How do you view America?

Lakota - posted on 06/06/2012

There are a lot of messed up (no need to use the F Bomb) people here and every where. Of course the media (especially in other countries) are going to report mainly bad things about the US. They love to villianize us in every way they can.

Johnny . - posted on 04/18/2012
Indeed, I also have a list of states I would avoid travelling to. Although I am not quite as nervous visiting most of the US as I am when visiting Mexico. There are also very few states I would ever consider residing in, even temporarily.

Johnny, I don't hear anything good reported about Canada - except on the Travel Channel. But, I did hear about the porn star who killed tons of kittens and then killed and ate some poor kid from China. So, should people not visit your country because all of you are murderous, people eaters? If you haven't been been to those states you would avoid, how the hell would you know anything about them? Please don't tell me that you read or heard things. I am really hoping you are more educated than that.

So irritating to hear people from other countries talk like they don't have the same type of crimes/criminals as the US does. Get over yourself.

America3437 - posted on 06/06/2012

I would like to know how this topic became about Canada and all it's glory?!? Thanks for getting so far of topic!

♥♪Megan♫♥ - posted on 06/05/2012

Sarah, the Maritimes sound fun. My daughter's Brownie troop did an explore Canada section with the Maritimes.

Ontario is nice, but it's HUGE! It's a monster province! When I flew out to BC from NY last year Ontario was most of my flight! I love Niagra Falls (both sides) and Marine land. Right now I'm seeing commercials for Marine Land on Ytv, Nick Canada,Teletoon, and Teletoon Retro. It's making me homesick because we had the same commercials in Western NY.

Sarah - posted on 06/05/2012

I agree MeMe! It definitely IS one of my goals to go out east one day. I would love to visit PEI and Halifax in particular, though I want to see Ontario as well, I have family there. I just haven't had the opportunity or money yet! One day...

♥♪Megan♫♥ - posted on 06/05/2012

Yeah you won't get that in New York or British Columbia. Maine has good lobster though-

MeMe - Raises Her Hand (-_-) (Mommy Of A Toddler And Teen) - posted on 06/05/2012

Oh my Megan. Here you buy the lobster either right off the boat or right out of the Fishermens' truck. It is currently going for $5.50/lb. It is hard shell, which is the absolute best lobster you can ever find and since the Atlantic is so cold, it makes for some really full (all meat) and tasty lobsters. We just had a feast a couple weeks ago. We had 8 lobster, my in-laws gave them to me for my birthday. They have a bunch of fishermen friends. Can you say mmmmmmm. LOL

Mind you the Maritimes is a large fishing part of Canada. All the lobster you get in Red Lobster is from here. ;)

♥♪Megan♫♥ - posted on 06/05/2012

Meme. blame Wikipedia. I also copied and pasted the part about WEM being the largest mall in North America. It was the largest in the world until 2004 and is going through more renovations.

I do miss having lobster in the store instead of having it shipped. My inlaws had a lobster BBQ for Victoria day and my husband's cousin had to pre-order the lobster. Back in New York we had sales on it for 8$ a pound. I will say that the salmon out here in BC is better than what I got back east.

I miss Friday Fish fries. I think it's just a New York thing though because we didn't have them in Texas either.

MeMe - Raises Her Hand (-_-) (Mommy Of A Toddler And Teen) - posted on 06/05/2012

Sarah--- You'll need to make it out East, to Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. It is also very gorgeous! I have been to B.C over 20 times in my life and yes, it is stunning there. However, now that I have also been East, I can say it is just as beautiful, just without the mountains. ;)

We have more beautiful tree's than one can imagine. Our streets are immersed by large, amazing trees that hang over and shade the streets. One of my most favourite parts of the day is driving to and from work. I get to drive through all the trees and I am still in awe, even after 12 years of living here. We have some of the most beautiful beaches. You can walk for ever on many of them. We have the absolute BEST lobster and Haddock. Atlantic ocean creates the best of both of these. mmmmm

