Life Without Borders

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July 30, 2007

10,942

There was an article on the CBC this evening stating that Americans immigrating to Canada has reached levels not seen in almost 30 years:

The number of Americans admitted to Canada last year reached a 30-year high, with a 20 per cent increase over the previous year and nearly double the number that arrived in 2000.

The results of a survey, conducted by the Association for Canadian Studies, also revealed that the so-called "brain drain" of Canada appears to be narrowing.

The survey found that 10,942 Americans came to Canada in 2006, compared to just over 9,262 in 2005. In 2000, 5,828 came to the country.

I look at that number and realize that Mason and I make up that last number in the figure, 10,94(2.)

That's kind of neat :-)

Posted by Nikolas at 07:49 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

July 22, 2007

Parlez-vous français?

**MASON ENTRY**

I'm sitting on VIA Rail right now headed back home to Toronto after spending a few days in Montreal for a client trip to experience Just for Laughs Festival. Spent some great time with our clients who turned out to be a ton of fun. They all got to experience "The Mason" Byrne complete with me handing out autographs to complete strangers in line ups. Then the night ended with my autographing one of our client's TaTas and in turn, she signed my right ass cheek - while waiting in line in front of a hundred or so people. It was pretty damn fun.

But the most interesting part of this visit for me is the incredible influence of French in Montreal. When I visited a few years ago for the Black and Blue Festival, I was aware of all the French, but now being a resident of Canada it's been interesting experiencing it now - especially since while we're exposed to French in Toronto and Canada as a whole, it always seems like one of those odd requirements that doesn't make sense, but rather just part of inclusion. Then visit Quebec. It's not even inclusionary, it's truly a way of life.

You always hear that you don't need to speak/understand French to visit and while that's true, I can certainly see how important it is to those that live and work in the province. While English and French are the two languages of Canada, if you just materialized in Montreal, you would be hard-pressed to find any English. Subway signs, printed materials, advertising and most television stations are all in French. In fact, looking for English subway directions, etc. was fruitless.

I felt my "Americanism" start to surface as I was getting frustrated at times trying to deal with the French, but then when I took a deep breath the realization overwhelmed me that I live in a multi-language country and felt so BIG - so intense and I was a very proud Canadian. Outside of the separatist thoughts and emotions, I really felt that Quebec is just another element that makes Canada the wonderful and diverse place it is and makes it so great.

I remember during my first visit dealing with not only being in another country, with a "foreign" language, but also this "funny money" that included one and two dollar coins. This trip was different - as I pulled out my red fives and green twenties and fiddled through Loonies and Toonies on this trip, it was that subtie reminder that, yeah - while I'm hearing and reading French everywhere, I am still in my own country.

Thank you Montreal for solidifying my belief that moving here was the right move and to the right country. In true Quebecois attitude, I'm sure you probably don't care, (but deep down, I know you do - I won't tell anyone!) :-)

I know it's probably going to be an effort in futility, but I think I was to at least attempt to learn some basic French. There was one interesting moment at the greasy, Greek diner Saturday morning when I did my best to order in French "Omellette su bacon n' frommage," but then said "ephadiso" Σας ευχαριστούμε (thank you in Greek) to the waiter! I felt so grown up.

Posted by Mason at 03:14 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack

July 19, 2007

We're Alive and Kicking - Promise!

***MASON ENTRY***

As I was putting that last entry up on the website, I realized it's been nearly a month since the last entry! Needless to say it's been a crazy month with friend's visiting from the states, a great Canada's Day BBQ over at Allan and Laura's house where we met some great fellow-bloggers and caught up with many others! We've taken in the excitement of hanging out at a friend's backyard pool in the home city of Wayne Gretzky and tried to take in just about every weekend festival, event and/or entertainment this metropolis has to offer (and missed probably just as many.) On top of all this, Nick and I have been looking for a new place to live since our lease here was just for one year! Can you believe it's been a year already!! We did find a beautiful home to call our for the next couple of years in Leslieville!

Between Facebook, Live Journal and a myriad of other online areas, Life Without Borders has suffered lately. I'll try and do a better job of updating over here - I promise!

Posted by Mason at 06:24 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack