[sedmackay]

I'm from Canada, living in rural Nova Scotia! I have to say we have some beautiful country around here!

I actually had a family from a US state come to vacation here (big tourist town), and they made the comment that they had to go out and buy all new summer clothes as it was much warmer here than they had planned! I asked what they had packed... parkas!!!!!! It was 88F that day!!!

I have been twice to Canada, and loved it so much I was considering moving there, but didn´t because of the cold winters and the medical system.

I don't get it? We have a FREE system here. What's not to like? I will give you the cold winters, but we dress warm and we love outdoor activities in the snow! It gives you a greater appreciation for the summer that's for sure!

Jen

[Krysta]

I agree, what's not to like!!
One of the main reasons I moved to Canada from the US was because of the medical system. Sure there are some issues with the Canadian system but it's better than having to buy health insurance/relying on your employer to provide it or have the risk of out of pocket expenses.

[lilian]

Originally Posted by sedmackay

I don't get it? We have a FREE system here. What's not to like? I will give you the cold winters, but we dress warm and we love outdoor activities in the snow! It gives you a greater appreciation for the summer that's for sure!

Jen

For some crazy reason, people are convinced that medicine in Canada means the government chooses your doctor for you and you have to wait months before you get a doctor's appointment. The "not choosing your doctor" think is especially ironic, because now that I live in the US, I can only go to doctors within my primary care network (or pay more for the other ones), which is something I never had to deal with in Canada. Anyway, there are piles and piles of ridiculous, completely false "facts" that are spread about the Canadian healthcare system, and I've even seen some posted on this board by members who couldn't be bothered to fact-check the article they were posting. Canadian healthcare has some issues, but if I could change ONE thing about my life now it would be have access to a system like that again...but anyway,

I'm going back to Toronto to visit some friends in about two weeks actually. So excited! I can't wait to have some Mr. Sub and a Second Cup Vanilla Bean Latte (Starbucks has NOTHING on that).

[Krysta]

I love Second Cup! I'm addicted to their maple lattes right now!

[crewe]

second cup has pumpkin spice lattes now for fall!

[kaye]

canadian here!!!!!

some people think that toronto is the capital city of canada and when i say that ottawa is our capital city, they ask, "where is that?".

[boutot]

I live in Toronto,I love it.

[oceancitygirl]

I live in British Columbia, Canada.
I know alot of people might think Canada is cold but where I live we experience very hot summers! and yes..very cold winters.

[siworae]

I have relatives in Canada... most of them live in Montreal. I've always wanted to visit various cities in Canada, but never got around to doing so. We're hoping to go to Vancouver next spring/summer... let's hope that works out as planned!

As for cold winters... that's nothing unusual for me. I grew up in Minnesota, and lived in Madison, Wisconsin for four years in college. I've always said that I preferred having four seasons... like right now, autumn is my favorite!

[bnjj]

Originally Posted by sedmackay

I'm from Canada, living in rural Nova Scotia! I have to say we have some beautiful country around here!

I actually had a family from a US state come to vacation here (big tourist town), and they made the comment that they had to go out and buy all new summer clothes as it was much warmer here than they had planned! I asked what they had packed... parkas!!!!!! It was 88F that day!!!



I don't get it? We have a FREE system here. What's not to like? I will give you the cold winters, but we dress warm and we love outdoor activities in the snow! It gives you a greater appreciation for the summer that's for sure!

Jen

I'm an Albertan and will defend our medical system until I am blue in the face, however, it is NOT free - that is a misconception. Our medical system is funded by our taxes. We pay for it on every paycheque. Which is totally fine with me as I'd much rather have the piece of mind I have here in Canada that have to worry about how to pay for a simple doctor's visit, let alone something like surgery.

[sedmackay]

Our medical system is funded by our taxes. We pay for it on every paycheque.

Oh yes, we pay for it, but we NEVER have to worry about how we'll find the money to go get a test/x-ray or see a specialist/doctor. Even my medications are covered to a large degree by my very cheap medical insurance (>$30/month for a family including dental & glasses with a $5 copay on any prescription). To me, this system means peace of mind!

I didn't mean that we don't pay for it, but it's not something I even notice because taxes are a way of life! The money is never there in the first place, so I don't miss it.

I can't imagine how expensive my 4 kids would be in the US! Yikes!

Jen

[Krysta]

Even though it's paid for by the taxpayers it is a free system in the sense that every resident/citizen is covered and has access to the same level of medical care, no one goes without in Canada.

[sedmackay]

^^^ Yes! No one goes without!

My youngest dd was hospitalized 5 times in 6 weeks when she was first born. She had numerous medical tests and procedures, including an MRI, EEG, EKG and several x-rays and ultrasounds. She saw a pediatric neurologist and a pediatric gastroenterologist at least once every visit. She was put on several different medications and also had a 'trial' of a very expensive formula for children with stomach problems. Total bill sent to me following all of this = $0! I can not even imagine what that would have cost if I lived in the US. I thank my lucky stars every day with several 'sick' kids!

jen

[CHmyloves]

I'm from Vancouver, and I love it!

My uncle had actually convinced someone in the U.S. that he wouldn't be able to ship something for a while because it had to go by dogsled. Haha.

I'm also glad for the medical system. I can go to the doctor at anytime and not have to worry about paying for it (aside from taxes, but like it was mentioned earlier... we never see that money, so it's like it's not there.)

[VPT]

Aren't the waiting periods to seek medical treatment unusually long in Canada? I hear those living near the border would enter US to get medical attention pronto.