After three decades as a proud Canadian citizen, a devoted Canucks fan, and someone who cherishes this country’s values, I have made what I consider the most challenging decision of my life: relocating my family of four to the United States.
This decision has not come lightly; it stems from years of witnessing the beloved country I adore transform into something unrecognizable. Like many of my fellow Canadians, especially those within the Jewish community, I have come to the painful realization that the Canada we once believed in has faded away.
British Columbia, my previous home, has become increasingly unaffordable for young working families. Grocery prices, fuel costs, housing expenses, and taxes have escalated, placing immense pressure on families and making it hard for new residents to settle down. For many young British Columbians, the dream of homeownership feels out of reach, as rental payments consume nearly half of their monthly incomes.
So, what has the country provided in return? A deteriorating healthcare system fails to deliver timely and essential care or even access to a family doctor. Emergency rooms are either shuttered or overwhelmed with patients, leading to excessively long wait times. The backlog for surgeries stretches into waiting lists that last several months, leaving individuals in distressing situations.
Tragically, there are people who are losing their lives while waiting for treatment in a healthcare system that was once the pride of Canada. In a heartbreaking case, a 10-year-old girl afflicted with a rare disease has been denied critical treatment she desperately requires. The Canadian promise of equitable healthcare for all is devolving into a cold calculation where bureaucrats make life-or-death decisions based on financial considerations.
Our cities are now in a state of crisis. Citizens are witnessing public demonstrations threatening the very existence of Canada, while the streets experience an alarming rise in violence and chaos. The ongoing drug crisis has become an ever-pressing concern. People are openly using drugs in public spaces, and individuals in dire situations are left unconscious on the streets due to overdoses.
Families like mine are forced to shield their children from this disturbing reality—violent outbursts have become commonplace and a troubling new normal sanctioned by the government. The fentanyl epidemic continues to ravage lives and paralyze communities, creating a sense of hopelessness and despair.
Simultaneously, our justice system appears compromised, overwhelmed by ideological battles that favor the perpetrators over law-abiding citizens. Offenders continue to walk free, while repeat criminals are repeatedly released back into communities. Policemen work diligently to build critical cases against dangerous individuals, only to find their efforts undermined by Crown prosecutors.
The decision to leave Canada was not made without deep reflection. Every memory of the community, family, and friends I cherished played a role in this choice. Yet, faced with escalating social chaos, a fractured healthcare system, and an environment where safety seems an ever-distant concept, I ultimately believed that moving to the United States was the best course for my family.
This bittersweet reality underscores the diminishing spirit of the Canada I once knew. As we embark on this new chapter in our lives, the echoes of a lost Canada resonate in my heart. My hope is that the country will one day regain the values that once made it a beacon of hope and inclusivity for so many.
image source from：nationalpost
