Canada sounds great except for the fact that they would not let me live there. I am a very senior citizen and they will not let folks in who cannot contribute to their economy with their labor..
I looked into this back in 2016. One big reason seems to be that a retired person pretty much by definition hasn't paid into the health system in Canada. Medicare isn't portable. So far Social Security is, though that could change under trump. I think there are exceptions if you can invest a huge sum of money in a Canadian business, but that's beyond most of us.
I live under a hundred miles from the border and the geographic change of moving across the border would be minimal. But the rules in 2016 were you can only live in Canada for 6 months and then have to stay OUT of Canada for six months. That would need maintaining two residences, and probably being subjected to two tax systems.
Great post and overview of differences. Our climate is a bit more challenging; but our hearts are warm. Come over if you need to; as you have in the past — always welcome (also please and thank you, and an occasional, eh).
I agree regarding our climate however, while it can get bitter cold in winter, that is only a few months per year.
I live just north of Toronto and can attest to our winters however, the rest of the year, say mid-March through mid to late November we delight in the changing seasons.
Summer (June through September) can be very hot and, in our area, Humid! But I deal with it. I remember how Very Cold February can be.
Thank you for summarizing all the great reasons to move to Canada! Both of my parents were born in Canada so I am hoping getting my dual citizenship will make the process easier. Having the option to move there will be importance depending on how crazy it becomes in this country.
Canada has historically sent lgbtqia+ refugees back to the USA, citing "move to a safe state", so that leaves me and my spouse without any real options but to stay. My spouse and I (both of us are trans) are likely gonna be rounded up and forced into conversion camps at some point. I hate the reality we live in.
Please don't assume this will happen. I strongly believe a resistance will develop and you will find there are "safe havens" within our population. Keep aware of what's happening in your community. You are not alone!
I’d go in two seconds but I waded through Canada’s immigration requirements and have know people who pulled it off, but they do not make it easy. My French is somewhat limited. And I’m retired, and as Sara says, forget it. I think if you can buy a house it helps grease the skids, but that was just anecdotal. And I expect there could be a rush after January, so I’d hope they’d either make it a little easier, but I’d also get it if they tightened things up.
Canada is great. However, they have their own issues with misogyny, sexism and rascim. The fact that they continue to treat Indigenous people like a plague is unforgivable. The Canadian government continues to fight against gains they try to make. Indigenous Women disappear. And they don't care. Misogyny kills a woman every six seconds on this planet. The hockey culture towards women is horrific. As a woman, it's hard to feel safe anywhere.
For those who are interested in finding out more about Canada, from Canadian viewpoints, consider listening to the Canadaland podcast. They talk about all sorts of important issues that don't make it to the mainstream press, issues that might affect you if you intend to emigrate there. I'm a regular listener, and although some of it is insider baseball (not all that important to people who don't live there), a lot of it is very interesting listening.
Canada has it's own problem with right-wing politics that we don't hear about in the US. Seniors are less likely to be accepted as there are as there are earning/financial expectations and certain medical conditions (such as Parkinson's) will bar one from establishing permanent residency as treatment places a heavier financial burden on the healthcare system. This is also the case for New Zealand and the UK.
We very seriously considered moving to Canada in 2016. For better or worse, we hung on through Biden's administration hoping for good results in 2024. Instead the nightmare has occurred. We are preparing our house for sale. However, Canada is NOT a realistic option. As Susan Linehan writes below: (1) "The rules in 2016 were you can only live in Canada for 6 months and then have to stay OUT of Canada for six months. That would need maintaining two residences, and probably being subjected to two tax systems." and (2) "Medicare isn't portable." What seems like a (relatively) easy and ideal location are, in fact, out of reach. We're looking at Portugal. There is a growing ex-pat community there, and one can purchase health insurance for a reasonable price. I'm not sure about the 6-month limit, however. That is the situation (even 4 months, in some cases) for almost every country in Europe. Leaving ain't gonna be nearly as easy as you think.
This isn't about Canada, but...I have a question about Schedule F. (You may have addressed this, but I just joined your page). For people who get fired under Schedule F, do THEY still have the civil service protections they've always had--the right to appeal wrongful termination if not for cause? I can see Schedule F removing those protections for NEW hires, but somehow changing the status for existing hires has a real ex post facto feel for it.
If current civil servants booted by Schedule F DO have those rights, is there any effort at organizing that attempt to enforce them? If not a class action (should old Ka$h decide to tromp on all of you), at least support groups, sharing info about attorneys, even figuring out a way to get supporters to fund something that lets those attorneys work pro bono or on a sliding scales--a super GoFundMe. Has anyone approached the Mark Cubans and George Soros's of the Non-MAGAT persuasion? I looked it up: a firm set up to be funded this way CAN be a non-profit so contributions could be tax deductible.
Mostly I wonder if the federal employees in general are really worried about Schedule F and thinking about ways to resist it.
Canada sounds great except for the fact that they would not let me live there. I am a very senior citizen and they will not let folks in who cannot contribute to their economy with their labor..
P.S. my husband and I both worked for the federal government as career civil servants, he for 41 years and me for 21 years.
This is a concern for some of us. Is there a way to deal with it?
I don't think so. See my comment.
