our country is fawked?

[fidorama]

I'm not too worried about loosing my job. lots of work out there, and if I need to take a lower wage to do so, so be it! but I cant see that happening with what I make. I could easily go out and find myself higher paying job, but I enjoy what I do and that counts for something. I do what I have to do to survive!

I lost a spouse from cancer. could not work for 6 months as I looked after her, that kinda changes your outlook on life a bit! you don't need to make the big bucks to appreciate life.. sometimes you just have to sit back and be happy with life and what you have.... it's too short not to....

 

[gibsons]

I didn't think you could collect E.I if you earned more the 50k a year, or something like that.

 

[Bogger]

20 years old in 1995 I made $24,000 yr & paid $3600/yr rent = 15% of income (1 bedroom apartment)

25 years old in 2000 I made $50,000 yr & paid $9000/yr mortgage = 18% of income (5 bedroom house)

32 years old in 2007 I made $62000 yr & paid $15000/yr mortgage = 24% of income ( 4 bedroom 4 acres)

39 years old Last year I paid out 30% of my income to my mortgage on my dream house (3000 sq/ft 5 bedroom 3 car garage 2 level shop 100' from the water & my own dock)

Overall I don't see inflation outrunning wages, maybe for the minimum wage folks but for most industries no.

If I were just entering my trade now my wage would be $20/hr ($42000yr) and that same 1 bedroom apartment would be $600/mth (7200yr) =17%
Each year it fluctuates but overall pretty constant.

I personally know at least four 19-26 year olds who are not working because any job they qualify for they consider below them in tasks & wages. None of them would lower themselves to living in my old run down 1 bedroom basement suite from 1995. They have enjoyed the luxuries of living at home with mom and dad and see that as a starting point as opposed to a goal.

 

[Murminator]

I'm guessing by your comment you were born in the entitlement generation.

17 years ago, having already spent 26 years in the work force we had a mortgage on a 35 year old dumpy trailer, drove several year old miled out vehicles. Wife and I both had decent jobs. I wanted a new toy for myself. A 260 dollar Ruger 22. Couldn't afford it. Today I see 20 year olds driving 80,000 dollar jacked up trucks, 30,000 dollar sleds, Quads, living in a nice and modern house, vacations in the Bahamas....all the luxuries and you know what. They bitch they don't have enough AND they are entitled to it.

I sit back almost everyday and wonder if the mortgage rates went back to 17-18% and interest rates up to 19-20% like the 80's ....holy crap i'm dating myself...where 1/2 a paycheck went to mortgage 1/4 to insurance and you lived off the rest....Thinking how I could buy some pretty cheap **** at repo sales

 

[fidorama]

Ya well we don't all make that kinda money there bogger.

and I agree our country and some of its policy's truly do suck! no doubt about it! but we could certainly be living in worse places! And hey, if it bothers you so much, the door is open! nobody is stopping you from going to find somewhere better

 

[fidorama]

I sit back almost everyday and wonder if the mortgage rates went back to 17-18% and interest rates up to 19-20% like the 80's ....holy crap i'm dating myself...where 1/2 a paycheck went to mortgage 1/4 to insurance and you lived off the rest....Thinking how I could buy some pretty cheap **** at repo sales

ya well lets just hope that does not happen again... currently well over half my paycheck goes to mortgage as it is!

 

[Bogger]

I think you missed my point... I don't make "patch money" I have a mon-fri home every night middle class job and worked damn hard to get to where I am.

My point was that inflation has little to do with pay levels and the ratio has remained somewhat constant over the past 20 yrs, supply & demand dictate wages and with a large percentage of our "supply" unwilling to work demand is high. We have imported a number of Iron Workers because none could be found domestically, who were willing to work anyhow.

