wanted to share another point of view

Jess Allen bestsurfiechick@hotmail.com

Nov 21, 2005

Hi, I read with disbelief on your site, NOTCANADA.COM, some of the complaints and concerns about Canada that various immigrants seem to have. Wow!!! Cry me a friggin' river!!
Though I do empathize with some of the new immigrants to Canada with regards to some of their problems, such as apparently being promised nonexistent jobs in their various professions, they do need to realize that life unfortunately comes with no guarantees. These positions were deemed to be available by the industry sector at one time or another and our government had no reason to not take them at their word. As far as I?m concerned, it's simple; can't make it in our country? Don't like the rules? Eyes full of tears? Goodbye!! Go home and good riddance!!! And by all means, when you get home tell your like-minded friends not to come either... especially if they share your whiny, defeatist attitude.
Some of my kids and those of my friends have finished various university courses. Many years of study, many dollars invested. Some have found jobs, some haven't. Some are working in their chosen fields, some are not. Just like these professional immigrants, they have no guarantees. Some of them also have taken menial labour jobs just to survive. So what? That's life. And while we're on the subject of universities, I've sat in on several classes after my kids complained to me about not being able to understand their professors. Guess what? Professional immigrant professors, with such bad English speaking skills, or very heavy accents, that you had to strain to understand anything they had to say. A nearly impossible task. The only way to keep up with these courses was to get class notes off the Internet and read everything for yourself. So, what's the sense of paying these immigrant professors for their super skills and wisdom, when no one can understand them? I?m sorry, but these are facts, not innuendos.
Some of your articles/letters talk of very real economic and social problems in Canada. True, but then show me a country without any problems. Sure, we have some health care issues, educational problems in our high schools, labour issues, corrupt politicians, crooked cops, perhaps even unfair immigration policies, etc. But I'll take those problems any day over some of the issues that these immigrants left behind in their respective homelands; communism, tyranny, suicide bombers, lack of basic human needs, lack of basic human rights, lack of clean air or even elbow room. Oh, and lets not forget where some of these so called Canadian problems that these immigrants are complaining about originate; Vietnamese gangs, Chinese underground, Italian mafia, Mexican drug runners, American gun dealers. Then you have the immigrants who bring their homeland problems and disagreements, wars and religious conflicts here with them and continue killing each other? as well as killing other Canadians. Guess the home front just wasn't big enough for them anymore. So give me and all of us a break. Some of these immigrants may find some unhappiness here in their struggle to make a living and create a life for their families, but some of these immigrants sure bring in a bucketful of problems with them as well.
Let?s have a quick look at the high cost of living some of these immigrants are complaining about here in Canada, as obviously compared to their home countries. Gasoline is still some of the cheapest in the world here in Canada, food is reasonably priced and available... no food lines here, yet. You don't have to wait several years on a list of names when you order appliances, rent or buy an apartment or a car. Yes, insurance is high, taxes are high and the cost of supporting immigrants that learn to bleed the system is high too. But we'll fix these problems in time through democratic processes, not civil war.
Unfortunately not all jobs can be of the professional, highly educated type. Only so many engineers, accountants, scientists, and managerial types are needed; not just in Canada, but worldwide. Someone actually has to get a little dirt under their fingernails; we can't all sit at a keyboard. If you were a doctor, pharmacist or other professional and left a good job in your homeland to come to Canada, then the question remains... why? Why did you want to leave in the first place? Obviously something in your home country was terribly wrong. Something prompted you to leave and come to Canada. You should have considered the consequences a little more. If you were intelligent enough to make it through university in your country, then you surely should have been intelligent enough to do a bit more research before putting all your eggs in one basket and coming here. I feel for you, but I do not feel sorry for you. Anyway, I would like to know that my kids will have a high paying professional career to go to when they finish their studies as well.
All that said, I can just imagine the thoughts going through your mind and the words rolling off your lips. No, I do not hate immigrants... from anywhere. I am not a hate monger... I am however a realist and my eyes are open. I realize and appreciate the fact that immigrants built this country and, in a large part, still are. Many of them have in fact become very successful, reaping large financial fortunes and achieving great personal success. When some of them came here they took on jobs such as field work; picking tomatoes, cucumbers, tobacco, etc. by day, then going to work in factories by night. Some cleaned toilets in schools by day and drove taxi by night. And yes, after years of hard work, they finally got the jobs or careers they wanted. Nothing was handed to them and they asked for nothing. They love this country and would give their lives for it... many have.
What we need are immigrants who are not afraid of hard work, aren't expecting any more than they put into the pot, and aren't looking for a scapegoat for their problems, especially when they don't do their own research beforehand. Almost every nationality has clubs and societies here that they can contact for more info before moving here permanently. Yes, we'll work on our immigration policies and make sure that we don't misrepresent Canadian opportunities to potential immigrants. It may take some time. It's our own Tianemen Square. Every country has one. But at least we won't roll out the tanks.
So, like I said at the beginning, cry me a friggin' river!! I know I'll never regret my family's decision to immigrate to Canada... never.

