Do You Want To Emigrate To Canada?

[Liberal Crozier]

This is Spouse+.

Let us begin by some historical perspective. The United States is a "melting pot" of individuals from Northern and Southern Europe, Asia, as well as your neighbours, the Mexicans and the Canadians. To be sure the African-descended slaves came here under duress, and the Aboriginal or First Peoples were victims of genocide and land rape reminiscent of the Middle East.

These early immigrants came to the USA for a better life - sometimes freedom, and sometimes for their very lives; such as pogroms in Czarist Russia against the Jews; or potato famines in Ireland, or, etc. or etc. Many came with not a dollar in their pockets, and many of their progeny are either titans of industry or at least struggling along with the rest of the working middle class today.

The average number of individuals who left the "Old Country" to come to the USA were a small percentage of those suffering there. Different scholars usually suggest fifteen percent or less depending upon which group.
For example, high among Irish leaving the famine, or Jews leaving the Pogroms, or Italians fleeing Unification in the late nineteenth century.

Canadians have also stood for a haven for many former foreign nationals seeking our particular vision for a new world. Vietnam-era activists and veterans who sought refuge, are a generation or so later, Canadian citizens with grandchildren living in egalitarian freedom if their children or grandchildren are LGBT. A short-term minority government led by conservatives is in power in Canada, but know that the combination of leftist parties and the Bloc Quebecois are vigilant and they know nothing will change on LGBT issues without immediately toppling his government. Minority governments have lasted historically between nine months and a year and a half.

Crozier and I are aware that this forum speaks to the US struggle and we respect this. We are also aware that many of you want to know how to investigate the immigration rules and regulations. Many want to know the names of Canadian organisations of immigration lawyers, housing activists, employment activists, who might help you make the right decision for you.

It matters if you are considered single or married UNDER CANADIAN LAW. This is when your seemingly "worthless" Canadian marriage becomes legal and under full force of Canadian law. Also, if you are single, and begin to spend alot of time in Canada, and find Mr/Ms Right and marry, then you are a first preference alien able to receive a Residency Alien Card almost immediately, and then take the several years necessary to obtain citizenship.

We will only go further in this thread if we receive positive feedback from those who post on this forum. Sorry, lurkers, for I know that ten to one lurk over post, but we do not wish to wear out our welcome here. Many times when we post similar Canadian-centric views, we are met with silence by the posters, and high numbers of lurkers nevertheless.

So, this is a last-time posting on this subject unless we hear from you - maybe you can surprise us, and join the forum ( if necessary, many members only lurk too) and talk to us.

[Steven E. Webster]

Friends,

Obviously, we have thought about emigration. We helped two of our friends emigrate to Toronto with the aid of our cargo van. They will be standing as our witnesses when we marry at 2 p.m. on September 1st in the City Hall in Toronto.

By the way--we noticed your interest in attending our wedding, health permitting. Please do attend! That invitation is extended to all who read this list. (Though I hear 20 would be a squeeze in the wedding chambers, we only know for sure that there will be ourselves, our two witnesses and an officiant.)

This past weekend we attended the wedding reception of two friends who had tied the knot this past December in Toronto. It was cool to see the video of their ceremony. It helps to prepare us.

How do we find out more about emigration? The fact is, Jim is nearing retirement, and I'm only six years younger than Jim. We both will likely need to continue to work past "normal" retirement age, as we are no where near being "financially independent." I've not explored this, but I seem to recall that U.S. retirees can collect their U.S. social security after moving abroad--is that true?

Steven Webster

[pnggrad79]

Dear Spouse and Lib: I wish I could move to Canada. My wife and I were married in Niagara Falls, Sept. 11, 2004. I loved Niagara Falls!!! It was beautiful and the weather was gorgeous not to mention the scenery. Of course, our marriage is "worthless" here in the US. I have thought more than one time of moving to Canada where we could be a legally married couple. A few questions:

1. Could we have dual citizenship?
2. Would we still owe taxes to the US? or both?
3. What about the socialized healthcare in Canada? (Don't know enough about it to extrapolate, but people tell me that is a negative) However, the healthcare system here in the US is nothing to brag about either.

4. What about the weather? I come from Texas, where winter here in Houston lasts maybe 3 weeks and then it isn't that severe. Folks from Dallas or Amarillo may have a different perspective.

5. What is the job market? Would be spend a lot of time looking for a job?

[suzer1013]

I would love to hear more. I don't know if it will ever be a real possibility for my partner and I. Our financial situation doesn't allow for any long trips at this point, but we do wonder if there will be a time in this country (God forbid) when we might have to consider such an option.

My biggest concerns are how and where we would get jobs, and, frankly, the weather. I lived in Buffalo for 3 years (and was raised in Massachusetts) and had my fill of winter. I've been to Toronto and loved it there, so that might be a possibility. But the cold - well, I guess I could make the sacrifice if I had to.

Anyway, I'd be interested to hear more. Thanks!

Susan

[Steven E. Webster]

Hey! Weather in Toronto would be no problem to me! I was raised near Minneapolis/St. Paul and live in Madison, Wisconsin. With the "lake effect," I immagine Toronto and that part of Ontario would likely be milder in the winter time, and maybe not so sweltering in the Summer. And with global warming alot of folks from the Southern States may want to be heading north!

Another issue for me would be transferring my religious faith and occupation. I'm a Methodist and not too happy with the American church right now. I have an MA in Religious Studies from a theologically and politically liberal, Roman Catholic, Dominican College in Madison. I wish I could go into the ministry, but I'm currently employed as a church administrator because of bars to ordination.

