Travelers, does Canada seem more relaxed and laid back than America?
Mar 23rd, 2007, 02:38 AM
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Travelers, does Canada seem more relaxed and laid back than America?
Last summer I went on a long 1000 mile driving trip across Central and Western Canada. I have some observations:
I did not see any really bad neighborhoods in Canada.
It seemed like there was less crime than the United States.
I was told that Canada does not have as many of the social problems we have in America. They have better schools, less drug use, less violence, less racism, few illegal aliens, and a generally more middle class culture. Fewer people are very wealthy or poor.
I found Canada to be more like America from 30 years ago.
Was I seeing Canada through rose colored glasses?
I did not see any really bad neighborhoods in Canada.
It seemed like there was less crime than the United States.
I was told that Canada does not have as many of the social problems we have in America. They have better schools, less drug use, less violence, less racism, few illegal aliens, and a generally more middle class culture. Fewer people are very wealthy or poor.
I found Canada to be more like America from 30 years ago.
Was I seeing Canada through rose colored glasses?
Mar 23rd, 2007, 08:04 AM
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Comparing Canada and the USA requires subdividing both countries.
As a general rule, small Canadiancities are more laid back than big American cities.
But big Canadian cities are a lot more lively than sleepy US towns.
That';s why we often ask people who use Fodors to give us some idea where they are from. Then we can send them somewhere different from home.
About things like schools -- depends on where you are comparing.
There are a lot of excellent schools in the USA -- it seems in many cases to depend on the pirncipal. It's possible that city-wide, Canada's schools are better than the USA, but then you need to define "better." Higher scores in math tests, or greater ability to think and create, for instance.
About the only genuine, for sure, almost everywhere difference; in the USA there is a wider variety of pretty good (not great, not mediocre, but pretty good) places where travellers can get a meal at a fair price. Shoney's, Bob Evans, Denny's, Applebees, Cracker Barrel, and so on.
As far as fast food goes, it's pretty much the same on either side of the border, except we have more Tim Hortons.
As a general rule, small Canadiancities are more laid back than big American cities.
But big Canadian cities are a lot more lively than sleepy US towns.
That';s why we often ask people who use Fodors to give us some idea where they are from. Then we can send them somewhere different from home.
About things like schools -- depends on where you are comparing.
There are a lot of excellent schools in the USA -- it seems in many cases to depend on the pirncipal. It's possible that city-wide, Canada's schools are better than the USA, but then you need to define "better." Higher scores in math tests, or greater ability to think and create, for instance.
About the only genuine, for sure, almost everywhere difference; in the USA there is a wider variety of pretty good (not great, not mediocre, but pretty good) places where travellers can get a meal at a fair price. Shoney's, Bob Evans, Denny's, Applebees, Cracker Barrel, and so on.
As far as fast food goes, it's pretty much the same on either side of the border, except we have more Tim Hortons.
Mar 23rd, 2007, 08:17 AM
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Quebec is far different from Alberta; Montreal is most unlike Toronto which is most unlike Calgary which is most unlike Vancouver.
I would hate to get involved in comparisons.
The Canadian educational system is better in some instances, but not all of them.
We have a big disparity in the US. Take a look at the SAT scores of the students graduating from a big high school in am affluent area with those from a little high school in a lower income area.
I live in a county where the hard core poverty rate is high and self perpetuating. Standardized test results show it, but worse still, the school drop out rate shows it.
I would hate to get involved in comparisons.
The Canadian educational system is better in some instances, but not all of them.
We have a big disparity in the US. Take a look at the SAT scores of the students graduating from a big high school in am affluent area with those from a little high school in a lower income area.
I live in a county where the hard core poverty rate is high and self perpetuating. Standardized test results show it, but worse still, the school drop out rate shows it.
Mar 23rd, 2007, 02:51 PM
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We consider ourselves to be closet Canadians, although we live in the Seattle area. We watch the Canadian news from Vancouver every night, and just as is the case with the first ten minutes of our local news, the first ten minutes of the Canadian news always seems to be devoted to car crashes, home invasions, rapes, murders, assaults, etc. To that extent, then, there is no difference.
