Back In Canada

So being back in Canada is a bit hard. I am in a small, what use to be industrial, town in Southern Ontario. Due to NAFTA (North America Free Trade Agreement, with the US and Mexico), many of the factories have closed. So the town is older, mostly white, very suburban; strip malls and highways.

Some comparisons, between Australia and here:

• People have the same accent as me.
• Lack of discussion about 'Australian' values, although racism is alive and well. It is expressed here 'that if people don't like it, they can leave.' Unlike Australia, white Canadians are not concerned with what it means to be Canadian, but those who don't like it, apparently can leave and not really encouraged to point these things out.
• In Canada, there are people of colour on television, and unlike Australia there are many television channels. The TV in my hotel has over 30.
• I can find poutine, but no street sushi or curry.
• There are lots of people who speak French, also the packaging on items is in English and French.
• Elections are different, you have to make people go out and vote, where in Australia they get fined if they don't.
• People in Canada move faster, are fatter and seem more worried about money. They need to relax. It is annoying. Although, unlike Australia they aren't dogfuckers, which could be more annoying. At least people here work and don't sit around complaining all day about how hard work is (I wish it was everyone).
• The beer here stinks. There is no Coopers Green. Don't worry, I will remain vigilante in my search for a good beer.
• The nice lattes available in Australia, in Melbourne they are everywhere. Here Tim Hortons is everywhere with its drip coffee and donuts. It's not as nice as a latte.

So on the whole, I do miss Australia. The people, the food.... but not stupid John Howard, and the whinging people.