Compared to sweden/norway/denmark: Lot's of gangs, crime, poverty, beggars, homeless, homeless with mental problems with no access to help, bad working conditions with little holiday, little benefits for amount of tax paid, bad healthcare, far from anywhere else in the world, little culture, little art/architecture/museums, congestion, bad public transportation, inequality of women compared to swe/nor/den, hidden racism, discrimination toward natives is bothersome, violent barbaric sports, constant road rage, arrongant people who know little about the rest of the world yet still live under the grand illusion Canada is a great place to live (probably because their only comparison point is the US) . I think that about covers it
It's nice for people from developing countries I am sure, but not for us. It's all about perspective isn't it! Thanks.
Hello Pea,
I guess its all about perspective.
I was born and raised in Denmark and I now live in Sweden. (I work in Denmark though)
Denmark has had an increase in gangs. Hells Angels and ethnic gangs now have "drive bys" on the streets of Copenhagen. 5 innocent people have been killed and several more have been hurt. Daily we read about knife attacks and other gang related violence. Nørrebrogade has been almost entirely shut down. (quiet a big neighbourhood)
In Toronto (I don't know about other cities) I know of Jane/Finch and some areas in Scarborough where Tamil gangs operate.
With regards to beggars: we have TOO many now. Danes and also many Romanians. If you walk on the streets of Copenhagen you will see tons of beggars. Kids and adults (though mostly from Romania, Slovakia etc.)
In the S train its mostly Danes. Drunkards and other drug addics.
Congestion: I lived in Toronto before and believe that COpenhagen is VERY conjested when compared to Toronto. Also note that Copenhagen is the 4th most expensive city in the world. The standard of living has decreased alot here. Politicians and the public in general are all aware of this.
Healthcare: In Malmö its crap. The worst I've ever experience. ONE hospital only and in the emergency only two doctors are present. (asked a nurse once I was there). It takes up to 6 hours before its your turn to receive medical care. In Denmark the quality of Hopitals has also fallen. My mum died in 2005 due to lack of care. Doctors can't diagnose but are "okay" when it comes to an operation.
Hidden racism and OPEN racism is present in the media and in Danish Politics. One cannot marry a NON EU citizen whos below 24 and in order to bring a spouse from a NON EU country you need to have 50000 DKR, own appartment and fulfill tons of other criterias. The government told us that it was in order to stop arrange marriages.
A mosque hasnt been build here ever. The first Danish mosque has now been approved but DAILY we hear about it. (Denmark) Is it part of Scandinavian culture? Should we ban the scarf? I have a VERY close friend who works as an HR thingi, and he told me that most applications with ethnic names are thrown in the trashcan. The hiring manager won't even look at it.
According to European Network Against Racism, there is open racism in Denmark. (atleast its increasing)
A UN report also made a VERY critical report wherein Denmark was slammed with regards to refugees and new immigrants.
Sweden and Norway are doing better though.
The culture of Canada I would say is made up by all the newcomers. In Toronto atleast I remember during EM, and VM toronto was a melting pot for greek-, Italian, French, Korean, Portuguese. culture. The many Indians, Brazilians, Chinese, Japanese, Tamils, Carribeans also contribute.
The quality of our public schools is the worst ever. So is the quality of teh kindergarden. (Denmark) In sweden kindergarden is good.
But WELCOME back
Malmo