Hacker News new | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submit login

Have you checked in on Canada lately? They're not doing that great.

I'm not saying our system is perfect either; we need to get prices under control and incentivize actual competition in the healthcare industry.




No, the US system is far far far worse. Look at the changes in life expectancy the last few years in the two countries.

Consider the number of nursing strikes recently and it's clear that the system is getting much worse.


It's so true that Cuba citizens, for a tiny fraction per capita of US health expenditure, enjoy 3 more years of life expectency than US citizens.


What going wrong in canada lately?

Edit0: As I thought, nothing really


OK. So. There are a few large problems. I'll highlight the basics.

Canadians are deeply in debt. Mostly mortgages. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/economy/article-hou...

Causing: house prices and rent to be unaffordable for the median income person. As a result, I have several friends who are exploring leaving the country. Especially if you have children, they will likely never be able to afford a home nearby themselves without help. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/08/world/canada/canada-real-... https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/rentals-august-1.6963839

Inflation isn't stopping. It's most commonly reflected in the grocery prices. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/07/world/canada/loblaws-groc...

As a result of the above, and the fact that if the Bank of Canada did not keep the prime rate in line with the USA (we have pretty much always raised our prime rates in step with the USA) = huge cuts into the disposable income / lifestyle of Canadians. Some people say we are already in a per capita recession. https://www.movesmartly.com/articles/why-the-bank-of-canada-... https://betterdwelling.com/canadian-households-get-left-behi...

To compound this problem, as our working population ages, in order to keep our age dependency ratio healthy, we are allowing a million+ immigrants a year in. Please don't flame me, I don't have an opinion, this is a fact and a choice, and it has consequences. https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/life/greenpa...

Trudeau is many things, but a person who has ever needed to worry about money isn't one of them. Both Canada and Ontario (the most populous province) are deeply in debt. Alberta, who's oil wealth largely makes this country function, are making noises about separation, especially about their portion of the CPP, the Canadian Pension Plan that covers all Canadians. Alberta is kind of Canada's Texas (Conservative + oil wealthy) but they have far less influence in Federal politics than Texas does. AFAIK, I might be wrong about that. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/commentary/article-... https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-canada-inte... https://www.moneysense.ca/save/retirement/pensions/alberta-p...

All of these are leading towards a housing and / or financial crisis and / or currency crisis. Whichever comes first. There are tent cities and homeless in most large urban areas, and, as this is Canada, this winter will be brutal. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/commentary/article-...

Smaller problem: we have socialized medicine, but you likely can't get a doctor. Good luck getting a referral. We are exploring private practice charging fees. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/05/world/canada/canada-famil... https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/would-you-pay-300-a-year-for-q...

I know that the general opinion of Canada is that nothing ever happens, and to an extent that was largely true. I believe the next few years will be very difficult for Canadians, and, incredibly, given that Canadians use more energy per capita than the Americans, it will be a difficult transition to a lower energy use profile.


Thank you for the thoughtful response.

Being Canadian I am aware of these things, but I do feel like a frog in a pot - it didn't seem that critical. I agree with you about the next few years being very difficult. I'm in Quebec (woohoo hydro) and am ressourceful enough not to be worried for myself, but it won't be easy for most.

I was not aware of the separatist rumblings in the west, I'll look it up.



Their government has become totalitarian.


People who think it proper to shut the bank account of a Freedom convoyer while applauding a literal, actual Nazi in Parliament have neither the intelligence nor the moral credibility to regulate the information we consume.


> Have you checked in on Canada lately? They're not doing that great.

The UK is not too hot either, third party private insurance is growing to make up for the NHS shortcomings


I mean, that's what happens when you give politicians who want to privatize the NHS political power for nearly 15 straight years.




Consider applying for YC's W25 batch! Applications are open till Nov 12.

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: