Not sure what will happen

[goodml]

Got ya Beth. We're on the same page. ML

[karenh1127]

Out of curiosity just what are your taxes?? Most people in the states pay income tax and if they own a home they pay mortgage taxes and insurance on this. My dh works for the railroad so he pays into railroad retirement instead of social security. Out of his paycheck he pays 28% of it to the federal government. Our home taxes and insurance come to around $5,000+ a year. Now I know that things in Canada are more expensive so maybe incomes are higher so I dont know if I can make the comparison. I just keep hearing yall talk about high taxes so I was curious.

[nosnobunny]

Karen our taxes would scare you silly. You name it, we pay taxes on it. Sometimes we're even taxed on items that have been taxed before. :rolleyes:

 

It's easier to say what isn't taxed - casino and lottery winnings. :D Pretty much everything else is.

 

The rate on income tax varies by the amount earned annually. For example I take home approx. 58% of what I earn. :( Most goods are at a rate of 15% which is a combination of federal and provincial tax, but can vary a bit by province. Restaurant food is taxed at a rate of 15% PLUS an additional 10% for any liquor. Gratuities are extra.

 

Yes we also have insurance on both property and auto (mandatory in my province) and the premiums are also taxable. At least you get to deduct the interest paid on your mortgage. Not so here. And we have to re-negotiate our mortgages every 5-7 years. There's no 35 year lock-in rate here. Or if there is, it's not well known and rare.

 

Taxes aside, this is still one of the best countries to live. And it's home. :)

 

Beth

[worfsmom]

I believe we are one of the highest taxed countries in the world. Australia is really high too.

Let's put it in simple terms......... If you buy a simple paperback book.........

You pay $10.99 add 8% tax, plus 7% tax, that's $12.63 for the book. Now if you read it, and decide to take to a used book store, and it's re sold, then it's retaxed ! We are taxed to death here !

Son who make almost nothing....... pays zero health insurance

Husband who make roughly $120,000. pays top health insurance dollar.

Little ol me, who makes roughly $45,000. pays a little less than him.

We all get the same health care. We do pay for extras not covered.

We don't get our medicines paid for. (Seniors do)

We get one eye exam every couple of years.

Dental costs are huge, and not covered.

Yes, we have a Huge shortage of doctors, and a Huge shortage of nurses.

Yes, we do wait for things like MRI's etc.

Our lab work is covered, xrays are covered. (Some minor lab work is not covered, I am a firm believer that a PSA should be covered!)

Should we have a two tiered system? No, but I wouldn't mind paying a user fee for some things to help cut costs.

[karenh1127]

Thanks for the explanation. I think your everyday spending such as retail or restaurant purchases are taxed way to much! Seems ridiculous I'm sure. Our town has about an 8.25% tax on goods and that's it. Of course your incomes are higher than in the states. Have you ever thought the shortage of doctors and nurses are because they are coming here seeking work because they can make much more $$? I know my fertility doc is from Canada and he moved here because of socialized medicine there.

[goodml]

Have you ever thought the shortage of doctors and nurses are because they are coming here seeking work because they can make much more $$? I know my fertility doc is from Canada and he moved here because of socialized medicine there.

Of course that's why they leave. That's the far bigger problem than the taxes we pay. Like I said before - our doctors are paid by the government and their salaries are capped. We're all well aware of the flaws in the system and the massive amount of effort and $$$ it will take to realign it to suit today's challenges. It is certainly a priority and Ontario has been going through massive restructuring of its health care system but Rome wasn't built in a day.

 

Every country has its share of imperfections and I'm privileged to live in our country warts and all - I personally prefer our warts to any others I've seen anywhere else. My hope is that at some point the folks in government will acquire some common sense and stop spending money on foolishness and focus on efficiency in the delivery of health care and education and a few other things that really matter to our people. My biggest concern is that we don't seem to see common sense in any government anywhere anymore and that is a frightening thing.

[spongerob]

That's a two-way street, NSB. Make sure YOU have the facts when critiquing the system south of the border. My FIL has had 4 procedures in the last two years. All costs have been covered and there has been NO waiting - quite unlike the Canadian system I grew up with where similar "old person" ailments had extensive waiting lists.

 

Your problem is bureaucrats, ours is lawyers. I'm not sure which is worse. LOL.

[karenh1127]

Well hopefully where ever you live you will get the healthcare you need when you need it. I would not want to see anyone suffer from illness no matter how they are insured. Like you Goodml, I too love where I live despite its flaws. As long as government is involved there will be no easy answer. Good luck to all!

[goodml]

Well hopefully where ever you live you will get the healthcare you need when you need it. I would not want to see anyone suffer from illness no matter how they are insured. Like you Goodml, I too love where I live despite its flaws. As long as government is involved there will be no easy answer. Good luck to all!

That's exactly how I feel Karen:) .

