"Political and economic upheavals are practically unheard of here, medical care is cheap, education is among the best in the world, the environment is excellent, and there are almost no problems with employment." Zhora bent all the fingers on one hand and, after thinking, summed up: "And in general, according to UN data, Canada ranks first in terms of standard of living and per capita income."
Indeed, there are many positive aspects for people wishing to change their place of residence in Canada. Moreover, Canada is one of the few countries that encourages the entry of immigrants from all over the world. Last year, the Canadian Ministry of Immigration and Naturalization even lamented that the country had fallen short by about 15,000 immigrants from the Asia-Pacific region.
The annual immigration quota was not fully met due to the crisis that erupted in Asia. Bank deposits of residents of Hong Kong, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand were frozen or completely lost, and potential immigrants were left without the funds needed for relocation and initial settlement in Canada.
However, the number of our compatriots wishing to settle in this country increased several times after the events of six months ago. As is known, the crisis hit the middle class hardest. That is, precisely the professionals that Canada is interested in. Canada's immigration policy is built on attracting either wealthy people willing to invest money in the country's economy, or highly qualified specialists capable of bringing great benefit to their new homeland.
As for the first category of migrants (business immigration), we have practically none, as Canadians require documentary proof of the legality of income. However, the prospect of quickly obtaining a high-paying job in one's field in Canada has interested many people who have lost prestigious positions in their home country.
It is indeed difficult to remain without work in Canada. If a person has a profession that is valued on the Canadian market, they usually have no problems finding employment. Moreover, a sought-after profession significantly increases the chances of obtaining an immigration visa. Currently, people with higher technical education have the greatest advantage. But often specialists without higher education are also in demand. If necessary, one can change professions by completing special retraining courses in Canada.
The ability to obtain a visa without problems and then find a good job also depends on knowledge of one of Canada's official languages – English or French. However, language courses, including free ones, are also available in Canada.
If problems with work do arise, after three months of entering the country, one can start receiving financial benefits. Before this, savings deposits in the bank are checked. Previously, an immigrant was not supposed to have any savings, but now benefits are given if the deposit amount does not exceed $2,000.
The benefit provides a fairly tolerable existence. But if you have not worked for a long time and lived on benefits, this will be taken into account when you want to obtain permanent residence.
The state helps low-income immigrants rent apartments by providing special benefits and preferential loans. Children can count on free schooling, and the elderly can count on help from public housekeepers who will go shopping, clean the apartment, do laundry, and cook dinner. Indeed, residents of Canada are among the most socially protected people in the world.
Most Russian-speaking emigrants settle in Toronto, Canada's largest city, which is also its cultural capital. Our emigration in Canada is divided into several generations: the post-revolutionary generation, which is practically no longer alive and whose children often have no idea about their roots; the post-war generation – mostly "dark horses"; the Cold War generation – as a rule, fierce anti-Sovietists who claim that life in our country is impossible and meet anyone who says otherwise with hostility. However, among this generation there are many wonderful people who sincerely care about the homeland they left behind. The latest wave of emigration is economic, represented by those who came to Canada in the 1990s in search of a better, more peaceful life. Among them are many well-educated, hardworking people, although there are also nouveau riche and ordinary bandits. The latter, like in our country, drive Mercedes and BMWs, wear gold chains and rings, with crimson jackets and tracksuits replaced by more stylish clothing. There are no "showdowns" between "brothers" in Canada, and there are almost no street hooligans. Therefore, most streets in Canadian cities can be walked safely at night.
The Russian community in Toronto has grown threefold since 1990. Russian Sunday schools have appeared, and the number of Russian stores, video salons, clubs, and similar establishments has increased.
True, the word "Russian" here refers to all Russian-speaking emigrants. In fact, the largest Ukrainian community in Canada is based in Toronto. Local Ukrainians carefully preserve traditions, widely celebrate national holidays, which attract emigrants from across the country. Canadian Ukrainians try to help their former homeland. For example, it was here that the Ukrainian currency, the hryvnia, was printed. A museum of Taras Shevchenko is open in Toronto, and a monument to Lesya Ukrainka stands in one of the city's parks.
Do any famous compatriots live in Toronto? There are probably no great names here. Except perhaps the Lithuanian Jew Ed Mirvish, better known in Toronto as "Honest Ed."
