Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

What are you thoughts on Canada.

wordoflife said:
No way.

Maybe one of the top five cities that you've been to, but not one of the five cities anywhere.
Click to expand...

Well, technically most years Vancouver ranks in the top ten of cities... anywhere. There are several yearly rankings that rank global cities for "liveability" and most years Vancouver is not only in the top 10, it's in the top 3 and often ranked #1. When Vancouver is pushed out of the top 3 rankings, it's often by another Canadian city like Victoria.

I happen to pay attention to these things because we live between Victoria and Vancouver, and it's hard to get away from the civic media chest thumping each year if one of the cities ranks higher, and the angst-ridden wailing when a city ranks lower. I tell ya, it's tough living in paradise.

------

To answer wikus's moaning....

Canadians like to complain about Canada. We have so little to complain about, really, so we've made a national sport of bewailing the imperfections in our society. Yes... Canada is not perfect, far from it. But I think we don't get motivated to the "revolution" because, really, life is good here. Yes - the bureaucracy can be a bit much. But what is interesting is that we have lots of little rules that regulate how society works - rules on signs, and sidewalks, etc etc. But when it comes to personal freedoms, there is a very strong "live and let live" attitude here. You want to marry your same sex partner? - sure. It's a private issue. You want to live in a religious commune? - sure, do it privately somewhere and leave the rest of us alone. Homeowner Associations aren't big here... what you do with your house is a personal matter. Want to get an abortion? Sure - it's your decision (for the most part, with some exceptions unfortunately). Lots of examples of the State staying out of people's lives. As one of our Prime Ministers once said (paraphrasing) the State has no business in the bedrooms of its citizens. This was just about the same time as declaring Martial Law, btw.... but that's another story.

And one more piece of Canadian Trivia.... yes, we are about POGG (Peace, Order, and Good Government) - And because of that we had the largest peacetime civilian evacuation in history, until the 2005 New Orleans evacuation. In 1979 a quarter of a million residents of Mississauga were moved when a train derailed. No one died in the evacuation, and they were kept in shelters for - I forget how long, days I think. And then they went home. There was no advance warning of the train derailment of course ... the authorities just moved, housed, and fed the residents - and then they went back because - well, they needed to.
 
Last edited:
I've lived here for 15 years now since I moved here from Europe when I was 6 and everything's pretty great here...

Except the winters...they're not even that bad in recent years but I hate wearing jackets and the cold. Every year when I commute to school for an hour in the cold I remind myself how much I hate that season. If my career allows it, I'd love to move to like California in the future. :)
 
snberk103 said:
But when it comes to personal freedoms, there is a very strong "live and let live" attitude here.
Click to expand...

Now we have to tackle the "live and let die" problem.

Hopefully, some day, the 'sanctity of life' religious nuts, and the 'we own your ass' political ones, will be in decline.

Then perhaps we can move on to treating the incurable and dying in the same humane way we treat our pets.

Whoops, to political. Sorry. :eek:
 
snberk103 said:
------

To answer wikus's moaning....

Canadians like to complain about Canada. We have so little to complain about, really, so we've made a national sport of bewailing the imperfections in our society. Yes... Canada is not perfect, far from it. But I think we don't get motivated to the "revolution" because, really, life is good here. Yes - the bureaucracy can be a bit much. But what is interesting is that we have lots of little rules that regulate how society works - rules on signs, and sidewalks, etc etc. But when it comes to personal freedoms, there is a very strong "live and let live" attitude here. You want to marry your same sex partner? - sure. It's a private issue. You want to live in a religious commune? - sure, do it privately somewhere and leave the rest of us alone. Homeowner Associations aren't big here... what you do with your house is a personal matter. Want to get an abortion? Sure - it's your decision (for the most part, with some exceptions unfortunately). Lots of examples of the State staying out of people's lives. As one of our Prime Ministers once said (paraphrasing) the State has no business in the bedrooms of its citizens. This was just about the same time as declaring Martial Law, btw.... but that's another story.
Click to expand...

OMG you have just described the Netherlands. :D
 
wikus said:
Yeah man, because theres absolutely no room for improving Canada. Let us all in typical canadian fashion let parliament decide whats best for us. I've organized rallies with Jack Layton and other MPs a year ago and not to my surprise I noticed that Canadians have no backbone. Parliament says jump, Canadians ask 'how high' ? If new absurd regulations are put in place especially for those stemming from isolated incidents, NOBODY says a thing. As if Canadians really believe that the government is looking out for them. I'm sure theyre looking out for me with that 2am drinking law. I don't drink, but I cannot tolerate being forced to basically go home between 2-3am when I'm out having fun with friends. I want the choice.

You know whats disgusting and offensive? Your attitude towards people that VOICE these very opinions. What are you trying to tell them? To shut up and deal with it? Do you guys have any idea how incredibly ignorant and arrogant you are by negating these things???
Click to expand...

So you rightly get called out on your hypocrisy and ignorance and your response is to completely change the topic so that you can be on the offensive again? Is your need to be right so great that you must manipulate situations to ensure that you're always on top?

What a sad, sad life you must lead.

And, FWIW, last call is at 2 a.m.--that's not a regulated closing time. Clubs and bars can stay open longer if they wish.
 
Last edited:
wikus said:
Yeah man, because theres absolutely no room for improving Canada. Let us all in typical canadian fashion let parliament decide whats best for us. I've organized rallies with Jack Layton and other MPs a year ago and not to my surprise I noticed that Canadians have no backbone. Parliament says jump, Canadians ask 'how high' ? If new absurd regulations are put in place especially for those stemming from isolated incidents, NOBODY says a thing. As if Canadians really believe that the government is looking out for them. I'm sure theyre looking out for me with that 2am drinking law. I don't drink, but I cannot tolerate being forced to basically go home between 2-3am when I'm out having fun with friends. I want the choice.

You know whats disgusting and offensive? Your attitude towards people that VOICE these very opinions. What are you trying to tell them? To shut up and deal with it? Do you guys have any idea how incredibly ignorant and arrogant you are by negating these things???
Click to expand...

Thank you for the early morning laugh.

- Show me where I said there was no room to improve Canada.
- Show me where I said there aren't absurd regulations.
- Show me where I said last call at 2am is a good idea.
- Show me where I said choice was a bad thing.
- Show me where I said you weren't allowed to voice your opinion.
- Show me where I told you to shut up and deal with it.

I'd like you to complete the above tasks. I'd be impressed if you could complete ANY of them.

All I said was that your argument to Surely was ABSURD. You are asking him to compare 194 Countries that he's never been to, and probably knows nothing about - Law wise.
 
Vancouver has GREAT sushi, and they have great Maple Syrup! Not to mention lots of diamonds and oil, but they talk funny though.
 
AppleDApp said:
:) ha unfortunately I do not live in BC.
Click to expand...

Lots of room here... if you want affordable you gotta say away from the South Coast, though... average house price in Vancouver makes our southern cousins cry.

iJohnHenry said:
Now we have to tackle the "live and let die" problem.

Hopefully, some day, the 'sanctity of life' religious nuts, and the 'we own your ass' political ones, will be in decline.

Then perhaps we can move on to treating the incurable and dying in the same humane way we treat our pets.

Whoops, to political. Sorry. :eek:
Click to expand...

BC Supreme Court has just ruled (in the past few weeks) that the ban on doctor assisted suicide was unconstitutional, under the Charter. Essentially, a disabled person is being denied an opportunity (for suicide) that an able bodied person has. Further to this (the court ruled) the ban on doctor assisted suicide may have been causing more suicides since someone who was suffering from a degenerative disease, like ALS, may choose to take their own life while they still could instead of waiting until they had no choice. The Court then put a 1 year delay on the ruling to give Parliament time to come up with some rules and regulations (much to wikus's regret) around how this would work in practice, and then gave the person who brought the case forward an exemption from the delay. We're not the 1st in the world to move ahead on this issue, but there are not many countries that have had to courage to tackle this difficult issue.
Happybunny said:
OMG you have just described the Netherlands. :D
Click to expand...

Another wonderfully forward thinking and delightful country. My best friend's late mother was Dutch, several friends here where I live are Dutch, and an old girl-friend's family is Dutch. In the mid 1970s we visited her family in the Netherlands for a few weeks, and I really enjoyed my time there. I really liked (and still like) the people. When I was growing up, I loved having lunch at my best friend's house. While my parents were into balanced meals, with all the food groups, lunch at my friend's house was white bread, with corn-syrup, and topped with chocolate sprinkles. I mean - what kid wouldn't love the Dutch for that?

AppleDApp said:
In my area everything is closed by 2:30 ish and last call is before 2.
Click to expand...

That would be a business decision, not a regulation then. And yes... Canadians can make very conservative business decisions. In the case of the banking system, that's good news. In the case of bars and pubs... well, yes, we are a little boring. sigh.
 
snberk103 said:
That would be a business decision, not a regulation then. And yes... Canadians can make very conservative business decisions. In the case of the banking system, that's good news. In the case of bars and pubs... well, yes, we are a little boring. sigh.
Click to expand...
Well I would hardly call the last call regulation 'boring' there's many reasons to limit the sale of intoxicants... what could be 'fun' to one bar patron could be perceived as disturbing the peace to the neighbourhood that's trying to get some sleep. :)

BTW you 'stole' my sig. :p ;)
 
Raid said:
Well I would hardly call the last call regulation 'boring' there's many reasons to limit the sale of intoxicants... what could be 'fun' to one bar patron could be perceived as disturbing the peace to the neighbourhood that's trying to get some sleep. :)

BTW you 'stole' my sig. :p ;)
Click to expand...

