A one-way ticket to Canada?

A useful site to leave the good ol' USA for Canada, which I'm highly considering:
http://www.canadianalternative.com/

Canada: U.S. immigrants must seek visas

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By Colin McClelland

Nov. 3, 2004 | TORONTO (AP) -- Americans attempting to escape four more years of President Bush by fleeing to Canada will have to wait in line, just like immigrants from any other country, the Immigration Ministry said Wednesday.

Over the years, Canada's social climate has shifted to the left of the United States, with relatively higher taxes supporting programs such as public health care. That and the promise of legalized gay marriage and lenient marijuana laws might be a draw to some Democrats despondent over Bush victory and the promise of continued conservatism from his administration.

The U.S. consulate in Toronto estimates there already may be a million Americans living in Canada _ most don't register _ about a quarter of them in Ontario. But Americans who want to join the expatriate ranks across what is called the world's longest undefended border won't get special treatment just because their brother is married to a Canadian or they like cheap weekends in French-speaking Montreal.

``The immigration program is universal _ it applies to everyone the same,'' France Bureau, spokeswoman for Immigration and Citizenship Minister Judy Sgro told The Associated Press.

``People must apply at a visa mission abroad and all applicants must meet the requirements,'' Bureau said.

All immigrants need a work permit, a government web site says. A government department must approve any offer of local employment before a permit is issued.

Those without a job offer can apply in the skilled worker category to become a permanent resident, which takes about a year to process. Applicants must have enough funds to support themselves in the meantime. Citizenship applications take an additional three years or so.

Skilled worker applicants must posses a minimum of points in required areas such as education and language proficiency.

Immigrants wanting to live and invest in Canada must have a net worth of $662,000 and be ready to put up at least $331,000. Those wishing to start a business must have a net worth of $248,000.

http://www.salon.com/news/wire/2004/11/03/canada/



Other Salon.com stories of note:


Bloggers said to blame for bad poll info

http://www.salon.com/tech/wire/2004/11/03/bloggers/index.html


Bush won battle of values

http://www.salon.com/news/wire/2004/11/03/values/index.html


Kerry's erratic campaign led to loss
http://www.salon.com/news/wire/2004/11/03/kerry_campaign/index.html


From The Christian Science Monitor:

A deepening divide between red and blue

http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/1104/p01s02-uspo.html