Americans flock to Canada's immigration Web site
 

LINK

Americans flock to Canada's immigration Web site
Fri 5 November, 2004 18:30

By David Ljunggren

OTTAWA (Reuters) - The number of U.S. citizens visiting Canada's main immigration Web site has shot up six-fold as Americans flirt with the idea of abandoning their homeland after President George W. Bush's election win this week.

"When we looked at the first day after the election, November 3, our Web site hit a new high, almost double the previous record high," immigration ministry spokeswoman Maria Iadinardi said on Friday.

On an average day some 20,000 people in the United States log onto the Web site, www.cic.gc.ca -- a figure which rocketed to 115,016 on Wednesday. The number of U.S. visits settled down to 65,803 on Thursday, still well above the norm.

Bush's victory sparked speculation that disconsolate Democrats and others might decide to start a new life in Canada, a land that tilts more to the left than the United States.

Would-be immigrants to Canada can apply to become permanent resident, a process that often takes a year. The other main way to move north on a long-term basis is to find a job, which requires a work permit.

But please spare the sob stories.

Asked whether an applicant would be looked upon more sympathetically if they claimed to be a sad Democrat seeking to escape four more years of Bush, Iadinardi replied: "There would be no weight given to statements of feelings."

Canada is one of the few major nations with an large-scale immigration policy. Ottawa is seeking to attract between 220,000 and 240,000 newcomers next year.

"Let's face it, we have a population of a little over 32 million and we definitely need permanent residents to come to Canada," said Iadinardi. "If we could meet (the 2005) target and go above it, the more the merrier."

But right now it is too early to say whether the increased interest will result in more applications.

"There is no unusual activity occurring at our visa missions (in the United States). Having someone who intends to come to Canada is not the same as someone actually putting in an application," said Iadinardi.

"We'll only find out whether there has been an increase in applications in six months."

The waiting time to become a citizen is shorter for people married to Canadians, which prompted the birth of a satirical Web site called www.marryanamerican.ca.

The idea of increased immigration by unhappy Americans is triggering some amusement in Canada. Commentator Thane Burnett of the Ottawa Sun newspaper wrote a tongue-in-cheek guide to would-be new citizens on Friday.

"As Canadians, you'll have to learn to embrace and use all the products and culture of Americans, while bad-mouthing their way of life," he said.

_____________________________________________________________

The numbers aren't that high but there is a tradition of US citizens immigrating to Canada when they are unhappy with the dirction of the country... this goes right back to the time of the Empire Loyalists after war of Independence.

Any American that would leave because of this wasn't ever really an American anyway. My vote lost on that election, but you'd have to pry me out of this country rather than find me running away.

So, pray tell, give forth your definition of an American.

Well, I'd start with someone that doesn't run away because things didn't go the way they thought it should. :shrug:

That's hardly a definition of American. How about trying again? C'mon, it should be easy since you know what defines not being a real American anyway.

Why would Canuckistan even want those sore losers? :D

I'll let J. Hector St. John Crevecoeur answer it for me as he is much more elequent. Of course, his definition has expanded from just europeans, but the jist is basically the same.

http://xroads.virginia.edu/%7EHYPER/CREV/letter03.html

I agree coppertop.
I am American, but I have also thought about relocating to another country. I have thought about it for several reasons:
1) I hate our legal system
2) I hate our medical system
3) I hate our educational system

There are other reasons I think relocating would be great! It would give me a chance to see other parts of the world. It would give me a chance to learn about other cultures, eat different foods, smoke different weeds, etc.....

I would still be an American, just not living here.

We welcome all immigrants... especially well educated ones. :p

Well since water_boy1999 said that our educational system sucks, I guess that leaves us out. :D


Now this full list would be fun to see -- nice to see that y'all can poke fun at yourselves... :D

Ummmm, I don't welcome all immigrants. Now, now, now, don't you start pointing fingers and thinking the "r" word just yet.

I think our immigration policy is open enough and ought to have a few more restrictions. I don't believe we should be a safehaven for every oppressed and afflicted person in the world.
I agree that educated people are welcome, especially doctors. But I guess I'm a little more critical about opening our doors solely for humanitarian ends... I know it sounds rough, but it's how I feel.

Pretty much defines what it means to be a Canadian...

Some of you guys get well educated despite your system....we'll take those ones...thanks ;)

Canada is a country of immigrants...come on up, you'll like it here :thumbsup:

Bob and Doug McKenzie have bneen saying for years to take off, eh -- to the Great White North... :D

Bring your toque...

We need a very open immigration policy if we want our economy to grow. Our birthrate is rather level... so growth isn't comming from there.

I've said it elsewhere on this board... We should continue to take immigrants from all over the world, educated or not. The most important thing they have to offer us is their children.

Children who, consistently become productive members of our society.

Back the the thread....

And this pertains to the thread... how? I didn't see anything in those letters that supported your assertion that anyone who moves to Canada because of the election wasn't really American anyway. If I missed it, plus post it here. There was rather a lot to read.

I suppose you'd assert that the first English Pilgrims who left their land to come here because they felt England didn't have their best intentions at heart weren't really British?

That would be a valid point, if the U.S. government were persecuting people that voted for John Kerry.

I'm not going to apologize for not having much respect for losers that run with their tails tucked between their legs, but allow me to restate my opinion. Anyone born or naturalized an American is an American, but anyone that would run to Canada because John Kerry did not win the Presidency is not demonstrating an American spirit in the least.

/shrug. I'm curious how many people would do it out of spite compared to how many actually think things would be better there.

This just seemed like a standard fluff article to accompany serious coverage of the US Election results. I mean, its only hits on a webpage, not people requesting applications or rushing to the border or what not. Seems like something to be expected that a few people will be upset enough with any election outcome to browse around info on this sort of stuff as a kind of theraputic way to calm down. Elections can bring out the extremities of emotions in people and the internet is an easy way to feel like your acting out on things without actually doing anything, which can help to calm you down when riled up.

So yeah, until we hear stories of massive groups of americans in long lines at the border, i just saw it as a passingly interesting fluff article.

For the whole issue of actually going through with moving because of the outcome of the election, I see it as silly and a slap in the face to the rest of the US, including those who also voted for your candidate. Like aktornado said, they aren't being persecuted, so instead leaving would just seem to show disrespect for the process of electing candidates. To me at least.

Lets assume for a moment there that's what the Americans who wants to move to Canada are thinking...

1. Our legal system is even worse: It's very very very easy on offender.
2. Our medical system is failing: You'd have to wait at least 6 months just to get the same operation as what Bill Clinton had a month ago, we don't even have enough beds! Women who gave birth are even asked to leave the hospital the same day!
3. Our educational system is failing: Parents and students are being billed to death just to get what every person in the world has the right to have, education
4. Our election system is using stone age method of electing someone: Did you know that 40% of the total votes went to the Liberals and yet, they have 69% of the total seats in the parliament? The 40% of the total vote represent a total of 25% of Canadian population.
5. We're being taxed to death: In Calgary, the government is actually thinking about raising the tax for taking care of burial plots. In Saskatchwan, a oddy news is that man, who's been dead for awhile, is still being taxed.

So, whatcha think of Canada so far? Any Americans that considers Canada for a new home, shouldn't look at the immigration site, its' full of fucking propagenda!

lol, it's not just me. And everyone I know who's Anti-Bush. Sounds very appealing right now. Oh, and FLYMAN, you better prepare a bed.......

Good for them. If they aren't getting what they want here they should go find some place they do like. Just that many fewer people I'll have to hear bitch about things. Maybe I should print up some cards with that website on it and pass them out.

I live in Burnaby and I have a futon and a couch...

pm me if you're an angst-filled american needing to get away for a while.

:thumbsup: ;)

If people did what you told them to, we wouldn't have had the civil rights movement. We wouldn't even have America since our forefathers should "go find some place they do like." instead of improving what we have. Some real jewels of wisdom you have there.

What is American?
Being American is about being free.
And you know what? I'm going to exercise my freedom, by going to Canada. :lol:

Seriously though, it's hard to come up with one true term for American...because we're ALL Americans. We each have our own definition of what it means to be American.

Well, actually, I lived here...By definition, doesnt that make me an American? I personally find this to be VERY rude.

As did mine. But I'm not going to be stupid if we end up in a war because of Bush. If my life becomes endangered, I'm gettin the hell out of here.
Because of my beliefs, I don't really believe in an afterlife. I believe we die the same as every other animal in the world. That means no second chances. I'm not going to needlessly die for a leader who puts us in a war we never needed to be in in the first place.

To emigrate is not a cowardly act, for many of us its is the greates act of courage taken by themselves, their parents or forefathers. Even America itself was founded by those who took the risk of venturing far from their known home to to pursue happiness.

My parents moved me to Canada, and every day i see how great a task it was.

Some of you may mock those that are thinking about leaving the US, you may feel that they leaving is a slight to your country, please understand that by them leaving does not make america any less great as a country; its just that its not can no longer be their great country.

The pursuit of happiness is the one thing we are all truly entitled to seek, where ever that may be.

Like Charlatan said, Welcome to all those who wish cross the border.

Just because ppl wanna leave doesnt mean there not American. I see it as a prudent decision to leave the possible chaos that may or may not follow Bush's 2nd term

An extremely small percentage of the people who actually voted. I call "the sky is falling the sky is falling" on this one.

BTW. I find it amusing how many of us 'mericans forget that Canadians are American too.

what's the purpose of us as Americans to vote for our own president when it doesn't even count anyways?
If he screws up anymore or doesn't make any improvements, I will have to memorize the Canadian anthem and date a hockey player.

Leaving? No problem. Just remember us fondly while you wait for a doctor....

"To emigrate is not a cowardly act, for many of us its is the greates act of courage taken by themselves, their parents or forefathers. Even America itself was founded by those who took the risk of venturing far from their known home to to pursue happiness."

I don't really think they left to be governed by the doctrines of another nation though that supports them. This will be more comparable of leaving england and going to france and saying "I'm free"

I would consider leaving only if the Supreme court becomes.....lopsided in a direction I find distasteful. My reasoning would be for my daughters primarily. If Roe vs. Wade is overturned, that to me is the sign of negative things to come and would prompt me to evaluate if indeed this is the society I wish my girls to grow up in. Fortunately my company has Canadian subsidiaries.....little ace in the hole.

I hate to break up a good arguement, but that link has been posted on Fark and a bunch of other websites which has most likely caused the increased hits more than people preparing to stream over the border. I would guess many more people followed the link there from postings like this thread than found it on their own.

I want my child to grow up somewhere where unity & fairness flourish. Countries like Canada, Austalia.....they're quiet and they mind their own business. Ya, they are not known as the Land of the Free- but we have obviously abused that to the point that we are not that free anymore. Little puppets to the machine we are.......and I won't let my child take that crap.

oshn, people on the outside of our country aren't told of the corruptions either.

Things look greener on the other side. I respect your love as a mother, but I can tell you...we are the freest people

Thinking of moving out of the country because the political faction that opposes your own won the election is immature and whiny. The Republicans won so they get to keep their President for another term. It's no reason to leave the country...accept that the Democrats don't win everytime and move on.

-Lasereth

I suggest a one for one exchange with Mexico.

that's pretty funny.... In truth -- five people have looked at the website - -everyone else has gone over from linked sites.. Wonder how many applications have actually been filled out.