Once rich and prosperous Canada bit dust in last 50 years.

I came to Toronto in 1968; yes sidewalks were paved with gold, everything was free (paid Zero for 7 post-graduate years as visa student!!!).

In 1972 Nixon delinked $35/oz gold from USD to print paper. Downhill all the way. Hope turned to despair. All things free now in jeopardy.

Then, only rich were taxed. Today, effective burden (Income, HST, gas, this tax, that tax, user fees) is over 50%. Average Canadian works till mid-July for the Government.

Then a house took 2-1/2 years of take home pay of a fresh Engineer 5 years out of school with a stay home wife and 2 young kids. Today, if him and his partner both working the same house is affordable at 20 times combined take home. No children as who can claim that life of next gen would be better than theirs was? With population below replenishment, economy needs immigrants to survive.