# Canada. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 10, 2004, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada/274042 "2004-11-10T17:44:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Agent\_Foxtrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc29f/32.png) [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2004, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada/274042/1 "2004-11-10T17:44:49Z")
From _www.immigration.ca_: > [@](#): > > As a general rule, individuals with three years of permanent resident status during the preceding four years can qualify for Canadian citizenship. > > Applications are submitted at the local citizenship office in the area of an applicant’s residence. Applications may likewise be submitted directly to the citizenship office in Sydney, Nova Scotia. > > Applications submitted through a local citizenship office are pre screened to ensure that that the three year residence rule has been met. Applicants are thereafter scheduled for an informal interview with a citizenship officer to review the merits of the submissions in support of the application. > > Within about 12 - 15 months from submission, applicants may be required to appear before a Citizenship Judge to provide evidence of their knowledge of one of Canada’ Official languages as well as an understanding of the overall Canadian political structure. > > Applicants admitted to Canada on temporary status, can receive credit for one-half day to a maximum of one year, for each day of such temporary status in Canada. > > Generally, actual physical residence is required. However in a number of instances, non physical residence has been acceptable. The issue of physical and non physical residence has given rise to substantial litigation and accordingly merits further consideration by prospective applicants. > > For a more thorough discussion on this issue, kindly refer to our publication - “CANADIAN CITIZENSHIP AND THE THREE YEAR RESIDENCE REQUIREMENT”. > > Under the provisions of the North American Free Trade Agreement, citizens of Canada who fall within a particular professional designation, can qualify for a U.S. non-immigrant employment visa. This type of visa can be issued at a border INS office without the need to obtain prior approval from the local Department of Labor authorities. As well this type of one year renewable visa can ultimately lead to U.S. Green Card status. > > There were approximately 215,000 permanent residents who were granted Canadian citizenship in 1995. You mean, you need to be able to speak the language and be informed of the political system, and you must’ve lived there for three years on a visa to boot? Wow, what a concept! I think I’m in love. Who else is planning on moving up north within the next few years? Adam ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2004, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada/274042/2 "2004-11-10T18:06:39Z")
Not a visa: landed immigrant status (like being a “permanent resident” in the US), which is quite hard to get. After that, getting citizenship is more or less a doddle. [Here](http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/index.html) is information on the different ways you can become a landed immigrant. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2004, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada/274042/3 "2004-11-10T19:10:51Z")
> [@Agent Foxtrot](#): > > …and you must’ve lived there for three years… Read the fine print carefully–you do indeed have to _live_ here for three years. When my wife, who is originally from the US, started the process of becoming a Canadian citizen, we had to document every time she had not been physically in Canada over the past three years. Every trip to see her mother in the US, every holiday we had taken outside Canada, every business trip or conference in the United States or overseas had to be reported, right down to the reasons and places and dates. (“Honey, I know I was at a conference in Chicago in March of 2000, but what were the dates? Do you remember?”) If I recall correctly, there was a certain number of days that she was allowed to be outside Canada during that period, but if she had exceeded that number (which she didn’t), she would have had to wait longer, until the “number during the past three years” had been met. Of course, the first step (as **matt** correctly points out) is landed immigrant status. That can be more of a challenge than citizenship. My wife came to Canada before we met so I can’t offer much in the way of her particular experience, but based on what she has told me, it was a somewhat long and tedious process full of forms, interviews, and suchlike; in addition to just having the qualifications. It’s not quite as easy as you might believe, **Agent Foxtrot** , and I’d advise a careful reading and complete understanding of all information before you decide on a whim to head north to live. ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2004, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada/274042/4 "2004-11-11T00:10:10Z")
I should also point out that once you become a landed immigrant, you have most of the rights of a citizen (the main exception being the right to vote); i.e. you can get health care, drivers’ licence, etc., etc. My mom lived in Canada for over twenty years before she decided to become a citizen. ---
