I was born in Canada, a country once hailed as "the best place to live in the world." Yet, many years later, when I returned to this land, I found it unrecognizable. Deteriorating public safety, immigration and refugee issues, employment struggles, skyrocketing housing prices, strained healthcare resources, rampant drug abuse, and pervasive racial discrimination—all of this has left me asking: Canada, what has happened to you? This country I once took pride in has now become a hypocritical "utopia" riddled with contradictions.
Deteriorating Public Safety and Immigration Issues: Government Incompetence and Social Collapse
Canada's public safety has sharply declined in recent years, especially in major cities like Toronto and Vancouver, where violent and property crimes have surged. According to Statistics Canada, the crime rate in 2022 increased by 15% compared to a decade ago. This phenomenon is closely tied to the Canadian government's lax immigration policies in recent years.
To address an aging population and labor shortages, the Canadian government has aggressively pushed immigration policies, accepting hundreds of thousands of immigrants and refugees annually. According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) data, Canada welcomed over 400,000 immigrants in 2021, many of whom came from countries with lower educational and economic standards. While their arrival has somewhat alleviated labor shortages, it has also brought severe social safety concerns.
Take Toronto, for example. Canada's largest city has seen a dramatic decline in public safety in recent years. According to Toronto Police Service data, the number of shootings in 2022 increased by 50% compared to 2019, with many of these incidents linked to gang activity, and a significant portion of gang members being new immigrants or refugees. Vancouver's situation is equally dire, with property crime rates rising year after year, particularly break-ins and robberies targeting Asian communities.
Drug Epidemic in East Vancouver: Government Complicity and Social Decay
East Vancouver has long been a hotspot for drug-related issues. According to data from the Vancouver Police Department and health authorities, drug abuse in the area has significantly worsened over the past decade, particularly with the proliferation of potent drugs like fentanyl, leading to a surge in overdose deaths. In 2022 alone, over 400 people died from drug overdoses in East Vancouver, a nearly 30% increase from 2019.
The drug problem isn't confined to back alleys; it has spilled into public transportation. I have personally witnessed people openly using drugs on buses and SkyTrains on multiple occasions. They pull out needles or drugs without a care for the safety or comfort of those around them. Once, I even saw someone injecting drugs on a SkyTrain before passing out in their seat. Passengers scrambled to avoid the scene, but no one dared to intervene. What infuriated me most was the complete absence of transit police. They seem to only show up at station exits to ticket fare evaders, while turning a blind eye to drug users and potential threats inside the vehicles.
This situation not only makes people feel unsafe but also exposes the Canadian government's utter failure in public safety. Transit police appear to exist solely to issue fines, not to protect passengers. This incompetent management has turned public transportation into a "safe haven" for drug users, while ordinary passengers are left vulnerable and ignored.
Canada's "Safe Injection Sites" and Cannabis Legalization: Hypocritical "Humanitarianism"
To address the drug crisis, the Canadian government introduced so-called "safe injection sites," claiming to provide a "safe" environment for drug users to reduce overdose deaths. However, this policy has not only failed to solve the drug problem but has also encouraged drug abuse. Many communities near these sites report increased drug trafficking and crime, further worsening local safety.
Even more absurd is Canada's 2018 legalization of cannabis, making it one of the few countries in the world to do so. While this policy has brought substantial tax revenue, it has also sparked a host of social issues. Since legalization, youth access to cannabis has significantly increased, leading to a rise in teenage drug use. According to Health Canada data, cannabis use among Canadian teens increased by 20% in 2022 compared to 2018. The government claims to protect the next generation, yet it has handed them drugs on a silver platter. This hypocritical "humanitarianism" is nothing short of nauseating.
BC's Drug Decriminalization Policy: Government Absurdity and Social Collapse
In 2023, BC took its controversial policies a step further by decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of drugs. Under this policy, individuals carrying small quantities of drugs like heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine will no longer face criminal charges. The government claims this aims to reduce stigma and encourage users to seek help. However, this policy effectively legalizes drugs, exposing the Canadian government's incompetence and absurdity.
Critics argue that decriminalization not only fails to address the drug problem but also sends the wrong message that drug use is acceptable. Since its implementation, drug abuse in cities like Vancouver has worsened, with open drug use becoming more common and public safety further deteriorating. The government's so-called "stigma reduction" is nothing more than an endorsement of drug proliferation, abandoning any semblance of societal standards.