Jake Pender

Kamloops, British Columbia
jakepen@hotmail.com

Nov 21, 2005

Hi,
I want to give my opinion about canada. canada is run by white anglophone
male and they are greedy and insecure they live in cacoon that is made of
police, intelligence, army, lawyers, judges, media, and its economy and
democracy is phony. this people wants immigrants but they do not want to
trust them at all they want ready made taxpayers, voters, consumers. they do not care about immigrants at all they they use divide and rule policy to keep immigrant apart by sex, race, place of origin, because of insecurity and greed of anglophone white males canada has outstanding greviances like native and quebec(francophone) and nobody is happy in this country best not continue live in this country and suffer move away from this gutter and find better place .

In this country white males can do what they please and they can get
away with any crime like vince campbell and blaine culling they are president
and vice president of company call grainville entertainment this company
ownes buisness in vancouver on grainville street between smithe and nelson
street like voug theater, planet cafe, foghorn restraurant, dakota hotel
bablu restraurant and roxy night club they receive confescated drugs from
vancouver police and very secretly they selling it and making them self rich
if immigrant would sell drug or commit welfare fraud they would not be
forgiven and they would be march on tv so much for canada .

I am fed up with this country you will always at bottom and nothing you can do about it only thing you can do is leave before you loose your metal and physical health , and drown in debt and loose your family. please do not come to canada. stay away from this hell gutter.

fatima khan
saturn2000566@hotmail.com

Nov 21, 2005

Hi fellow immigrants. I would like to share with you my experience and
conclusions.

I can tell you that there is no perfect country. There are different
factors that may affect how positive or negative may be your experience
in a new country. Some of these depend on you and some don�t. Happiness
may depend on how well you adapt (in those areas that you can) and
accept (those things that don�t depend on you). Sounds simple but it is
not easy. I�m still trying to apply my own wisdom to my own problems.

In my case I came from Mexico almost 5 years ago with my wife and 2
young kids. I originally studied a BSc in Electronic Engineering in my
country. After working for 9 years for American companies based in
Mexico (Hewlett Packard and Microsoft) I decided to study a Masters
Degree (MSc in Computer Networks in London England) getting a
distinction and the highest marks in my class. We spend some time
traveling in around the world. Then I went back to Mexico City and
started a small consulting company in my area; business was great but it
was still Mexico with all its known problems: insecurity, pollution,
high population, bad services and corruption. So, guess what, we came to
Vancouver Canada in February 2001 (I assume this story sounds familiar
to many of us coming from �developing� countries).

My first two years were just terrible. Absolutely nothing was happening
here. I was just getting small contracts here and there; 2 days here, 4
hours there, 1 week over there and in the middle several days or weeks
earning nothing to �feed the family and pay the bills�. I even had a one
year contract with IBM Canada working for the BC government that was
canceled after 2 months because my job was given to a Canadian guy that
happened to be a close friend of our customer. IBM was forced to hire
the guy or loose the big contract. Money to my surprise started being an
issue (first time in my life). In the same way my self esteem was
weakening (again, first time in my life).

I was lucky; even if Canada was not providing any income Mexico was
still there ready to give me interesting projects (you may change the
country name for Hong Kong, Korea or Iran and my experience may be
similar to yours). I went back to Mexico about 7 times during those two
years and I was able to participate in very challenging projects that I
still don�t have here in Canada. What was the formula? People knew and
trusted me; I had my own network of contacts while in Canada I had nothing.

I came back to Canada with new money to pour into the local economy.
Nevertheless, I was tired and depressed after spending so much time away
from my family. I was even more depressed while thinking over and over
again about the way to get local opportunities.

I finally had the energy to re-focus again. Something important is that
I never took a job in a different area. I am an engineer and I�ll work
as an engineer � I said to myself. I finally found a job in a small
startup company as the network engineer. I finally moved to Bell Canada
were I work today as a contractor.

Am I happy, you may ask?

Let me answer, first the pros about living in Canada:

-There is security, peace and freedom. I don�t constantly think about
somebody kidnapping my kids and robbing or killing us. We don�t live in
a country full of violence whose leaders only think about how to start a
new war (don�t forget WW2 or many other current leaders).

-Beautiful BC is one of the nicest places to live; air is clear, nature
is everywhere and it is still not very crowded (obviously compared to
Mexico).

