She doesn't.
Non-Canadians, what do you really think of Canada?
- Thread starter bananafactory
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She doesn't.
shadyspace
Banned
She's the Queen of Canada and your head of state.
Doesn't the governor general hold some of the power in Canada and isn't the governor general the representative of the queen?
Ganzlinger
Member
One of the best countries to live. A model country, basically.
Oppo
Member
sort of. GG is more of a hood ornament.
It's a place I'd like to visit due to how pretty it is, and there are a couple cities I'd like to visit as well.
Don't really think about it too much. Think it has good healthcare and good education. Shitty sports as I dislike hockey, and the CFL is pretty poor. Too cold in most of the country.
Don't really think about it too much. Think it has good healthcare and good education. Shitty sports as I dislike hockey, and the CFL is pretty poor. Too cold in most of the country.
That's my experience as well. Especially when I met Canadians going for a trip outside of Canada. All things considered, Canada is definitely more like US than Europe.
Constantly ranks among the best in education, healthcare, cleanliness, business prospects, places to live, etc. Very good global contribution (science, diplomacy, trade, entertainment, etc.). Had the best city in the world recognition five years in a row. Low corruption and crime rate. Fantastic human/civil rights. Flexible and effective government system. Open minded culture and both welcoming and being welcomed at a global stage. Achieved independence diplomatically.
Fantastic place and a positive beacon of our species.
And they have a globally recognized great sense of humor. Here's a piece about a general thing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29g57XTYgLE
Fantastic place and a positive beacon of our species.
And they have a globally recognized great sense of humor. Here's a piece about a general thing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29g57XTYgLE
It's more symbolic than anything, like Nerd gun said. We gained full legal independence from Britain in 1982 thanks to Pierre Trudeau, but we're still a constitutional monarchy. Queen Elizabeth can't stop us from doing anything today.
The Governor General is more of a representative of Canada now than of the Queen.
That's what the gloooooowwRIAS AND FREEEEEEE is for.
dragonlife
Member
Canadians, please fuck me.
Nope, it's just as hollow and mainly for symbolic purposes as the UK is.
This is sadly still true.
You are absolutely right with this one. And nope, no one is ever on the news.
Professor Beef
Banned
That's TREASON
I like Canada! I only just visited it for the first time about a month ago (Montreal, specifically), but I had a great time. People were very friendly, lots of amazing food and activities, and the shitty economy made for an excellent exchange rate! 
For real, though, Canada was rad. I'll go back for sure.
For real, though, Canada was rad. I'll go back for sure.
Necromanti
Member
A smaller (but better) version of the U.S.
I've been there once, in Montreal visiting one of my sisters who married a local and live there, i'm mexican.
I think it's a grest place and i specially liked how people seemed to enjoy hanging out in parks and in the open, i was there during the summer of course.
I did get the impression in many stores that people didn't want to speak english to me, i know not everyone speaks english maybe but it seemed some of the people working in retail for example refused to talk to me even when they could.
I think it's a grest place and i specially liked how people seemed to enjoy hanging out in parks and in the open, i was there during the summer of course.
I did get the impression in many stores that people didn't want to speak english to me, i know not everyone speaks english maybe but it seemed some of the people working in retail for example refused to talk to me even when they could.
I've been to Canada multiple times as an Irishman, my sister lived there for three years as well, and this is pretty much my read on the place.
If I was being unkind I'd say that Canada is like Canadians themselves: pleasant but ultimately a little dull for being so pleasant. When that's the worst thing you can say about a place then that place is doing pretty fucking well.
French Canada was much more exciting and I met a lot more interesting characters there. But harder to get on with the people than in the rest of Canada.
I found places like Calgary and towns way out in the open the most dull, I found Vancounver to be stunningly British and European in feel, and I found Old Quebec in the snow with the castle to be utterly gorgeous and charming. The countryside was beautiful pretty much everywhere, though.
Overall I'd give it 9/10. Loses a mark for poutine. Jesus Christ, fuck that.
zoleristec
Member
I honestly couldn't give less of a fuck about Canada.
That's an issue mainly exclusive to Quebec which is dominantly Francophone.
bananafactory
Banned
C00kie M0nster
Member
I'm a non-Canadian living in Ontario, Canada for the past 5 years (work visa). Great country with great people is the nicest part of it really. Beautiful countryside with well constructed cities. Toronto and Vancouver are gorgeous.
