There have been several contemplations on “Is Canada Better Than America”? Despite being neighbors, the USA and Canada have very different worldviews. This has been illustrated by how American sitcoms portray Canadians.
In general, most Canadians think they are better off living in Canada than the US. Majorities think that life in Canada is safer from violence, they have better healthcare, and it’s cheaper to live.
Quality of Life and Social Services
When you think of Canada, it may be about food (pancakes and maple syrup), sports – like hockey – or perhaps celebrities like Ryan Gosling or Michael Bublé. What you might not know is that Canada is also one of the best places to live in the world.
Newcomers who choose to move to Canada are likely to be drawn by its beautiful landscapes, strong job market, free healthcare and social support systems, safety, and low crime rate. In fact, the country ranks 3rd in quality of life in the latest U.S News Best Countries survey, well ahead of the US and other nations.
Furthermore, North Americans – Canadians and Americans alike – are among the most satisfied people in the world. In an OECD Better Living Survey, two-thirds of Canadians and Americans rank their satisfaction with their lives at 8 out of 10, which is significantly higher than the average for other wealthy countries. The same survey also reveals that Canadians and Americans have more optimism about the future than residents of other Western countries.
Economic Opportunities and Job Markets (Is Canada Better Than America)
Canada’s economy has enjoyed robust growth in recent years, boosting job opportunities for the country’s residents. Moreover, the labour market remains healthy with an unemployment rate at its lowest since 2001. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, many employers have kept their doors open, and some sectors like travel and hospitality have even experienced gains in jobs over the last year.
According to TD Bank economist Sri Thanabalasingam, the Canadian job market will face “more headwinds” in 2022. In the short term, he predicts that the resurgence of the virus could prompt businesses to shut down more non-essential locations and lay off workers. He points to the example of WestJet, which recently announced plans to slash flights and axe jobs.
However, he adds that Canada’s economy is “well-positioned to weather the storm”. And will continue to grow in the long run. He attributes the strength of the Canadian economy to a few key industries, including construction, healthcare and social assistance, and professional, scientific, and technical services. These industries have contributed more than half of the net employment gains over the past several years.
Cultural Diversity and Inclusivity
Despite sharing many similarities, Canadians and Americans disagree in some key ways. For example, while three-in-five Americans believe that people determine their own success in life, only six-in-ten Canadians agree. And while most Americans think that the government should take care of those who cannot help themselves, only about four-in-ten Canadians feel the same.
As a commonwealth country, Canada also has a different form of government than America, with the head of state being Queen Elizabeth II rather than a president. In addition, Canada has more political parties than the United States – including the Liberal Party, Conservative Party, NDP, and Bloc Quebecois.
When it comes to cultural diversity, Canada is a much more welcoming nation than America. For example, newcomers to the country are often encouraged to retain their language and traditions, rather than assimilate into mainstream culture. This is a big reason why Canadians have a lower crime rate than Americans.
In addition, companies that are leading in diversity and inclusion are experiencing better financial results. A 2015 McKinsey report found that businesses with strong racial and ethnic diversity are 35% more likely to exceed their industry’s median revenue.
Immigration Policies and Pathways (Is Canada Better Than America)
Canada is famous for its economic immigration system, which prioritizes workers with high skills and job offers. Candidates apply through a point system and top-ranked applicants receive an invitation to pursue permanent residency. There are also complementary pathways, such as the entrepreneur, investor, and startup business programs.
Canada’s government has increased yearly immigration levels during the pandemic, and it maintains an ambitious goal for 2022 to 2023. However, the country faces a number of challenges when it comes to selecting, settling, and integrating immigrants.
The most significant challenge stems from the COVID-19 pandemic, but it also comes from within the political landscape and personal preferences of Canadians. In 2021, the United States welcomed 3.1 new permanent residents per 1,000 people, whereas Canada granted more than twice that amount (Omidvar and Black 2020).
The United States prioritizes family-based immigration, but it also has less of an emphasis on green cards for workers. This creates a gap between the United States and Canada in terms of addressing workforce needs. This gap has increased since the Trump administration’s policies.
Political Landscape and Personal Preferences
Despite the fact that Canada is a close ally of the United States. Canadians view their relationship with America quite differently. Canadian attitudes toward Americans have only modestly slipped since the Iraq War. While public opinion of America has fallen considerably more in many other countries where Pew Research surveys were conducted.
On the other hand, Canadians – and North Americans as a whole – are extremely satisfied with their own lives. Two-thirds of them say they are happy with their personal situation. And slightly more than half say they think their lives will get even better in the future. This optimism stands out compared to other wealthy publics, including Western Europeans.
In addition, most Canadians think they have much more control over their own destinies than they do in other developed countries. They also believe that the government should take care of poor people. But are less committed to a universal social safety net than are Western Europeans. In other words, both Canada and the United States have a lot of things to offer people who want to move there.