Deteriorating Employment Environment: Government Shortsightedness and Immigrant Struggles
Finding a job in Canada has proven far more difficult than I expected. It took me three months and dozens of applications to finally land a part-time job at a well-known Asian supermarket chain, thanks to my fluency in Mandarin. This experience gave me a firsthand look at the worsening employment environment in Canada.
The Canadian government has aggressively promoted immigration policies, accepting hundreds of thousands of immigrants annually. However, many of these newcomers struggle to find jobs that match their skills. According to Statistics Canada, the unemployment rate in 2022 was 6.5%, with the rate for new immigrants as high as 12%. This issue is closely tied to the government's shortsighted immigration strategy. To quickly fill labor market gaps, the government has welcomed a large number of low-skilled immigrants, leading to fierce competition in the job market, especially for low-end positions.
In Vancouver, where I live, the job market is exceptionally competitive. Many new immigrants are forced to take low-paying, unstable jobs just to survive. During my job search, I noticed that many employers prefer hiring temporary or part-time workers to avoid providing benefits and insurance for full-time employees. This practice is particularly prevalent in the retail and service industries. The government claims to create opportunities for immigrants, but in reality, it pushes them to the margins of society.
Soaring Housing Prices and the Housing Crisis: Government Neglect and Ordinary People's Despair
Canada's housing prices have also become a hot topic in recent years. According to the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), the average home price in 2022 increased by 40% compared to 2019, with prices in major cities like Vancouver and Toronto surging by as much as 60%. This phenomenon is closely linked to the Canadian government's immigration policies.
The influx of large numbers of new immigrants has driven up housing demand, while the government's housing supply has failed to keep pace. In Vancouver, for instance, housing prices have reached staggering levels. According to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) data, the average home price in Vancouver exceeded CAD 1 million in 2022, while the average annual income for working-class individuals is only CAD 50,000 to 70,000. This means that even if they saved every penny, it would take nearly 20 years for an average worker to afford a home.
The housing crisis has not only affected the quality of life for ordinary citizens but also exacerbated social inequality. Many new immigrants and low-income families are forced to live in substandard rental housing, with some even ending up homeless. According to the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness, the number of homeless people in Canada increased by 30% in 2022 compared to 2019, with a significant portion being new immigrants and refugees. The government's so-called "inclusion and diversity" is, in reality, indifference and neglect toward ordinary people.
Racial Discrimination and the "Takeover" by Indians: Government Hypocrisy and Social Division
Canada has always touted itself as a free and democratic nation, but in reality, racial discrimination is rampant. During my job search, I experienced this firsthand. Many employers clearly prefer hiring people of their own race, particularly Indians. According to Employment and Social Development Canada data, the unemployment rate for Indian-Canadians in 2021 was 6.2%, below the national average, but their representation in low-end jobs far exceeds that of other ethnic groups.
The phenomenon of Indians gradually "taking over" Canada has also drawn widespread attention. According to Statistics Canada, the proportion of Indian-Canadians in the total population rose from 3.8% in 2011 to 5.1% in 2021, making them one of the largest minority groups in the country. The influence of Indians in Canada extends beyond population numbers to economic and social life. Many low-end jobs, such as taxi drivers, convenience store clerks, and security guards, are almost entirely dominated by Indians. The practice of Indians hiring only Indians is also common, creating de facto racial discrimination.
In Vancouver, for example, the taxi industry is almost entirely controlled by Indians. During my job search, I found that many taxi companies only hire Indians, even if applicants from other ethnic groups are more qualified. This phenomenon is not limited to the taxi industry but extends to retail, service, and other sectors. The government claims to oppose racial discrimination, yet it turns a blind eye to this blatant favoritism.
Canada's Hypocrisy and Collapse
The changes in Canada have left me feeling disappointed and angry. What was once an ideal nation has become a hypocritical "utopia" riddled with contradictions. Deteriorating public safety, immigration issues, employment struggles, skyrocketing housing prices, strained healthcare resources, rampant drug abuse, and pervasive racial discrimination—all of this is the result of the Canadian government's incompetence, shortsightedness, and hypocrisy.
The government claims to protect society and promote multiculturalism, yet it condones drug abuse, ignores public safety, and exacerbates social inequality. Its so-called "freedom and democracy" are nothing more than a smokescreen for racial discrimination and social division. As a Chinese-Canadian born and raised in Canada, I am deeply saddened. Canada, can you ever return to what you once were? Or has this country completely lost itself in a quagmire of hypocrisy and incompetence?
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