In pursuit of better salaries and an improved lifestyle, millions of people choose to settle in Canada. The appeal of life in a developed country is so strong that many people are willing to leave behind
stable jobs and the comfort of social security. However, is life abroad truly as easy and glamorous as social media often portrays?
Meghna Srinivas, originally from Bengaluru, has recently shed light on the lesser-known reality through a viral video.
Now residing in Canada, Meghna had booked a cab for a journey that would go on to spark widespread discussion about the real challenges faced by immigrants, particularly the high cost of living in countries like Canada. Her video, which quickly went viral, has led many to reconsider whether moving abroad is always the right choice.
The cab driver who took her on that journey was once a practising doctor. Today, he earns his living as a taxi driver in Canada.
How Costly Is Life In Canada?
While travelling from Mississauga to Toronto, Meghna had a candid conversation with the cab driver, who hails from Afghanistan. He revealed that he had previously served as a military doctor in both the US and Canadian armed forces. Now working as a taxi driver, he earns approximately CAD 4,000 (that is, 4000 Canadian dollars) per month.
However, with the rent for even a modest apartment in Toronto costing around CAD 3,000, roughly 75% of his income is spent on housing alone – leaving him with just CAD 1,000 to cover all other living expenses.
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Response On social media
Meghna’s video has now been viewed by over 100,000 people. Many viewers resonated with the driver’s experiences, acknowledging that the cost of living in Canada is extraordinarily high, with rental prices particularly difficult for immigrants to manage.
A common sentiment among commenters was that relocating to a new country after the age of 35 or 40 can be extremely demanding and exhausting, often requiring years to re-establish one’s career and lifestyle.
The driver in question has obtained permanent residency (PR) in Canada and is currently studying in hopes of acquiring a medical licence to practise in the country.
