canada vs. us

[dogstarsleddogs]

I drove through Canada in May of '05 on my way up to Alaska. Was only there for about 5 days. As for the border crossings, it was it was a bit more of a hassle to get into Canada, then to get back in the US. Had to inspect van, had to go into the building, checked all the horses health records, etc. To get back into the US, just show ID and your in! (The guy at the border crossing comming into the US asked us "Been through Canada?" Well, duh! I can imagine a Bill Engval "Heres your sign!")
The money/metric conversions were a bit confusing at first, but I picked up on it quite fast. $20 canadian equals about $17 us. Another thing I was a bit "surprised" at was at the gas stations, it was cents per liter instead of dollars per gallon. That took a bit of guestimating to figure up how much you were paying for gas in dollars per gallon! But when it figured out, prices were about the same as what they are down here. Granted it was a bit more in the more remote places of the Yukon, but nothing to bad.
BC is probably one of the most beautiful placed I've been in my entire life!! Add that to a May snowstorm, and it was amazing! (Snow in May! Wonderful idea! Never seen snow in May!) The drive from Ft. Nelson to Watson Lake was just amazing! I couldnt believe how beautiful it was!
The people there were really, not much different then what they are here. Granted most people here are quite friendly here, everyone always says "hi", everyone says "good bye", and strangers are always willing to strike up a conversation. Canada is just a friendly. One guy even opened up his closed coffee shop for us! (Nothing better then a hot coffee on the cool rainy day!)
I would love to go back to Canada. Move there? Maybe.

 

[Jules]

Like Philly and NJ, Canada doesn't want to be its fabulous neighbor, but it's stuck so close that comparisons and confusion are inevitable - and infuriating.

PLEASE tell me you're joking? I'm neither American nor Canadian, so I am not biased. Yes, I live in the US, but if I had the opportunity, I'd gladly live in Canada, too.

the Canadian who refuses to speak to the hapless American who confuses Toronto and Vancouver

I don't think I'd waste time with someone who'd confuse Toronto and Vancouver. Having a problem with geography is a phenomenon that can be found in some Americans I've talked to so far. The most extreme person was some guy who asked me how long I DROVE from Europe to the States. I was speechless and didn't waste one more minute talking to him either.

As far as what you said shows again, that I've met far more loud and self-assured (and not in a good way) Americans than Canadians... I am sorry.

 

[RetrieverLove]

don't think I'd waste time with someone who'd confuse Toronto and Vancouver. .

Nor would I. There is no excuse to not know basic geography of a neighbouring country.

 

[LabBreeder]

Just because someone doesn't know the basic geography of a neighboring country doesn't mean they are stupid, obnoxious or self assured. Some people are more geographically inclined than others. Granted, all you have to do is look at a map, or pay attention to Geography in H.S., but alot of people have been out of H.S. for awhile and not everyone (really) can read a map. Not being able to read a map is kind of sad, but true for Canadians and Americans alike.
I have traveled quite a bit Saje, so I resent that remark. I may not have traveled to foreign countries, but I have traveled throughout the U.S. and Canada (only 2 provinces). I've seen enough of Canada to agree it's a pretty place but I still wouldn't want to live there. People are not as great as you make them out. Like I said before, it all depends on where you live as to how people act, regardless of the country you're in.
Saje - yes, juvenile records are supposed to be sealed but somehow Canada manages to find out every little thing that any American has ever done regardless. They act like you have to be perfect to deliver goods to your country. I can understand not wanting to allow a person with a DUI, DWI or felony conviction (that's happened within 10 yrs). But to not allow someone that is 50 years old into your country for a DUI when they were 16 is a bit ridiculous. And people wonder why truck drivers don't want to go to Canada! Ha, it's as big of a pain as NYC.

Canadians are going to say Canada is better and Americans are going to say America is better. The truth is, both have their pros and cons and neither is "better" than the other. I don't like crossing into Canada cause it's a hassle and ya'll don't like crossing into America cause you think it's a hassle. Well, if it's that big of a deal and you don't like American because of it and I don't like Canada because of it then we can choose to stay on our own sides.

I think there should be 2 or 3 "18 wheelers only" lanes when crossing both ways. It would make it easier and faster (even with the paperwork) and we could all get back to our respective countries with minimal complaint.

 

[Saje]

Gosh you resent a lot on this thread! Ok, I should have said "you should travel more to foreign countries" before you decide it's a 'hassle' to get into just one. Foreign countries are foreign countries. The world is not one big america where all americans are welcome with open arms.

As for juvenile records... welll I'll just have to look into that more before I believe it.

 

[Saje]

Well here's some info
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/can-am/seattle/rightnav/temporary_instructions-en.asp

 

[LabBreeder]

Hey, I could be wrong about the juvenile thing. Personally I've never had it happen cause I've never had any juvenile (or adult) problems like that.
I never questioned the person about it because I heard the same thing from so many others along those lines. "Well I had such-and-such happen 20+ years ago and they (Canada) won't let me in!"

LOL, well I'd rather say I resent something and not get mad about something when there's nothing to get mad about. Wow, that was confusing!

I'd have to ask Tony about the foreign traveling. He's been to Kuwait, South Africa, Ireland, Japan and a couple other places I can't remember now. I'm sure he would know about the "in and out" issues.

 

[LabBreeder]

regardless of how long ago they occurred.

