Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
Canada	Canadians feeling guilty about taking jobs away from Americans?	I am not saying that I am adapting to their needs, or think they shouldn't learn to speak the language at all. I am saying we shouldn't assume that they aren't trying. Their accents aren't going to go away over night, the language isn't going to be learned over night either. So should they stay in their homes and not go out and communicate with the general public until they can speak English sufficiently? Because communicating is one way to learn. We take our language for granted. We don't realize how hard English is to learn. How so many immigrants do come, work during the day, and go to ESL classes at night. Overcome and adapt? Sure... but it's not going to happen quickly for these people. Much easier said than done. I don't think any of us can really make the judgement call on who's trying and who's not. I respect your point about the immigrants that DO try to adapt, take ESL classes and try to maintain a stable living in the US. What I was talking about in my post was immigrants who do NOT adapt, whether they are legal or illegal, they come to the USA and do not learn to communicate via the English language. I realize that learning a language does not happen overnight, neither does adaptation to a different culture. Oh by the way the United States doesn't actually have an "official" language. Just because the majority of the population speaks it, does not mean it's the official language. I stand corrected. It is still the accepted language of the United States and many states have declared English as the official language. The process should start well before they even immigrate, in my opinion. I'm just thinking from what *I* would find to be common sense. If I was moving to, say, Poland for some reason or another, as soon as I knew that I would be doing that, I'd be taking Polish lessons. I'd be doing my best to ensure that I could communicate with my new countrymen. I'd be doing this largely for myself. I know that communication is the key to integration. And I wouldn't dream of taking a job that required frequent dealings with the public until I was certain that my ability to speak Polish was up to snuff. I guess it's an "agree to disagree" issue, but in my view, communication is too important to ignore prior to immigration. Agreed, I would try to learn the accepted and/or official language of the country.	minnew	Female	Canada	2010-02-18 13:55:00
Canada	Canadians feeling guilty about taking jobs away from Americans?	I completely agree. I totally respect TM's and Sprail's position(s) on the issue, but I still believe that the onus is on the individual immigrant to verse himself/herself in the language of the country he/she is moving to. I don't care about what language one speaks on the subway, in a restaurant, at the mall or at home...but if you have to have ANY interaction with other people of the same country, be sure you know how to speak the language sufficiently enough that the other person can understand you. It's not racism or cultural bias...It's common sense. Totally agreed!	minnew	Female	Canada	2010-02-18 11:58:00
Canada	Canadians feeling guilty about taking jobs away from Americans?	I agree Udella my grandparents were the same way, they told my mom and her siblings to learn English & do well in school. The attitude that WE (as in English speakers) should have to adapt to non English speakers floors me in this day and age. I understand completely if they are TRYING to learn the language and adapting to US culture by using English. Pretty bad when the employees at walmart cannot even help you find something because thy don't speak a word of english.... How exactly is that customer service? English is the official language of the United States... Since when is it Spanish? So all new immigrants to the US should have to learn Spanish as well? Come on.... It's the same thing in Canada... Yes you learn French in school but unless you USE it the language learned will be forgotten. Especially if you do not live in a predominantly French speaking area of Canada. Overcome and adapt... That's my husbands motto...it's should be for all new immigrants, including myself. Which means understanding the city & area I live in, also means more competition for jobs. I don't feel guilty at all! At least I am LEGAL!!! Also means that I WILL be passed over for some jobs in my career field because I don't speak Spanish. Unfortunatley it's happening more and more...."spanish speaking preferred" or "required" is becoming the norm... It shouldn't be that way.	minnew	Female	Canada	2010-02-18 11:47:00
Canada	Curling Gold!!!	Yeah team Canada! (and yes, curling does count too...)....It is definitely a sport! Sigh..I remember watching Sandra Schmirler play too....She was quite the character on the ice...... Nevertheless, the curling legacy lives on... Go Canada go! Ant I remember watching the 98 olympics too with Sandra schmirler. So sad she died of cancer. . She lived in Regina & worked at the community leisure centre (pool, gym & library). Anyways they renamed it the Sandra Schrimler Leisure Centre in her honour. I curled for one year in Grade 8, you cannot tell me that it's NOT a sport! It's an aerobic activity for sure! I wish I was better at it though! LoL!	minnew	Female	Canada	2010-02-28 16:44:00
Canada	Curling Gold!!!	Woo hoo!!! Go Canada!!!!	minnew	Female	Canada	2010-02-27 21:02:00
Canada	People? I POEd...	Congrats lgg! Welcome to America!!	minnew	Female	Canada	2010-02-27 19:56:00
Canada	Canadian VJers Commentary on Winter Olympics 2010...	Go Team Canada for gold medal in mens hockey!!! 2-0 Team Canada atm!!!!	minnew	Female	Canada	2010-02-28 16:24:00
Canada	Postal Service's emerging model: Never on Saturday	Noooooo! Saturday seems to be my lucky day for getting mail that I can actually "use". I'd have to wait until Monday! Oh well! If it happens then fine, they need to cut costs, seems like every company has been during the recession.	minnew	Female	Canada	2010-03-03 10:48:00
Canada	I will NEVER contact Montreal Consulate AGAIN!!	Congrats brocku00!!!! Best of luck on your POE!	minnew	Female	Canada	2010-03-03 15:24:00
Canada	YAY!	Congrats!!	minnew	Female	Canada	2010-03-03 12:43:00
Canada	NBC Report	That is so disgusting! I never wear underwear without washing them....but GROSS!!	minnew	Female	Canada	2010-03-04 12:30:00
Canada	Visa in Hand!!!!	Congrats!!	minnew	Female	Canada	2010-03-04 12:31:00
Canada	Cheque question...	Wells Fargo never charged any fees to deposit canadian checks into my account, cashing them however I have no experience with.	minnew	Female	Canada	2010-03-04 16:44:00
Canada	Canadians filing for family based AOS	Hi there! I am sure there are some Canadians around in the same situation! In the meantime have you checked out the Adjustment of Status from Work, Tourist Visas thread? http://www.visajourn...p?showforum=130	minnew	Female	Canada	2010-03-04 13:32:00
Canada	Good Luck, Wyatt's Torch	Congrats Wyatt!!!	minnew	Female	Canada	2010-03-05 10:02:00
Canada	Good Luck, Wyatt's Torch	Good luck Wyatt! Looking forward to your review!	minnew	Female	Canada	2010-03-04 18:07:00
Canada	Canada EI HELP	If you still have a Canadian bank account open, then you only need to know one web site for transferring money to an American account: http://www.customhouse.ca A lot of people in the Canada subforum here use it and recommend it. I've used it extensively. Just like Paypal, but with much better rates, and amazing customer service. I use customhouse too, it's free as long as you use their EFT service. They do wire as well but it costs $$. The only downfall to EFT is that it takes about 5 business days to process to get to your bank account in the US. Once I start working though in the US it will be the other way around I will be sending $$ to Canada for my student loan & gmac loan. The rates are amazing much better than the bank!	minnew	Female	Canada	2010-03-09 10:16:00
Canada	Canada EI HELP	Interesting, I'll have to call Service Canada to inquire as I'll also be on this path months down the road when I'm ready to make the big move. My understanding is that, at least in my case, I would qualify for max benefitsand thought it may have been about 42 weeks,not sure however. A few questions: Do they take a 20% non resident charge out of your money? Is it done by cheque or simply direct deposit? Then of course there's the exchange on the dollar. When is the best time to apply? Just before or after you immigrate? Thx They automatically deduct 25% NR tax so it reduces your weekly amount eligible. It is done by direct deposit to a Canadian financial institution. The best time apply is right after you immigrate. The number of days eligible for EI starts counting down based on your last day of work and when you immigrate. When you apply for EI your claim will go to the Interstate Claims Unit (Out of Canada) completely separate than canadian residents on EI, will be less confusing to apply the day AFTER you immigrate. You will need a copy of your visa, I-94 and ROE. Edited by minnew, 08 March 2010 - 11:03 PM.	minnew	Female	Canada	2010-03-08 23:02:00
