What is the difference between Canada and the US re: socialism

[Berkut]

I've been in Edmonton for going on a month straight now, and a topic of conversation that has come up a couple times in lunch/dinner conversation is the entire issue of "socialism" in America.


One thing we could not really figure out though, is given the presumed stark difference between the Canadian Social-Welfare state, and the US Capitalist State...what is actually different in an actual practical sense?


The biggy, of course, is state funded health care. And that is a VERY big difference.


But other than that...what is actually different in any meaningful sense?


None of us could really come up with anything that is really fundamental to the US - I mean some parts of the US might have terrible public schools, but other parts of the US have excellent, well funded schools. So that to me is just a difference based on the size - the US is ten times larges, so has a lot more spread.


But can anyone tell me what about Canada makes them more socialist than the US, outside of healthcare?

[The Brain]

Maybe the US should have a lot more low-fat spread. Just a thought.

[Sheilbh]

Healthcare.

Tone.

Hysteria.

[mongers]

Healthcare.

Tone.

Hysteria.

This could be a new three point lifestyle plan for the metropolitan chattering classes.

[Sheilbh]

It certainly describes my thoughts and feelings in the gym.

[Grey Fox]

None of us could really come up with anything that is really fundamental to the US - I mean some parts of the US might have terrible public schools, but other parts of the US have excellent, well funded schools. So that to me is just a difference based on the size - the US is ten times larges, so has a lot more spread.


But can anyone tell me what about Canada makes them more socialist than the US, outside of healthcare?

That's a very good question. I like your theory of spread tho.

Do take account that you are in the most un-socialist of Canadian provinces.

I'll tell you what we have and we can go from there. Most of this are Provincial spheres and will vary provinces to provinces. Some are Federal, like Health care.

~50 weeks Maternity leave, in Quebec it's paid at 70/55 or 75% of original salary. I understand it's different in other Provinces.
~5/3 weeks Paternity leave, same rates as the Mothers.
Employment Insurance from Fed Government
State founded Post-High School education. University Tuitions for inprovince students here is 1800$ a session. The government offers loan (no interest for quite a while, no need to repay until done with school) and scholarships. You usually get a mix of the 2.
Private schools do exist but most of them are also subsidize by the Provincial government. I don't know for whose benefits tho. I figure the schools.
Both the federal & provincial gov will give you subsidies for Childcare. 1200$/year from Feds(that is taxable) Plus another amount based on family income(non taxable) per children. Quebec has one per children (non taxable)
State funded Childcare services. 7$/day  None funded services do exist. Their are subsidies available for those too. Depending on income, will get cost to about 10$/day. The Federal government also offers a tax break on those. Personally it gets my costs to about 5.5$/day per child.

Investissement Quebec, is an arm of the Quebec government that help funds companies. A kind of Venture Capital but Government own.
Hydro-Quebec, sole producer, one of only 2 distributor of Électricity in Quebec. Quebec Rates are regulated by an independent board(not doing a good job at it). HQ is a crown corp.


There probably is more not related to families, can't recall them.

[Ed Anger]

~50 weeks Maternity leave,

[Admiral Yi]

It certainly describes my thoughts and feelings in the gym.

Perfect joke on the half volley.  I hereby award you the second Turtleship Point ever.

On topic: more subsidized higher education.

[derspiess]

~50 weeks Maternity leave,

Why do 50 when you can do: 100.

[Ideologue]

Do 1000.  The place of a woman is in the home.

[Malthus]

There is nothing "fundamental", it is just a matter of emphasis. Canadians (in general) want somewhat more services from their government, and accept somewhat more in the way of government restrictions and interference in return. Particularly in matters of healthcare, education and the like.

[Iormlund]

It certainly describes my thoughts and feelings in the gym.

[Grinning_Colossus]

Also 15-25 days of paid vacation required by law in Canada vs. 0 in the U.S.

[grumbler]

Also 15-25 days of paid vacation required by law in Canada vs. 0 in the U.S.

I thought paid-vacation-type laws would be provincial, not national. 

[Grey Fox]

Also 15-25 days of paid vacation required by law in Canada vs. 0 in the U.S.

I thought paid-vacation-type laws would be provincial, not national.

In reality, we have both.

Some workplaces are Federal, like Banks. Others are provincial.