Canada, a “match” for Americans disappointed with Trump’s return? | US elections 2024

What do Americans who moved to Canada after Trump’s 1st election say to those who want to come?

At a time when some Americans are asking themselves the question: to leave or to stay, we went to meet Americans who chose to settle in Canada shortly after Trump’s election… in 2016.

Alex Thomka, originally from Virginia, lived through Donald Trump’s first years in power. He made the decision to emigrate to Canada in 2018 to settle there with his family.

The 2016 election and what we saw happening with the political climate, we made the decision that now was the timehe notes.

As in 2016, as the results of these 2024 elections became clearer, data from Google Trends reveal that online searches for opportunities to move to Canada have seen a significant spike in the United States.

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Since the re-election of Trumpmarginalized communities in the United States fear being further marginalized and to lose rights.

Carl Alphonse, a lawyer specializing in Canadian and American immigration procedures, receives many requests from them.

Many Americans from gay or lesbian groups who contacted inquire about coming to Canada and see what the possible options are.

There are other people who come for different reasons. It’s not only [par rapport à] Trump, but also [par rapport] to opportunities in Canadaindicates Me. Alphonse.

Lindsay Malloy also received many emails from Americans looking for work in Canada.

Many colleagues in the United States want to know how I came here. They tell me, “If you hear of a job that might be a good fit for what I do, please let me know.”she says.

His decision to come to Canada eight years ago is not directly related to the results of the 2016 electionbut rather a professional opportunity.

I received a job offer and interviewed a few weeks after the 2016 US election. So that’s not really the reason we moved, but I can’t say that either it made us want to stay longerunderlines the woman from Florida.

Joe Moscheck, originally from Detroit, Michigan, has lived in Canada since August 2016. His choice to emigrate to take a graduate assistant position and pursue a doctorate at the University of Western Ontario was not necessarily motivated by turn of the political climate, at least, at first.

I was in Canada when Donald Trump was first elected president. It seemed crazy to me and it didn’t seem real.

Most of us were a little surprised that Donald Trump be there at the beginning. […] When I moved to Canada, I didn’t really think about it. Maybe I was concerned, but not worried [à l’époque]he explains.

Canada, the Eldorado of illusions?

Although many are reluctant to return to live in the United States, many Americans having emigrated in the wake of the first election of Donald Trump However, they do not see Canada as a solution to the problems they were facing.

It is a very imperfect country. Like the United States, like any country, like any society, there are gaping flaws.

In Canada, there are still a lot of politicians who put forward the same kinds of things as in the United States, whether it be xenophobia, misogyny, sexism, so it’s not that Canada has no problems in the United Statesadded Joe Moscheck.

Depending on the work permit, practicing a profession in Canada can also be restrictive for American newcomers. This was the case for Alex Thomka who had a difficult time with the process.

We arrived with a work permit [fermé]and there are challenges too, I had to work for this specific company and role and there was no freedom of movementunderlines Alex Thomka.

For others, it is the environment and the political climate which pushed them to leave the United States to immigrate to Canada.

What concrete advantages?

Integration into Canadian society and some of its benefits are factors that encourage Americans to stay with their northern neighbor.

In the United States, the health care system represents a much higher cost compared to that of Canada. The amount of health care spending for an American is estimated to be nearly double, according to a 2020 study report from the Canadian Institute for Health Information.

I think health insurance and health care in Canada is an advantage. There are challenges and differences, but I really appreciate this securitynote Alex Thomka.

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The need to feel safer in Canada is also part of the reasons why some Americans do not consider returning to live in their country.

There are a lot of reasons I wouldn’t want to return to the United States like the obsession with guns and gun violence and other aspects of the political climate that I find really troublingexplique Lindsay Malloy.

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What options do Americans have for immigrating to Canada?

Immigration to Canada is a preferred destination for many Americans. More than 93,000 of them have become permanent residents there since 2015, according to Canadian government data.

Americans have several options for returning to the country and considering emigrating to their northern neighbor. Studying or working are among the possible longer-term options for obtaining permanent residence.

For several work permits for Americans, it is possible to apply at the point of entry, therefore at the border or at the airport. And at the same time there is the free trade agreement between Canada, Mexico and the United States which offers several options for work permits, which makes this very easysays Me. Alphonse.

However, despite the advantage that Americans have compared to other nations in immigrating to Canada, the steps to formally settle there remain long and undertaking them requires making a carefully considered decision.