I could imagine "converting" to either the United Church of Canada or the Canadian Anglican Church. How are opportunities for pursuing a calling to the ministry, especially for one who is well-past age 50 with limited (but some) experience in ministry? Or, short of that, using my education and experience in church administration?

Jim's profession is graphic/commercial arts. He's a wonderful designer. He prefers to do freelance. He does alot of work with Drum Corps, Colorguards and School Bands. He's actually done work with Canadian Corps and travels from time to time to Canada on business. His income is important to us, but we certainly could not depend on his income alone--he is 61.

Steven Webster

[Liberal Crozier]

This is Spouse+

Thank you the imput from the "usual suspects":love: :pray: :lol:

I chuckled especially when asked about the weather differential from Houston TX and Toronto ON. We have friends in Houston, and when we visit them, chuckle at the fact that for most of the year, the weather is sweltering and the humidity level is even higher. Our friends go from one air-conditioned environment to another.

Crozier and I will wait to hear from more of you before we consider support for this thread. If we do, we will continue with a module in FAQ format in order to answer as many questions with clear and concise information.

I do not know how many respondents will make us deliver this public information; but like something else, I will know it when I see it.:D

Steven - trust me.....the United Church of Canada would, after vetting, ordain you in a heartbeat....and you know that the Anglican Church of Canada has both sympathetic and opposing voices in the hierarchy....and everything is on hold for now.....tragic since I know how you could obtain a valid priesthood without the canonicity required...LOL

[NathanATX]

Hey! Weather in Toronto would be no problem to me! I was raised near Minneapolis/St. Paul and live in Madison, Wisconsin. With the "lake effect," I immagine Toronto and that part of Ontario would likely be milder in the winter time, and maybe not so sweltering in the Summer. And with global warming alot of folks from the Southern States may want to be heading north!

Another issue for me would be transferring my religious faith and occupation. I'm a Methodist and not too happy with the American church right now. I have an MA in Religious Studies from a theologically and politically liberal, Roman Catholic, Dominican College in Madison. I wish I could go into the ministry, but I'm currently employed as a church administrator because of bars to ordination.

I could imagine "converting" to either the United Church of Canada or the Canadian Anglican Church. How are opportunities for pursuing a calling to the ministry, especially for one who is well-past age 50 with limited (but some) experience in ministry? Or, short of that, using my education and experience in church administration?

Jim's profession is graphic/commercial arts. He's a wonderful designer. He prefers to do freelance. He does alot of work with Drum Corps, Colorguards and School Bands. He's actually done work with Canadian Corps and travels from time to time to Canada on business. His income is important to us, but we certainly could not depend on his income alone--he is 61.

Steven Webster

I love Austin weather, but man has it been getting hot here. I grew up in Tulsa and we had all kinds of extreme weather. Winter was either dull or absolutely fierce. I do miss winter clothes. :) Now I wear shorts year round.

The only place I've been to in Canada is Vancouver, BC. It was gorgeous. A little too close to North Korea... :lol: j/k

[MamimiFista]

Dear Spouse and Lib: I wish I could move to Canada. My wife and I were married in Niagara Falls, Sept. 11, 2004. I loved Niagara Falls!!! It was beautiful and the weather was gorgeous not to mention the scenery. Of course, our marriage is "worthless" here in the US. I have thought more than one time of moving to Canada where we could be a legally married couple. A few questions:

1. Could we have dual citizenship?
2. Would we still owe taxes to the US? or both?
3. What about the socialized healthcare in Canada? (Don't know enough about it to extrapolate, but people tell me that is a negative) However, the healthcare system here in the US is nothing to brag about either.

4. What about the weather? I come from Texas, where winter here in Houston lasts maybe 3 weeks and then it isn't that severe. Folks from Dallas or Amarillo may have a different perspective.

5. What is the job market? Would be spend a lot of time looking for a job?

Whoever posted these questions - thanks! I'm wondering all the same things? Is there anyone here who could answer these questions? I'd love you forever!

~*Kate*!

[Lydia]

By the way--we noticed your interest in attending our wedding, health permitting. Please do attend! That invitation is extended to all who read this list. (Though I hear 20 would be a squeeze in the wedding chambers, we only know for sure that there will be ourselves, our two witnesses and an officiant.)

This is off-topic, but I married my SO at Toronto's city hall last year.

And yes, 20 people is about the maximum for that room. Maybe 25 if those last couple are infants or young children who are happy sitting on laps, etc.

It's a very nice room, though. :)

[Liberal Crozier]

Words are emotionally inadequate to express our gratitude for the kindness that you sent in both word and flowers. Liberal was literally in tears of joy.
BTW, they are beautiful......this is truly a loving family on line.......:love: :love: :love:

[Jamie McDaniel]

Words are emotionally inadequate to express our gratitude for the kindness that you sent in both word and flowers. Liberal was literally in tears of joy.
BTW, they are beautiful......this is truly a loving family on line.......:love: :love: :love:

What's this I hear about the Bishop being ill? We should send flowers....something lovely to bless his beard with a smile. :love:

Hey Liberal & Spouse, it was Dash's idea to send flowers from all your friends on the forums. And when I saw you had given Soulforce your address... :cowboy::flower2:

[Dash]

Oh Wow!! Hooray!!! I'm so glad someone could actually do that!!:weee:

It's been a rough sleep week for me, and I've spent a good number of those "long after midnight" hours in tears and prayer for Liberal and others here and in my 3D life. I'm a little spent...:dove: :earth:

So, of course, I'm going to do what any self-respecting gay would do for a fun break...go shopping! Still have a gift certificate from my b-day, and I'm going to the clothing store.:running:

Flowers for everyone!!!
:flower::flower2::flower::flower2::flower: