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Hey, I currently live in America, but I've been seriously considering moving to Canada for a few years now. I've been researching Canada but I really wanna ask a few questions here so that I can get direct answers from Canadians, rather than read a glorified version of the case in a brochure.

What I'd like to know, first and foremost, is if the Canadian health care system is really free. If so, how exactly does it work? Are the wait times really as bad as everybody says? In America, we have pretty ridiculous wait times as well but we also have to pay out of pocket for it.

How is the education system compared to America? I'm asking not only for my children, but I, myself, am looking into transferring to a Canadian University. I hear that the educational system in Canada is far superior to America, and also that it's free, even college. Is this true?

I really hope you guys can help me out. I appreciate your time and your input.

   

Nothing is free, it's called ridiculously high taxes, and yes we have very long wait times as well.
Free university or college
If you do decide to move here always wear a toque.

   

Free University. Ya we have igloos too

   

I wonder where he was doing his Canadian research.

FOX news perhaps

   

We have free university? Holy shit I'm getting ripped then. Okay, look on different Canadian government websites, some are full of shit, but still. The educational system in the US and Canada are about on par.

Health care isn't free. Free means you don't pay anything, which isn't true, you pay taxes. You pay for fire protection or police services with taxes in the US, they're not free, they're just government funded

   

That's what I'm guessing. I almost fell off my chair with that one Hey dude if you come to Halifax bring a french-english dictionary cause we all speak french

   

For health care - you just pay taxes and voila - free healthcare. Except if you lose your job or become useless like myself the rest of us pick up the tab. Works well, wait times are to be expected but if you get hit from behind in hockey and need an X-ray, CT Scan or MRI you get bumped to the front of the line. I waited 15 minutes for an MRI once but I arrived by ambulance and don't remember so that might be a rumour. They had to cut my shoulder pads off so I had to pay for new ones...the rink paid for the ambulance I don't know what that cost. Prolly $150 or $300 or something.

Education is paid by the government up to secondary but most of post-secondary is heavily subsidised. That is why universities like foreign students they have to foot the whole bill themselves.

Toques are subsidised too.

   

I'll loan you a toque, I have plenty.
Health care in Alberta is free now (as of Jan 1st this year)of course taxation covers it really, and wait times do suck, if you got the sniffles or need 3 or 4 stiches just go to a clinic, we used to pay monthly though most employers with a good medical plan paid for me.
The education systems are about par, I think Canadians tend to learn alot more about the outside world than Americans though.
Truthfully it's good to see someone wanting to come here from south of the border.

   

I'm assuming this is also your introduction then but hey!

I feel the same way about moving there. But I would really research EVERYTHING and visit FREQUENTLY almost everywhere too see if it is really right for you. And reading your post...I would do some more research and learning

Also how do you plan to apply? Are you doing a skilled worker visa? If you would like to do that you will need about $10,500. ($10,000 in proof of funds and about $500 for the applications alone). Another way to do it is to find a job up there and not have to pay the $10,000 in funds. And most likely your employer will pay for the application. Also once you do all that you will need to wait....about 2 years or more.

It is a very long process and you REALLY REALLY REALLY need to make sure you want to do this.

I have been researching this since I was about 14 and am still wanting to go through with it. I also have been visiting different parts of Canada multiple times a year since I was a kid. Not to mention, my dads side of the family lived in Canada before coming to the states. Also I don't plan on starting the application process until I graduate college.

   

Get a visa and go from there

Proof of funds for a family of 4 is 20 grand. Application for a family, over $ 1000.

Oh and what you also need is a skill that is in demand here (for the past 5 years) (without it, you won't even be considered an applicant) AND you need a shitload of patience.

For more info, see cic.gc.ca
Everything you want to know is on there.

Good luck!

   

Thanks to everyone for the info...but come on, don't give me shit for asking about this stuff. The whole reason I asked these questions was to gain a better understanding. I don't really trust what I read on websites because they're designed to sell the country to you. I wanted honest answers from common people who live there, which is exactly what I got. I just don't appreciate being made fun of for being off base.

   

a student visa will allow you to work entry level jobs while you are in school.

a degree will get you a good job

a good job by an employer that wants you, will allow you to stay while you are processing the proper paperwork.

......i think

   

BTW. Canadian Tire money is more stable than the canadian dollar.

   

This is Canada, if you don't have a sense of humOUR, you're not welcome

   

If you want "common people's" opinions you'll have to go elsewhere. Everyone here is EXCEPTIONAL!

   

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