Seriously, I am always blown away with how gorgeous it is here and we have a lot of history. Oh and the maritimers are well known for their hospitality, generosity and kindness. ;)

Sarah - posted on 06/05/2012

Stella, come on up and visit us! Canada is a beautiful country and has so many special and unique cultural influences. We also have friendly people. I was born and raised in BC (on the West Coast). My favorite place here is Vancouver Island by far. It has spectacular natural beauty. You can visit the west coast of the island and camp or stay at a luxury hotel. Tofino and Uculet are charming little communities that sandwich the Pacific Rim National Park ( http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/bc/pacific... ), a natural beautiful wonder. You can wander an old growth forest, through grasslands, or surf or walk along pristine beaches. Spend the day enjoying the wonder of nature then dress up and have a 5 star meal at the Wickininnish Inn (SOOOO good). Incidentally, the ill-fated marriage of Ryan Reynolds and Scarlett Johansson was in Tofino. Hike the West Coast Trail, no cars, no planes, just you and nature. Or travel to the southern tip of the Island to Victoria, our provincial capital. A beautiful city filled with flowers and a rich history. Catch a horse drawn carriage ride throughout downtown, through Beacon Hill Park, or along the oceanside. Learn about the city. Visit Fisherman's Wharf and have a delicious fresh caught fish and chips meal at Barb's Place and shop at the vendors set up in the houseboats that dock there year round, or feed a resident seal. Take a haunted tour (lots of ghost stories in Victoria), have high tea at the Empress hotel, take a whale watching tour and see orcas in their natural environment, visit the historic Craigdarroch Castle, visit the butterfly gardens and Butchart Gardens, have a meal at one of the many restaurants along the inner harbour. Check out the community calendar for the many free events hosted in this beautiful city. Or travel on the East Coast of the Island to the communities of Courtenay and Campbell River. Take a fishing tour and go out on a boat to catch your own salmon (and BBQ it later on the beach!). Or do an eco-tour up the pristine West Coast of the mainland, see bears, eagles, cougar in their natural environment from the safety of a boat on the shore. A great tour is to start in Vancouver, catch the ferry to Victoria, go to the West Coast of the Island, travel up Island and catch the ferry from Courtenay to Powell River (see the MOST BEAUTIFUL SUNSETS IN THE WORLD, camp along the ocean, scuba dive to find a copper mermaid, travel to the end of Highway 101 in Lund (30min north of Powell River), visit a salmon hatchery, see authentic WW2 vessels that make up the log breakwater for the local pulp mill, Walk around Inland Lake, a 7km long walk with cute bridges and manmade boardwalks, eat a fresh caught seafood meal at one of the many local restaurants, go fishing, go camping). Then from Powell River drive south (you need to catch 2 more ferries) about a 5 hour trip back to Vancouver. From BC ferries you can purchase a "circle pac" for the 4 ferries you will need to catch to do this loop. It saves about 25% of the ticket price if purchased separately.

Or visit Vancouver, full of wonderful attractions (I'd highly recommend the Capilano Suspension Bridge, Science World, Stanley Park, Vancouver Aquarium, Fort Langley, Greater Vancouver Wild Animal Park, Van Dusen Garden, Queen Elizabeth Park and Arboetum, and many more. Or visit the beautiful Okanagan, where you can sunbathe at the many beaches that dot Okanagan Lake, visit a winery, or take a tour of Canada's natural desert. Tour through the Canadian Rockies, visit Banff, Jasper, Lake Louise, and the national parks between them all. Enjoy the wildlife that is so abundant and take lots of pictures! Visit the West Edmonton Mall and all that Edmonton (Alberta) has to offer.

Myself, I haven't had the opportunity to travel further East yet, but plan to in the future. There's so much in my home province (BC) that I usually stay close to home. I have visited (in the US), Washington State, Oregon, California, and Nevada and have yet to see anything close to the natural beauty of my home province. Although I have always enjoyed my travels down there, I am always certainly glad to come home! Come visit us!

