Canada was once upon a time, a beacon of innovative policy where the world would look to for guidance. People far and wide would see the Maple Leaf Flag and dream of coming to work, live, and raise a family here. Well, all of that’s changed. And, with the rise in problems with Canadian policies we’ve seen Canada’s drop from being a dream destination.
Nowadays, ask any Canadian or new international student that’s landed here and you’ll hear how life in Canada is not what they were promised. Sounds crazy right? It’s not. Currently, Canada is witnessing a significant shift in public sentiment. And it’s not to the positive side. But what’s at the heart of this souring mood? Nothing other than our current Canadian policies.
In this article we will criticize and explore the current Canadian policies which are creating so much distrust and chaos in our once prosperous country.
Now let’s dig into it!
Canadian Economic Policy is Crushing the Middle Class
Canada’s reputation as a favorable destination for immigrants and locals is increasingly hurt by its rising taxation. Take, for instance, two examples from Canada’s latest budget update. In this update it introduced regressive tax reforms targeting individuals and companies earning over 250,000 CAD annually. While this might seem beneficial to the average earner, it’s the middle class that often bears the burden of such changes.
Economists at the National Bureau of Economical Research (NBER) found that high earners, when heavily taxed, are likely to relocate their capital, businesses, and talents to more tax-friendly environments. This is particularly concerning as Canada grapples with a productivity crisis. Such tax policies may exacerbate the challenges of investing within the country, potentially stifling economic growth.
Furthermore, during a period of escalating economic strain on Canadian families, the government has implemented another tax—the ‘Carbon Tax’—intended to penalize large polluters. Although this policy aims to address environmental concerns, its timing could not be worse. With many Canadians already visiting food banks at record rates, the immediate impact of rising living costs outweighs the potential long-term environmental benefits.
The day after the Carbon Tax Hike was enacted, I witnessed a sharp increase in gas prices, a direct hit to Canadians who commute long distances to work.
Not only are wages stagnant, but the rising costs of taxes and essential goods like gas and food are further straining the finances of the middle and working classes in Canada.
These economic pressures, combined with growing disenchantment with immigration policies and challenges in the healthcare system, are driving many Canadians to seek better opportunities overseas.
Housing and Healthcare Policies: A Painful Death Spiral
Alright, let’s dive into the big stuff – housing and healthcare in Canada. Everyone’s talking about it, right?
First up, housing – it’s the elephant in the entire country. When Canada rolled out its Affordable Housing strategy, we all had high hopes.
But, you know how it goes with Canadian policies – the devil’s always lurking in the details.
Take the fight against under-housed and homelessness in Canada for instance. Part of this afformentioned Affordable Housing Strategy would give Newfoundland and Labrador 750 new housing ‘options‘ in 2023? Well, a little digging into the details and – surprise, surprise – only about 100 of those were actual social housing units. The rest? A mix of rental support payments and, get this, just empty lots waiting for development. It’s clear that Canadians are fed up with widening gap of what’s promised on TV and the news and what actually happens. Usually nothing.
Now, onto healthcare – once the pride of Canada, now more like a system in crisis. Thanks to burnout among healthcare workers, not enough beds, and rising populations, we’re seeing way too many tragic stories. People are literally dying in waiting rooms or while stuck on surgery wait lists. It’s heartbreaking.
My own mom, a nurse in Ontario for over 30 years, saw her job satisfaction plummet, especially during the C-19 pandemic. The cracks in the system were too big to ignore – like the lack of beds and locked units for older patients. These folks ended up lingering in hallways, taking up space needed for surgeries. And the management? They were all about efficiency, which just drove more nurses and doctors away. Now, finding good medical staff in Canada is like finding a needle in a haystack.
But it’s not just about the people inside the hospitals. The outdated policies are also making it super hard for hospital staff to even live in big cities. With sky-high costs for housing, food, and fuel, living a decent life while working in Canadian healthcare is becoming impossible. Long wait times and limited access to specialized treatments in the healthcare system are pushing some to look for healthcare jobs or treatments outside Canada. It’s like a never-ending cycle of issues.
Relaxed Immigration Policies are Causing Job Scarcity In Canada
Canada’s immigration policies were once fed into the country’s openness and opportunistic culture. However, this sentiment has significantly shifted. Immigration through educational pathways, such as study visas, and the temporary foreign worker program, have put a strain on Canadian infrastructure systems and job market.
Many teenagers and unemployed individuals struggle to secure entry-level positions due to the substantial population increase, significantly fueled by Canadian immigration policies.
Moreover, the value of some Canadian community college degrees has rapidly diminished. A notable number of international students opt for these more affordable courses as a pathway to residency in Canada, impacting the perceived quality and value of these once sought after qualifications.