That said I've had serious issues with the health care system here. I'd happily ignore the high 13% tax rate if it worked in a relatively quick fashion. My personal experience was that I tore my ACL in September of 2014 playing soccer. I told them I needed an MRI. They refused and gave me an ultrasound. After doing that two months later, they found nothing and they told me to wait a month to see if I still had problems. I went back a month later and they scheduled an MRI two months later. I had it done and they scheduled me to see a surgeon so I could make my decision with him whether or not I wanted the operation done. This was also done... two months later. I went and finally had my surgery scheduled!!! For August 7th, 2015. I haven't even had it yet. It's almost been a year since I've been injured. Frankly, it's a joke from my own personal experience. I'd much rather pay for health insurance and have the surgery within a month or two tops.
The economy was great when I moved here and things were relatively affordable. Alcohol was always expensive due to it being government run. It was very weird for me to not see liquor stores on every corner. Eating out is also pretty expensive. In the States, I could eat out all the time. Up here I've had to alter how often I'd eat out because of how pricey it was if you have a drink and app/dessert.
The economy worsened over the last year which has impacted a vast majority of my entertainment purchases whether it be gaming, travelling or various other types of outings. The dollar is so poor right now it's tough to do too much unless you're making a lot of bank. I personally am not in a position to "worry" about money but I have to think about every financial decision a lot more than I used to.
It may sound like I don't like Canada but that's the furthest thing from the truth. This place has welcomed me for five years (and counting) of my life. I'll forever be grateful to the people here. I've learned a lot. I've done community service here coaching young girls' soccer for three years so far. Most importantly, I met my fiance here. My fiance and I are moving to the States after my employment is up. She prefers the States to Canada quite a bit. However, I'll be back here yearly for as long as I live I imagine.
TLDR: Canada is a country with some economical and governmental issues (like all countries) but has people and scenery I'll never forget for the rest of my life.
That said I've had serious issues with the health care system here. I'd happily ignore the high 13% tax rate if it worked in a relatively quick fashion. My personal experience was that I tore my ACL in September of 2014 playing soccer. I told them I needed an MRI. They refused and gave me an ultrasound. After doing that two months later, they found nothing and they told me to wait a month to see if I still had problems. I went back a month later and they scheduled an MRI two months later. I had it done and they scheduled me to see a surgeon so I could make my decision with him whether or not I wanted the operation done. This was also done... two months later. I went and finally had my surgery scheduled!!! For August 7th, 2015. I haven't even had it yet. It's almost been a year since I've been injured. Frankly, it's a joke from my own personal experience. I'd much rather pay for health insurance and have the surgery within a month or two tops.
The economy was great when I moved here and things were relatively affordable. Alcohol was always expensive due to it being government run. It was very weird for me to not see liquor stores on every corner. Eating out is also pretty expensive. In the States, I could eat out all the time. Up here I've had to alter how often I'd eat out because of how pricey it was if you have a drink and app/dessert.
The economy worsened over the last year which has impacted a vast majority of my entertainment purchases whether it be gaming, travelling or various other types of outings. The dollar is so poor right now it's tough to do too much unless you're making a lot of bank. I personally am not in a position to "worry" about money but I have to think about every financial decision a lot more than I used to.
It may sound like I don't like Canada but that's the furthest thing from the truth. This place has welcomed me for five years (and counting) of my life. I'll forever be grateful to the people here. I've learned a lot. I've done community service here coaching young girls' soccer for three years so far. Most importantly, I met my fiance here. My fiance and I are moving to the States after my employment is up. She prefers the States to Canada quite a bit. However, I'll be back here yearly for as long as I live I imagine.
TLDR: Canada is a country with some economical and governmental issues (like all countries) but has people and scenery I'll never forget for the rest of my life.
Mr. Giggles
Member
Ehhhhhh....
The shitty roads, constant construction and ridiculous corruption in the local municipalities are negatives for the province..
Then we have the language police...soooo
TwEE-N-Toast
Banned
Real Canada? The Maritimes you mean?
excelsiorlef
Member
Probably because the majority of the population lives in the southern part of the country. It's a lot of unused land, really.
That's how we reserve our beautiful scenery, though. And save ourselves from freezing, all at once.
-----
How do you people hate poutine?
Impressions of Canada (it's pretty much an extension of the northern states on the border without some of our issues but without some of the benefits as well). I mean no offense to Canadians, but you're nowhere near as racially diverse as the United States.
