With due respect I am greatly appreciative of all the assistance that we receive in this forum as have I received also, you're talking to someone born and brought up in the UK who paid his taxes all his life there and I'm doing the same here....so if that's gaming the system then I'm guilty, as for being fortunate or unfortunate I took a punt and realised that should I be reported then yes there would be a chance of being sent back home.
That was something I was prepared for, I understand the concerns around immigration, law breakers (so to speak) as it was a concern of mine when also residing in the UK.
But again if you're telling me that coming here slightly later than I should have due to circumstances beyond my control is a sin, then for that I am truly sorry but I've contributed to the Canadian system and hope that I continue to do so.
As for "lecturing," well you don't know me as a person and have simply missed the point that I was trying to make....people come here for assistance and not to be told that they're playing games with the system.
You also state if only the people know it takes "only" 2 out of 5 years, I think you'll find more of the Canadian public know this than don't know this, oh and yes would probably also be more supportive with everyone rather than yourself.
Have a good one....mate!