Depends on the point of view, granted. And your comment is also very Canadian (in a good way, imho )... it's the concern for others that one doesn't see in a more, um, "individualist" culture. ;)
---
It's a good philosophy... more people should have that line posted someplace they can see it daily, eh?
 
Wondercow said:
So you rightly get called out on your hypocrisy and ignorance and your response is to completely change the topic so that you can be on the offensive again? Is your need to be right so great that you must manipulate situations to ensure that you're always on top?

What a sad, sad life you must lead.

And, FWIW, last call is at 2 a.m.--that's not a regulated closing time. Clubs and bars can stay open longer if they wish.
Click to expand...

Another idiotic Canadian law put in place. What are your thoughts on THIS?

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottaw...wa-smoking-ban-updated-to-include-hookah.html

Seriously, Regulationland, is a fitting name for Canada, though too many of you have never stepped outside of your own borders it seems.
 
wikus said:
... though too many of you have never stepped outside of your own borders it seems.
Click to expand...

Actually, been around the world twice.... does that count? Lived 2 years in Hong Kong, 1 year in Singapore... though those were as a child. I've been through a good part of Europe, and touched the Middle East. Not Africa yet, touched S. America. How am I doing?

Besides.. I don't agree with your basic assumption that rules and regulations are necessarily bad. I kinda like that there are rules that allow me the 'quiet enjoyment' of public spaces and my own property.
 
This is how most Canadians express themselves; take note.

wikus said:
Another idiotic Canadian law put in place. What are your thoughts on THIS?

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottaw...wa-smoking-ban-updated-to-include-hookah.html

Seriously, Regulationland, is a fitting name for Canada, though too many of you have never stepped outside of your own borders it seems.
Click to expand...
Well ok, you asked for my thoughts. Here it goes:
First you don't appear to be a native Canadian; there's a little too much extremism and vitorl in your posts. Calling it 'Regulationland' is about as sensible as calling Canada a bad place to live because one city's smoking ban included hookahs. Second, you made a brash assumption about never stepping outside our own borders. Most Canadians I know love to explore and experience other cultures and try to absorb as much of the culture as they can. Yes there are some that just sit in an all inclusive and sun themselves to show off their bronzed skin to their pale coworkers in the dead of winter, but they are in a very small minority in my experience.

As for the by-law banning hookahs, is it a little culturally insensitive? Yes. Is the ban a bad thing? Not in my opinion, the ban is most likely an attempt to prevent transmission of second hand smoke to other persons near by and appears to restrict their use to designated smoking areas. The fact that hookahs most likely use herbal ingredients rather than tobacco, but not excluding tobacco is probably the reason for the specific hookah by law.

If you think there are more things wrong with Canada please contact the local PRSI.

Thank you.
 
Last edited:
snberk103 said:
Actually, been around the world twice.... does that count? Lived 2 years in Hong Kong, 1 year in Singapore... though those were as a child. I've been through a good part of Europe, and touched the Middle East. Not Africa yet, touched S. America. How am I doing?

Besides.. I don't agree with your basic assumption that rules and regulations are necessarily bad. I kinda like that there are rules that allow me the 'quiet enjoyment' of public spaces and my own property.
Click to expand...

And since you've lived in Singapore you know that last paragraph is especially true. I have relatives there and I just spent a few weeks visiting. They have some incredible infrastructure there -- big malls connected by underground linkways with more malls lining the passages, public transit going everywhere and even more lines being built, and what really blew me away was realizing how little income tax they pay over there.

Ottawa, by comparison, seems positively backwards. We've just postponed the launch of a smart-card payment system for our busses because nobody can figure out how to make it work (despite the technology having been around since the mid-90's). Nobody wants new rail lines built in their backyards and there is always another outcry for another environmental assessment which causes even more delays. They've been arguing over where the stops will go. This light rail system might just be usable by the time I retire.

Oh well.

Oh, and my favourite boast about living in Canada (well, Ontario): milk comes in bags here ;)
 
notjustjay said:
....

Oh, and my favourite boast about living in Canada (well, Ontario): milk comes in bags here ;)
Click to expand...

I remember those bags. Now in BC, so we don't see them. Know what else I like about Canada? Despite being an ally and good friend to the USA, we still put an American Navy defeat on our currency. How many countries have ever had the chutzpah to do that, much less an ally?
 
snberk103 said:
Despite being an ally and good friend to the USA, we still put an American Navy defeat on our currency. How many countries have ever had the chutzpah to do that, much less an ally?
Click to expand...
Well that fight was 200 years ago. :) They've forgotten/forgave(?) much more grievous things that happened to them in that war.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back