Ya well we don't all make that kinda money there bogger.

and I agree our country and some of its policy's truly do suck! no doubt about it! but we could certainly be living in worse places! And hey, if it bothers you so much, the door is open! nobody is stopping you from going to find somewhere better

 

[Snowdin]

I have a 32 year old son who to this day does not have a pot to pee in. Literally. Because he won't take a job that does not pay at lease 25/hr. Goes from job to job because as soon as he gets a job he starts asking for a raise. He's entitled. You wouldn't want to stick around for a year or two and earn your raise. Tried to get him to take a job at a tire shop or even flipping burgers. Nope he would rather starve and live on the streets. Had to shut down the bank of Mum and Dad finally and he still would rather starve than take a job that is beneath him. He's always felt the world owes him a living. Mostly I think because his friends parents supported their kids and didn't make them go get a job so he figured we should support him too. It's frustrating and hard to fathom this mentality.

 

[Bogger]

I sit back almost everyday and wonder if the mortgage rates went back to 17-18% and interest rates up to 19-20% like the 80's ....holy crap i'm dating myself...where 1/2 a paycheck went to mortgage 1/4 to insurance and you lived off the rest....Thinking how I could buy some pretty cheap **** at repo sales

I don't think the bank of Canada will allow that to happen again, if mortgage rates jumped to more than 12% I'd be scrambling and funds would be tight but not before 50% of the Canadian population declared bankruptcy. rates will increase but that will drive up inflation and wages will need to follow, those who aren't prepared for a short term bubble could be in trouble.

 

[Bogger]

It's almost an epidemic....My kids will not have that luxury, I'll help them within reason but when they stop helping themselves I refuse to do it for them.

I have a 32 year old son who to this day does not have a pot to pee in. Literally. Because he won't take a job that does not pay at lease 25/hr. Goes from job to job because as soon as he gets a job he starts asking for a raise. He's entitled. You wouldn't want to stick around for a year or two and earn your raise. Tried to get him to take a job at a tire shop or even flipping burgers. Nope he would rather starve and live on the streets. Had to shut down the bank of Mum and Dad finally and he still would rather starve than take a job that is beneath him. He's always felt the world owes him a living. Mostly I think because his friends parents supported their kids and didn't make them go get a job so he figured we should support him too. It's frustrating and hard to fathom this mentality.

 

[fidorama]

I didn't miss your point bogger, just sayin we don't all make those wages! and the second paragraph was not at all directed to you! that was for the guy who started this whole thread! sorry about that

 

[Korey]

Ya well we don't all make that kinda money there bogger.

and I agree our country and some of its policy's truly do suck! no doubt about it! but we could certainly be living in worse places! And hey, if it bothers you so much, the door is open! nobody is stopping you from going to find somewhere better

Not once did I say this isn't a great country to live in but thx for putting those words in my mouth the whole point of this thread is about our messed up polices. I agree with the whole ei thing if your able to work you should be forced to if your only reason is it doesn't pay enough. And we all get the point that you don't make alot of money you dont have to keep saying it. Question is why wouldn't you want to make more money doing something you enjoy? ?

 

[fidorama]

If I could do what I am and make more. of course I would... but ultimately I am replaceable as are most people. there are not a lot of places or people that do what I do. I like my job, enjoy the I work with, know and like a great deal of my customers. And I do get deals on products, and honestly sometimes money is not always the most important thing. I have worked at quite a few places over the past 30yrs and did not always enjoy what I did. My trade is generally hard dirty work that does not pay as well as it should. The corrupt insurance industry made sure of that (another great benefit of government). but? I would rather like my job and make less, than hate it for more...
The point in trades like yours unions have driven wages to the point that company's are going to find ways around dealing with it.. not really that hard to understand. just like anything else, if they can get it made oversea for a fraction of the price, they will.. I worked for a company that turfed a whole department (I am not sure if they were contracted or what) but imported a bunch of Filipinos to do the work.. Guy that ran the department even rented them a house... I didn't agree with it either, but the people were better, harder workers, and just happy to be there! better attitude's and everything... how can you argue with the result... same thing is going on at tim hortons... what ya gonna do??

