Originally Posted by RW'07
Since watching a lot about the US illegal immigrant issue I've realized how laxed the labor laws are in US compared with Canada, no way an illegal can get all the advantages, rights, privileges, freedoms available for illegals in US... and lately mexicans are crossing the border into Canada, couple of days ago on FNC they were shown two mexican women who crossed the border from Detroit into Windsor, Ontario, both have been in US for couple of years, illegals, but none were able to speak English, the conversation was done thru an translator, they were happy were getting social welfare and the right of an immigration trial (usually takes 2 years for a final decision) but both (and all refugees are the same) must live in a refugee shelter in very uncomfortable conditions, unless you get private families to take you in... also, in case you don't know this, Mexicans do not need visa to get to Canada as tourists BUT no work permits for them AND to get a work permit you MUST become a permanent resident first OR ask for the refugee status (very very slim chances for a favorable result as Mexico is a democratic but poor country), the result is that we do not have Mexicans (and they are all, in all honesty, very good people, humble, Christians, overwhelmingly stay out of trouble BUT do not assimilate entirely into the local society, Mejico always first for them) in Canada, very, very few Mexicans in Canada, and that's not the cold weather factor, Chicago or Minneapolis is way colder than Toronto, is just that is very very hard to get a work permit if you do not come here with a legal immigrant visa and to get that you need University degree, your occupation to be in demand in Canada and to speak and read fluently either English or French, so they don't see Canada as "good" as the US is in terms of labor laws...
OK, glad that we are pretty much on the same frequency, the SSN issue (SIN in Canada) is just something that is part of each country labor law, what in US is possible (to be able to refuse having one as a legal resident and/or US citizen and still be able to get a job, DL, bank account, etc.) not possible in Canada where no SIN, no more privileges of any kind...
And as I always say, drive safely :) :wink:
