In the run-up to Donald Trumpâs presidential election win, many Americans declared (jokingly or not) that they would move to Canada to escape his rule. On the night of the election, Canadaâs even crashed as a high volume of users with American IP addresses attempted to access the site.
But actually emigrating is not as simple as visiting a website before packing up the car for a quick jaunt to the Great White North.
John McCool of North Carolina moved to his husbandâs native Montreal in 2014. In the 27 months since then, heâs been unable to work, study, or access Canadaâs universal health care system as he awaits the immigration status paperwork.
âI was excited to come to Canada to start a new life with my husband in his homeland,â McCool told CTVâs Your Morning on Wednesday.
McCool said he knew the visa process might take a while, but he had no idea it would be so time-consuming. McCool thought it might take only a year or so because he is married to a Canadian citizen. He said the processing time for visas has now increased from 12 to 14 months to 26 months according to Canadaâs immigration website.
âDealing with the Canadian immigration authorities has been frustrating to say the least,â McCool said. âThe system is just overburdened and under-resourced.â
According to McCool, system errors have led to multiple delays in processing his application. He said he has had to provide FBI clearance paperwork to Canadian immigration officials several times because, by the time they looked at it, the documents have already expired. He said heâs heard similar stories from other immigrants frustrated by Canadaâs system.
He said not being able to work, access health care or even obtain a library card has taken a toll on his life in Montreal.
âI canât start my life and I canât plan for the future with my husband,â McCool said. âItâs these day-to-day reminders that youâre just not part of a society that live in and that you want to be an active member of.â
When he heard about other Americans plotting to jump ship and move to Canada during the U.S. election, McCool said he was annoyed because he didnât think they realized how difficult moving to another country can be, even one next door. McCool said that Americans seriously interested in living in Canada will have to be patient.
âGet in line. Iâve been waiting a long time,â McCool said with a laugh. â(They) should have applied to Canada years ago, like I did, if they really wished to emigrate.â