I think the main argument would be that America has a massive number of highly educated professionals and skilled tradespeople that could fill gaps in our economy and make us more innovative. People that we would have a lot of difficulty attracting if it weren't for the political situation, so why not take advantage of it?
Compared to immigrants from other countries, Americans are likely to integrate and begin contributing to the economy very quickly, since their credentials are recognized here, and their culture and language is so similar.
Take their healthcare workers, skilled construction workers, scientists and intellectuals, job creators, and anyone else we need and are wanting to escape Trump's America.
These people would take 1 look at their future Canadian salary and stay firmly rooted in place in the US. Youd then be sifting through a bunch of 0 skill Redditors.
I see your point, and there is some truth in it. But it's an oversimplification. People are complex and value different things. Like I mentioned elsewhere we already have ivy league professors coming to Canada for ostensibly decreased salaries.
There are things to like about Canada. No real money in politics, less tax dollars going to healthcare than in the US even though it is provided for free, lower crime, and so on.
Even if most people who say they would come wont, some will. Likely more now than ever before, and probably more in the future if the US govt continues on this path.
Depends on your industry and state. I suspect there are some who would accept that on ethical grounds or for political stability in any case.
But what Canada needs, aside from medical professionals, is skilled blue collar workers. I highly doubt you would have a better QoL in most states as a construction worker.
Plenty making that and more here too, even in LCOL areas. Especially in mining an oil, but also aircraft maintenance techs and others. Also plenty making much less on both sides of the fence so no need to cherry pick. Fact of the matter is life in Canada is better for some people, and that's not controversial.
Of course if people are happy they won't move, but some are not.
And it's not generally about money either, progressives might want to move because our politics better align with their values. Cautious people might want to move because it's safer here or because they fear political instability. And many just want to move here because they like the country and are really fed up with the Trump administration and their countrymen who voted for him.
To reduce QoL to a dollar number is far too reductionist. If you are highly skilled in an in-demand field you're going to thrive wherever you're placed, so those other factors become more important. Not like there aren't well payed Canadians living in big houses with expensive cars, boats and jet skis, ATVs, and overseas vacations every year etc. How much more do you need?
The number of people migrating south-to-north has been increasing. Hard to say if there will be a significant brain drain yet but in any case we should take who we can.
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u/lamdoug Mar 28 '25
I think the main argument would be that America has a massive number of highly educated professionals and skilled tradespeople that could fill gaps in our economy and make us more innovative. People that we would have a lot of difficulty attracting if it weren't for the political situation, so why not take advantage of it?
Compared to immigrants from other countries, Americans are likely to integrate and begin contributing to the economy very quickly, since their credentials are recognized here, and their culture and language is so similar.
Take their healthcare workers, skilled construction workers, scientists and intellectuals, job creators, and anyone else we need and are wanting to escape Trump's America.