Canadians feeling guilty about taking jobs away from Americans?

[CDAgirlMI 51]

Im a P.R. and soon to be an American Citizen (february 26th) and I believe that who ever works in this country has a right to work in it. Even illegals because most jobs they do for the pay they do it for most Americans wont do it. For example restaurant workers work 12hr shifts everyday 6-7 fays a week for about 5-7 dollars an hour and I still haven't seen one American come and apply for a job like that

Absolutley not! There are no exceptions to hiring illegals.

[Hugglebuggles 60]

Being that I moved down to Florida, everyone you talk to here is from somewhere else. I've yet to meet someone (or at least, gotten to the matter of their roots) who was born and raised here. Will I feel guilty to stand in line amongst them for a job? Not in the least. I've paid my dues, in many respects, to live here, and to soon work and function here just as they do.

I find no guilt in that.

Interesting Sam. It's pretty similar here. My husband is a Colorado native, but the vast majority of people I've met here aren't. Its actually a big thing for people who are originally from the state to proclaim it and advertise it, like it makes them something special. Its a state built from migration from other states and even immigration from other countries. Yet, I'm not sure the attitude that accepting foreign workers is as open as you see in a lot of places. Unfortunately I feel like its just another of several obstacles I face trying to start a career here in Colorado.

As far as feeling guilty, absolutely not. I think there's an aura of bitterness in the US right now, in terms of the job market and the faltering economy. There are a lot of skilled American workers who have found themselves unemployed and unable to find employment, so they blame factors other than themselves to explain why that is the case. Its easier to say you can't get a job because of the influx of immigrants stealing all the jobs rather than evaluating yourself, your skills, your education and your attitude to help explain your current situation. I understand the frustration involved in not being able to find a job, and I've probably said some unfair things in trying to make excuses for myself as well, so I really don't blame people who make those remarks... It doesn't make it any better, but I do understand it.

[BriCar 0]

I've found that usually those Americans who have a problem with an immigrant working in the States somehow forgot along the way that almost all of us, within the last few generations, had a family member that was an immigrant too. One of those lil' funny things that most people forget here for some reason and is usually summed up by the overwhelming dumbhead population hehe

Absolutely right!

The USA is the greatest melting pot in the world.

I immigrated 21 yrs ago with a Labor Certification, to apply my skills to a job that no American was willing or able to do.

The US job offer was held open for 3 1/2 years waiting for the certification and the visa.

If I feel guilty about something it's that Canadian taxpayers funded so much of my training through community colleges and apprenticeship programs only to export that knowledge with me when I left Canada. That type of training investment is just not done the same in the US.

A lot of talent is drained south of the border because of the opportunity to apply it easier in a capitalist system.

In fact the system here depends on motivated and creative immigrants to add to the American enterprise whatever it takes to keep things moving.

Since immigrating I have paid lots of taxes, fixed broken machines, solved problems, created and built stuff an received nothing but money, appreciation, and thanks for my contributions.

America is a tremendously resourceful and rewarding place, and once the immigrants learn the rules they get woven in with those that have come before and everybody wins!

Immigrants have contributed in every way toward the success of America.

[La Souris 19]

And yet Canadians and Americans go and work all over the world and never bother to learn the language of the country they are living in - and it doesn't seem to be a big deal. Maybe it's arrogant for us as (predominantly) English speakers to expect them to have perfect or near perfect English.

I think it's arrogant... but, it's as dumb not to bother to learn English if you are moving to the USA (or French if you are moving to Quebec, there, I said it!)

Signed,

La Souris who speaks English with an accent and anticipates some discrimination

[Texanadian 10]

I always yack about US politics with my barber. He said he used to live in Connecticut. But it was different there. He said that all the Canadians would come across the border and take the good jobs.

[Married2009 32]

I think it's arrogant... but, it's as dumb not to bother to learn English if you are moving to the USA (or French if you are moving to Quebec, there, I said it!)

Signed,

La Souris who speaks English with an accent and anticipates some discrimination

An accent?? Oh noes!!! I have an accent, or so my husband says. I tell him he is the one immigrating, so he has the accent. He has promised to practice saying 'y'all' I don' think that will help.

