A
more informed article on living in Canada - by P.K.Odendaal - June 2013.
As many of my readers are English speaking
and from all parts of the world, I will in future write these articles in
English.
After four months I feel I can make a more
informed opinion of what life in Canada is for me, and I think it is best to do
it on different aspects separately.
State
form.
The state form is democratic and
capitalistic, as most developed and civilized western states are, and I find
the government as far as I had to do with it, efficient and service good.
Naturally any government administration suffers from bureaucracy, which one
will also find here.
However, I find the state form much more socialistic
as other states I know of, which is a good thing for a country with such a
strong middle class. If there is a very strong middle class, then social services
and responsibility like health and taxes can be distributed more evenly, and it
is done quite well here. I find it very appealing, because I will declare my
income more conscientiously when I know I share fairly in the state services
and I make a fair contribution towards it.
Economy.
I live in the province of Alberta, which is
said to be a rich province, with lots of natural and human resources. One statistic
I have seen is that the average income per household is over $ 80 000 per year.
Now that is what I call affluent compared to the $ 5 500 in South Africa for
the black population which makes up about 90% of the population. In fact, $ 80 000
per year is the income of the top 1% of households in the world.
Pedestrians.
Everywhere you go, the pedestrian is king.
You stop for them even when they should suddenly appear from behind a bush, but
especially so where pedestrian traffic and vehicle traffic is mixed like in
shopping centres. It is very safe to walk anywhere. I find that excellent.
Traffic.
The flow of traffic is well catered for and
the roads are well maintained. The drivers however are just as ill-disciplined
as in many western states. Although the majority are law abiding and safe
drivers, a large percentage are inconsiderate and even road hogs. If you wish
to get your chance to cross a lane or get into busy traffic, you better have
hair on your teeth and push the limits of indiscretion.
Sport,
Entertainment and Nature.
All three are well catered for. In Edmonton
there are about 86 golf courses, of which most are public courses, but knowing
somebody from a private club gives you access to many of the private clubs. The
countryside and nature is beautiful and mostly breath-taking, and most
Canadians get into these activities en masse as soon as the winter is over.
Gardening is a big issue here, as well as hiking.
In the summer some concerts and symphonic
orchestra events are given in a park setting. The summer holidays are a real
popular event.
Shopping
and restaurants.
One can keep very busy with shopping, as
there are thousands of shops where you can buy almost anything. The thousands
of restaurants are of a very high standard - and mostly overcrowded on
weekends. Shopping in malls is also an entertaining event.
People.
I find the people hard-working, honest and
very friendly. It is very easy to pick up a conversation at almost any shop, elevator
and gathering or just where people congregate.