Ed Mirvish started by selling all necessary goods for 5 cents. Low-income immigrants shopped at his store. When Eddie became rich, he did not become arrogant but continued to support old friends, earning nationwide love. Today, Ed owns two theaters, a chain of restaurants and stores. He has the world's largest private collection of porcelain, open for viewing. "Honest Ed's" birthdays are celebrated in Toronto as a national holiday with public festivities and abundant feasts.
And another surname is on everyone's lips in Toronto. A year ago, the Ishchenko family, "new Ukrainians," decided to buy several garden fountains. When they were being delivered to the villa, the trailers blocked the road, causing a multi-hour traffic jam that made all local news reports.
Our former compatriots live in various neighborhoods of the city. But there is also a so-called "Russian district" in Toronto, where mostly newly arrived or those stubbornly unwilling to mix with the natives from the former USSR settle. The younger generation of emigrants mostly strives to assimilate as quickly as possible. Giving credit to Canadians, it must be said that they are generally very friendly to anyone who shows genuine interest in local culture and the English language. The relaxed and peaceful nature of the natives (Americans mock these typical traits, calling Canadians a "nation of door-holders") eventually softens the aggressiveness of former Ukrainians and Russians. For example, Vadim Samoilov, who lived in Canada for 10 years, after returning to Moscow, found himself constantly wanting to hold doors in the subway and other public places. Vadim was very surprised that this habit caused bewilderment and sometimes irritation among Muscovites.
And your acquaintance Zhora Gershwin laughingly recalls a story that happened to him on the third day of his stay on Canadian soil. Zhora decided to ride the Canadian subway. In the car, he accidentally stepped on the foot of a burly bearded guy in full biker gear (as motorcyclists who band together and ride obsessively on highways are called). Zhora thought he was about to be beaten, but the owner of the foot raised his tattooed hands and unexpectedly said, "Excuse me, sir." Since then, Zhora is not afraid of anything in Canada.
Many of our emigrants are disappointed by the complete absence of flirting and playfulness on the streets of Canadian cities (a pleasant exception is the French-speaking province of Quebec, especially the city of Montreal). Women's friendliness unexpectedly turns into paranoid suspicion at the slightest attempt by the opposite sex to strike up an acquaintance. If the person seeking to get acquainted persists, a threat to call the police immediately follows. This fact of local life is especially distressing for the male part of our emigration, who take revenge on native ladies by completely ignoring them and paying attention only to Slavic women. However, the language barrier also plays a significant role in this behavior.
The male population of Canada is much more inclined to sexual adventurism, but is often quite passive and waits for initiative from the ladies.
In Montreal, morals are freer, and local representatives of the fair sex appreciate courtship, compliments, and decisive actions. Therefore, our guys in Montreal are very popular with girls. They are loved and welcomed there even more than Americans. "Why?" I asked a Montreal-born girl named Suzanne. "Your men, like Americans, are tall, strong, handsome, rich, and sexy. But in addition, they are also smart," replied the 20-year-old beauty.
Canada gradually exerts its influence on emigrants from any country. Therefore, the behavior, views, and life values of our former compatriots who have lived in Canada for more than five years become closer to Canadian than to those of their homeland. Interestingly, in the first years of emigration, our people on the streets and in public places try to pretend they do not understand their native language and have nothing in common with former compatriots. This phenomenon disappears after the tenth year of life in emigration, and the attitude towards former compatriots becomes more humane and sympathetic. Ten years in emigration is generally a turning point in any person's life. Probably, over time, a sense of belonging to the country of residence appears, and the memory of the historical homeland is cleansed of grievances and anger. For the most part, our emigrants get on their feet extremely quickly and, in terms of income and wealth, catch up with and even surpass their Canadian peers within 5 to 10 years. Apparently, life in our country prepares people very well for dealing with difficulties and hardships.
But despite material well-being, many who left still miss their historical homeland, although they often hide it, claiming they feel no nostalgia.
It seems to me that the general mood of emigrants was well expressed by Alla Bondarenko, who lived in Canada for about 12 years: "We have both nostalgia and pain for the place where we and our parents were born, for the place our children know only by hearsay. Living in Canada, you begin to believe that the future of humanity lies in internationalism, but you cannot forget your true homeland."