Why is Canada such a popular country?

Allan:

I am originally from India and lived in the U.S. for almost two decades. I have lived in Canada for almost nine years and recently became a Canadian citizen. (I'm also a U.S. citizen.)

Canada has always been under the radar as far as popularity is concerned. 

It’s always been highly rated and it’s cities have always been well represented in the Best Cities lists. 

But recently, Canada’s popularity has exploded. 

In my post I’m not going to focus on what makes Canada great (diversity, multiculturalism that works, immigrant friendly, dynamic, clean, safe, good government, good infrastructure, sane political system) but rather on why Canada’s popularity has surged recently.

One, while the rest of the world has embraced xenophobia and fear of the “other”, Canada has stayed true to its values. 

It has accepted refugees from the most direly affected parts of the world. It has rejoined international peacekeeping efforts.

Two, more directly, while our neighbour to the south has deliberately made life difficult for immigrants and anyone who would be classified as “not really American”, Canada has encouraged the best and the brightest to move here. 

Nowhere is this more evident than in places like universities and the high tech sector. 

I read somewhere that the GTA generated more tech jobs in 2017 than SF, Seattle and DC combined.

Third, Canada has been willing to take difficult steps to “do the right thing” - consider the recent entanglements with China and Saudi Arabia. 

Of course, this may become more difficult as time goes by and these bigger powers start flexing their might.

Finally, Canada is particularly popular with a vital subgroup - the “international” educated progressive. (The kind of person who lives in Greater London and voted 'Remain.') Canada gets (deserving) favourable press for its policies.

Canada’s popularity has costs. The cities have infrastructure that cannot keep up with population growth (subways and roads). Universities have to balance the additional tuition that foreign students bring with the need to cater to domestic applicants. Housing is becoming unaffordable. 

Money is needed to address these issues but taxes are already very high, and governments are running deficits.

While these are serious challenges, other nations also face similar issues. If these issues can be appropriately addressed over the next decade, Canada will grow in popularity and importance in the world.

Partha Mohonram