MeMe - Raises Her Hand (-_-) (Mommy Of A Toddler And Teen) - posted on 06/05/2012

West Edmonton Mall (WEM), located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, is the largest shopping mall in North America and the fifth[1] largest in the world. The mall was founded by the Ghermezian brothers, who emigrated from Iran in 1959.[2] It was the world's largest mall until 2004.[1]



West Edmonton Mall covers a gross area of about 570,000 m2 (well over 6 million sq ft).[1] There are over 800 stores and services[3] and parking for more than 20,000 vehicles. More than 23,000 people are employed at the property. The mall receives 28.2 million visitors per year; it also attracts between 60,000 and 150,000 shoppers daily, depending on the day and season. The mall was valued at CAD926 million in January 2007.



So far, the largest shopping center we’ve featured on this site is the massive Mall of America in suburban Minneapolis, Minnesota. On a recent trip which brought us through the intermountain west and western Canada, we were able to visit the only North American mall larger than the Mall of America: West Edmonton Mall in Canada.



WEM is bigger than the mall of America



http://www.labelscar.com/canada/west-edm...



ETA:

The West Edmonton Mall is 6th of the 10 largest malls in the world. Mall of America is not on the top 10 largest.



http://www.touropia.com/largest-malls-in...



Pictures of the roller coaster, it is the largest triple loop, indoor roller coaster:

http://edmonton-daily-photo.blogspot.ca/...

MeMe - Raises Her Hand (-_-) (Mommy Of A Toddler And Teen) - posted on 06/05/2012

LMCBW----I was gonna ask if it is as big as the Mall of America, but it actually looks like the mall you are talking about was designed by the same Canadian company. I wonder which one is bigger. Ours has an indoor roller coaster!

WEM has an indoor roller coaster.

Megan---WEM measurements

Total retail floor area 350,000 m2 (3,800,000 sq ft)[1]

That is only retail area. That does not include all the attractions, including the indoor skating rink, water features and water park.

Becky - posted on 06/05/2012

Canada is beautiful and I don't think we're lacking in attractions either. Or history, for that matter. We just don't have as many wars in our history! :) I love WEM! Haven't been there since I was pregnant with my oldest, I think it's time to make another trip, since it is only 3 hours from me! I have found that the shopping is better in the US though, not just price-wise, but for variety and selection too. For instance, my son loves Disney Cars. We can find way more stuff for him in the US than we can here, although I've noticed the selection is improving here.

Lakota - posted on 06/05/2012

I am looking forward to being able to visit Canada one day. Absolutely beautiful country. (At least what I have seen in pictures.)

♥♪Megan♫♥ - posted on 06/04/2012

I was wondering that too. I've been told that the WEM is larger than the MOA (My mom's been to the MOA a few times when she goes to Minneapolis or St. Paul for work) So I went on google to look. This is what I found


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mall_of_Ame...

MOA measurements

Floor area 2,500,000 sq ft (230,000 m2) + 5,400,000 sq ft (500,000 m2)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Edmont...

West Edmonton Mall (WEM), located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, is the largest shopping mall in North America and the fifth[1] largest in the world. The mall was founded by the Ghermezian brothers, who emigrated from Iran in 1959.[2] It was the world's largest mall until 2004.[1]

WEM measurements

Total retail floor area 350,000 m2 (3,800,000 sq ft)[1]

~♥Little Miss - posted on 06/04/2012

I was gonna ask if it is as big as the Mall of America, but it actually looks like the mall you are talking about was designed by the same Canadian company. I wonder which one is bigger. Ours has an indoor roller coaster!