Canada	Canada EI HELP	Yes that is true, they will only backdate it to the day that you got your EAD. Before that date you were not legally allowed to work, therefore no EI payments. I started receiving EI middle of January after my EAD & GC were approved. I received a 2 week cheque my first payment and thats how furthur payments are alloted as well.	minnew	Female	Canada	2010-03-08 16:16:00
Canada	HOOOOOOOOOOOCKEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEY	I wouldn't say that about all Americans.. my husband took it well and he LOVES hockey. Sure he wanted the US to win, but he after the game he gave me a big hug and said: "Congratulations you weener!" Haha! That's cute! Ok not ALL Americans.... But definitely the poster that has caused all this commotion in this thread!	minnew	Female	Canada	2010-02-28 19:25:00
Canada	HOOOOOOOOOOOCKEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEY	Americans just can't be good sports about it! Canada won fair & square! If Canada lost do you think we would be mouthing off about it? NO! Americans just don't deal with defeat all that well, when they do get defeated they are sore losers about it! MOVING ON.... Congrats to Team Canada! See you for a rematch in 4 years Team USA! Was that sportsmanship enough for you?! LoL!	minnew	Female	Canada	2010-02-28 19:18:00
Canada	HOOOOOOOOOOOCKEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEY	Proud to be Canadian more than ever!! It was a good game, fought hard & canada won! Say what you want but Canada deserves the GOLD medal!	minnew	Female	Canada	2010-02-28 18:09:00
Canada	HOOOOOOOOOOOCKEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEY	Go get your Husband and FORCE him to cheer for USA!!!! Oh I've tried he's not budging...He says I want them to win! They won't if I watch! LoL!	minnew	Female	Canada	2010-02-28 16:59:00
Canada	HOOOOOOOOOOOCKEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEY	I'm getting sick of the NBC commentary too! My husband stopped watching it with me. Says Team USA is playing crappy & he's bad luck. If he wants a team to win they never will if he watches... LoL! He does have bad luck....	minnew	Female	Canada	2010-02-28 16:52:00
Canada	POE Thousand Islands	Congrats on a succesful POE!! Now go relax with your hubby what a long day for you!	minnew	Female	Canada	2010-03-09 16:14:00
Canada	K1 Approved	Congrats!!	minnew	Female	Canada	2010-03-10 10:27:00
Canada	Got my Passport Back!	That's a LONG drive! I"ll wave at you when you pass by Omaha! Its going to be raining & cloudy here ALL week	minnew	Female	Canada	2010-03-09 16:38:00
Canada	Got my Passport Back!	Congrats Wyatt! Good luck on your trip! Do be careful with the snow & rain in the Midwest, not sure which way you are taking but be prepared for a boring drive through the plains.. Almost 4 hours between cities/towns.... Flat land..lol... Anyways Good luck & enjoy your last day in Canada with your family!	minnew	Female	Canada	2010-03-09 16:11:00
Canada	Sending additional documents to the consulate	Congrats! That's great news! Can't wait to hear the words from you I GOT MY ViSA!! lOl!	minnew	Female	Canada	2010-03-10 21:45:00
Canada	Yay for filing taxes in two countries.	Yes, I there is an area to fill in your departure date when you leave canada permanently. However, I will still have to file taxes for 2010 in Canada as I recieved EI payments for the first few months of 2010. Thanks everyone for your responses. I wasn't aware that I could use software since I was out of the country but I will definitely look into ufile! I am using ufile too, its been really good so far! This is my Leaving Canada return as well, some things I had to manually adjust in the controls there is a link in there where it asks you if you want to claim the spousal amounts, if you do then you MUST declare the spouse's income. Just wanted to clarify something too...I also starting receiving EI payments in 2010 but as far I understood it I will not have to file with CRA because I will have no other CAD income for 2010. From my understanding the 25% NR tax is your final tax obligation to Canada, BUT you can file as a NR and elect..( 216 or 217???I can't remember which one) to get a refund of the NR tax that you paid?! Does that depend on your gross USD income for 2010? Edited by minnew, 12 March 2010 - 04:27 PM.	minnew	Female	Canada	2010-03-12 16:27:00
Canada	A first timers Canadian credit card	I would also suggest Citi cards Canada. I did not have a lengthy credit history due to being a full time university student but they approved for me a MasterCard that had no annual fee. I can't rememmver what my credit limit was when I first got it, but I want to say $1500? Anyways after having the card for about 3 years my limit is somewhere around 5K.	minnew	Female	Canada	2010-03-07 20:04:00
