"A British and American couple, both unemployed, are seeking to emigrate to Canada despite having no real skills to offer the country, early reports indicate. British and American media have said that an American actor and her husband have the intention of living in the country on a semi-permanent or permanent basis.
"The actor has found some previous work in Toronto which may help her immigration and work permit applications although Citizenship and Immigration Canada has not identified acting as an in-demand trade."
The Beaverton captured the Harry and Meghan saga of potentially living in Canada better than any serious article.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, are looking into living part of their lives in Canada. British Columbia seems to be a more specific target since the couple and new son, Archie, spent the holidays on Vancouver Island and Markle has been spotted this week in Vancouver.
We've seen quite a bit of coverage about the hurdles the couple would have to go through to live in Canada part time. As lovely as that coverage has been, there is one huge consideration. None of those concerns apply if the royal family spends less than 6 months in Canada. Everything gets more complicated if they stay beyond 6 months.
The couple doesn't have to stay in England for 6 months provided the family travels elsewhere.
Having a lot of money and staying within the guidelines makes living in Canada rather easy. The family won't get help from Canada outside of security costs. Their pounds will go further in Canada. The pound has been trading lower thanks to Brexit. Still, the pound is trading at approximately $1.30 U.S. and $1.70 Canadian.
The awkwardness of having them in Canada would come with working in Canada. As we've learned, the standard is high in that you have to be supremely qualified that no Canadian could do what you do. Actors and hockey players, among others, get special dispensation.
Markle does have work experience in Canada having worked on Suits in Toronto. She would have an easier time working in Canada than the prince would.
Prince Harry could do some of his royal work while in Canada. The country has more of an issue with taking jobs in Canada as opposed to people with overseas jobs being physically in Canada.
Canadian snowbirds in the United States have limitations on how long they can stay in the United States. Unlike Americans in Canada, Canadian snowbirds have to be concerned with spending enough time in Canada to keep their health insurance.
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There was even speculation of Prince Harry becoming Canada's Governor General. The National Post poll had 61% supporting the prince in that role. So many problems with that from the royal end, such as the awkwardness of a close blood relative representing the monarch, whether that be grandson of the current Queen or son or brother of those next in line. Let's talk about that from Canada's perspective.
The end of World War II brought a number of significant changes to have Canada be more autonomous from the United Kingdom. The Canadian Citizenship Act in 1947 created the designation of Canadian citizenship. Canadian passports were issued to Canadian citizens, as opposed to British subjects, the following year.
Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent advised Queen Elizabeth II days into her reign in 1952 to appoint Vincent Massey as the first Canadian-born Governor General. Every Governor General before was British; every governor general since has been Canadian.
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Neither Harry or Meghan have a felony, DUI or otherwise. Whatever the platitudes about moving to Canada, having a felony would be a considerable concern.
Markle did have the distinction of spending $20 bills in Canada with the picture of her future grandmother-in-law.
Staying slightly more in the United Kingdom would be a warm gesture to the royals and make living in Canada a lot easier. I would be willing to live in their place in the 6 months where they don't live in Canada.
The Canadian media will be a bit star struck at the beginning. They won't be as awful as the British tabloids have been, especially to Markle and her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana of Wales.
Markle has enough time spent in Canada so the royal family doesn't need this blog to help them. They can read about Canada at CanadianCrossing.com with almost next to nothing about them.
photo credit: Facebook/Downtown Eastside Women's Centre, Vancouver
video credit: Daily Show with Trevor Noah/Comedy Central
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