♥♪Megan♫♥ - posted on 06/04/2012

I have to beg my friend to wear a bathing suit so we can go to the water park. She has body issues. I would LOVE to go to a water park

MeMe - Raises Her Hand (-_-) (Mommy Of A Toddler And Teen) - posted on 06/04/2012

We use to go to West Ed, at least 5-8 times every single year, for 24 years (I also lived in Edmonton for a year). It is one helluva mall. There are at least 12-15 water slides, if memory serves me right. It also has bundgy jumping in the water park and all the other things already mentioned by others. My friend and I went on the roller coaster 21 times in a row, whe we were teens! lol She BARFED everywhere when we finally got off! bahahaha



ETA;

17 waterslides, I guess...It was so much fun! Brings back memories. I think we are due to for another visit. It has been 12 years. :(

Sarah - posted on 06/04/2012

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Edmont...

Sarah - posted on 06/04/2012

http://www.wem.ca/#

Sarah - posted on 06/04/2012

West Ed Mall has a rollercoaster and amusement park in it, a mini golf course, iceskating rink, swimming pool (wave pool) with waterslides (I don't remember how many, but there's a lot), huge lagoon with pirate ship and submarine tours, seal and sea lion show, and hundreds of stores. It's pretty amazing. I haven't been for years and my family is debating going this summer, it's about an 7 hour drive from where we live. We'll just have to see though. If you're going from BC, take a day and enjoy Jasper (Alberta). It's BEAUTIFUL. Especially if you're coming from the Okanagan, go up through the Icefields Parkway, you have to pay $20 for the drive, but it's gotta be the most beautiful drive I've ever done (through the Rocky Mountains). We drove through Jasper 3 weeks ago when we went to see my sisters in Alberta and saw a Grizzly bear, black bear (with 3 cubs), many elk, bighorn sheep, and deer. It was great!

♥♪Megan♫♥ - posted on 06/04/2012

Isobel, thanks. My parents have been sending things since last year (clothes, shoes, books and earrings). I found out about the car seat thing after I moved here from the Safety 1st people. You can use US carseats in Canada and vise verse on holiday in the other country. But if's only allowed on a temporary basis. I still use the stroller I brought up here though.

And Little Miss, yes the W Ed is bigger than the mall of America. They have a water park, a petting zoo and a Chapters that takes up an entire floor! I can't wait to go there.

~♥Little Miss - posted on 06/04/2012

Is it bigger than the mall of America? That place has q roller coaster IN it!

Sarah - posted on 06/04/2012

West Ed mall is amazing! You'll really enjoy it. It's not that we don't have good shopping here, we just have different kinds of stores. There certainly are some stores the States has that I would love to see here in Canada, but I can always find what I'm looking for. What bothers me more is the markup here in Canada. We pay on average 20-25% more for most items and that really ticks me off! If you do have your Mom send things from the US Megan, make sure that they are allowed in Canada. Car seats bought in the States are illegal here, you can get a huge fine for using one; baby walkers are also illegal. For even attempting to ship or bring one across the border you can get a huge fine, and if I'm not mistaken possible jail time (for child endangerment). Also items that contain batteries, you may want to have her remove before shipping because they can face HUGE delays at the border, and they may even send them back. Also make sure she writes clearly on the duty tag that the items are a gift because if she doesn't, you could face a huge fee to pick up your item.

♥♪Megan♫♥ - posted on 06/04/2012

Where's my dislike button? I'm already finding that out Isobel. I might just send some money to my mom and have her buy the clothes and toys for myself and the girls.



Little Miss- my inlaws can throw some good BBQ's. However DH's aunt didn't know if I knew about having a BBQ! I nearly fell over on his cousin's kitchen floor laughing about it. But so far the shopping in BC isn't as good as back home. We'll see what happens this summer though because I'm going to the WEM! (West Edmonton Mall- largest mall in North America)

~♥Little Miss - posted on 06/04/2012

That is one thing I forgot, the shopping is amazing! And don't forget the restaurants. And we know how to throw a good BBQ or party.

Isobel - posted on 06/04/2012

you're going to be disappointed to find out that the stores are still never as good up here Megan.