 

[ABMax24]

Attitude, I think that hits the nail on the head, there are so many people out there that believe they should be paid for just showing up. Although I think its a little unfair to label all young people as unwilling to work, we often see 30, 40, and 50 something's with little to no work ethic as well. I'm currently 21 working as a shop foreman/supervisor for a small oilfield construction company and get to see many interesting types of people walk though the shop, for example we see numerous individuals that move up here for the winter and work just long enough so they can move home and collect EI for the summer.

There are also people that do work hard, have a good attitude, are willing to do what it takes to get the job done, and most companies pay the SH!T out of them, why you ask? Because they are worth it. Yes, contract rig welders are currently being paid $110/hr here, but most of them own their own rig because they know they have the skill, knowledge, and work ethic to be successful at it. Not everyone can do it, it can be a backbreaking, dirty, sometimes frustrating job, therefore few people are willing/capable of doing such work, and this is when the law of supply and demand kicks in driving rates through the roof. Good luck finding a TFW that can compete with some of our skilled Canadian workers.

Now as for debt, I find it funny the amount of people that live here making the money they do that are struggling just to make their payments, the amount of guys my age that say they are working to save up for a down payment on a new truck, Seriously, you're having to save for a $5000 down payment on a truck that the payments will be $1200/month? And that doesn't seem to be a problem? Don't get me wrong, I drive a brand new $80,000 lifted diesel truck, but I know I can afford my payments, and I also ensure I have multiple months wages saved up so if I lose my job I don't have to sell everything I own the next day to keep the bank from taking it.

But ultimately a risk is posed to those workers who are not willing to at least try to exceed the skill/attitude of TFW's.

 

[john s]

actually it is. I have no idea what its like for tradesman but take a look around at the service industry. Tim Hortans, Mcdonalds and pretty much EVERY other fast food chain you can think of.

But when you get let's say a Filipino who's daily wage at home is about $5-8. Then they come to Canada and make $10 an hour that's great for them. But really it's very hard to get in to Canada nowadays I've been through it. And can explain if any one wants to know the rules and what it takes I've done it.


Sent from my iPhone while wishing the snow was gone so I can go dirt biking.

 

[Bogger]

Yes but your British.... we've made it hard on purpose.

But when you get let's say a Filipino who's daily wage at home is about $5-8. Then they come to Canada and make $10 an hour that's great for them. But really it's very hard to get in to Canada nowadays I've been through it. And can explain if any one wants to know the rules and what it takes I've done it.


Sent from my iPhone while wishing the snow was gone so I can go dirt biking.

 

[ABMax24]

But when you get let's say a Filipino who's daily wage at home is about $5-8. Then they come to Canada and make $10 an hour that's great for them. But really it's very hard to get in to Canada nowadays I've been through it. And can explain if any one wants to know the rules and what it takes I've done it

I'm not sure many are concerned about TFW's taking food service industry jobs, as you said most Canadians don't want these jobs anyway, besides it is a position that is vital to modern society so needs to be filled somehow, because who wants to pay $5 for a large double-double from an overpayed Canadian worker?

The fear is in TFW's undercutting highly skilled positions from Canadians, making their time spent developing their trade/craft not worth it, meaning fewer Canadians continue to chose these careers, meaning the majority of these positions would eventually be taken solely be TFW's similar to the way the food service industry is now.

 

[john s]

I agree but there is a government website listing jobs that are needed in Canada. It is hard to come to Canada if your job is not listed because technically Canada does not want you. These are the jobs listed that Canada wants at the moment below if your job is not on there you could not get in.


http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/apply-who-instructions.asp?expand=jobs#jobs

Sent from my iPhone while wishing the snow was gone so I can go dirt biking.

 

[sledneck_03]

I didn't think you could collect E.I if you earned more the 50k a year, or something like that.

Nope you can, my dad use to be an electrical worker for local 529. He was on ei every winter and summer after lay offs.

I was technically on it when i took paternity leave for 2 months last summer.

 

[ABMax24]

I think what frustrates me far more than TFW's is Foreign Students taking Post-Secondary Education seats from Canadian Students, which allows foreign students to get a University Education in Canada and then return home to work using the degree they attained in Canada for the benefit of their home country.