It doesn't specifically state juvenile occurrances, but they go back as far as they can.

 

[Saje]

It might help you to keep in mind that Canada does get a lot of people seeking refuge here. Especially from the states. I mean, it's either Mexico or Canada if you're on the run right? We also get a lot of people coming to the border when people can't deal with the politics in the US anymore as was the case when Bush aka Shrub was elected lol and when people were being drafted. I think there was something like 18,000 hits on Canada's immigration website after Bush was elected.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/209807_tocanada.html

http://thetyee.ca/News/2004/04/13/US_Liberals_Debate_Flight_Versus_Fight/

So yeah, people can't just walk across the boarder. And I believe that Canada has a policy that their regulations reflect those put on them. So the regulations to get into Canada will be similar to those that the Americans have for Canadians. I know when I was in Chile the rules for me going there were almost the same for Chileans coming here.

 

[RetrieverLove]

Saje - yes, juvenile records are supposed to be sealed but somehow Canada manages to find out every little thing that any American has ever done regardless. They act like you have to be perfect to deliver goods to your country. I can understand not wanting to allow a person with a DUI, DWI or felony conviction (that's happened within 10 yrs). But to not allow someone that is 50 years old into your country for a DUI when they were 16 is a bit ridiculous. And people wonder why truck drivers don't want to go to Canada! Ha, it's as big of a pain as NYC.

I find this very hard to believe.

The reality is, I have yet to meet a Canadian that does not know something so basic about one of the States. I have also yet to meet someone (personally) from the states that actually has a corret perspective on Canada.

 

[canadianmandy]

And exactly how would they know that? In Canada juvenile records are sealed. I always assumed it was the same in the states?

They asked and my parents are always honest... besides it wasnt worth lieing ang getting caught I dont think they hide the animal records...

 

[Saje]

They asked and my parents are always honest... besides it wasnt worth lieing ang getting caught I dont think they hide the animal records...

I was talking about the juvenile records not your dog... unless you have a record? lol

 

[Roxy's CD]

As Saje stated drugs is a big concern for Canada, and how else would you move kilos of coke? A truck. As well a couple of months ago on the news the police stated that a large percentage of illegal guns had come from Texas.

 

[crazydog]

theres also alot of american crossing over to get BC Buds and wasnt there a big underground tunnel where people where crossing the border with mass amounts of pot somewhere? LOL i couldve sworn i heard something about that a while ago

 

[Saje]

roflmao! you mean this:

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1121909639422_107/?hub=TopStories

 

[AndrewF]

theres also alot of american crossing over to get BC Buds and wasnt there a big underground tunnel where people where crossing the border with mass amounts of pot somewhere? LOL i couldve sworn i heard something about that a while ago

That was in the news a few months ago. I don't think it ever became fully operational as the US and Canada were monitoring it....IIRC

Edit: Saje's story sums it up better than I recalled it.

 

[Saje]

ha ha ha ha ha

I was looking up the articles about underground tunnels and found this:

http://www.captainsquartersblog.com/mt/archives/005027.php

it's so worth it for the cartoon.

 

[casablanca1]

PLEASE tell me you're joking? I'm neither American nor Canadian, so I am not biased. Yes, I live in the US, but if I had the opportunity, I'd gladly live in Canada, too. I don't think I'd waste time with someone who'd confuse Toronto and Vancouver. Having a problem with geography is a phenomenon that can be found in some Americans I've talked to so far. The most extreme person was some guy who asked me how long I DROVE from Europe to the States. I was speechless and didn't waste one more minute talking to him either.As far as what you said shows again, that I've met far more loud and self-assured (and not in a good way) Americans than Canadians... I am sorry.

What country are you from originally? Just curious.

 

[LabBreeder]

I find this very hard to believe.

The reality is, I have yet to meet a Canadian that does not know something so basic about one of the States. I have also yet to meet someone (personally) from the states that actually has a corret perspective on Canada.

And this comment has to do with what you quoted how???
Believe or don't believe, but that's how it is with getting into Canada. Check out the site Saje posted. It tells you that Canada goes back as far as possible in regards to felony, theft, DUI's, etc. If you have any of them in your record you aren't allowed into Canada without a "rehab" program.

So you haven't met anyone on either side that knows anything about the other. That's what it sounds like at least.

 

[MyBestFriendIsADog]

I think in many ways that Canada and the USA are similar, and in some ways they are quite different. I would agree with the poster who said that our politics here would be considered quite liberal in comparison, and what is centrist here may seem quite leftist if viewed with American politics in mind.

What I find interesting is the way countries overseas see our differences, LOL. My husband recently spent time in Ireland on a business trip, and when he went into a local pub they first assumed he was American, and were quite cool to him. When he said he was Canadian they taught him to play whiskey poker, LOL, and invited him to their homes for tea. I think Canadians are seen as a bit quieter and less involved in the global political arena. We're the Sweden of North America, perhaps!

I've lived in several different provinces, and each has something going for it. The economy is quite stable, health care is reasonable (with some hiccups, as has the USA), education is reasonable - it all depends on what you are looking for! Some of our laws may be seen are more restrictive (eg, gun laws) but again it's just a different perspective.

And there is patriotism in Canada, LOL. In my city Canada Day is a huge celebration, but I think Canadian patriotism also tends to be a bit quieter.

I don't think either country is "better" and you'll find good and bad people, and good and bad aspect, to both.