Canada	I'm Home!	Glad to hear you made it there safe! Relax & enjoy!	minnew	Female	Canada	2010-03-13 13:17:00
Canada	no PMs	Bern, COOL, you're going to interview soon -- very exciting -- if you need a hand with anything let me know, okay? La Souris, Bonjour, ma belle... sorry for being so un-chatty -- just getting used to actually living here. It's a lot harder than I'd thought, for the first time in my life, I am suffering from some home-sickness, who knew??? Wyatt? you already know what I think... Nev? Where you be, sister? to everyone else, hey, hope you all had some good coffee... I really feel the loss of that hour, it should NOT be almost 4pm right now -- i am off to go have a late lunch/early dinner with some friends here in MD... I just wanted to ask all my Canadian friends here this, the ones that are living in the US with their spouses/spouses to be now... have you ever felt homesick? it's so odd I don't miss one thing per se but I miss my routine and my jobs and my friends and the 'thing' that is Canada I suppose -- I am THRILLED to be here and my husband and I are awesome and he rocks but I never expected myself to feel this way and I realize that acclimatizing is a little more work than I had thought. I do love living where I do though for the first time in my life I actually want/need to drive -- can't wait to get that done. I love the woods and the trees and the quiet here. I love our house and being here and I can't wait to get everything else on the go but first? I have to get my license and a car and then I can go from there. I LOVE that my cat is here -- she's adapted so well to the her new couch under the window. She and the other cat are NOT friends at all -- in fact, I think the other cat mortally hates me for bringing my cat here. She won't let me pet her and she meows at me with such urgency and then swats my hand away when I try to pet her. At least my old lady cat is semi-happy. So... that's a little PM for all my friends here. Hope you're all doing well too. I am homesick for my friends & family in Canada, there are times I wish I could just say.."ok I'll be right over." Phone calls and emails have been the only way to stay in touch, as well as Facebook. I know they will always be there for me but sometimes people & situations change & you find out who your "real" friends are once you move to the USA. I love the area, the woods, the trees, the weather, the convenience and variety where I am now. I never drank a whole lot of coffee or eat too many poutines, but its the problem now that if I want it, I can't just go to the nearest Timmies or A&W and get it. I miss Canadian healthcare, the system here is confusing even though TriCare is good so far. It helps to know that there is another Canadian in the area (Inky), but so far it is the only one I have met and maintain continuous contact with, also helps that she understands being a military spouse. Anyways, I know what your going through, it's exciting & joyous to be reunited with our fiances/spouses in America but at the same time a little sad for what you left behind in Canada.	minnew	Female	Canada	2010-03-14 15:24:00
Canada	'Scouching"	I just got this email from uncle who lives in Saskatoon...I am from Saskatchewan too....but never thought of doing this... "Scouching" Latest Owe-Lympic event . (Created in Saskatchewan for Luge track.) Long Gone to Saskatchewan	minnew	Female	Canada	2010-03-14 22:24:00
Canada	Double Checking Everything!	Just wanted to say good luck Bern! Congrats to your hubby being back in the USA!	minnew	Female	Canada	2010-03-15 16:55:00
Canada	It's Rrrrolll Up the Rim Time!	I won a donut! When you win a donut.... do you really win? Of course you win with a donut! mmm... I have never won anything more than a coffee	minnew	Female	Canada	2010-03-15 12:08:00
Canada	APPROVED!!!!!	Congrats Ali!! That didn't take long at all!! Happy packing!!	minnew	Female	Canada	2010-03-16 16:24:00
Canada	Not digging the new look	It does not look very nice on my regular PC, but on my iPhone it's much easier to navigate!	minnew	Female	Canada	2010-03-14 21:11:00
Canada	POE Review - Blaine...plus an account of my drive across America!	Good to hear you made it! Great review!! The Badlands of SD can be trecherous! My aunt & uncle from Calgary had a harrowing time driving back from NE after my wedding in October! Same thing..cars & trucks in the ditch everywhere! They made it home safe but not after having to spend an extra night in SD.	minnew	Female	Canada	2010-03-17 19:24:00
Canada	Why all the fuss about the 2010 Census	Humm...still have not received ours yet...Hope our complex gets them soon!	minnew	Female	Canada	2010-03-19 14:40:00