Americans flock to Canada's immigration site

[Guest JMT]

can i stop laughing now?

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Americans flock to Canada's immigration Web site

Fri November 05, 2004 01:30 PM ET

By David Ljunggren

OTTAWA (Reuters) - The number of U.S. citizens visiting Canada's main immigration Web site has shot up six-fold as Americans flirt with the idea of abandoning their homeland after President George W. Bush's election win this week.

"When we looked at the first day after the election, November 3, our Web site hit a new high, almost double the previous record high," immigration ministry spokeswoman Maria Iadinardi said on Friday.

On an average day some 20,000 people in the United States log onto the Web site, www.cic.gc.ca -- a figure which rocketed to 115,016 on Wednesday. The number of U.S. visits settled down to 65,803 on Thursday, still well above the norm.

Bush's victory sparked speculation that disconsolate Democrats and others might decide to start a new life in Canada, a land that tilts more to the left than the United States.

Would-be immigrants to Canada can apply to become permanent resident, a process that often takes a year. The other main way to move north on a long-term basis is to find a job, which requires a work permit.

But please spare the sob stories.

Asked whether an applicant would be looked upon more sympathetically if they claimed to be a sad Democrat seeking to escape four more years of Bush, Iadinardi replied: "There would be no weight given to statements of feelings."

Canada is one of the few major nations with an large-scale immigration policy. Ottawa is seeking to attract between 220,000 and 240,000 newcomers next year.

"Let's face it, we have a population of a little over 32 million and we definitely need permanent residents to come to Canada," said Iadinardi. "If we could meet (the 2005) target and go above it, the more the merrier."

But right now it is too early to say whether the increased interest will result in more applications.

"There is no unusual activity occurring at our visa missions (in the United States). Having someone who intends to come to Canada is not the same as someone actually putting in an application," said Iadinardi.

"We'll only find out whether there has been an increase in applications in six months."

The waiting time to become a citizen is shorter for people married to Canadians, which prompted the birth of a satirical Web site called www.marryanamerican.ca.

The idea of increased immigration by unhappy Americans is triggering some amusement in Canada. Commentator Thane Burnett of the Ottawa Sun newspaper wrote a tongue-in-cheek guide to would-be new citizens on Friday.

"As Canadians, you'll have to learn to embrace and use all the products and culture of Americans, while bad-mouthing their way of life," he said.

[Guest pod]

Don't let the door kick you in the ass on the way out.

[Guest macboy]

Hah! Pod beat me to it.

But I also think that when word spread about people flocking to the Canadian immigration website, others just pointed their browsers over there simply out of curiosity over the news story. They kept talking about it on Air America today. As BCN would say, ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

[Guest pod]

Canada's not some Democrat utopia, either. They have a lot of issues too. Free healthcare? Sure, but be prepared to wait. Crime? Yeah they got that too. Nevermind it's cold and there's the irritating province of Quebec.

[Guest JMT]

regardless of what douche gets elected, this is still thee US of A.

[Guest web_norah]

Canada is great and all that

but no way in hell i'd move there.

[V. Barbarino]

i think bcn would say " hot sauce or mild?"" please drive up"

[Guest web_norah]

huh ???

so did you buy your roses bouquet on Biscayne or what Saleen?

[Guest pod]

I'd love to see the numbers of people that'd actually move. So many people I talked to recently threatened to move if Bush won. Well, Dubya is back for 4 years. Time to make good on your promises people. I actually told this one guy I know who threatened to move that I would help him pack up. He's a nice guy, but prone to Michael Moore-isms and worse.

Bush sucks, Kerry sucks. In the end this is our country though, and I believe that in being an American, you have the right and responsibility to fight for the ideals the Founding Fathers laid down, regardless of who is in charge.

[Bling]

HAHAHHAH bush sucksssssssssssssss

i wont leave the country though .........

[tgibson]

Canada's not some Democrat utopia, either. They have a lot of issues too. Free healthcare? Sure, but be prepared to wait. Crime? Yeah they got that too. Nevermind it's cold and there's the irritating province of Quebec.

It's just a much less competitive, much more chilled back place. Not ideal for business, pretty safe and clean though.

