Four Things Canada Does Better Than the USA

 After 15 months living in Canada, I finally have my opinion on some of what Canada has going for itself compared to my former homeland directly South and Northwest. Here is the definitive list of what is better in Canada:

1. Health Care Payment System

    Face it: the US health care payment system makes little to no sense. You might be billed $100 for a dose of Advil. We had two births there costing over $10,000. Also, that was after insurance. The US is not the place to get a long-term health condition. It will bankrupt most middle-class earners.

    Canada's system is much simpler: taxes cover the costs and you must be a resident paying taxes to gain access to the single-payer system. No, contrary to what you hear you cannot show up from the US, go to the ER and not pay. You will be billed. It will cost a lot. So this aspect is better, especially for the middle-class and lower class.

2. Winter Activities

    I grew up in a place which experiences winter, but the past 10 years seems to have made the region think it is in Florida and not Pennsylvania. Snow of a few inches: cancel school. Temps below 20 F: cancel school. Canada is not cancelling school unless the heating goes out. Also, if you work you are still expected to go no matter the temperature. Life goes on even if it's cold.

3. National Sales Tax

    Canadian citizens seem to hate taxes as much as US citizens, but then the no payment health care makes it bearable. But the fact is there is a national sales tax in Canada, so everyone at some point will pay it. You cannot get out of it, which is the fairest version of taxes. Granted there are citizens who most likely pay more than others and who get more benefits than they pay into the system. But they cannot get out of a consumption tax.

4. Pro-Family Policies

    If you have children in the US, someone is usually quitting to take care of them or you are spending a second mortgage on child care. If you are lucky, you will have grandparents to help. Canada allows for 1 year parental leave and generous subsidies for children in the form of cash payments on a monthly basis. It can be a real help for time and money.