Yankee, Come Here!

"There is nobody we would rather have. The Americans fit right in." So says Canada's Citizenship and Immigration Minister Ellen Fairclough, and this week her department is backing its sentiments with action. Two Canadian information offices are opening in Los Angeles and Minneapolis to supplement existing offices in New York and Chicago. Their purpose: to offer all help "short of money" to desirable U.S. citizens interested in moving to Canada on a permanent basis.

Canada wants U.S. immigrants; last year's total of 10,846 puts the U.S. in fourth place as a source of new Canadian residents, behind Italy, Britain and Germany. By any standards, the U.S. immigrant has a high quality. The day is over when U.S. farmers, homesteaders and adventurers (50,000 in 1920) hurried north to help open a new land. Last year, only 54 of those admitted were classed as laborers; the new U.S. immigrant is a stable, older man, usually with a family and a nest egg, who moves to Canada's densely populated areas (in order of 1958 rank: Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, Alberta) to provide the goods and services needed in a growing nation. Many, with capital or experience, are placed in the department's highest classification as "owners, managers, officials."

Some have been moved by their companies and decided to stay. Others remained after forming a wartime attachment for the country and its people. But most hope to start small businesses and enjoy Canada's life. The standard of living is slightly lower (just behind the U.S.), and many prices are higher, but the easy accessibility of fine hunting and fishing makes up for a lot. "They figure they'll live longer. The rat race isn't as bad as back home," explains one official.

Most U.S. immigrants want to keep their U.S. citizenship. Under immigration policy, Canada does not really mind, but hopes for a change of heart. Statistics show a small (1,356 last year) but growing percentage of Americans taking out Canadian citizenship.*

* Immigration the other way: 45,143 Canadians moved to the U.S. last year; another 10,211 became U.S. citizens.

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