Canada Day is July 1st.

The presidential election in the USA is producing some excellent press for our northern neighbor.  Both likely presidential candidates are so unpopular that many people are claiming they will move to Canada regardless of the November results.

So, with this in mind, we need to know what an adventurous American may have in store once they cross over the longest undefended border in the world in order to live the life of a Canuck.

Canada is due north of the continental USA. So, just head north from wherever you are and eventually you will hit Canada.  There is no wall you will need to climb over, but there are border crossing points. Well over a hundred of them in fact, where you will be asked for a passport and the reason you want to enter the country. (I will need to check, but I’m not aware that running from a USA President is considered a reason to obtain refugee status.) Nevertheless, enter as a tourist as you may want to travel around a little to decide which province to live in while joining the thirty-three million other Canadians.

Note: A province is synonymous to a state…the USA has fifty states, Canada has ten provinces (and three territories).

Your education will begin immediately upon your arrival into Canada.

Here is a probable list of first impressions and thoughts that may enter your mind.

It’s not as cold as I thought it was going to be, and the winter clothes are fantastic.
Thank goodness they talk English, but I will need to learn the new spelling of these British words.
Is that French I hear?
What’s a poutine?
This Tim Horton’s coffee is twice the taste at half the price!
Where are the igloos?
Too bad they didn’t accept my conceal and carry permit, I hope Canada Customs puts my handgun to good use.
The professional football is very funny.
I’ve always liked hockey.
I didn’t know that band was Canadian!
I didn’t know the Toronto Raptors were Canadian!
Free healthcare… fantastic. Sorry, how long did you say the wait is?
This is a big ass country. You mean the USA is not the biggest country in the world?
They are a friendly bunch of folks, that’s for sure.
There is a lot more to Canada than Toronto, I better get out and see the country side more often.
The money is really pretty and the coin jar sure fills up fast.
There doesn’t seem to be as many things to be mad about.
I think I will like this.

As you can see, this list just gets us started. In the end though, I think you will enjoy Canada.

Safe travels and don’t forget exercise your right to vote!

Martichenko was born in Ontario and has lived in the U.S. for 20 years. An entrepreneur, speaker, writer and poet, he is the author of several business books and a novel, “Drift and Hum: The Great Canadian-American Novel.” Contact Marcia Jones at (859) 308-8689; marcia@karmackpub.com.