There is a bright line dividing Canadian politicians and our own, however. Our government officials are escorted everywhere by platoons of folks talking into their sleeves, driven in limousines with darkened windows, protected in very visible ways. Canadian officials, up to an including the Prime Minister, can be seen on political satire shows, invite the media to their homes for interviews, and their security measures are not nearly as visible. One satire show regular used to dress up like Wonder Woman, complete with sword, and accost politicos in the halls of government, and the suits always played along. In the US, she would have been maced and spreadeagled on the floor as soon as she brought her sword within 100 yards of the building.
Having said that, we love to visit Canada and do so as often as possible.
There is a bright line dividing Canadian politicians and our own, however. Our government officials are escorted everywhere by platoons of folks talking into their sleeves, driven in limousines with darkened windows, protected in very visible ways. Canadian officials, up to an including the Prime Minister, can be seen on political satire shows, invite the media to their homes for interviews, and their security measures are not nearly as visible. One satire show regular used to dress up like Wonder Woman, complete with sword, and accost politicos in the halls of government, and the suits always played along. In the US, she would have been maced and spreadeagled on the floor as soon as she brought her sword within 100 yards of the building.
Having said that, we love to visit Canada and do so as often as possible.
Mar 23rd, 2007, 07:44 PM
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Check the current issue of Time Magazine, and the story on what other countries have that "we" don't.
In it they reference the top cities on earth for "quality of life", and of course the USA doesn't crack the top 20, while Vancouver sits snug at number three.
Of course Canada is "better" in most ways, but don't forget who foots the bill for their national defense (just by association).
Despite Vancouver's "quality of life" distinction, they also have a small area near downtown rated "the poorest Postal Code in Canada". It is an area where just about anybody could walk through at midnight and not have major cause for concern.
Some of thedingler's observations and comparisons aren't really fair. Of course a smaller country with fewer races will have less racism.
Figure out the last time that America had 35 million people or so and go that far back to recall when America was somewhat similar to the Canada of today. 35 million people in the world's second-largest country, and perhaps some of your answers lie in that factor.
In it they reference the top cities on earth for "quality of life", and of course the USA doesn't crack the top 20, while Vancouver sits snug at number three.
Of course Canada is "better" in most ways, but don't forget who foots the bill for their national defense (just by association).
Despite Vancouver's "quality of life" distinction, they also have a small area near downtown rated "the poorest Postal Code in Canada". It is an area where just about anybody could walk through at midnight and not have major cause for concern.
Some of thedingler's observations and comparisons aren't really fair. Of course a smaller country with fewer races will have less racism.
Figure out the last time that America had 35 million people or so and go that far back to recall when America was somewhat similar to the Canada of today. 35 million people in the world's second-largest country, and perhaps some of your answers lie in that factor.
Mar 23rd, 2007, 10:10 PM
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Yeah, I agree, Canada has less crime and more social benefits. We are known for our friendliness. But let's remember we have a smaller population than the u.s. and are younger than the u.s. hmm, wonder if that maters.
Well ciao
Theresa
www.nomadwannabe.com
Well ciao
Theresa
www.nomadwannabe.com
Mar 27th, 2007, 02:14 PM
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<<don't forget who foots the bill for their national defense (just by association)>>
I'm sure the families of those Canadians who are fighting and dying this minute over in American-mess-istan would love to hear more on your views about this. They might have an entirely different perspective, though, on just who exactly is footing the bill for this "association".
<<Of course a smaller country with fewer races will have less racism>>
Fewer races? Are you kidding?
I suppose Canada might have fewer races than, say, Battlestar Galactica.
I'm sure the families of those Canadians who are fighting and dying this minute over in American-mess-istan would love to hear more on your views about this. They might have an entirely different perspective, though, on just who exactly is footing the bill for this "association".
<<Of course a smaller country with fewer races will have less racism>>
Fewer races? Are you kidding?