[Guest slamminshaun]

Did the Baldwin's get in line yet?

[Guest pod]

Yeah really. Get the fuck out, Alec.

If Strange Brew is any indicator, yeah it is totally laid back. 8)

[Guest Seb]

Oh Canada, Gloriuos and Free!

Don't hate on my country!! >

[Guest web_norah]

i am not hating on Canada

but i tell you one thing, i am barely living on the fall in NY and i definitely couldnt handle the Canada winters.

[Guest Seb]

BTW Pod I don't remember every having to wait to see a doctor. I also didn't have to be referred by a primary care doctor to see a specialist. No waiting, no copays. I thought it worked quite well.

[Guest web_norah]

there is nothing like free healthcare. i wouldnt mind paying more taxes if we had access to basic healthcare

[Guest slamminshaun]

there is nothing like free healthcare. i wouldnt mind paying more taxes if we had access to basic healthcare

It sure is easy to pay for healthcare when you have a country like the U.S. protecting you from outside invaders, so that you don't have to pay for your own military.

[Guest obby]

Don't let the door kick you in the ass on the way out.

What he said !!!!!!

Bush sucks, Kerry sucks. In the end this is our country though, and I believe that in being an American, you have the right and responsibility to fight for the ideals the Founding Fathers laid down, regardless of who is in charge.

WOW Pod !!!!!! and to think I thought you were a hater. let me appologize by buying you a drink the next time I see you.

[Guest web_norah]

there is nothing like free healthcare. i wouldnt mind paying more taxes if we had access to basic healthcare

It sure is easy to pay for healthcare when you have a country like the U.S. protecting you from outside invaders, so that you don't have to pay for your own military.

please dont preach your military rant and outside invaders dogma when i am mentioning something this country really needs badly, and thats healthcare measures. two VERY different issues.

[Guest tres-b]

there is nothing like free healthcare. i wouldnt mind paying more taxes if we had access to basic healthcare

Free healthcare sounds so nice...in utopia. Socialism doesnt work. Free healthcare screams socialism and therefore cannot work in this country.

I do agree w/ you about the need to makeover many areas of the healthcare system, but free to all isnt the answer b/c it would be free for some while the productive members of society payed the bills.

As for the people leaving, Ill believe it when I see but to anyone packing---

Via con Dios! Dont let the door hit ya in the ass.

[Guest web_norah]

free healthcare works in tons of countries

you have basic free healthcare in Peru - a third world country

same goes to Spain, Germany, UK, France, Italy, etc.

it isnt utopia.

[Guest guyman1966]

free healthcare works in tons of countries

you have basic free healthcare in Peru - a third world country

same goes to Spain, Germany, UK, France, Italy, etc.

Thats why when someone rich gets sick in those countries, they come here for treatment.

Norah - get a clue. It does not work.

[Guest slamminshaun]

there is nothing like free healthcare. i wouldnt mind paying more taxes if we had access to basic healthcare

It sure is easy to pay for healthcare when you have a country like the U.S. protecting you from outside invaders, so that you don't have to pay for your own military.

please dont preach your military rant and outside invaders dogma when i am mentioning something this country really needs badly, and thats healthcare measures. two VERY different issues.

Preaching and stating mathematical facts are two different things. It's just a fact that Canada can only afford what they do, simply because they don't pay for the military that we do. And why is that? Because they are directly benefiting from ours. Name one place in the U.S. where people are dying in the streets.....nowhere. Insurance is an issue as is the rising costs....but everyone has healthcare in the US.

[Guest tres-b]

free healthcare works in tons of countries

you have basic free healthcare in Peru - a third world country

same goes to Spain, Germany, UK, France, Italy, etc.

it isnt utopia.

As I stated before, those of us who are productive would be paying for another social program.

While some might consider members of the Democratic party socialists, I will say that no socialist holds an elected office is Washington(thankfully). The same cannot be said of the countries you mentioned in your rebuttle. Therefore, it isnt surprising that they have socialist programs.

We are a capitalistic society. I am not responsible for taking care someone else's medical bill. Its time for people to start pulling their own weight.