Don't let the door hit ya' where the Good Lord split ya'...

[u2sarajevo]

Americans Flock to Canada's Immigration Web Site

OTTAWA (Reuters) - The number of U.S. citizens visiting Canada's main immigration Web site has shot up six-fold as Americans flirt with the idea of abandoning their homeland after President Bush's election win this week.

"When we looked at the first day after the election, Nov. 3, our Web site hit a new high, almost double the previous record high," immigration ministry spokeswoman Maria Iadinardi said on Friday.

On an average day some 20,000 people in the United States log onto the Web site, www.cic.gc.ca -- a figure which rocketed to 115,016 on Wednesday. The number of U.S. visits settled down to 65,803 on Thursday, still well above the norm.

Bush's victory sparked speculation that disconsolate Democrats and others might decide to start a new life in Canada, a land that tilts more to the left than the United States.

Would-be immigrants to Canada can apply to become permanent resident, a process that often takes a year. The other main way to move north on a long-term basis is to find a job, which requires a work permit.

But please spare the sob stories.

Asked whether an applicant would be looked upon more sympathetically if they claimed to be a sad Democrat seeking to escape four more years of Bush, Iadinardi replied: "There would be no weight given to statements of feelings."

Canada is one of the few major nations with an large-scale immigration policy. Ottawa is seeking to attract between 220,000 and 240,000 newcomers next year.

"Let's face it, we have a population of a little over 32 million and we definitely need permanent residents to come to Canada," said Iadinardi. "If we could meet (the 2005) target and go above it, the more the merrier."

But right now it is too early to say whether the increased interest will result in more applications.

"There is no unusual activity occurring at our visa missions (in the United States). Having someone who intends to come to Canada is not the same as someone actually putting in an application," said Iadinardi.

"We'll only find out whether there has been an increase in applications in six months."

The waiting time to become a citizen is shorter for people married to Canadians, which prompted the birth of a satirical Web site called www.marryanamerican.ca. The idea of increased immigration by unhappy Americans is triggering some amusement in Canada. Commentator Thane Burnett of the Ottawa Sun newspaper wrote a tongue-in-cheek guide to would-be new citizens on Friday.

"As Canadians, you'll have to learn to embrace and use all the products and culture of Americans, while bad-mouthing their way of life," he said.

[dalmations202]

Don't let the door hit ya' where the Good Lord split ya'.

Exactly....may I help a few pack??

<edit> while on the same note:

We at Carnival Cruise Lines didn't forget that a lot of entertainers
had promised to leave the country if George W.Bush became President.
With that in mind, we have a Special Offer for those who still want to keep their promise!

Attention: Would Alec Baldwin, Rosie O'Donnell, Ed Asner,Whoppi Goldberg, Cher, Phil Donahue, Rob Reiner, Barbara Streisand, Jane Fonda, Pierre Salinger, and anyone else who made that promise,
please dispose of all US assets and report to Florida for the sailing of the Funship Cruise,
"Elation," which has been commissioned to take you to your new vacation homes in Afghanistan.

You may opt to be dropped off in Somalia or Iraq. The Florida Supreme Court will sponsor
a Farewell Parade in your honor through Palm Beach,Broward, and Miami-Dade counties prior to your cruise.

Please pack for an extended stay...at least four more years

Note: Since you advocate strict gun control, you may not bring any.
Staffing your voyage is Bill Clinton as captain, Al Gore as cruise director, Monica Lewinsky as recreation director, Ted Kennedy as lifeguard and emergency procedures director, and Ex-Congressman Gary Condit as intern coordinator.

If you have any questions about making arrangements for your homes,friends and loved ones, please direct your comments to Senator Hillary Clinton. Her village can raise your children while you're gone, and she can watch over all your money and your furnishings until you return.


Bon Voyage!"

Is this a great country or what!

[seal614]

hahahahaha

[jacktruth]

Canada, a land that tilts more to the left than the United States

Way understated.

Thier right starts a few steps this side of Kerry.

[u2sarajevo]

I can't help but envision a mass exodus of liberals to our neighbors in the North... and then the ending of the South Park movie happens in real life.


[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

[madape]

I fear for the future of Canada

[Drbio]

Canada is insignificant anyways. Let them have the ignorant.

[mavsman55]

As if Canada weren't bad enough...