Age Difference

[herewecome]

The majority of people emigrating to Canada do so for financial opportunities so that they can have a better life for themselves and for their families. Equal rights and diversity are down near the bottom of most people's considerations, unless they've been directly impacted by a lack of rights in their home countries.

When my dad came to Canada, it was to flee the communist oppression in Europe at the time. He knew that if he stayed there, his children would grow up to be slaves to the government for the rest of their lives, and would have no opportunities to make something of themselves. The last thing on his mind when choosing Canada was, "oh I really think Canada would be the best place to go because there are so many coloured people and Asians and Indians - so much diversity!"

For us, it it is not financial and is for quality of life. And ironically our understanding is that our same sex (UK civil partnership) relationship loses status when we move to Canada and that does frustrate me and makeme a little sad. But living in a liberal country would be high on my list of priorities.

 

[tuyen]

For us, it it is not financial and is for quality of life.

"Quality of life" and "financial" are interconnected. Your quality of life always improves when your financial situation improves.

And ironically our understanding is that our same sex (UK civil partnership) relationship loses status when we move to Canada and that does frustrate me and makeme a little sad. But living in a liberal country would be high on my list of priorities.

Loses status in what sense? What status do you have in the UK right now that you would suddenly lose in Canada?

 

[herewecome]

"Quality of life" and "financial" are interconnected. Your quality of life always improves when your financial situation improves.

Loses status in what sense? What status do you have in the UK right now that you would suddenly lose in Canada?

We will earn less in Canada so we will just have to beg to disagree on the first part. I do agree that money can help but money does not mean a higher quality of life. For example, ours will come from having a large French catholic family around us, 20 ice pads within 10 minute drive, etc. I have seen people earn a lot of money yet they work crazy long hours and are miserable.

A civil partnership in the UK is a gay marriage in everything but name. The word 'marriage' is not used although there is currently discussion this may be changed. Despite being in such a relationship for many years we have applied as common law and not spouse as CIC only recognises same sex marriage from countries that call it marriage. That sits ok with me. I didn't compare applications for PR so I don't know if spouse sponsorship application was anymore straight forward than common law. But like I said, that's ok.

However when we are living in Canada the relationship is still not recognised as anything other than common law. From what I have read we are not deemed married. I would imagine we could not get married in Canada as we already have a legally bound relationship albeit recognised elsewhere. Also it would not really sit well with me knowing we have done it already. We're kind of stuck. Either Canada would need to recognise UK civil partnerships as marriage or the UK government needs to allow marriage for same sex couples and allow people like me to upgrade to the new status. It's not an ideal situation but we know our commitment to each other and being together is our #1 priority.

With such a globally transferable population there must be situations like this a lot for all types of legally bound relationships. And even more so, a lot of pain caused if such relationships break down as some countries only allow divorce when living in the original country of marriage.

 

[Ttcdfolk]

There's no point of arguing with you Tuyen. You seem to be so pro-opinion and let everyone speak their minds but you are doing the exact opposite. You keep telling everyone is wrong and people move to Canada for financial reasons , no issue on diversity or same sex marriage. Everything else is not important as long as people are making more money. Anyway you probably have a point, but you cannot take away the fact that some people got offended for personal reasons.

Most people in third world countries do move to Canada for financial reasons. Check the average salary of a Chinese worker in China, then check the salary of a guy that works at McDonalds in Edmonton. The McDonalds worker in Edmonton makes as much as a manager at a 4 star hotel in China. (which my wife works at the Intercontinental hotel in China) So maybe not for Europeans but for third world countries, I would care to disagree with you. That being said I make way more in China than I would make in Canada, cause my housing is paid for and i make over 10k a month. I am just tired of living here.

 

[CanadianJeepGuy]

Most people in third world countries do move to Canada for financial reasons. Check the average salary of a Chinese worker in China, then check the salary of a guy that works at McDonalds in Edmonton. The McDonalds worker in Edmonton makes as much as a manager at a 4 star hotel in China. (which my wife works at the Intercontinental hotel in China) So maybe not for Europeans but for third world countries, I would care to disagree with you. That being said I make way more in China than I would make in Canada, cause my housing is paid for and i make over 10k a month. I am just tired of living here.

The value of currencies is so different that once you move things are more or less the same. In first world countries there is room for opportunity and from that a better quality of life. Inversely I could quite easily move to the Philippines and be very happy. I don't need much to be happy.

 

[tuyen]

I do agree that money can help but money does not mean a higher quality of life.

Yes, of course it does. When you have money, you're able to do things and get things that will improve your quality of life. You have access to better quality food, better quality housing, better quality health care, better quality transportation, better quality education, etc etc etc.

For example, ours will come from having a large French catholic family around us, 20 ice pads within 10 minute drive, etc.

Okay, but that's no longer an issue of "quality of life". What you're describing is a perceived sense of happiness. For you, having a large French Catholic family and 20 ice pads close by will make you happy. For someone else, those things would mean very little. But putting a million dollars into a person's bank account WILL improve their quality of life, regardless of whatever else makes them happy.

I have seen people earn a lot of money yet they work crazy long hours and are miserable.

