Ten Things Americans Should Know About Living In Canada

Americans are having plenty of political discussions lately. Despite the economic recovery, many feel the US is still going in the wrong direction. With politicians acting like clowns parading around car crashes, a growing number of normally proud citizens are saying, “I’m embarrassed to be American.”

In 2012, I made the HUGE decision to pack up and drive from my humble abode in the hidden hills of Los Angeles to be with my Canadian boyfriend. Now I call Calgary, Canada home.

Canada is a big country with long, cold winters. Its fresh air, clear blue lakes, rivers, and lush green mountains are some of the most beautiful in the world. Besides the obvious for the experienced American traveller (Canada has its own currency. We don’t live in igloos. They actually say, “Hey” more than “Eh”) there are some lesser-known observations about the country that Americans should be aware of if they decide to pursue moving north of the border come November 8th.

1. You need a passport. I know this seems obvious, but after many conversations with Americans, I realize it’s not. Once upon a time (before 9/11) a driver’s license was enough for travel to Mexico or Canada. Not anymore. Not only do you need a passport but also a clean record (no felonies). Canada Border Services can be very detailed in their questioning. Driving up here, I was prepared with paperwork to show my freelance writing credentials and the ability to support myself while visiting. I brought only enough items for six months and left when I was supposed to. Which brings me to my second point…
2. If you want to work, you better do your homework before you arrive. Citizenship & Immigration Canada (CIC) is light-years ahead of the US when it comes to inviting skilled labour to legally work in the country. Once a year, a list of jobs to be filled is posted on the CIC website. People from around the world can then apply for the skilled immigrant jobs and work permits available. When a job has been offered and the process completed, you’re then invited to live here. 
    
    There was a slowdown in the Canadian economy in 2015. As a result, the government terminated many skilled immigrant permits and these workers had to go home, period. In December, I went to a border patrol office to update my visitor record and witnessed two women who overstayed their welcomes being deported to their respective European countries. Ouch. With that, I implore Americans, don’t enter the country thinking a job “under the table” will be available. For the most part, these jobs don’t exist for foreigners. The Canadian Government has a comprehensive system of immigration. Something the US should consider.
3. Americans love to speculate about socialized medicine. Though I can only speak from personal experience, I have to admit, there are pro and cons to both our systems. The biggest pro for the Canadian system is the peace of mind I have that, as a resident, I’m covered. The setback, which is hard for us “convenience” loving Americans is if you have a unique circumstance, such as fertility issues, or need a hip replacement, you’re placed on a waiting list for a specialist or surgery which can take anywhere from two months to over a year. Having been in such a situation, it can be nerve-wracking. The care I’ve received by specialists in Canada is on par with the US, and I’ve even been “fast tracked” a couple times for appointments. Each province has its own database of residents’ medical records. There’s no need for patients to request one hospital to send information to another because their information is shared between clinics, hospitals, blood labs, etc. And lastly, taxes are higher in Canada to pay for government services like health care. So unless it’s life or death, one learns patience, perhaps takes up meditation. If your health concern is urgent, you won’t be denied, have to mortgage your home or break bad. That can be pretty reassuring.
4. Socialism does have limitations. For example, Target had to close its doors after just one year here. Government guidelines for non-national corporations like Target mandate a certain amount of Canadian products be placed on the shelves. As Targets across the country opened their doors, the loonie (another name for the Canadian dollar) declined. Canadian shoppers anticipated the same bargains and product selection they find south of their border were disappointed. As a result, Target didn’t attract regulars and lost millions. Such government overreach is also a problem with Canadian Netflix. Here, we’re paying nearly the same monthly subscription price but receive half the content as the US. This issue has to do with licensing (as in all countries) but government mandate on content also plays a role. Some Canadians cleverly rerouted their IP addresses to receive US Netflix, but the government came down on Netflix and Netflix came down its northern subscribers. BOO!!!
5. Our accents are similar but our cultural attitudes can be very different. We may all be North Americans and like our North American sports, food, and music… But speaking the same language doesn’t mean communication is clear. Canada is a British Commonwealth country. So when it comes to disagreements or bringing attention to themselves, unless it’s 1am at a bar, generally they’re more like Brits and tend to shy away from open conflict. Many Brits like to participate in healthy debates as long as social rules of polite, thoughtful banter, rounded off with witty comebacks are applied. Cultural etiquette in each Canadian province is as different as California is to Alabama, but here in Alberta (the oil-rich province that sometimes seems more like Texas with snow) people can become very uncomfortable with disagreements. So know your audience. This concept can evade us Americans. With a little understanding of our differences, I’ve become friends with some genuinely kind Canadians, not just “nice” stereotypes (I’m too direct for people who take social etiquette in any country too seriously) but people that actually like my boisterous AmeriCAN-DO attitude. It’s no longer strange to me when my sarcasm receives little to no response or when I decidedly include a complete stranger to a thought out-loud only to be greeted with a shy, slightly frightened smile. Being a confident American is admired but bravado has its limits outside the USA.
6. The spelling of words is British English but grammar rules are American. It took me a few years, questions and Google searches to figure this out. But more or less that’s how they roll. Distances are measured in kilometres, height and weight in feet and pounds, gas in litres, fuel efficiency in miles to the gallon, temperature in Celsius, houses in square feet. So become familiar with both metric and imperial systems.
7. There are a lot of bathrooms and they’re really clean. I know this is “left-field” but it’s an observation my cousin made when he was in the NFL and would travel to Toronto with friends. I laughed when he mentioned it because it’s true! New houses seem to have a bathroom for each bedroom. They call them washrooms but Canadians know what a bathroom is and aren’t going to be tripped up by most American terms. Most public toilets don’t provide seat covers. If this worries you, you’ll have to go the ol’ toilet paper on the seat route.
8. If your favourite holiday is Thanksgiving, you’re in luck because you get two! Canadians don’t celebrate Memorial Day but they get a long weekend a week before and call it Victoria Day (after Queen Victoria). Canada Day is the 1st of July and feels like 4th of July, another double whammy for us to celebrate. Boxing Day, the day after Christmas, is pretty much a kick back/do nothing or visit family and close friends holiday.
9. Get accustomed to taking off your shoes inside someone’s home. Between the damp, mud, salt, gravel or whatever else is attracted to the bottom of shoes, floors and rugs would be filthy otherwise. It’s a great habit more Americans should take up in the States too.
10. Canada has tight restrictions on possessing firearms and all weapons must be declared at the border. Check the guidelines here: http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/pub/bsf5044-eng.html. I gather from conversations that many Canadians like their guns and their gun laws. If Americans want to live here, they should like them too.

So there you go, I brainstormed hard to get ‘er done! Canadians, feel free to add what you think Americans should also know.