♥♪Megan♫♥ - posted on 06/04/2012

Meme, thanks. That sounds like food stamps/EBT back in the US. You can't buy tobacco, alcohol or prepared foods (a lot of the grocery stores in NY have salad bars, Chinese buffets and the like in them) with them. They also remove the deposite from any sodas or bottled water you buy. But you can only buy food.

According to DH he wouldn't qualify for what you would get for food stamps because he gets disability.

Little Miss our fireworks are much better than Canada's (sorry new country) I also miss having more variety in shopping whether it's in a grocery store or a clothing store. Most of the stores here don't even have a Junior's department. I'm also waiting for Target to get here. American Cable and satellite companies are also better IMO than Canadian ones. We get more variety for that too. Here in BC Shaw has Global and Global Okanagan. I have 2 stations that show me the EXACT SAME THING! WTF Canada.

However I want to say that I believe BC has equally beautiful country compaired with NY and anything is better than where I lived in TX. I love living in BC, I love being able to go on a drive and see the tips of the Canadian Rockies when I go visit my MIL. I love that I can go swim in a lake and not smell dead fish and who knows what else. I've been in VT and Eastern NY, I've driven from Rochester, NY to Killeen, TX. I've seen the Grand Canyon. It's hard to impress me with natural beauty and BC has done it.

~♥Little Miss - posted on 06/04/2012

Yes, and our fireworks are AWESOME! We have a lot of history here, good and bad. We are a very strong country, we have so much diversity and so much culture.

~♥Little Miss - posted on 06/04/2012

I have not been in here for a while, many pages back, but I do love living in America. I love how in smaller communities people really watch out for you, traveling from one state to a next is totally different culturally. I love that America is one big melting pot. I love our medical care, maybe not insurance wise, but I think wonderful facilities as a whole, incredible colleges, fantastic entertainment, movies, and we have Las Vegas. I love that you can travel to the mountains, the grand canyon, beaches galore, and experience a vast difference in weather depending on where you live. I love that I get to enjoy every season, and travel up the coast to see the beautiful leaves changing color making it look like the trees are on fire. I love that we don't stifle our views and will protest when needed to try to make a change.

There are so many things that I love about America, and truly would not want to live anywhere else unless forced ( I would have a few places in mind if that happened). I do enjoy visiting new places, but this is my home.

We have awesome movies, sports teams that kick ass, great fashion, incredible cities, beautiful country side, we have it all. There is always going to be something wrong with where you live, but I am choosing to look at the beauty of America right now, because it truly is.

MeMe - Raises Her Hand (-_-) (Mommy Of A Toddler And Teen) - posted on 06/04/2012

Megan--- A thing like food stamps is available through Social Services, in Canada. However, it is a cheque that they submit to the grocery store of your choice. You cannot buy tobacco with it but you can buy whatever foods and household items, you require. You have to register with them, once accepted they will forward a cheque in your name to the Grocer. You just have to pick it up, showing your ID. There is no limit on what you can or have to buy, as long as it is within the amount on the cheque.

♥♪Megan♫♥ - posted on 06/04/2012

LOl BC Ladies Represent (I can do that right? I mean I live there now instead of NY and so what if I lie when I sing Oh Canada?) I'm finding out how odd this province is. We're also one of the few to have government run car insurance instead of private car insurance. I hate that! My husband and I pay double what my brother pays back in New York simply because ICBC doesn't have competition.



Jenni I can't go back to America for a another few years. Damn visa. But I was told by another mom that I should try calling the US consolate down in Vancouver to see if they could speed things up since I'm an American married to a Canadian citizen and I have a child with him.



Back in NY my GP also had training as an OBGYN, but since I'd had my OBGYN for so long and she'd delivered my first daughter. I'm curious though because I'm due for my Pap next week, do walk in clinics give paps or do I have to find a GP for that too?



I don't want to get into at home births or midwives. I've had 2 high risk pregnancies and my last one nearly ended up with me dead. I feel safer having my baby in a hospital given the complications I've had.