Impressions of Canadians on neogaf is that they can be passively aggressive about some of the weird Candianisms and yet the other times be super humble and stuff, and Kave picks the weirdest teams to root for.
Impressions of Canadians on neogaf is that they can be passively aggressive about some of the weird Candianisms and yet the other times be super humble and stuff, and Kave picks the weirdest teams to root for.
Celine Dion and Justin Bieber.
to echo this, I had a constant headache for three months last winter that was deemed serious enough for an appointment with a neurologist. That appointment won't happen until next month
Good thing it wasn't anything serious
Waiting times in Vancouver are outrageous
Splatterpunk
Member
Voivod, Razor... Sacrifice? Infernal Majesty? What else? Not that great for a whole country. Though Voivod is worth 50 bands. I tend to think more of the french metal scene when it comes to Canadian representation.
Anyway OT, I've never been, would love to go. I'm down in NY so Montreal is just a little too far to just do a day or two trip. All the Canadians I've met, even the french ones have been nice enough.
Remember America, you made him that way.
Englishman here. I've only been to Banff, Fernie and Whistler, but many times, and one of those trips was a 6 month stay in Banff about 10 years ago for the ski season.
Incredible country. Love it to bits. The scenery, the wildlife, but especially the natives. I met so many amazing people, and was constantly taken aback by just how nice everyone was. And in a genuine way too, not that fake put-on bullshit. I remember being legit shocked at how I was treated like a king in McDonalds. In fact, customer service was amazing everywhere and I found myself pre-emptively apologising to Canadians should they ever visit the UK for the shocking level of service and general rudeness they should expect.
I always find it funny how the US generally pokes fun at Canada. All people who I know who have experience with both countries tend to agree that Canada is the superior country, and it's not even close. I would move there in a heartbeat if I could (failing that, I'd take New Zealand, love that place too).
Incredible country. Love it to bits. The scenery, the wildlife, but especially the natives. I met so many amazing people, and was constantly taken aback by just how nice everyone was. And in a genuine way too, not that fake put-on bullshit. I remember being legit shocked at how I was treated like a king in McDonalds. In fact, customer service was amazing everywhere and I found myself pre-emptively apologising to Canadians should they ever visit the UK for the shocking level of service and general rudeness they should expect.
I always find it funny how the US generally pokes fun at Canada. All people who I know who have experience with both countries tend to agree that Canada is the superior country, and it's not even close. I would move there in a heartbeat if I could (failing that, I'd take New Zealand, love that place too).
There's a huge Asian population in Toronto and Vancouver.
Some parts of Metro Van are majority Asian
No doubt it's culturally diverse, but are those different groups mixing? That's up for debate
You Are Viewtiful
Member
I have a lot of family who live in the States, and they more or less behave the same way I do. So I'm a Canadian who wouldn't hesitate saying that Canadian and American culture are nearly identical for most practical purposes, except the few quirks. Or we can call it a strong cultural hegemony.
The exception being Quebec of course, and maybe the Maritimes to an extent (especially Newfoundland).
Another exception being the university (college) culture. It seems American universities are very rowdy, with parties, sports and alcohol playing a huge part. Canadian universities are a lot more quiet in comparison. Or maybe I'm just not a party person.
Machine
Member
As a MIchigan resident, I dig Canada. Good beer and nice people. I've spent plenty of time in Windsor, made trips to Stratford and Toronto, and even gone to Tilbury a few times. Several friends have recommended vacationing on the Ontario side of Lake Huron although I haven't had a chance yet.
Maklershed
Member
I love Montreal, Toronto, Trailer Park Boys, and Kids in the Hall. Canada is alright.
It is overrated and they have shitty donuts.
The United States also has it huge Asian enclaves along with a substantial Latino/African American population as my counterpoint.
I will say that I did check the demographic map afterwards and I'm really curious to see what the 2016 census will say about Canada, as it seems the white majority is decreasing rapidly. As the changes from the 2001-06-11 were pretty stark.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Canada
I'd question how he is using the data, as having 81.7% of the country having European origin wouldn't really count as racially diverse on my part.
PeskyToaster
Member
I don't even realize it exists some days which will probably save you when I become president.
jk nothing will stop me
GustyGardens
Banned
I think it's wonderful! My significant other and I actually talked about moving there pretty recently.
That being said, I highly recommend it.- Status