As with most things in life, there's a right way and a wrong way to do something.

However when we are living in Canada the relationship is still not recognised as anything other than common law. From what I have read we are not deemed married.

Common law is common law.
Married is married.
Those are different things in Canada as well.

People can choose to live together for 50 years, but that doesn't mean they'd be considered married.

Also it would not really sit well with me knowing we have done it already.

Done what already? The only thing you've done is lived together. If you want to get married, nothing will prevent you from doing that once you arrive in Canada.

I would imagine we could not get married in Canada as we already have a legally bound relationship albeit recognised elsewhere.

You imagine incorrectly. Canada doesn't care (from a marriage perspective) what kind of relationship you were in when you were living in England. What matters is you're not MARRIED in England, therefore you CAN be married in Canada.

 

[Ttcdfolk]

The value of currencies is so different that once you move things are more or less the same. In first world countries there is room for opportunity and from that a better quality of life. Inversely I could quite easily move to the Philippines and be very happy. I don't need much to be happy.

So you have lived in the Philippines before? I have been living in China for over 10 years, and I can say a house in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen or Hong Kong is twice the price it is in Alberta. When you are making 500 Canadian dollars a month, how can you afford a house you either marry into money, or rent a place with four other people.

I had a Philippino friend that lived in Edmonton for 3 years, worked in the oil patch and saved so much money, when he went back home he was like a millionaire. He told my mother and I it would have took him over 30 years to save that much back home.

And don't tell me you travelled there before cause I travelled through Thailand for a year once, and let me tell you traveling and living are two different things. Funny story, I met this Thai women once that was married to a Thai and a German, the Geman for money and the Thai which she gave the money to for love. Now who was the fool, oh ya the the German didn't live there either, three months in six months out. So with the Thai guy for six months and the German for three.

 

[CanadianJeepGuy]

So you have lived in the Philippines before? I have been living in China for over 10 years, and I can say a house in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen or Hong Kong is twice the price it is in Alberta. When you are making 500 Canadian dollars a month, how can you afford a house you either marry into money, or rent a place with four other people.

I had a Philippino friend that lived in Edmonton for 3 years, worked in the oil patch and saved so much money, when he went back home he was like a millionaire. He told my mother and I it would have took him over 30 years to save that much back home.

You are right about that. He made his money here and then took it back to the philippines where it is worth 40 times more than pesos are there. It takes most people 30 years in Canada to pay off their home and aquire modest wealth to live a frugal retirement. It takes 30 to 40 years for people to own their own homes or even a car in some cases in the philippines if they are earning only pesos.
What I make in a month here is what my wife makes in a year there and she is an engineer. An average 3 bedroom bungalow in her city costs about $40000 CDN.

 

[herewecome]

Yes, of course it does. When you have money, you're able to do things and get things that will improve your quality of life. You have access to better quality food, better quality housing, better quality health care, better quality transportation, better quality education, etc etc etc.

Okay, but that's no longer an issue of "quality of life". What you're describing is a perceived sense of happiness. For you, having a large French Catholic family and 20 ice pads close by will make you happy. For someone else, those things would mean very little. But putting a million dollars into a person's bank account WILL improve their quality of life, regardless of whatever else makes them happy.

As with most things in life, there's a right way and a wrong way to do something.

Common law is common law.
Married is married.
Those are different things in Canada as well.

People can choose to live together for 50 years, but that doesn't mean they'd be considered married.

Done what already? The only thing you've done is lived together. If you want to get married, nothing will prevent you from doing that once you arrive in Canada.

You imagine incorrectly. Canada doesn't care (from a marriage perspective) what kind of relationship you were in when you were living in England. What matters is you're not MARRIED in England, therefore you CAN be married in Canada.

It is not perceived if it is real. Not everyone is shallow and after material possessions. If you have $10m already in the bank, $1m will make no difference. I don't see how you can say we are moving for money when we will be earning less!

Done what already? Had a civil ceremony that requires a divorce if we want to separate. That's what. It means a lot to us even if you decide it's nothing. I do not have common law status in the UK.

Can you send me a link to where it says we can get married as despite reading up on English law and Canadian, we cannot find something that states we can. In fact, I have read to the contrary so appreciate your insight.

 

[tuyen]

It is not perceived if it is real. Not everyone is shallow and after material possessions.

You don't need to be shallow in order to want for a better life. I come from VERY humble beginnings, and I've earned every penny that I have today. Nobody gave me anything. My desire to build wealth came from wanting a better life for myself and for my parents, who grew up with nothing. My dad risked his life (literally) to escape from a communist country so that his children could have opportunities that he never could've dreamed of. And as a result of my success, I've given him a sense of validation that he's always wanted - to know that everything he went through was worth it. Getting him and my mom to retire years before their actual retirement age was an honor and privilege for me, and it brought a sense of peace and worry-free relief to both of them, knowing that neither they nor their children will ever have to worry about paying bills again. If that makes me shallow, then I'll happily wear the label.

If you have $10m already in the bank, $1m will make no difference.

And if you have nothing in the bank (as is the case with most people), a million dollars will make a world of difference.