Johnny, the US has a high infant mortality rate even compaired to other 'less developed countries' such as Cuba and I blame that on the fact that it's hard to obtain affordable health care in the US especially in poorer communities and when you're middle of the road where you make too much for medicaide (like I did) but you don't have insurance through your company. At least in Cuba everyone has access to health care even if everyone doesn't have nice houses. I was also told by someone up here that part of the reason is that in the US they do more C-sections. I don't know if that's true though because DH and his brothers were all delivered via C-section here in Canada. I delivered my last daughter vaginally even though I wasn't fully dialated.



Two things I want to complain about Canada not having are WIC and food stamps. Milk is pretty expensive here and so is the cost of living. When I told DH that Canada should try getting food stamps he said that he didn't want to be told what to get. I explained to him that that was WIC. WIC gives you coupons for milk, eggs cheese cereal and eggs and stuff (including formula) so you don't have to buy too much yourself. Personally I think the food stamps would be a better idea.

Johnny - posted on 06/04/2012

Yes, here in BC we mostly stick to our GP's for these things. It does depend on your doctor though. Mine will refer you to an OB for paps and such womanly things because he is a man, although if you don't mind as a patient, he is perfectly fine at doing them. He does refer me to an OB/Gyn to treat my endometriosis. I get to choose between getting my own midwife (covered by provincial health as well) or having him refer me to an OB. I just called up the midwifery clinic I wanted to use and arranged it myself. They had my records transferred. If at a later date I enter a high-risk pregnancy category, my midwife is able to refer me to an OB. My GP does not do maternity.

Midwifery care is fairly common here in Vancouver, I'd say that about half the women I know who have had babies in the past 5 years have chosen to go with a midwife. All of those were hospital births. A few women delivered with their GP's and one or two who were high risk had an OB. My girlfriend whose son was diagnosed in-utero with a heart defect was still able to have a midwife do her delivery in the hospital, they simply arranged for the pediatric cardiologist to be present at the birth.

But of course, we're supposed to be talking about America, so.... how 'bout that high infant mortality rate?

Sarah - posted on 06/04/2012

Yes Jennie, I am from BC. It just goes to show how it can very from province to province too!

Jenni - posted on 06/04/2012

Haha, they definitely have some cool things to do in America! More amusement, I'd say.



And your 4th of July celebrations are AWESOME! My husband and I have both been to a few between us, neighbourhood fireworks displays. And wow. Just a simple neighbourhood display is nearly as good as our Freedom Festival (a huge fireworks display on the Detroit river to celebrate both Canada Day, July 1st and the US 4th of July).

Isobel - posted on 06/04/2012

sorry...back to America:

I love visiting there :)

Isobel - posted on 06/04/2012

midwives in Ontario are also pretty rare. You only seek one out if you intend to have a home birth and while I can't exactly say home births are "rare" I, personally don't know anybody who has had one.

Jenni - posted on 06/04/2012

Megan- "The problem with the Canadian system is that you're too short staffed and there aren't enough incentives to get more specialists here in Canada."



--My sister will attest to that. She's an RN at the TO Sick Children's hospital and this is one of her major complaints. The second part is true as well, specialists and doctors in general do not earn near as much income as they would in the US.



Sarah- "It is difficult to find a GP, I will give you that. I have never heard of a woman here in Canada going to an OBGYN for regular checkups though or even basic prenatal care. Usually here we do see our GPs for that. OBGYNs here usually just take care of women with female reproductive illnesses and at risk pregnant women. "



-- I've heard this from women in BC, is that where you're from? I think it depends on the province however. I have had no issue finding or switching GPs here in Ontario. And we do see an OBGYN for regular checkups and basic prenatal care. We are referred by our GP to an OBGYN the moment he confirms we're pregnant. I've heard from women in BC that they do not see an OBGYN unless there are pregnancy complications or they are considered high risk. To be quite honest, for basic check ups in a healthy pregnancy, I wouldn't have much issue seeing my GP. I didn't find the care I received from my OBGYN to be anything a GP couldn't handle. Other than it being nice to build a relationship with the person who will be delivering your child. Although my OBGYN was the same for both my children and she wasn't on staff when I delivered (in the middle of the night) so I had two different OBGYNs deliver me. (side note: one was the same OBGYN that my mom had deliver my sister and I. :)



