How to traverse the health crisis in Canada ? The Express has interviewed the French on what has changed in their daily lives overseas. First episode in Toronto.
In Canada, as elsewhere in the world, the counter of the coronavirus never ends – unfortunately – does not turn. Has the date of 6 April, the country to the maple leaf included 15 822 cases of Covid-19, and lamented 293 deaths. Three provinces are, for the moment, particularly affected by the disease : Quebec (7944 cases and 94 deaths), Ontario (4347 cases and 132 deaths) and British Columbia (1203 cases and 38 deaths).
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How the French settled in these provinces live with the situation ? What has changed in their daily life ? Have they had a desire to return to their country of origin ? The Express has interviewed three expatriates in Toronto, Vancouver and Quebec. First pane with Astrid Moulin, 32 years old, a blogger and web writer, living in Toronto since 2014.
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“It was already several weeks that people were talking about virus, but not really in the scope. I think that it became serious to the point where Trump has decided to close the borders. I remember that this Wednesday evening (march 11, editor’s NOTE), I was at a restaurant with French friends, and we said : ‘Wow, this is serious’. On Saturday, things picked up also in France, and it was quite nerve-wracking. It is important to know that being an immigrant in Canada, it receives both the information of Canada and the United States, but also news from Europe and France, and this double dose… In addition, we have several scales in Canada : the federal level, the provincial level and the city. Even if Justin Trudeau, Doug Ford (the First prime minister of Ontario, editor’s NOTE) and John Tory, mayor of Toronto, editor’s NOTE) shall communicate the same message, we have seen how the country is managed by floors.
The example of Europe has alarmed Canadians
the following Monday, The 16th of march, we were asked to stay home and not go out only once per week. This is not a requirement, but is strongly recommended. I think that the authorities did not want to frighten people too quickly and let everyone take their responsibilities. Canada is still more disciplined than France (just to see how the Canadians are lining up at the bus stop !) and, on the whole, there are really a lot less people in the street, even if there are still people who do not pay attention and continue walking around the edge of the lake because it is beautiful… tickets are however provided if it does not comply with the closure of the parks or if we get together more than five persons (not members of the same family).
I think that having seen what happens in Europe has scared a lot of Canadians. They said he had to anticipate better, and I hope that this will have served as an example… By the way, many Canadians are questioning us on what is really happening in France, if the obligation to come out with a certification that is true, for example.
From my side, it goes, because I’m one of those people who have kept their job – the social networks have not stopped operating, and, in terms of communication, it is necessary to also prepare for the after. I was already working from home, I live all alone, in the centre of town, and I have a terrace. I believes that I enjoys a privileged position and I take my bad in patience. I continue to communicate as before with my loved ones who are in France. When one is an expatriate, managing the distance, you know !
going Back to France would be a new expatriation
The hardest thing is not being able to walk, not to see my boyfriend, confined to his home, and my friends – here, friends are our family, and we spend a lot of time to support on the phone (I also have girlfriends who have been sick but are better now). I go out just to do some shopping and I don’t see anyone except for my neighbors, by far, when one applauds caregivers every evening at 19: 30 !
Recently, the mayor of Toronto has announced that all public events were cancelled until 30 June, and that was a blow to the morale of all the world, even if this is not to say that the containment is also strict for 12 weeks. We just hope not to miss the summer, because it would be like to have two winters in a row…
I did not put the question of returning to France, because for me, it is here. I have all my markers, all my business – and a health insurance that allows me to be better covered than in France if it ever happens to me something. What’s more, for the moment, the situation is worse in France… I understand that those who have lived in Canada for only a few months have want to return or that some immigrants encounter financial difficulties and be forced to return to their families. But, for me, going back to France would be a new expatriation.”
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