Adding to the issue of a lack of starter jobs, there’s a notable concern with the temporary foreign worker program. Originally intended to bring Caribbean workers in to assist in Southern Ontario’s tobacco fields, this program has evolved in a different way.
It’s now frequently used to employ individuals in Tim Hortons and similar establishments across Canada. This evolution not only disrupts the job vacancy rate but also hurts those desperately seeking employment in an already shakey Canadian job market.
Additionally, the increasing numbers and often preferential treatment of refugees and asylum seekers have raised concerns among citizens regarding national security and cultural identity. This trend is fueling political discontent and unease within the country.
Environmental Policies are Causing Awkward Dinner Conversations
So, let’s chat about environmental regulations and climate change policies in Canada, and how they’re causing discontent with many Canadians across the country. So, first off, I want to say that not all Canadians agree or disagree with the climate action agenda. However, there is a heat hotter than climate change which is sweating up Canadian’s in their daily lives.
This is, the rising cost of living.
Take the Carbon Tax on fuel and other emitting activities, a policy which has stirred up quite the storm, with some seeing it as an unconstitutional cash grab during tough times while others say it’s a positive behavioural changer.
And while higher temperatures are causing shifting rainfall patterns and extreme weather events like floods and heatwaves, the economic challenges they bring in the future is seen as not as important as the cost of living right now.
But here’s a kicker – Canada’s economy is super sensitive to climate change, and perhaps initiating a program like this can help quell wildfires and floods which could lead to a reduction in disruptive impacts and direct and indirect costs reductions.
Well, let’s be realistic. If you had to make a choice between putting food on your families table or potentially burning down a few acres of borreal forest, I’m sure we’d have a lot of new space for Walmart parking lots in the future.
These environmental changes are leading to a growing feeling of uneasiness among the people which do not trust the money is helping the environment in the end.
This is crucial because as we adapt, it’s going to take everyone – communities, regions, and Indigenous Peoples – to develop plans that meet their unique needs, all while moving society toward a safer and more resilient future.
Some may even see it as completely crazy and considering leaving for greener pastures, literally and figuratively.
Why Problems with Canadian Policies are Leading an Exit from Canada
Expatriates (like myself) who have left Canada due to the problems with Canadian policies can offer unique perspectives on this. To give you non-biased answers, when I asked my friends, who are still in Canada and are looking to leave, their main concerns are as follow:
1. Their Searching for Better Economic Opportunities
Most of my expat and Canadian friends said their main emigration driver was to seek better job or economic opportunities for themselves.
In Canada, the job market has fallen off a cliff and it seems its not picking up steam anytime soon. Furthermore those that did have a job told me their commute, car payment, and cost of rent and groceries made their so called “high Canadian salary” negligible and contributed to them feeling like they were living to work.
Canadians are increasingly looking to countries like Australia, Germany, and the Nordic nations, to find a more lucrative and balanced work environment while enjoying some of that Canadian coldness and charm.
2. They Want a Less Polarized Political Environment
Most Canadians are happy to live their life without politics getting in their way. However it’s getting increasingly harder to do so in today’s highly politicized Canadian environment. Similar to the USA, Canada has been enjoying a polarizing political divide that causes awkward thanksgiving conversations across the nation. Many of my colleagues prefer to opt out entirely and see watching their political pundits as a stress-inducing activity.
Furthermore, Political dissatisfaction is not just influencing Canadians’ immediate choices but is reshaping their identities and sense of belonging here. Canadians feel like their politicians are making life easier for the upper classes and leaving them out to dry. Furthermore a sense of national identity has been eroded through political pandering to large groups other than native Canadians.
3. They want Cheaper living
Whether it’s the cost of your medicine when you don’t have insurance, to the cost of rice at the grocery store, the Canadian dollar doesn’t go as far you now as it did for your grandpa. The cost of Canadian living is on everyone’s mind here and I hear it time and time again.
My Canadian compatriots are always citing the rising cost in living expenses as a key driver for exiting out of Canada. For those lucky few who can make it out of the West, they often do experience major reductions in food and shelter costs not seen here.
Stick it Out or Head for the Hills?
As Canada confronts these challenges, it’s imperative for policymakers to address the root causes of this discontent. By fostering a more responsive and inclusive political environment, Canada can hope to retain its citizens and continue to flourish as a diverse and progressive nation.
The need of the hour is to balance the influx of new residents with the provision of adequate resources like healthcare, housing, and fair tax policies. As we navigate these changing tides, it’s essential to keep the conversation going, acknowledging the concerns of citizens and expatriates alike, and working collaboratively towards a sustainable future for all.
Explore Your Opportunities Abroad
Use the Canadian Exit Guide to see how you can leave Canada to find better opportunities abroad.
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