Lots of folk have 'accents' - if they are not from a particular region.

Edited February 16, 2010 by Married2009

[La Souris 19]

An accent?? Oh noes!!! I have an accent, or so my husband says. I tell him he is the one immigrating, so he has the accent. He has promised to practice saying 'y'all' I don' think that will help.

Lots of folk have 'accents' - if they are not from a particular region.

I'm not too worried, but I know I do not sound like a native speaker

Going back to my Bostonian lessons now

[Texanadian 10]

Im a P.R. and soon to be an American Citizen (february 26th) and I believe that who ever works in this country has a right to work in it. Even illegals because most jobs they do for the pay they do it for most Americans wont do it. For example restaurant workers work 12hr shifts everyday 6-7 fays a week for about 5-7 dollars an hour and I still haven't seen one American come and apply for a job like that

Nahhhh. It's not that Americans won't do the work. It's that the money is too low for the work. Living in Texas, I never see roofers or landscapers who aren't Mexican and speaking only Spanish. When I lived in Canada, those were good paying jobs. Same with construction. It's basically "insourcing" the job for lower wages.

[trailmix 77]

I think it's arrogant... but, it's as dumb not to bother to learn English if you are moving to the USA (or French if you are moving to Quebec, there, I said it!)

Signed,

La Souris who speaks English with an accent and anticipates some discrimination

That's interesting, if I moved to Quebec, I probably wouldn't learn French, on the flipside if a french speaking person from Quebec moves to Calgary, I don't expect them to learn English either. Why must we put our language preferences on others?

Now if you move to Quebec (or Calgary) and there are language preferences by employer - that's a personal thing for you, not a demand from bystanders.

[SapphireDreams 71]

Maybe it's lack of logic and common sense that is stopping said people from finding a job... not so much the immigrants!!

Seriously though, whoever is most qualified for the job, gets the job. It's not rocket science.

[La Souris 19]

That's interesting, if I moved to Quebec, I probably wouldn't learn French, on the flipside if a french speaking person from Quebec moves to Calgary, I don't expect them to learn English either. Why must we put our language preferences on others?

Now if you move to Quebec (or Calgary) and there are language preferences by employer - that's a personal thing for you, not a demand from bystanders.

I'm sorry I wasn't clear... long day.

I simply think it's reasonable for an employer to prefer hiring an employee who can communicate with colleagues, customers, managers, etc.

If some immigrants are off the job market, or doing freelance, or being able to work in another language and that they prefer not to learn the local language good for them - one less thing to worry about!

[Darnell 8,478]

I became fluent in French, better spoken-French than many anglophone Canadians!

oh - but that's easy.

IMO - it's the Francophones that you need to trump

[Marzy 1]

They should complain about those lazy azzes, not you in the job field.

Edited February 16, 2010 by Fresgal

[trailmix 77]

I'm sorry I wasn't clear... long day.

I simply think it's reasonable for an employer to prefer hiring an employee who can communicate with colleagues, customers, managers, etc.

If some immigrants are off the job market, or doing freelance, or being able to work in another language and that they prefer not to learn the local language good for them - one less thing to worry about!

oh - but that's easy.

IMO - it's the Francophones that you need to trump

Good point!

Edited February 16, 2010 by trailmix

[Lona.C. 16]

Im a P.R. and soon to be an American Citizen (february 26th) and I believe that who ever works in this country has a right to work in it. Even illegals because most jobs they do for the pay they do it for most Americans wont do it. For example restaurant workers work 12hr shifts everyday 6-7 fays a week for about 5-7 dollars an hour and I still haven't seen one American come and apply for a job like that

I agrea my thinking is I like the country here ( love my husband )

but if the people wouldnt be so damn picky on where they work this country wouldnt have that many unlawfull immigrants working here ,( yes I dont agrea with unlawfull employment but whats the point of complaining )

I been living here for over 2 years and when you hear people beach and moan about whats right and wrong

meanwhile they sit on theyr lazy butts and are to spoiled to get theyr hands dirty ,

well i say if you dont like it get up and do something productive for the country ,work at a mc donalds washing dishes.

no one takes anyones job if you realy want the job to be yours ,

just my 2 cents