August 12, 2005
GO ANGLOSPHERE, YOUNG MAN (via Luciferous):
France's young set off on 'bon voyage' to better life (SUSAN BELL, 8/12/05, The Scotsman)
FRANCE is facing an unprecedented new-generation exodus as many of its disillusioned younger people leave in search of a better life abroad.French organisations offering help to those seeking to emigrate have reported an increase in requests for assistance from young people.
Fed up with a country they describe as rigid, racist and old-fashioned, French youngsters are opting for a new start in Britain, Canada, America or New Zealand where they can find housing and jobs more easily than in France.
Unemployment among the under-25s in France stands at 23.3 per cent, and 40 per cent of 18-30 year-olds describe their financial state as "difficult".
Many cite French employment practices as being at the root of the problem.
Hugues, 29, who completed his studies in Grenoble in eastern France, moved to Vancouver two years ago and now works for a leading producer of animation and video games.
"In France nobody recruits for fear of being unable to fire people," he said. "Here in Vancouver there is no problem in finding employment. Anyone who wants to work, works. Since I've been hired I have received four other job offers and I earn three or four times more than I would in France."
Folk look at demographic numbers and imagine a long slow slide into oblivion, but why would any of the few young people stay in these dying nations? Posted by Orrin Judd at August 12, 2005 11:40 AM
Hmm. One minute we're "Euro-Canadian" statists about to disintegrate politically and fall off the edge of history through a demographic crisis and secular selfishness, and the next we're part and parcel of the collective Anglospheric hope for the world's free, creative and hard-working.
The coffee must have tasted real good this morning.
Posted by: Peter B at August 12, 2005 11:52 AMDitto.
Posted by: Brit at August 12, 2005 11:59 AMVancouver isn't part of "Canada", it is a not yet incorporated part of the US. Canada means Ontario and Quebec. The rest is part of the US, the formalities have just not yet occurred.
Posted by: Bob at August 12, 2005 1:20 PMPeter:
Where do you think all the talented young Canadians are going? Every good writer, entertainer and athlete in the nation moved here.
Posted by: oj at August 12, 2005 1:24 PMColby Cosh hasn't and I think he probably won't. He's morbid enough and wonk enough to be energized by the pageant of reanimated corpses that is Canadian politics, though.
Posted by: joe shropshire at August 12, 2005 1:38 PMBob,
Vancouver is a great place to visit and definitely part of blue-urban Canada, but who would want to live there? Apparently Hugues.
I'd be happy if more than a few would transplant themselves here into our restaurant industry.
Peter, they aren't moving to Canada as their real first choice. They are going there instead of the US because: 1) They'll still be able to speak French (and erroneously think that this is a benefit), and 2) It's easier to move to Canada that the US.
How does it feel to be the nation that's not as bad as France?
Isn't it interesting that French youth aren't happy with the role assigned to them---to be the beast of burden that provides the old French folks with all their free benefits and free health care.
I guess they didn't get the memo that they have been asigned the second role in "to each according to his needs, from each according to his abilities".
Posted by: fred at August 12, 2005 2:01 PMWhere do you think all the talented young Canadians are going? Every good writer, entertainer and athlete in the nation moved here.
And then they move to California, ahem.
Orrin:
Not all of them. Some go the other way.
Genecis:
If this dude moved to Vancouver so he could keep speaking French, he's one confused puppy.
fred:
the nation that's not as bad as France? Thank-you. Around here, that's high praise indeed.
Sorry, here.
Posted by: Peter B at August 12, 2005 3:38 PMPeter B,
You're the one confused; I believe you meant Fred. Please don't take my name in vain.
I notice he didn't move to QUEBEC WHERE HE COULD SPEAK THAT VERSION OF FRENCH - RATHER TO VANCOUVER WHERE FRENCH IS ALMOST NEVER HEARD. I GUESS SOCIALIST QUEBEC IS TOO MUCH LIKE THE MOTHER LAND.
Posted by: obc at August 13, 2005 1:55 AMLook, moving from France to Vancouver to work for Electronic Arts is better than, say, moving to San Diego. At least he can afford a house and B.C. is probably equal or more conservative than California. In Alberta you pay less tax than the top 10 states and B.C. is not much more.
I've said this before: the difference between Canada and the U.S. is our system of government, not the people.
All we need is an elected Senate and getting rid of the party leader's ability to determine candidates... the threat of separation that is a growing among the youth in the West should make that possible.
Posted by: Randall Voth at August 13, 2005 4:12 AM