I was watching the documentary "Bowling for Columbine" by Michael Moore the other day and was suprised at a couple of scenes that involved Canada...

One scene showed him(Michael Moore) walking up to random houses in a Canadian neighborhood only to find that all the doors to the houses are unlocked. Is this true? Do most people in Canada not lock their doors?

Another scene showed a man walking out of a health clinic or hospital and Michael asked him if he had to pay anything. He responded "no, nothing". I always wondered about the healthcare in Canada? So it's free to everybody, both kids and adults? What about trips to the optometrist or dentist or orthodontist? What is covered and what is not?

Finally, the people interviewed from Canada seemed to be so laid back and not scared like most Americans (I think that was an underlying theme to the move - "fear in the lives of Americans"). Would you all say you're more laid back?

Sorry if these are stupid questions but I've never been to Canada (I'd love to go).

Thanks in advance.




Brett

Any and all emergency health sevices are covered, but you must pay extra for a private room, tv, things like that. Clinic visits are covered within limits (two checkups per year I think). Dental is not covered unless it is a health emegency (abcess about to kill you, for example). Eyewear is not covered, nor are visits to the optomotrist. Orthodontic visits along with most cosmetic care is not covered. Although a woman with back problems can have a breast reduction if needed. Drugs are not covered, or have limited coverage. Most people carry health insurance that will take care of 80% of drugs, eyewear, and other little extras. You must be a citizen or landed immagrant (not new arrival) to qualify. People in the "welfare" system (long term unemployment) have their perscriptions covered as well.

No, most people lock there doors, at least within cities. You may find some unlocked doors in rural areas and small towns. I don't lock my doors if I'm home, usually. Many may have their doors unlocked but a rifle and a dog await you on the other side. We don't sue each other as much, so the dogs tend to be agressive with intruders

I think we are more laid back because we are not so cut-throat in business competition etc. Sure we are competative with each other, but it's rarely a case were someone will "win at all costs". We are a relativly cooperative society, although there are some greedy folks in every bunch. It seems to me we have a little less greed, money is not as important, and we don't suspect our neighbours, usually.

It is not a utopian society up here by any stretch of the imagination but on my trips to the US I have noticed that we don't have the bright lights and huge billboards, we won't shoot each other as easily, and what we think of as a bad traffic would be a fantastic day in most large US centers. I can recall when I was in southern California, if the freeways were moving at all they said the drive was "good". "Things are moving along well" said the report, buit the picture was nothing but brake lights..

My American relatives (in Detroit and Toledo) seem to have a very similar quality of life except that they are afraid to go into certain areas of their home cities. Here you may have neighbourhoods that you shouldn't walk alone in at night, but it is generally safe. Americans are friendly in safe environments, Candians will also talk to you on the street, in most cases, not Toronto. Say hi to a stranger on the street in T.O and they will assume you are either a scammer, or you are lost, either way they don't want to talk to you. The larger the city, the greater the chance of distrust.

I'd say that the US cities I have been to were generally less friendly and a little dirtier than cities I have visited in Canada, otherwise they are very similar.

PAX

I might say a lot of the same things as Hahahaha... so bear with me

Brett Johnson wrote:I was watching the documentary "Bowling for Columbine" by Michael Moore the other day and was suprised at a couple of scenes that involved Canada...

One scene showed him(Michael Moore) walking up to random houses in a Canadian neighborhood only to find that all the doors to the houses are unlocked. Is this true? Do most people in Canada not lock their doors?

No, most folks do in fact lock their doors when they're not home.. and few when they are home, not asleep. I think most Canadians have a bit of trust in people to not randomly just walk into someone's home, and rob them etc... (I'm not going to get into it). I'm not saying it doesn't HAPPEN ever... it just doesn't happen too often. B&E's, unlawfully in dwelling house or place of business-type offences happen, but it's not that alarming. The last time my place was broken into, my TV boombox and alcohol was taken.. and my roomate's unopened cigarettes were taken too... Everything was recovered at a local pawn shop.

One thing I think of crime in the US, is that it is actually going down per capita, but in total volume, it is in fact exploding... That's something Cops and neighbourhood associations need to work on.

