A few new Canadians

This entry was published at least two years ago (originally posted on July 21, 2003). Since that time the information may have become outdated or my beliefs may have changed (in general, assume a more open and liberal current viewpoint). A fuller disclaimer is available.

It was bound to happen, really. I’ve known quite a few people who have at one time or another, with various degrees of seriousness, talked about moving to Canada as they got more and more disgusted with how things were going in the US. Heck, I’ve talked about it from time to time. Now, enough people have decided that this sounds like a good idea that it’s actually making news.

For all they share economically and culturally, Canada and the United States are increasingly at odds on basic social policies — to the point that at least a few discontented Americans are planning to move north and try their neighbors’ way of life.

A husband and wife in Minnesota, a college student in Georgia, a young executive in New York. Though each has distinct motives for packing up, they agree the United States is growing too conservative and believe Canada offers a more inclusive, less selfish society.

“For me, it’s a no-brainer,” said Mollie Ingebrand, a puppeteer from Minneapolis who plans to go to Vancouver with her lawyer husband and 2-year-old son.

“It’s the most amazing opportunity I can imagine. To live in a society where there are different priorities in caring for your fellow citizens.”

For the moment, it’s not a thought I’d consider seriously. I’m quite content here in Seattle, and if nothing else, I want to stick around to see if we can actually manage to put a Democrat in the White House again. Should Bush manage to hoodwink America into re-electing him, though — Vancouver’s not that far away…

(via Brian Hess)