**Author:** ![Agent\_Foxtrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc29f/32.png) [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2004, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada/274042/5 "2004-11-11T02:20:56Z")
Don’t get me wrong – I never said that this would be easy. I haven’t even 100% decided that Canada is where I’m going yet. But 99% of the Canucks I’ve spoken to say they’re happy overall with their country. How many Americans can say that? Indeed, much more research would need to be done on my part. Other possibilities include Norway, Iceland, France, Japan, Germany, New Zealand, and Australia. Expatriation ain’t easy. But I know I’m moving somewhere else at some point in the future. And the fact that **Spoons** ’ wife had to go through so much trouble to get in only makes me feel more strongly about it. I come from the United States, where we take pretty much everything with a pulse. :rolleyes: Any more information you two could provide would certainly be appreciated. **Matt** , I appreciate your link on landed immigration. Thanks. 🙂 Adam ---
**Author:** ![Antigen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Antigen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antigen)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2004, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada/274042/6 "2004-11-11T03:12:05Z")
> [@Agent Foxtrot](#): > > Don’t get me wrong – I never said that this would be easy. I haven’t even 100% decided that Canada is where I’m going yet. But 99% of the Canucks I’ve spoken to say they’re happy overall with their country. How many Americans can say that? Pssst… it’s the Tim Hortons mind-control coffee. “You love Canada. You enjoy shoveling snow. The beaver is a noble animal. Really. You want to start a curling league. Hockey is everything. You love Canada.” [/coffee] ---
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2004, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada/274042/7 "2004-11-11T04:07:03Z")
> [@Agent Foxtrot](#): > > Indeed, much more research would need to be done on my part. Other possibilities include Norway, Iceland, France, Japan, Germany, New Zealand, and Australia. Expatriation ain’t easy. Japan’s pretty tough. Permanent Residency requires living here for _ten_ years (or five years married to a Japanese citizen living in Japan), plus a number of other requirements (but nothing about language, as I far as I know). Citizenship is stricter, unless you have some family connection. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2004, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada/274042/8 "2004-11-11T04:18:54Z")
> [@Agent Foxtrot](#): > > Don’t get me wrong – I never said that this would be easy. I haven’t even 100% decided that Canada is where I’m going yet. But 99% of the Canucks I’ve spoken to say they’re happy overall with their country. How many Americans can say that? To be quite honest I don’t think Canadians love their country any more than Americans do. I’m Canadian and I feel I’m unbelievably lucky to have been born here, but this country is not perfect. We have racial underclasses, especially aboriginals. We are in terrible debt. We have serious and unresolved problems with regional mistrust and rivalry. Our structure of government is horribly antiquated and in desperate need of change that it prevents by virtue of the way change has to be effected. Our economy, even at a strong point, features higher unemployment, higher taxes, and lower average and median incomes than yours. And let’s be honest; the weather is notoriously bad. The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. I welcome you with open arms if you choose to live here, but please don’t think it’s paradise. You’ll be disappointed. > [@](#): > > I come from the United States, where we take pretty much everything with a pulse. I don’t know why that’s a bad thing. I would be proud of a country with open borders. Personally I think Canada is far too restrictive on immigrants. We should let more in. ---
**Author:** ![Agent\_Foxtrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc29f/32.png) [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2004, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada/274042/9 "2004-11-11T12:12:17Z")
> [@Sublight](#): > > Japan’s pretty tough. Permanent Residency requires living here for _ten_ years (or five years married to a Japanese citizen living in Japan), plus a number of other requirements (but nothing about language, as I far as I know). Citizenship is stricter, unless you have some family connection. What, you mean you didn’t know about my ties with the _yakuza_? 😉 That’s **some** family connection! 😃 > [@RickJay](#): > > The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. I welcome you with open arms if you choose to live here, but please don’t think it’s paradise. You’ll be disappointed. It needn’t be paradise, only better. Adam ---
**Author:** ![Agent\_Foxtrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc29f/32.png) [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2004, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada/274042/10 "2004-11-11T12:15:16Z")
> [@Agent Foxtrot](#): > > It needn’t be paradise, only better. Oh, and allow me to quickly address the meaning of “better”: Better means that the nation isn’t a becoming a conservative lovefest of bigotry, ignorance, and hypocrisy. I’d just like to live in a place where the ideas are a bit more liberal and open-minded, that’s all. Adam ---
**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2004, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada/274042/11 "2004-11-11T12:39:22Z")
Immigration enquiries to NZ have apparently tripled since the US election… ---