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Another scene showed a man walking out of a health clinic or hospital and Michael asked him if he had to pay anything. He responded "no, nothing". I always wondered about the healthcare in Canada? So it's free to everybody, both kids and adults? What about trips to the optometrist or dentist or orthodontist? What is covered and what is not?

Okay.. This little bit depends on what province you're in, because health plans vary. Here in Ontario, Emergency & Critical care facilities are covered as are normal Doctor's visits, Optometrist diagnoses were covered, but not anymore. We do not get dental or orthodontic care unless it's a part of a larger covered health problem. Prescription drugs are not covered, but are federally subsidised due to volume purchasing plans, so that helps. Medical implements like canes, crutches, wheelchairs, etc. are not covered, but are usually available at a fairly low cost due to provincial funding.

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Finally, the people interviewed from Canada seemed to be so laid back and not scared like most Americans (I think that was an underlying theme to the move - "fear in the lives of Americans"). Would you all say you're more laid back?

I'd say that a lot more people have a lot less fear about their daily lives... mind you, that is changing. I've found after studying US vs. Canadian vs. world media, American media relies heavily on fear and loathing to communicate a point. After living in Houston for 3 months, I did indeed learn that you're best to not go out in the city after 11, and most places are hospitable, as long as you look like you have money.

Conversely, here, it's similar, but I think people are a little more tolerant of dress and focus more on demeanour. That's just my observation... Of course when you hit Toronto, it's a different story... 7 million people, yeah... it's like New York... not necessarily the friendliest place, but people have stuff to do. I doubt I'd like to live there, but I would if the money was right. Keep in mind, though, as you venture further east, people are less and less in their right minds... once you hit Newfoundland (and their colourfully named towns: Dildo, Conception Bay, Spread Eagle, Cumbychance, Leading Tickles.. etc... ) you'll see

I also know that some of my friends for work that were born and raised in the US and were transferred here prefer it for the climate as opposed to the weather... Basically, people are a lot more polite, a lot more forgiving, and just as friendly. Weather is a pain, but, we always know there's going to be winter... but, we don't have to worry about tornadoes, hurricanes and other natural mensturation pangs associated with living due south.

I find that there is a LOT less racism here than than in Houston (at least, most other cities in the US I've visited was only for a few days, and then, only for work), whether it's a function of Canada being the terminus of the underground railroad, or the fact that everyone shivers the same during a cold snap, or that people would just rather get along... I don't know for sure. It's just nice to know that I can go someplace with a few friends, and not get crap service if one or more happens to be black/asian/arabic/indian... or conversely, if I'm in another place with them, and I'm the odd one out.

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Sorry if these are stupid questions but I've never been to Canada (I'd love to go).

Thanks in advance.

They weren't stupid questions... If you don't know, just ask. You won't get ripped for asking a question, although, you might get told to search now and then.

Canada is a nice place, definitely... I have a very biased opinion mind you



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Ummm, GAM.. Here in Canada's deep south, we have tornados. Not 5 in one day like Oklahoma, but we do get them.. Rememeber when half of Woodstock blew away? We had one just north of London last year, and the year before, both small. One hit just west of London about 5 years ago.. Etc.. Sure, we're not really in Tornodo ally, but we are right at the northern tip of it. Tornado risk is greater in late summer, unlike the US's May tornado season.

GAM you make a good point about racism.. We are much better at hiding it. It's there, but we're too polite to actually act on it. Ask my native friends.

PAX

I think it's more that people don't lock their doors when they are home and awake. I lock my doors at night but it's not a major concern, if I realise I forgot to lock them when I leave in the morning I don't think to myself "Wow I was lucky not to get robbed". I think we just feel a little safer I do live in a relatively small city 73 000 population but I am not afraid to walk alone at night, the only possible concern is a couple drunk guys looking for trouble.



AmazingJay

Hahahaha: My bad... I meant it's not like you're hitting the tornado shelters every few days... We get cyclones here once in a blue moon.. but it's not like they plow a path of destruction a mile wide...

The Racism bit isn't as overt as it is in the US, but it happens.. until people can live without prejudice, it'll always be there, just a matter of whether you let it be a problem or not.



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I live in Toronto.

