Canada

[freshstarz]

Hi there again - and thank you for the welcome everyone.

I live just east of downtown, but still technically the downtown core. Getting used to it - a little nervous with all the separation talk. And I'm sure that Montreal covers that topic more than any other Canadian city - so it's always being discussed somewhere.

While I'm here though - has anyone taken advantage of the Working Holidaymaker Visa to visit the UK for two years? I was thinking of doing it - but wondering what people's experiences have been...

cheerio

[OperaTenor]

Hi Freshstarz,

Are you one of those who decided the U.S. was no longer a happy place to live after the last presidential election?

[Angie Parkes]

Freshstarz, what I expect will happen is that if the Martin government survives until the autumn, Quebec will demand even more "distinct society" status and my guess is that the quid pro quo for dropping sovereignty talk will be to cut the strings from the Canada Health Act, but still maintain federal funding. Ujjahl Dosanjh is making noises about slapping Alberta's and Quebec's wrists about private clinics, which in view of the Liberal party's problems could be just a strategic move to make acquiesence to Quebec's demands seem extraordinarily generous.

If it extends to Alberta, then he gives the Conservatives less to bleat about, too.

[piqaboo]

"Private Property No Swimming Allowed"

[freshstarz]

Hey Operatenor... I'm a dual citizen and yes... finally decided to make the move north to get a better social security plan (or at least one that will be around by the time I retire)... I haven't been a Canadian resident for some time now, so it feels a little odd... but hoping it'll be a good transition. And yes - GWB had a lot to do with the move as well.

[piqaboo]

parlez vous francais ?

[OperaTenor]

Hi Freshstarz,

I think that took some courage to make the move based on personal convictions as well as for practical reasons. Having dual citizenship helped, I'm sure.

In reading Angie's last post, something ocurred to me: IMO, politics should be boring. It shouldn't dominate the media, and should take up only enough of our attention spans that participation in the process takes.

<Ed: "Were you looking in the mirror while you typed that last pearl?">

[Angie Parkes]

I'd agree with you, OT, except that if politics isn't engaging, will people pay enough attention to make informed decisions? I don't have any answers -- just asking the question.

[Marye]

Saw Gordon Lightfoot last night at Massey Hall in Toronto. Barfle, didn't I read somewhere that you have tickets? Can't remember. However, he was very good and it was good to see him having great fun.

[Haggis@wk]

"I think that took some courage to make the move based on personal convictions as well as for practical reasons. Having dual citizenship helped, I'm sure."

By law, all Americans working outside the U.S. have to pay income tax on what they get paid. I had to when I was in Thailand.

Since the U.S. doesn't recognize dual nationality, do Freshstarz and other Americans fleeing North still have to pay income tax?

Wouldn't the have to renounce their American citizenship to get out from under?

Interesting question.

[barfle]

Mary, I don't have tix yet, because he won't be here until August 17.

I picked up his new CD a month or so ago. His writing is still up to par, but his voice seemed to lose some of its recognizable reediness. Nonetheless, we have every intention of seeing him again.

<small>[ 05-19-2005, 04:47 PM: Message edited by: barfle ]</small>

[Marye]

Oh his voice is a little weak, but hell, so what... it was just wonderful to see him again and he was happy to be performing. He did a few tunes from his Harmony CD... one about Lake Couchiching which is just, well, not so good but he did, Edmund Fitzgerald, Cotton Jenny, If you could read my mind and one I totally adore, Ghost Cape Horn. He does 4 nights here at Massey Hall... sold out, I think....

[Angie Parkes]

For those who were worried about the imminent fall of the Canadian government, just wanted to let you know that the government has survived the non-confidence motion and so revolution will not hit our streets until at least the autumn. If hockey has begun again, then all will be well, because no one will care in the slightest what happens on Parliament Hill.

There was an interesting political defection here that made it happen, when a Conservative Member of Parliament -- who just happens to be a good friend of Bill Clinton's -- crossed the floor to the Liberal party.

[OperaTenor]

Whew! I can stop holding my breath now.....

[Angie Parkes]

Well, I'm only going to breathe easily once they drop the puck.

BTW, the good friend of Mr. Clinton's happens to be an attractive, blonde woman named Belinda Stronach, who, until she entered politics last year, was the president and CEO of Magna, a company that employs over 80,000 people in 233 plants. Over the past two days, Ms. Stronach was called a "whore", an "attractive dipstick", and a "rich little girl" in the media, on the record, because she changed her political allegiance. Many Canadian women, of varying political views, are outraged at the insults and point out that a man who had done the same thing would not be subjected to such abuse.

The government won the vote by 152-152. The Speaker of the House broke the tie and voted with the government because he's a member of that party.

Blondes, money, outrage, Bill Clinton, and a tie vote: who says Canadian politics is boring?

[piqaboo]

A man crossed the floor down here, in the past few years ago. He was subjected to a good deal of name calling, which brought his ethics and judgement into account. He was not accused of being a whore, nor of being stupid. May the Canadian women continue to express their outrage, and may the name-callers have to concede some major political capital in trying to suck back up to those they've pissed off.

[Marye]

Well I can tell you I was outraged, Piq. Not only did they call her all the sexist names they could think of, they viciously accused her of being ambitious! of wanting power! of dumping her boyfriend without telling him! (he was a member of the party she left and perhaps the last to know) The horrors! She was not only a whore and a prostitute but an ambitious one at that! How bloody ridiculous! A man can be ambitious and seek power and it's understandable, but a WOMAN !!! eek

[shostakovich]

Well, nobody thought of "Antichrist". It's good to see you still separate church and state.

[analog]

Hats off to you, Freshstartz.


I spent 1987 on a work assignment in Montreal. Big change for a native Miamian. The French was intimidating at first, but "Bonjour Y'all" broke a lot of ice and the folks were most helpful in helping me get started, once they saw evidence of effort on my part. I found the Canadian engineers to be industrious, practical and extremely capable. The universities there must be excellent.

I woulda stayed if could have brought my kids along.

Cold climate, warm people. I have only highest regard for and fond memories of French Canada, whichever way its politics may go.

[freshstarz]

Hey analog - it is a great place. Incredibly warm people. After being raised in Western Canada (where the majority have nothing nice to say about the French Canadians), I expected a little different reception. They're warm, inviting, caring and are just interested in making their representation count.

And in response to Haggis - you only have to pay taxes when your salary goes over $70K (or is it 65K?). Otherwise, you still have to file, but are not expected to be double taxed. Renouncing US citizenship has crossed my mind, but there really is no big reason to do so - besides, the thought of having to reapply to move back to the US if I did renounce is not a happy thought considering 1/2 my family still lives there.

Anyway - love it here. Oh Canada