Sorry off topic. Back to America. ;)

Kristi - posted on 06/04/2012

Hi Jenni! You were right about America3437 saying *world* but I had problems with just about everything she said. In my opinion, and I could be wrong, she doesn't have any facts to back up her rants and she doesn't understand the "big picture." I did agree that our country has much room for improvement and that we have too many self serving politicians, but I don't think Obama is the only one at fault for the current state of affairs and we elected the politicians so we can make a change in the next election. I could keep going but there is really no point, my first comment still stands, even though I got a little carried away at the end but I was offended by the "any fat asses can get on disability" remark because I am on disability and it was not easy nor do I get enough to support myself and my daughter, I'm fortunate to have help from my family, and there is a damn good reason I'm on disability. I also believe you can "criticize" without being beligerant and disrespectful. It is just in my nature to jump in and defend the person or what have you, who, for whatever reason, is unable to defend themselves from malicious attacks. But I probably did go too far with the whole going back to grammer school thing, that was a bit hypocritical.

Stifler's - posted on 06/03/2012

I had an OB check up at 30 weeks I think. The rest of the time I just saw the midwife.

Isobel - posted on 06/03/2012

weird...where I am it's common to switch to an OB around 5/6 months

Sarah - posted on 06/03/2012

It is difficult to find a GP, I will give you that. I have never heard of a woman here in Canada going to an OBGYN for regular checkups though or even basic prenatal care. Usually here we do see our GPs for that. OBGYNs here usually just take care of women with female reproductive illnesses and at risk pregnant women.

♥♪Megan♫♥ - posted on 06/03/2012

Sorry I thought from your post you were American. Then I read your posts in Pure Evil and saw you were Canadian. I do laugh at the idea of being wait listed even though it isn't funny. But my husband's cousin also lost his wife last year because experimental treatments aren't covered by BC Health and he didn't have the money to buy private insurance.

The problem with the Canadian system is that you're too short staffed and there aren't enough incentives to get more specialists here in Canada. Also a lot of specialists are going into private care because they want more money than what they get stayingin UHC and the government doesn't want to try and compete. When I moved up to BC from NY I asked both my MIL who lives North of me in BC and a friend of mine who lives in northern AB about going to see an OBGYN and neither of them had any idea what I was talking about because they both make appointments with their GP. I've been in BC now for almost a year. I live in a decent sized city and I still can't find a GP or an OBGYN accepting patients.

Isobel - posted on 06/03/2012

no, they go for one reason...they don't want to wait their turn and have the cash to jump the line. I'm not even saying I would never do it, just that it can't be seen as a sign that our system is fundamentally flawed.



or yes, sometimes an American hospital is closer or has a specific treatment and our govt pays for it.

♥♪Megan♫♥ - posted on 06/03/2012

Isobel, DH says don't be hatin' just because they have the cash and you don't. Isn't that what the American system is based on in the first place? Whom ever has the most money gets first dibs on treatment.

The Canadians go to the US for one of 3 reasons.

1.) It's an emergancy and they need to get it done now and they have the money for it

2,) They're being a typical human being and want to get it done sooner and they have the money for it.

3.) Their provincial health care provider sent them down to the States to get treatment and is paying for it. This happens a lot in cases where the person needs a specialist and maybe the town or city they live in doesn't have one. Sometimes UHC will also pay for a specialist to come to the person instead.

Canada's system isn't perfect, nothing man made is due to failures in human nature. However it's a hell of a lot better than what is available down in the US for the time being. It's a lot better than Romney's convoluted idea that everyone start having savings for their health care instead of actual insurance. And it's better than Obama's idea of fining people for not purchasing insurance. It's also been proven time and time again that the US could easily afford to impliment UHC for all of its citizens (we have a version of it for our armed forces and I've used it for myself and my older child) without an issue.