I looked into this back in 2016. One big reason seems to be that a retired person pretty much by definition hasn't paid into the health system in Canada. Medicare isn't portable. So far Social Security is, though that could change under trump. I think there are exceptions if you can invest a huge sum of money in a Canadian business, but that's beyond most of us.
I live under a hundred miles from the border and the geographic change of moving across the border would be minimal. But the rules in 2016 were you can only live in Canada for 6 months and then have to stay OUT of Canada for six months. That would need maintaining two residences, and probably being subjected to two tax systems.
😟😟😟😟😟
You would think that if you have independent means in the form of retirement/social security, it would be an issue.
Would, or would not?
Great post and overview of differences. Our climate is a bit more challenging; but our hearts are warm. Come over if you need to; as you have in the past — always welcome (also please and thank you, and an occasional, eh).
Thank you for your hospitality!
Oh wow! Would you sponsor me?! 😊
I agree regarding our climate however, while it can get bitter cold in winter, that is only a few months per year.
I live just north of Toronto and can attest to our winters however, the rest of the year, say mid-March through mid to late November we delight in the changing seasons.
Summer (June through September) can be very hot and, in our area, Humid! But I deal with it. I remember how Very Cold February can be.
Hot or cold, when you dress for it - no problem.
Thank you for summarizing all the great reasons to move to Canada! Both of my parents were born in Canada so I am hoping getting my dual citizenship will make the process easier. Having the option to move there will be importance depending on how crazy it becomes in this country.
You are lucky to have Canadian parents!
We in the USA should send our guns to Ukraine. There would be enough to last for several years!
Great idea!
Canada has historically sent lgbtqia+ refugees back to the USA, citing "move to a safe state", so that leaves me and my spouse without any real options but to stay. My spouse and I (both of us are trans) are likely gonna be rounded up and forced into conversion camps at some point. I hate the reality we live in.
We must resist to protect vulnerable minorities like you and your spouse.
Please don't assume this will happen. I strongly believe a resistance will develop and you will find there are "safe havens" within our population. Keep aware of what's happening in your community. You are not alone!
I hate it for your sakes, too.
I’d go in two seconds but I waded through Canada’s immigration requirements and have know people who pulled it off, but they do not make it easy. My French is somewhat limited. And I’m retired, and as Sara says, forget it. I think if you can buy a house it helps grease the skids, but that was just anecdotal. And I expect there could be a rush after January, so I’d hope they’d either make it a little easier, but I’d also get it if they tightened things up.
Canada is great. However, they have their own issues with misogyny, sexism and rascim. The fact that they continue to treat Indigenous people like a plague is unforgivable. The Canadian government continues to fight against gains they try to make. Indigenous Women disappear. And they don't care. Misogyny kills a woman every six seconds on this planet. The hockey culture towards women is horrific. As a woman, it's hard to feel safe anywhere.
For those who are interested in finding out more about Canada, from Canadian viewpoints, consider listening to the Canadaland podcast. They talk about all sorts of important issues that don't make it to the mainstream press, issues that might affect you if you intend to emigrate there. I'm a regular listener, and although some of it is insider baseball (not all that important to people who don't live there), a lot of it is very interesting listening.
Canada has it's own problem with right-wing politics that we don't hear about in the US. Seniors are less likely to be accepted as there are as there are earning/financial expectations and certain medical conditions (such as Parkinson's) will bar one from establishing permanent residency as treatment places a heavier financial burden on the healthcare system. This is also the case for New Zealand and the UK.
We very seriously considered moving to Canada in 2016. For better or worse, we hung on through Biden's administration hoping for good results in 2024. Instead the nightmare has occurred. We are preparing our house for sale. However, Canada is NOT a realistic option. As Susan Linehan writes below: (1) "The rules in 2016 were you can only live in Canada for 6 months and then have to stay OUT of Canada for six months. That would need maintaining two residences, and probably being subjected to two tax systems." and (2) "Medicare isn't portable." What seems like a (relatively) easy and ideal location are, in fact, out of reach. We're looking at Portugal. There is a growing ex-pat community there, and one can purchase health insurance for a reasonable price. I'm not sure about the 6-month limit, however. That is the situation (even 4 months, in some cases) for almost every country in Europe. Leaving ain't gonna be nearly as easy as you think.
Not welcoming for people over 49 years
This isn't about Canada, but...I have a question about Schedule F. (You may have addressed this, but I just joined your page). For people who get fired under Schedule F, do THEY still have the civil service protections they've always had--the right to appeal wrongful termination if not for cause? I can see Schedule F removing those protections for NEW hires, but somehow changing the status for existing hires has a real ex post facto feel for it.
If current civil servants booted by Schedule F DO have those rights, is there any effort at organizing that attempt to enforce them? If not a class action (should old Ka$h decide to tromp on all of you), at least support groups, sharing info about attorneys, even figuring out a way to get supporters to fund something that lets those attorneys work pro bono or on a sliding scales--a super GoFundMe. Has anyone approached the Mark Cubans and George Soros's of the Non-MAGAT persuasion? I looked it up: a firm set up to be funded this way CAN be a non-profit so contributions could be tax deductible.
Mostly I wonder if the federal employees in general are really worried about Schedule F and thinking about ways to resist it.