I pack a .45





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or a 10mm.



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I want to live in Canada




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Am I out of my mind because I'm on the east side

Big cities will always be big cities. I prefer the small town. Where I live we are 1500 peoples so when I go down to Montreal, I feel scared a bit but not that bad. I don't lock my door when I'm awake. I can go in town and not lock my door. They even give ticket here when you don't lock your car. Why use a lock? If the person want to get in, he will.



Gilles
2.3 Ho

LOL... that's the stupidest thing... I've only once gotten a ticket for that, and only in Quebec.



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a ticket for not locking your car, what do they do if you leave the window or top down, impound it?

that is crazy, people should be ticketed for being stupid but i think they missed the nail completely on that one.

^^^ Exactly.



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i dislike canadians

CANADA KICKS ASS!!!

Hairy Blackdude wrote:i dislike canadians

Then we're even.

You likely don't know any Canadians. That'd be like me saying I don't like US citizens.. I've met at least 100, I must know the whole country. Besides, I've only met a couple I don't like, so that would be a lie. I dislike certain individuals from each side of the border.

PAX

Hahahaha: Don't feed the trolls.



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I can't help it, it's obvious that they thirst for knowledge.

PAX

Then let them buy a maple-knowledge flavoured frostee.



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I hate canadians, and mainly for the reason of people like GAM. His ego is so strong, and he seems to (THINK) he knows more about the US than anyone here. GAM your a typical canadian that hugs trees, hates america, hates bush( viva la bush!!!), and knocks america 24-7. Face is grandamhippy, the US is one of the best, most wealthy countires, and canada is..........nothing really...you have......a lot of wood.......and well...people that cant speak normal EH.

My name is hairy black dude and i am anti-canadian and anti-french.

VIVA LA BUSH

((waits for GAM's typical book long story about why the US sucks and canada is so great))

get a life and dont waste your whole life on the .org

Hey, i live here and i think the U.S. sucks! But then again the resons why i hate it ae found everywhere--corrupt government and a populace so infantile that they are uncomfortable soing anything but sucking on the teat of their corporate, political, or religious masters.

So, let's recap the american decade: We've had Guns in school, and guns in church--ya know what i'm waithing for now? Guns in congress

As for canadians, i think they are pretty cool once you can get over their beady eyes and floppy heads...


Goodbye Callisto & Skaði, Hello Ishara:
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The only thing every single person from every single walk of life on earth can truly say
they have in common is that their country is run by a bunch of fargin iceholes.

HAIRY - the problem is not us. It's people like you taht make the US look like crap. You don't know 1 thing about Canda. We only have wood? if it wasn't for us, you wouldn't be there today. WE let you in. Second, how many thing Canadian create? alot. alot of the military that the US use have been desing and have parts from Canada. It's not by making war that you are a big country. You do war all the time when you are stupid. Sometime you don't ahve any choice but look, we are still here and we didn't follow you everywhere. Then take a smaple of the air in the US and one in Canada. Big news fdor you, you live in a really pollute country. We have tree, yes. And in case you didn't know, trees take out the CO and CO2 and release O2 so the air is better here. If you like your city/desert land that's up to you. But if you don't know how it is to walk in the FOREST and have fresh air and alot of animal other than skunk and racoon, you can't say Canada suck.

You bash GAM without even knowing Canada. That's the problem of most people doing bad commebnt, they don't know what they are talking about. At least know how it is in Canada before saying we suck.



Gilles
2.3 Ho

Guys, I'll settle this.

1. I have an ego.. True. I think Canada is the BEST place to live in the world (but then again 6 years running according to the UN doesn't hurt). I do, however admit when I'm wrong.

2. Hairy, you're about as ignorant about me as I am about astro-physics. Note, I'm not making a value based judgment about you, I just know from you're imbecile comments thusfar.

3. I don't like to feed the trolls, and frankly, the rest of you oughtta just ignore this guy... He's been trying to stir up sh*t on other forums... Best to just ignore what little he has to type, because he has nothing to say worth reading.



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free health care my ass we pay so many taxes that it covers it anyway. Also usually in emergency rooms you gotta wait a couple of hours to get in then you have to wait some more once your inside till the doctor comes along.