Here in Canada we have a severe shortage of specialists, nurses and doctors. There are towns near where I live that have to close their ED on weekends and nights because of a shortage of ER doctors. The city I live in is building a new tower and wing to the hospital, but the nursing spokeswoman claims they need more nurses to take care of more patients because they're short. The BC Interior spokewoman claims they aren't and seeing what my MIL goes through just north of me I'm more inclined to believe the nursing spokeswoman.

Finally as for taxes, which ones? Because the government just raised our minimum wage up here. Low end health care workers like myself start off at 19$ an hour here in BC (still some of the lowest paid in Canada, but I'm from NY and I'm used to being over trained and underpaid).

Krista - posted on 06/03/2012

Canadians getting care in the states are just line jumpers. I always hear from Americans just how MANY Canadians are seeking care down there (and I definitely know there are some)...but then, we never seem to bump into any Canadian willing to give up their UHC for lower taxes.

That's exactly it, Isobel. They're line jumpers. And it appalls me to think of a system where people can basically BUY faster treatment. Here, it's based solely upon medical need. So if you're a millionaire who needs a hip replacement, and your case isn't as urgent as that of the poor farmer down the road, then guess what? Farmer Bob will get his new hip before you do, Chuckles. And in my opinion, that's as it should be.

Stifler's - posted on 06/03/2012

We have Medicare in Australia. Everyone is entitled to it. People who come here from certain countries also get free healthcare based on an agreement between the countries. America sounds scary in that department.

Isobel - posted on 06/03/2012

Canadians getting care in the states are just line jumpers. I always hear from Americans just how MANY Canadians are seeking care down there (and I definitely know there are some)...but then, we never seem to bump into any Canadian willing to give up their UHC for lower taxes.



I doubt that just because they are not in the mood to wait this particular time and are willing to pay cash to speed things up, that they would choose to have their system any other way.

♥♪Megan♫♥ - posted on 06/03/2012

I understood the tax thing, that's why at the moment I'm ineligible for a care card and to be considered my husband's dependant for his disability payments. Ok, so the provincial care card is like when I go to the bank here and they can get all of my information just by scanning my ATM card. Thanks.

My husband's blue card was sent to an address in Canoe which is a village 2hrs north of me within the town/city of Salmon Arm. Maybe that what that's for.

Before I moved to Canada my mom was telling me horror stories (to her) about medical billing for the US and Canada because a friend of hers lives in Buffalo and does the billing for a hospital there. Being so close to the boarder the hospital gets a lot of Canadians from Niagra Falls and surrounding towns. Because the billing system is different it's a hassle and my mom was trying to scare me from UHC with that. However in Canada an American would have the same issues with their insurance. My older daughter is covered by her father's military insurance and if I did have to use it at a hospital here in BC I would have to pay the bill then contact Champus/Tri-Care (US military medical) in order to be reimbersed for the medical bills.

Sarah - posted on 06/03/2012

Health care in Canada is covered by our provincial taxes. A portion of our federal tax goes in, but the federal government doesnt really get a say on how it is spent, even though they try sometimes. Every citizan will have a provincial health card. Some towns and hospitals will issue their own cards, but this is just to expedite admissions. So they swipe it and all you data will come up, emergency contact, address, phone number, etc. It just saves time and paperwork so that if you go in, you dont need to worry about filling out paperwork. These cards are specific to each hospital though, if you go to another hospital you would be issued a card from that one.

♥♪Megan♫♥ - posted on 06/03/2012

Sarah, one thing that confuses me about Canadian health care is the difference between provincial and national. DH and my younger daughter have BC care cards. However DH also has this blue medical card with the same numbers as his care card along with his DOB and old mailing address when he lived with his mom. He told me what it was once, but I forgot.