**Author:** ![clayton\_e](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c57346/32.png) [@clayton\_e](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clayton_e)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2004, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada/274042/12 "2004-11-11T21:42:32Z")
I’m planning on it. I’m a Canadian Studies major (yes, there is actually a program for it) and I’m doing everything I can to be up there in two years at the latest. No place is perfect but I do like the idea of not dying if I get cancer or some other unpleasent thing and don’t have the cash or insurance to pay. The feeling of nationalism isn’t a “We’re going to go kick everyone else’s ass”, they’re a bit, ok, a lot more liberal on a lot of issues, Quebec speaks french, and they have poutine 😃 . Oh, and the not starting wars thing is cool too. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Biggles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/839c29/32.png) [@Mr.Biggles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Biggles)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2004, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada/274042/13 "2004-11-11T21:58:59Z")
I get the distinct impression from the other provinces that Quebec is not very well liked. Any Canadians who can clarify or correct that? ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2004, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada/274042/14 "2004-11-12T02:20:44Z")
Yeah, there’s a certain amount of prejudice towards and incomprehension of Quebec and French-Canadians in general in English Canada, and vice-versa. ---
**Author:** ![mcott](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@mcott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mcott)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2004, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada/274042/15 "2004-11-12T02:49:40Z")
> [@Agent Foxtrot](#): > > Oh, and allow me to quickly address the meaning of “better”: Better means that the nation isn’t a becoming a conservative lovefest of bigotry, ignorance, and hypocrisy. I’d just like to live in a place where the ideas are a bit more liberal and open-minded, that’s all. > > Adam Well, 50% isn’t bad I guess. Given our last election, conservative isn’t a problem. I’d like to think bigotry isn’t either. Ignorance and hypocracy are quite real here though. This is as well based on our recent election. Ie: “Don’t throw the corrupt regime out, just slap them on the wrist and maybe they’ll learn.” ---
**Author:** ![Dante](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dante/32/9673_2.png) [@Dante](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dante)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2004, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada/274042/16 "2004-11-12T02:56:54Z")
> [@clayton\_e](#): > > I’m a Canadian Studies major (yes, there is actually a program for it). Was your study focus in “wood” or “snow”? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2004, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada/274042/17 "2004-11-13T12:56:42Z")
> [@matt\_mcl](#): > > Yeah, there’s a certain amount of prejudice towards and incomprehension of Quebec and French-Canadians in general in English Canada, and vice-versa. I disagree. \*WAY \* more people hate Toronto than hate Quebec 😉 ---
**Author:** ![ruadh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@ruadh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruadh)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2004, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada/274042/18 "2004-11-13T16:12:44Z")
> [@Agent Foxtrot](#): > > I come from the United States, where we take pretty much everything with a pulse. Ask someone who’s been through the US immigration process how easy it is. You might be surprised. – **ruadh** , former US immigration paralegal ---
**Author:** ![vl\_mungo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/bc8723/32.png) [@vl\_mungo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vl_mungo)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2004, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada/274042/19 "2004-11-13T20:43:38Z")
> [@Barbarian](#): > > I disagree. > > \*WAY \* more people hate Toronto than hate Quebec 😉 Montreal (in the Summer, at least) is great. And I come from the Frenchie hating West. ---
**Author:** ![Anastasaeon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Anastasaeon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anastasaeon)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2004, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada/274042/20 "2004-11-13T21:23:10Z")
I’m from the Maritimes. We pretty much keep to ourselves and don’t hate anyone… though Quebec tends to look down their noses at our _acadienne_ french. We fish a lot. We have the _world’s largest sardine factory_ (oxymoron, innit?). Many small towns where I’m from - look out for small minds. The small cities aren’t too bad, though. I enjoyed my time in Halifax/Dartmouth, but no likes to drive there… Fredericton, NB is a nice, clean, “quaint” little city. Saint John (NOT _St. John_, or _St John’s_!!) is another nice little city, with many older buildings. That’s very near where I’m from. For people with a little cash St. Andrews “by-the-sea” is a beautiful place. I think it’s a town, not a city. Housing is much cheaper there than here in the Pacific Northwest, at least. My ex’s mother sold their very large 3 bedroom, 1 1/2 bath, 80 year old two story house (with wood floors, beautiful porch, den, dining room, kitchen, living room, gigantic basement, over an acre of land, garage, shed, etc etc) for $76,000 CAD. That’s what, $50 USD? 😉 There’s good and bad wherever you go, naturally. I only moved to the US because I got married; I’ve got no beef with Canada. My husband has even talked about (pre-election!) moving to NB someday, since he found it so peaceful and relaxing, though we’d still move to a city there, not the small town I came from. Good luck, whatever your decisions may be. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada/274042.md?page=2)