I suppose Canada might have fewer races than, say, Battlestar Galactica.
Mar 27th, 2007, 08:43 PM
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Canada has less crime but that is soon changing...grow-ops are becoming quite rampant in Vancouver, drugs, and the justice system is so lax that criminals are "fleeing" to Canada. The Cdn government prevents criminals from being extradited to their home country (where the crime took place) if that criminal could possibly face the death penalty. Canada treats criminals quite well and If you're unlucky enough to get "life in prison" without parole for 25 years then no worries, you'll be out on day passes in 8. If you're young & able to work, you can also apply for welfare so you now have money for smokes. Probably Canada is still safer than the US but sadly things sure aren't what they were even a decadea ago...
Mar 28th, 2007, 09:36 AM
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"Of course a smaller country with fewer races will have less racism."
You really believe Canada's a smaller country with fewer races? Population-wise it's smaller, but you're kidding yourself if you think there are fewer races in Canada than in the USA.
You really believe Canada's a smaller country with fewer races? Population-wise it's smaller, but you're kidding yourself if you think there are fewer races in Canada than in the USA.
Mar 28th, 2007, 10:32 AM
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Canada has a lot of racism and the bigotry against moslems is becoming more evident. Ask any first nations person in Saskatchewan, black in Nova Scotia or East Indian in Vancouver. In this regard, Canadians are not any better than anyone else, particularly Americans, we are just more self- rightious.
As for National Defence, Canada 's sacrifice in both World Wars was as great as anyone of the Allies except Russia's.
As for National Defence, Canada 's sacrifice in both World Wars was as great as anyone of the Allies except Russia's.
Mar 30th, 2007, 07:27 PM
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It seems that Canadians are seeing far more "races" than actually reside there in any representation just because two, three or seven unique races buy up all of the homes in some neighborhoods. Just because you're surrounded by Hong Kong immigrants doesn't mean you can pretend they comprise more than one or two "races" among them.
Now which of you is going to continue to dispute the fact that Canada clearly has "less racism" than does the USA?
And which of you is going to continue to dispute that Canada has fewer races among its population than does the USA, which has nearly ten times as many inhabitants?
Have you been smoking that BC Bud?
Now which of you is going to continue to dispute the fact that Canada clearly has "less racism" than does the USA?
And which of you is going to continue to dispute that Canada has fewer races among its population than does the USA, which has nearly ten times as many inhabitants?
Have you been smoking that BC Bud?
Mar 31st, 2007, 03:33 AM
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Northwest Male,
Canada is one of the most diverse countries on the planet. I can't even imagine where you are getting your 'information' on diversity.
In my workplace in the Toronto area we have people who have come here directly from
Afghanistan,
Pakistan
India
Sri Lanka,
Phillipines
Taiwan
Mainland China /Hong Kong
Vietnam,
Cambodia
Ireland,
England
Scotland
Germany
Austria
Portugal
Malta
Greece
Hungary
Jamaica
Trinidad
Costa Rica
Ecuador
Nicaragua
El Salvador
Columbia
Brazil
Argentina
Iraq
Lebanon
Ethiopia
And this is just 'off the top of my head' sitting here. I know there are several more African and former soviet bloc countries represented.
cheers
Jerry
Canada is one of the most diverse countries on the planet. I can't even imagine where you are getting your 'information' on diversity.
In my workplace in the Toronto area we have people who have come here directly from
Afghanistan,
Pakistan
India
Sri Lanka,
Phillipines
Taiwan
Mainland China /Hong Kong
Vietnam,
Cambodia
Ireland,
England
Scotland
Germany
Austria
Portugal
Malta
Greece
Hungary
Jamaica
Trinidad
Costa Rica
Ecuador
Nicaragua
El Salvador
Columbia
Brazil
Argentina
Iraq
Lebanon
Ethiopia
And this is just 'off the top of my head' sitting here. I know there are several more African and former soviet bloc countries represented.
cheers
Jerry
Mar 31st, 2007, 11:05 AM
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Jerry is completely accurate, even on an anecdotal basis.
