what is canada really like?
 

I'm just wondering if anyone can give me any information about the health care system in canada.
Also, what are Montreal and Toronto like in general? Like general weather, area, culture, people etc.
What is the education system like, is it more like the UK or US? Thanks :)

Is this perhaps a school assignment?

No not a school project, am starting a midwifery degree at university and in the 3rd year we can go to another country for 3 weeks to do it. I don't want to live in the UK when I'm older, so would like to go somewhere where I'd consider living. Canada and new zealand are the places I like the look of but want to know more from people who live there:)

I hear it can get a bit chilly!

It's cold up there :(

Where is he? :(

:) @ Dayenu. I thought maybe it was Cold!

Yeah I'm not too bothered about the cold, I prefer it to the heat! Just want to know like how the snow effects peoples day to day lives etc as don't get too much here so wouldn't be used to it!
Sorry I don't understand, 'where is he'?

Thanks for the replies:)

Canada is much colder than the UK. In Quebec province they speak French (and I believe all school children in Canada must learn French) rather than English - so unless you are fluent that could present a problem.

Toronto is a reasonably sized modern city with all of the basics you would expect.

The health care model is definitely european and not american - however I know nothing about specific requirements for advanced degree nurses. You would be best to contact the Canadian Association of Nurse Midwives in order to get info on education requirements for licensure.

http://www.canadianmidwives.org/useful-links.html

A quick look shows that the programs seem to prefer at least one year of university before entrance to a midwifery program and that minimum salaries for midwives range for $66K to $95K per year. How one would ago about obtaining licensure from a program in another country I'm not sure. Probably one would have to match up courses (assuming grades of B or more) and then see if there were any significant gaps or differences in the curriculum. Unlike in the US, midwives it seems are not required to first have nursing degrees.

You should consider Vancouver on the west coast of Canada. It is one of the most beautiful, diverse cities in the world. The climate is moderate (much like Seattle and NOT colder than the UK) Rain but not a lot of snow except on the local mountains. We have universal healthcare, an excellent education system and all the usual city amenities. Vancouver is situated between the ocean on one side and mountains on the other with lots of opportunity for year round outdoor pursuits.

I think none of the posters who answered live in Canada.
Snow in Toronto ( don't know Montreal) is not much of a problem
Last year there was hardly any . On occasion it can be very cold but no longer than for a couple of weeks. Not much of a spring, summers are usually hot.

"Sorry I don't understand, 'where is he'?"

That was a reference to a Candadian poster whose screenname is "colduphere"

One season does not a history make.

Thank you so much for that link, it was really helpful. Wow 66000-95000 is a lot! I looked on that website and it looks like I would have to do a 9 month course to be able to practise as a midwife in Canada-which is a lot less than I expected. Has anyone had experience with canadian midwives? Are they like Uk midwives (the person the woman sees throughout the pregnancy, who is the person to deliver the baby, and also sees for the next few weeks after the birth) or more like the american ways.
Do you know if Candian midwives are paid by the government?

I'm not fluent in french as I only have a gcse in it. When I looked it up I thought that only a small part of Canada spoke french, is english the main language?
I haven't looked into Vancouver yet, I will do that now but it does sound good. Does anyone know anything about Toronto as that was the place I liked the look of, and its also where the 9 month course is.

What is the general culture like in Canada? Is it a religious place and is it quite a liberal place? Thanks for all your answers

I live in Canada danon and am familiar with all of the cities raised by the other posters. I agree there is a perception that we all live in igloos by many of our international friends. It is not true! Canada is a very large and varied country with a good economy and relatively low unemployment rate. It consistently ranks high on the UN top 10 list for quality of life.

sorry piruette...

Canad is a liberal country....the Official Opposition is NDP,
more or less a socialist party.
Toronto is a big city, multicultural, nice like front and vibrant downtown.
We have an Opera House, a great Art gallery, a world class
Film Festival., zillion restaurants and clubs.
To work in Quebec ( a big part of Canada) you have to speak French.

Pardon my ignorance, who is using midwives? Women who give birth at home?

If yes, why? Why not go to a hospital - is this because the lack of health insurance?

I think some women prefer a midwife
In Canada, everyone has health insurance.

katiethwaites1, the following website is a good starting point for many of your questions.

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-fact book/

A woman can use a midwife either at home or in the hospital.