Is Canada better than the USA ?

Question

Michael Moore said Canadians are so non-violent and don't shoot people.
Next, the health care system and its environmental policy appear better.

What is your opinion ?

Answer 1

It depends on who's shoes you're in? If you're the working poor or just plain poor... Neither country has done its civic/moral job to rectify the problem as a positive for these people, nor even put it on their radar until some sensational news story occurs & the main stream will of the populas is up in arms.
If you're talking about violence, neither really address the reasons why humans turn to violent acts, but it is sad to say that Canada is catching up to the USA.
If you compare Health care, Canada use to have a better system because everyone got excellent care universally until Paul Martin as the Liberal Finance Minister chipped away the funding inorder to illiminate the National Debt under Chretiens rule. So now after years of neglect Canadians are struggling & fighting off the profiteers, who own the American Health Care System & could care less about everyone being healthy, they just what to be millionairs, that's why so many Americans try to get perscription drugs up in Canada!
If you're talking about how American Lumber Cartels have abused Canadian forest resources because they can lobby senators in gov. to put the sqeeze on Canadian Co.'s, & the now Conservative Gov. is giving into the extortion, then I'd have to say neither countries environment is safe from greedy self-righteous profiteers that happen to be the "Haves" of this world.
The only thing I could possibly say for sure that perhaps CANADA is better than the Good 'ol US of A, would be that not all of the whole world hates Canadians, unlike everyone seems to hate Americans. We all aren't like what you see on TV or are repesented like our Arrogant Gov., but the good news is we are both peaceful nations towards each other in general, & not many countries can boast that fact.

Answer 2

First off, I'm a Canadian, so obviously I'm somewhat biased. I do think Canada is better than the US in many ways. We are a more tolerant civil society, we have way less crime, better health care on average (our life expectancy is higher), greater levels of education, we're more open to foreigners and immigrants (we are the only country in the world where the majority favours immigration), we have a more live and let live attitude towards others (as an example we allow gay marriages), our cities are alive and vibrant (people are actually moving into our downtowns in droves), we're considered pretty good international citizens (how many Americans sow they're flag onto they're back packs when travelling? We all pretty much do it). These are just a few examples. The US, however, as also many good things. Americans have a more can do attitude, are more proactive on their decisions and are not afraid of taking chances. America has great universities and is the country that does the most scientific research. America is able to produce great art and culture (it's not all commercialized pop, no matter what the French think). America has more dynamic economy (and I'm not just talking about the volume, which is obviously bigger) and has a great culture of entrepreneurship.

In the end I believe both countries have good things. Which one is better? I guess it depends on what you like and what you think is important. If making money, being rich and famous is your thing, then America is the greatest country to be. If your thing is to lead a life with peace and dignity, not just for yourself but for others, the Canada is the greatest country to be.

Answer 3

Canada is a huge country with a lot of natural resources. At the same time it has a much smaller population than the USA, which in this day and age makes it easier to maintain some form of democracy. Canada was birthed on this continent in order to be the stopper - to prevent the USA from achieving total and overwhelming domination and power - why else would Canada and the USA be seperate countries, since we are essentially the same people with similar histories and language? It's like a sober second thought to hotheaded American actions. this means that Canada has the benefit of being able to improve on some of the mistakes Americans have made.
the healthcare system is certainly better for now, although the greedy doctors in Alberta and British Columbia are making a concerted effor to ruin it for everyone. the environmental policy is not necessarily better. Canada has ruthlessly and destuctively pursued the greedy exploitation of its own immense base of natural resources and has decimated its natural heritage without most Canadians even being aware of what has happened. Neither country is doing very well with environmental policy these days, although each country has certain areas of strength and integrity, too.
Guns are just as important a part of Canadian culture as they are of American culture, although it is certainly true that Canadians do not shoot each other at the prodigious rate that Americans do. Part of that has to do with history and the circumstances of the birth of the two countries. Canada never severed its ties to Britain, and there is not the same fear of tyranical occupation as there is in the USA. Most of the people who own and use guns are part of the rural population who still need and use them for survival and hunting. in the USA it's handguns in the cities that people possess for "self-defence" that gives people an itchy trigger finger that going to the shooting range just doesn't quite satisfy. Having a practical and regular use for guns other than simply fostering paranoia goes a long way towards keeping people aware of what is important for responsible use of firearms.
I also think that they mosaic approach which encourages multiculturalism and strengthening historical ties with countries which provide immigrants to Canada is a much stronger and more effective tool than the melting-pot approach of the USA. Canadian cities are incredibly diverse places these days and it enrichens the country a lot.
finally, the winters can be pretty long in Canada, and the mosquitos and blackflys in the summer are no joke.
but we are all brothers and Canada would not be what it is without the USA, nor the USA without Canada. we are each others largest trading partners, and we have the worlds longest undefended border. if you are an American asking this question, then I hope one day you will visit Canada and get to know a little bit about your northern neighbours, if you are a Canadian the you should travel in the USA a little bit to learn what things are really like there. tv is a pretty good indicator in some ways but it's not a completely accurate picture.

Answer 4

Wasn't there a shooting in Montreal last week? Michael Moore is a film maker trying to make money and he is quite good at it. The health care system is better and I can't imagine the enviromental policies being worse than the states. I, however, cannot say for certainty which country is better. I guess it is a matter of opinion.

Answer 5

How can Canada be better than the USA we have obama. He is our king we should consider ourselves lucky that we have someone so great. Look what shape he has put our country in. It will be in this shape for about 500 years and we can thank obama for that. He is so good to us.

Answer 6

I live in the U.S.A. and proud of it.(Thou at times wonder about that statement).. I have been to Canada many times , Toronto and Ontario and when in Canada it just seems more peaceful, cleaner,safer etc, One thing I can say for Canada is at least is that China does not own them ! How could we let things like that happen anyway? And why do we have to help so many other countries and spent our $$$$$$$ when how many other countries help us when needed. Its just to bad that we could never just been one country. We are very similar as many have already stated and there are just small difference ..

Answer 7

Canada by far is the better nation. If only we can get out of the war , we will be better off.Let the Americans do they dirty work alone..

Answer 8

Most western countries are better than the US. The US was the best country on earth up until the eighties. It has been all down hill since then.

Answer 9

If you're into socialism, strict gun control (which doesn't work there either, it turns out...), and speaking French, then Canada is certainly better.

In other words, no.

And you should probably think twice before citing information obtained from Michael Moore. He's has a well-earned reputation for distorting facts to make a point, and except from an entertainment standpoint, nobody really takes him seriously.

Answer 10

Yeah, there health care system is great. That's why when they need specialized care, they cross the border into the US.

Their population is only one tenth of the US. You can hardly compare the two. California has more people than Canada.