=D>
Canada is known as a cultural mosaic. These statistics are 2 years old, but should illustrate the facts:
Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population.
2005-01-25.
Visible minority population in Canada
Total population 29,639,035
Total visible minority population 3,983,845
Black 662,210
South Asian 917,075
Chinese 1,029,395
Korean 100,660
Japanese 73,315
Southeast Asian 198,880
Filipino 308,575
Arab/West Asian 303,965
Latin American 216,975
Visible minority, not included elsewhere 98,920
Multiple visible minority 73,875
Of course these are only for visible minorities, which do not include the thousands of other people of all nationalities who find homes here.
The biggest difference in our cultures are
guns
not colour.
=D>
Canada is known as a cultural mosaic. These statistics are 2 years old, but should illustrate the facts:
Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population.
2005-01-25.
Visible minority population in Canada
Total population 29,639,035
Total visible minority population 3,983,845
Black 662,210
South Asian 917,075
Chinese 1,029,395
Korean 100,660
Japanese 73,315
Southeast Asian 198,880
Filipino 308,575
Arab/West Asian 303,965
Latin American 216,975
Visible minority, not included elsewhere 98,920
Multiple visible minority 73,875
Of course these are only for visible minorities, which do not include the thousands of other people of all nationalities who find homes here.
The biggest difference in our cultures are
guns
not colour.
Apr 4th, 2007, 02:44 PM
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Northwestmale, I agree with you that Canada does not have same level of systemic racism and social segregation (especially between blacks and whites) that the US does, for various and obvious reasons.
But you are really talking out of your *ss with this "Canada has less races" theory. What are you basing it on?
(I think I can safely assume you haven't been to Toronto recently for any significant length of time)
But you are really talking out of your *ss with this "Canada has less races" theory. What are you basing it on?
(I think I can safely assume you haven't been to Toronto recently for any significant length of time)
Apr 18th, 2008, 02:38 AM
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"Northwestmale, I agree with you that Canada does not have same level of systemic racism and social segregation (especially between blacks and whites) that the US does, for various and obvious reasons. "
How would you know???? Canada has very few blacks and in many place none so it's impossible to make that judgement.
"But you are really talking out of your *ss with this "Canada has less races" theory. What are you basing it on?"
Canada has mostly various asian groups whereas the US has blacks,hispanics and asians. While I was in Canada, I could count the number of blacks and hispanics on one hand and that was in both Vancouver and Toronto.
"(I think I can safely assume you haven't been to Toronto recently for any significant length of time) "
Yes, I have. A lot of asian groups but not much of anything else.
How would you know???? Canada has very few blacks and in many place none so it's impossible to make that judgement.
"But you are really talking out of your *ss with this "Canada has less races" theory. What are you basing it on?"
Canada has mostly various asian groups whereas the US has blacks,hispanics and asians. While I was in Canada, I could count the number of blacks and hispanics on one hand and that was in both Vancouver and Toronto.
"(I think I can safely assume you haven't been to Toronto recently for any significant length of time) "
Yes, I have. A lot of asian groups but not much of anything else.
Apr 18th, 2008, 08:59 AM
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Just coincidentally, I heard someone on the radio yesterday talking about a high school in Toronto where (and I may not have these figures exact, but they're close) something like 59 countries were represented and 47 languages were spoken.
Yes, Toronto does have a very large Asian population (and that includes Asians from many, many countries) but there is also a large African and Caribbean population. It's one of the reasons we get millions of visitors every summer for our Caribana festival. I'd agree that we probably don't have as large a Hispanic population as the US, but Black population? We sure do!
Yes, Toronto does have a very large Asian population (and that includes Asians from many, many countries) but there is also a large African and Caribbean population. It's one of the reasons we get millions of visitors every summer for our Caribana festival. I'd agree that we probably don't have as large a Hispanic population as the US, but Black population? We sure do!
Apr 18th, 2008, 09:04 AM
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