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The Rambler

So you’re moving to Canada, eh?

This+elections+unpopular+candidates+have+many+American+citizens+considering+moving+to+%0ACanada.
This election’s unpopular candidates have many American citizens considering moving to Canada.

As this is being written, neither Hillary Clinton nor Donald Trump has yet been elected president.

But what’s obvious is that in the runup to this week’s presidential election, many Americans seem to be wondering if it’s time to abandon ship and head north if their favorite candidate loses.

According to MarketWatch, “moving to Canada” internet searches are at their highest since George Bush was elected in 2004.

Here’s how you do it. According to the government of Canada’s website, candidates must first complete an online express entry profile that includes information on such things as skills, work experience, language ability, education, job offers in Canada, and other details. You join a pool of candidates and are graded on this information.

Those with the highest scores are invited to apply for citizenship; you then have 60 days to submit an application for permanent residency.

Still interested? If you’re serious about it, here’s why you should consider moving to Canada.

Just want to get away from America and don’t have a job? That’s not necessarily a deal breaker. If you come into the country without one, you can register with the Employment and Social Development Canada job bank and they will help you find one.

There are definitely benefits to heading north. Let’s start with the cost of living. It’s cheaper than in America. According to Numbeo.com, living in Canada is 8.13 percent lower than in America. And you’ll probably be paying far less in rent, which is 27.50 percent lower than in America.

In part because it’s cheaper to live there, there are about 300,000 fewer homeless people than in America, according to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

Living in Canada is also safer: Firearm-related violence accounts for only two percent of all violent crime in Canada, according to Statistics Canada. The murder rate is 2.05 per 100,000, as opposed to America’s five in 100,000. Crime levels in general are very low: Canada is ranked 53rd out of more than 100 countries, according to NationMaster; America is ranked 30th, meaning it is far more violent.

Another benefit to moving to Canada is universal healthcare. With the rising cost of medical procedures and hospital stays, cheaper health care benefits all. In an article published on the Huffington Post website, USA Today columnist Bill Mann gave an example: when his son was born in Montréal, his wife got excellent care and three days in a semi-private room. Total cost: $21.

If you’re worried about language barrier, don’t fret. As of 2011, Fifty-eight percent of the population’s primary language is English, according to Statistics Canada; French is next highest with 22 percent, and 17.5 percent of people speak both English and French, as of 2011. So most of the people you will encounter in Canada will speak English. No language issues to worry about.

A Clinton fan fleeing a Trump presidency would have more to agree with than vice versa. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is considered very liberal and would probably turn off most conservatives. According to an article in the New York Times published in 2015, Trudeau was noted to be a strong believer in climate change and legalizing marijuana, among other things.

But regardless of your choice of presidential candidate, if you believe the ship is sinking and you don’t mind packing up your life and moving, Canada’s a good choice for those seeking a new home.

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So you’re moving to Canada, eh?