Should I get duel citizenship for Canada solely for their healthcare?

[Ignacio Upton]

I'm not yet at a point in my life where I need to worry about paying for my own healthcare (I'm still in school) but I've had a few experiences so far that tell me that our current system is a joke. Also, in reading of some of the experiences from people on this site, I'm worried about whether or not I'll be in the same boat at some point down the line.
One solution I've been thinking of, in the event of some financial difficulty that prevents me from having healthcare (or decent coverage) is to get dual citizenship in Canada so I can qualify for their universal healthcare coverage. Is this feasble, or would it be expensive? If I have dual citizenship, but live in the U.S. 99.99% of the time, would I still have to pay any taxes to Ottawa?

[thecrow]

1. I'd rather live in Canada

But I think I'm too old for their healthcare.

I have some land there whereon I'd like to build a house.

Anybody know the rules on this?

[Astrad]

2. You have to live here around six months a year.

Here's a link with info.

http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/public/pub/ohip/eligibility.html

[Ignacio Upton]

3. That sucks :(

I would consider moving there, but it's too freakin' cold up there (except for Vancouver anyway.)

[DeepBlueC]

4. not really

I am from Connecticut, live in Toronto now. My mother and I find that we get the same weather day by day, changes happen maybe a day sooner either here or there. The only notable difference is the nor'easters that pass through CT.

[Ignacio Upton]

5. Well I'm from Westchester County in NY

but I go to school at Syracuse, and from my experience, there's a HUGE difference. It's not just temperature, but the intensity of wind chills and snow that is accompanied with the lake effect. Does Toronto have Syracuse-like weather? If so, then I wouldn't consider moving there. OTHO, I've heard that Vancouver is pretty reasonable temperature-wise by Canadian standards. There's even a species of a dwarf palm tree that can be grown there.

[irislake]

6. It's not going to be very cold any more

with global warming. It's minus 20 degrees right now where I am with wind chill minus 39 degrees, but in summer it is very hot and humid for long periods.
Don't forget parts of the U.S. are mighty cold too.

I live in cottage country in Southern Ontario. Oodles of Americans have cottages here.

If it doesn't cost much get dual citizenship. I don't think you have to pay taxes unless you own land or a cottage. You can always put in six months time if you have a serious illness. Canadians cannot stay covered if they live in the U.S. fulltime but as soon as they arrive back in the country to live I think they are covered. At least it seems to me my ex-husband was. He was a surgeon in Texas but when he got too old and sick to work he made a beeline back to Canada and got covered right away. But it may depend on which province you go to.

It would be very handy to have Canadian citizenship in any case, considering the political situation there.

[Countdown_3_2_1]

7. YES! Do it!! But report back and tell us how easy it is (or not).

I wanna know what obstacles get in your way, and how many hoops you have to jump thru.

I can only imagine this might be difficult than just straight citizenship.

[Solon]

8. DUEL citizenship? Who do you have to shoot to get that?

Sorry, just messin' around. :)

[Hekate]

9. It doesn't work that easily. You can visit the Canadian website though

Google for Canada Immigration and read up. The Canadian government wants people who bring skills and talents that will benefit their country as opposed to being nothing but an expense, and there's a point system so you can find out how valuable you would be as an immigrant.

My husband and I checked a few years ago and found out that we are both a little too old, being in our mid-fifties at the time, although that is somewhat offset by his ability to speak three languages and his professional skills in computer programming and teaching. I, apparently, would have to enter the country as a dependent :blush: because my job skills are common and I only speak one language.

Our son, otoh, attended a conference in Toronto and was actively recruited by some people there because his computer networking and DB management skills are much in demand, and at his age he has a long work life ahead of him. He didn't bite, but it was nice to know.

Hekate

[Kosmo]

10. Dual Citizenship?

A little insight. Most people who go through this process end up choosing one or the other. Paying federal taxes to both governments really puts a crimp on the budget. A couple of my friends have gone through working in Canada and one married a Canadian girl. One chose Canada and the other Came home. I love Canada, Toronto in the summer especially, and have considered the move myself. But just for health care, I mean things are expensive here in the states but the service is still high quality. I trust both of my local metro hospitals, and the kid's Pediatrician rocks.