-Kids are learning English (we cannot deny that originally the British
Empire and now the American influence made it the key to �open the
world�; could be Latin, Greek or French in the past, today it is English
and god only knows what will it be in the future).

Don�t ask me about the education system here in Canada; my answer is
still quite ambivalent.

-Multiculturalism. I agree Canada has no culture of it own, has many. As
a Latin American guy I can tell you that it is an incredible experience
to share this place with people from South East Asia, India, Middle
East, East Europe, Africa and obviously West Europeans and their
descendants. There are so many religions, traditions, cuisines and
languages to experience.

The Cons:

-I still feel as an outsider. I constantly feel people don�t fully trust
me. I may �speak with an accent� and I feel they think I �think with an
accent�. Even if I have all the capacity and experience (20 years in my
case) to take ownership and personal responsibility for many projects,
they still only let me be �the qualified doer�. Professional development
is one of my greatest expectations that still has not been satisfied.

-As a family we finally managed to have some friends. Most of the
immigrants from our own and other countries; only one immigrant can
understand what another immigrant is going thru (even if you speak
Spanish and the other person speaks Korean, Cantonese, Farsi, Russian,
Punjabi, Polish or Arabic we all feel the same). I still feel that
because we don�t start a conversation talking about the weather, hockey,
golf, your dog and many other trivialities Anglo-Saxons love and use to
start a conversation, we�re still not fully accepted and we frequently
feel lonely (I cannot generalize, there are few good people open to
learn from an immigrant).

-In terms of money it is the same story; we can now economically survive
with a local job but we�re not saving. I cannot understand how all these
Canadian guys can think so much about retirement; in my case keep
working is the only formula as far as I can see. The local trend is just
about spending to survive.

My conclusion:

Things I cannot control

-The weather. We have to get used and even enjoy all Canadian seasons.
Winter time is a good time to gather with friends, read, plan future
activities and learn some of the winter sports.

-The government. I don�t know you guys but in my case I don�t expect to
change it; we have to take it as it is. I wish they could give us much
more �weapons� during our first days in Canada but that is not the case.
As we say in Mexico: �Help yourself that God will help you�; in our case
the government. We�re all on our own so we have to be proactive, don�t
wait for �daddy government� to do it.

-The Canadian society. I don�t expect to change the way they think. They
may be very ignorant in many international and cultural aspects, be very
arrogant and appear to have very high self esteem (again, I cannot
generalize but this is the trend) but again, there is little I can do to
change them.

Things I can control

-Play the �Chameleon Game�. Try to mimic their ways and even their
accent without loosing your own identity (keeping a little bit of you
own accent can help show culture and experience). We humans like what
resembles us. In the same way we dislike what looks strange (that�s why
many of us may simply don�t like a person because his or her sex, skin
color, accent or religion is different but don�t let yourself be guided
by these appearances; a nice person may be ready to deal with you if you
wait and don�t let yourself see the exterior only).

-Don�t idealize other countries. As I said, there is no perfect country.
I read many of you discussing about having better opportunities in the
USA or Europe. They also have their own problems; especially if we
discuss issues like minorities, violence and discrimination. Remember,
your neighbor�s grass may look greener but it is also grass like yours.

-Don�t give up and keep trying and trying and trying. Our best friend or
worse enemy can be ourselves. In reality we�re alone in this world and
we�re the owners of our own destiny (sorry but I�m not a religious
person if you were thinking about miracles or winning the lottery). If
we�re not getting what we dreamed is because we stopped trying. If I
don�t like my present job, I should never stop looking for alternatives.
Don�t fool yourself doing something that has no future.

-Be content and learn to accept your life and all the positive things
you have. Don�t let all negative thoughts control you (like many of
those included in this forum). Keep yourself positive.

In conclusion, here we are in Canada away from our own families, friends
and culture. It is up to us to take advantage of the things we have here
or simply go back and be happy knowing that we had this opportunity to
view the world with different eyes.

Enrique Waizel
Vancouver, Canada
ewaizel@retis.ca

Nov 21, 2005

u should all put your complaints on www.ripoffreport.com . Those that have a complaint about a specific Health Region should name that health region. Those that have a complaint against a particular group in government, etc. should name that group. i.e. there were 15 truck drivers that went back to Britain because the jobs did not live up to those projected. They should have put their claims on rip off report so that the public become aware and class action suits can begin.

J. Clark
willso@sasktel.net

Nov 21, 2005

Hi,

I work for CBC radio Edmonton, I heard from your website from CTV W5. I'm interested in talking to people from Edmonton and Albertra who are struggling in their new life and are expressing their views on this website. there is quite a few on the current forum now but I'm wondering if