I don't see how you can say we are moving for money when we will be earning less!

Uhh...when did I ever say YOU were moving for money??

Done what already? Had a civil ceremony that requires a divorce if we want to separate. That's what. It means a lot to us even if you decide it's nothing. I do not have common law status in the UK.

None of that makes any sense whatsoever. If you're not married, and you're not common-law, then what do they consider you to be?

How can they require you to get a DIVORCE if you're not married? Furthermore, how can they require a divorce if you don't even have common law status?? What exactly would you be getting "divorced" from?

Can you send me a link to where it says we can get married as despite reading up on English law and Canadian, we cannot find something that states we can. In fact, I have read to the contrary so appreciate your insight.

In Canada, the only requirements you must meet in order to get married are:

- be 18 years of age or older for most provinces (or have parental consent if you're 16-17)
- not be already married
- not be attempting to marry a direct relative or a child you adopted

You're over the age of 18 (I presume), you're not already married, and you're not trying to marry a relative. Therefore, nothing stands in your way.

Here's the exact marriage license form for Ontario. Other provinces will have their own, but they'll be virtually the same.

Notice the first question they ask. They want to know if you've ever been married, divorced, or widowed. In your case, you've never been married. You've never been divorced, and you're not widowed. Therefore, nothing prevents you from getting your marriage license approved and stamped on the spot.

 

[Ttcdfolk]

You are right about that. He made his money here and then took it back to the philippines where it is worth 40 times more than pesos are there. It takes most people 30 years in Canada to pay off their home and aquire modest wealth to live a frugal retirement. It takes 30 to 40 years for people to own their own homes or even a car in some cases in the philippines if they are earning only pesos.
What I make in a month here is what my wife makes in a year there and she is an engineer. An average 3 bedroom bungalow in her city costs about $40000 CDN.

So that is why I said they come her for money. And a 3 bedroom bungalow in Manila would cost? Here in Beijing it would about three million Canadian for a detached house.

Some of the lowest salaries in the world and they don't come here for money. Nobody would be making less coming from the Philippines to Canada. Unless you were some corrupt government official or a business owner.

 

[herewecome]

You don't need to be shallow in order to want for a better life. I come from VERY humble beginnings, and I've earned every penny that I have today. Nobody gave me anything. My desire to build wealth came from wanting a better life for myself and for my parents, who grew up with nothing. My dad risked his life (literally) to escape from a communist country so that his children could have opportunities that he never could've dreamed of. And as a result of my success, I've given him a sense of validation that he's always wanted - to know that everything he went through was worth it. Getting him and my mom to retire years before their actual retirement age was an honor and privilege for me, and it brought a sense of peace and worry-free relief to both of them, knowing that neither they nor their children will ever have to worry about paying bills again. If that makes me shallow, then I'll happily wear the label.

And if you have nothing in the bank (as is the case with most people), a million dollars will make a world of difference.

Uhh...when did I ever say YOU were moving for money??


None of that makes any sense whatsoever. If you're not married, and you're not common-law, then what do they consider you to be?

How can they require you to get a DIVORCE if you're not married? Furthermore, how can they require a divorce if you don't even have common law status?? What exactly would you be getting "divorced" from?

In Canada, the only requirements you must meet in order to get married are:

- be 18 years of age or older for most provinces (or have parental consent if you're 16-17)
- not be already married
- not be attempting to marry a direct relative or a child you adopted

You're over the age of 18 (I presume), you're not already married, and you're not trying to marry a relative. Therefore, nothing stands in your way.

Here's the exact marriage license form for Ontario. Other provinces will have their own, but they'll be virtually the same.

Notice the first question they ask. They want to know if you've ever been married, divorced, or widowed. In your case, you've never been married. You've never been divorced, and you're not widowed. Therefore, nothing prevents you from getting your marriage license approved and stamped on the spot.

And as I have explained a better life can come from many forms that are not just related to money! Yes if someone is from a poor background it will help take a lot of worries away but I want for things other than that and so do others. Not everyone is moving for financial reasons.

I have a civil partnership. Known as a civil union. Regardless I am sure you will keep telling me it means nothing.

I am not going to bother with this thread anymore.

 

[ekaterina1984]

Taking offensive is also a form of opinion.

In Canada, same sex relationships are a human right and protected by the law.

Immigration of a spouse of any age is not a right however.

Immigration of the same sex spouse of any age is not a right either .

 

[CanadianJeepGuy]

So that is why I said they come her for money. And a 3 bedroom bungalow in Manila would cost? Here in Beijing it would about three million Canadian for a detached house.

Some of the lowest salaries in the world and they don't come here for money. Nobody would be making less coming from the Philippines to Canada. Unless you were some corrupt government official or a business owner.

I never said that they don't come here for money. Just saying that cost comparisons are relatively the same when you are making Canadian dollars in Canada or making pesos in the Philippines. There are exceptions or course.

 

[darwinwap]

Immigration of the same sex spouse of any age is not a right either .

Gay or straight , black or white, old or young, fat or slim. We all have the same human rights in Canada, assuming you are human.