" In the US , it ’s only the rich whose time value seems to count . In the richest country in the world , that is shameful . "
Despite that Americans (including Trump himself) arestill calling us the 51st State, most Canadians couldn’t disagree more with the idea. We all know this has caused tons of tension between Canada and the US as of late — it’s undeniable, and it’s palpable.
1.“In Canada, we don’t have to worry about speaking out about our government and having the potential of the police busting down our door. We accept all nationalities and believe in the freedom of expression. We feel safe and secure in everything.”
— marvelouscookie33
2.“Canadians are more tolerant and compassionate, with more grey in their outlook and not black-and-white as in the USA. We don’t put people into love-or-hate boxes because others either agree or not with our political stripe. So much more than politics defines us.”
— uniquesealion763
3.“It’s nice to live in a country where guns aren’t so prevalent that they’re a part of the culture. Anyone, anywhere can be the victim of a mass shooting at any time.”
— heneysean
4.“The fact we have a third party federally, AND that third party is and has been in power in many of our provinces. I speak of the NDP — in the US, its members would be considered communists! I love freedom!”
— floatingasteroid913
5.“Americans are unable to look outside of themselves to realize that we don’t live in igloos or have snow all year. We are right freakin' here!!!”
" An American I fill scramble to infer how we worked outside in the winter . A university professor , no less . No awareness of the world . "
— braverocket366
6.“I like that we have many political options when we vote. There are four main parties, some regional parties, and protest parties. All are on the same ballot. We may disagree over various things, but there are candidates that represent most people’s opinions.”
— hiddensealion346
7.“Never have to worry about being sick, as our healthcare will cover this, and don’t have to worry about random shootings as guns are not as accessible unless they come in illegally from the US.”
— glitterytable841
8.“I lived in Vancouver for a year (I’m from the UK) and I could never quite put my finger on why Canadians were so happy and laid back — and then I realized it’s because they’re all really comfortable. They have access to all the indulgence and convenience of living in North America without any of the trauma and stress of having conflicting nations on your doorstep, or the consequences of those situations.”
— nadiaberuzi
9.“The culture is so diverse province to province or even just region to region. I love that about us. I also love that, as a woman, my rights are protected. We’re so lucky.”
— samanthahermanson
10.“14 years ago, my mother had an intestinal blockage that caused peritonitis. Upon the surgery’s completion, they put her into a medically induced coma to give her body the best chance of recovery. During the weeks of her coma, my mom was given enormous amounts of blood and blood products, and all through it, the hospital staff were just awesome. They went above and beyond every single day. If we had been American, her care would have cost us…geez, likely over $5 million. I could never have paid that, as I am lower income due to disability.”
" They fought so severely for my female parent .
She ’s just a retired instructor . No one special , except to me . And they still fought for her like she was their own family . We would never have gotten care like that in the US .
Chrysanthemum morifolium is still with me , and doing really well ( criticize on Natalie Wood ) . She ’s the most important person in my life , and I am so thankful to have had these last 14 years with her .
— UncommonNonsense
11.“When Canada gained its independence, the phrase ‘peace, order and good government’ was enshrined in the British North American Act. America could only hope for as much.”
— bones61
12.“I love that we have intense, but short election cycles. Essentially six weeks of intense campaigning, election, and then the new government is formed federally. Once a federal election is done, in most cases campaigning is over, and you know that for the next 3–5 years, there will be no other federal elections. It seems the US has made campaigning a lucrative business, and they are always campaigning, voting, and then after the vote, looking immediately to the next election for whatever — the politics is just too much, and so exhausting.”
" Even as an outside observer — it ’s tire out just to watch it from the sideline .
I also love that we have five federal party to vote for , and that four of those are serious vote - getters . In some cases , the smaller company can shape opposition , and in the sheath of a minority authorities , can be heavy influential.—cornyeagle106
13.“Canada doesn’t ignore the crimes of the past against Indigenous Peoples. Instead, we’re trying to move forward with truth and reconciliation. It’s too slow and difficult, but it is happening.”
— sleepingskull503
14.“If Americans think it’s a good idea for Canada to join their country, then there it is: the reason not to. Like their leader, they are just in it for themselves, not the best interests of Canadians.”
— youngalligator67
15.“The pandemic really brought it home for me. So many people absolutely lost their damn minds over the mask-wearing. There are hundreds of videos on YouTube of people shouting at store clerks, fist fights, etc. Like, heaven forbid you do something for the better good.”
— kittylane276
16.“I’ve lived in Canada and the US and I can’t express how much better life is in Canada. Canadians are incredibly kind and generous. And you can have intelligent conversations with various people from different cultures without fear of being vilified!”
— sparklyshield563
17.“I know our health care system has its issues, but because I didn’t have extended dental benefits, I waited maybe a month for an elective surgery to remove three of my wisdom teeth and didn’t have to pay out of pocket for it because it was covered under the universal health care.”
— rmcullen
18.“Our maternity leave is vastly superior in Canada. Employers hold a woman’s job for up to 18 months. Twelve months of that leave is covered through our federal employment insurance (EI) program, and some employers provide a top-up for what EI doesn’t pay. Sure beats eight weeks of unpaid mat leave.”
— psychicchair23
19.“In Canada, every human being is valued and deserving of health care. In the US, it’s only the rich whose value seems to matter. In the richest country in the world, that is shameful.”
— spiritednugget4043
20.“While it’s dangerous to generalize about Americans, I think it’s safe to say that, unlike Canadians, their worldview is mostly shaped and conditioned by their politics and capitalist ideology. Open critical thinking and discussion is often lacking, and education for most is a struggle.”
— angelictooth362
21.“We made a Toronto to Vancover road trip recently, and we did not ever feel the need to carry a gun — it was that safe. Not to mention the amazing landscape from snowcapped mountains of British Columbia and Calgary to the plain Prairies landscape.”
" The drive was a glance into beauty of my dramatize commonwealth of last 25 years . "
— stylishporcupine142
22.“Canada is like a great-tasting salad, made up of bits and pieces of different cultures, living harmoniously together, enjoying the interesting differences. We are an example of how the world should live together. If you take that salad and put it in a blender, you create a zombie-like, bland concoction. That’s the USA.”
— coolmug355
23.“I travel a lot, and when people in other countries find out I’m Canadian, they are so friendly to us. I had some American friends travelling at the same time, and when the locals found out they were American, they got snubbed quite often. They started telling locals they were Canadian, and the attitudes of locals changed so quickly.”
" Us Canadians are so quick accepted and get laid by so many different country . Not so for our American supporter . "
— goldendragon212
24.“Canada believes in balance — a balance of freedom to do and a freedom from. For example, a freedom to own firearms and a freedom from gun violence.”
— radiantwalrus898
25.“I know and have met many Americans who are beautiful, wonder-filled and kind, but to have to make a statement like ‘we didn’t vote for that guy’ — that’s what I would never want to say about where I came from!”
— redpunk4383
26.“Just plain arrogance in the US. They won’t allow themselves to be proven wrong, even in the face of irrefutable facts.”
— jasoncantwell1971
27.“With all that craziness and uncertainty down south, I have no interest to spend my very hard-earned money on anything or anywhere in the US. I’d gladly give it over to my own country-mates in tourism spending. It’s gonna be a long 3.75 years of this American administration that borders absolute insanity.”
— superdaisy6748
28.“I’m proud to live in a country where old white men do not dictate women’s personal health options (anymore).”
— trendyporcupine536
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observe : Some response have been edited for length and/or clarity .