 

Hey guys it's Thanksgiving weekend up here. Can't wish our US friends a happy Thanksgiving but we'll eat lots of turkey and have a glass of wine or two for you anyway. To all my Cdn friends here and abroad have a great Thanksgiving.

[nosnobunny]

That's a two-way street, NSB. Make sure YOU have the facts when critiquing the system south of the border. My FIL has had 4 procedures in the last two years. All costs have been covered and there has been NO waiting - quite unlike the Canadian system I grew up with where similar "old person" ailments had extensive waiting lists.

 

Your problem is bureaucrats, ours is lawyers. I'm not sure which is worse. LOL.

Who was critiquing the American system? Although I don't have the time at the moment to go back and re-read each post (I'm busy cooking Thanksgiving dinner :D ), I don't believe I criticized them. Don't take my support of our system as a slight at that in the US. It isn't. Each has its flaws.

 

 

I have also experienced losing a family Dr to Tennessee. Like you, I also have family living in the US. Each one a US citizen BTW - some by choice, some by birth. We have two physicians in our family. One is a Cdn OB/GYN and the other is a US cardiac surgeon. So yes, I understand the system.

 

Beth

[bingo3]

I'm confused. If someone commits an offense in the US and pays their fine there, they then have to also pay Canada in order to enter their country?? Or am I mis-reading this? (one poster said traffic offense was committed in Michigan and a fine paid there, but Canada also wanted $$). I can understand if the offense was committed In Canada and the fine never paid. They would have every right to collect it, with interest! But to pay them for an offense committed in another country doesn't seem right???

 

I also agree with others, I can't see where anyone doing donuts would get 25 to life.

[Sillyjilly]

Anyone, My husband was recently turn away at the Canadian boarder for something he did when he was 19 (donuts in a parking lot) he paid a $250.00 fine. Canada says he is not wanted in there country becasue by there laws now the crime of doing donuts is 25 years to life and considered a criminal act. We have to apply for a pardon which after all is said and done we will have to pay $1,500.00. My question is we cruise alot what happens at boarders where they ask you if you have ever been denied access to a country? I have called the boarder patrol and they seem to say dont worry. Has this ever happened so anyone and if so what should I do before We cruise in December.

Thank you for your answers

Geez, it sounds like a revenue maker. Incredible!:eek:

[happytogoing]

As stated before, a conviction on either side of the border can result in denied access.

 

My Brother in law is denied access to the USA due to a conviction (which is still mysterious to me, but I assume was criminal) from his youth....... it is the same in both directions.......

 

Gee, we all want the borders protected until it inconveniences us.... I'm just the same, I grumble if I have to wait in line to cross the border in either direction, but on the other hand, I also want them to be doing a good job too..... I guess we can't have it both ways!!!!

[goodml]

Sillyjilly and bingo3, did either of you happen to read the posts that followed that initial ridiculous post? Like we've said over and over those border issues work both ways.

 

And has anyone noticed that this thread was a hit and run. First post ever for the op and never came back.

[bingo3]

Sorry Goodml, but when I read this post, only the first page was showing. I was shocked to some back today and see all that followed. Must have been a quirk.

[goodml]

Sorry too bingo. This thread has frustrated me at times!:)

[waytrav]

A group of us are looking at a cruise next year around Sth America and coming home to Australia via Ft. Lauderdale (overnight).

One of our group had a drug conviction 20 years ago in Australia.

Further to your discussion, does he have to receive a pardon from the US before he is allowed in and $1500 ???.This seems a bit rich consisdering that it is only overnight.

Is this a pardon for lifetime or does he have to reapply each time he wishes to either transit or visit the US.

How long do these Pardon's take to come through.

Any information available would be appreciated

 

Wayne

[ArkansasFish]

Just don;t go to Canada. There are too many other countries that will take your money.

[goodml]

Not true Arkansas, that's the point we've been making all along. The US has these restrictions as well. We'll say it again. If you've been convicted of an offense in your home country you can be denied entry into the US as well as Canada and many other countries in the world. Talk about beating the same dead horse!

 

If I were waytrav I'd have my friend check with US immigration ahead of time. That being said, I've never been asked at any port when leaving a cruise ship if I've ever been convicted of a criminal offense so chances are it wouldn't happen but it's worth checking on.

[nosnobunny]

Well said goodml. Instead of relying on people who "may" know, why don't you go straight to the source and get accurate information? Although this board is a great source of information, you don't know anything about the person giving it out. They may be well-intended but absolutely wrong. You have no way of knowing. This thread serves as a good example of mis-information. Ask Immigration. :)

 

Beth

[spongerob]

This is maybe another reason why getting a passport is good advice. The flowery wording in the front basically asks the authorities in other country's to allow this citizen freedom to cross the border since the individual has been checked out. If there is something in your past that you've forgotten about or might not even be aware of, you'll discover it during the application process and can go about correcting it.

 

We let hardened criminals get numerous second chances; I don't think anyone is interested in ruining someone's life over a minor infraction.