2025-03-15T08:43:01Z Read in app Leslie Redmond (right) and her husband. Courtesy of Leslie Redmond This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now.Have an account? Leslie Redmond, 38, moved from Anchorage, Alaska, to Winnipeg, Canada, in 2022.Redmond said Canada is similar to the US but has more of a collectivist mentality.She feels caught in the middle of the tense, emotional Canadian-American tariff debate.This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Leslie Redmond, a 38-year-old assistant professor at the University of Manitoba who moved from the US to Canada in 2022. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity.I'm originally fromVirginia,but in2019, I moved to Alaska to work at the University of Alaska inAnchorage. I loved it there and thought it would be my forever home. But after three months, I met my future husband by coincidence,and everything changed.At the time, he worked for the federal government in the Yukon, a remote Canadian territory roughly an eight-hour drive from Anchorage. After a year of dating, we got married, which coincided with his placement in the Yukon ending in 2020. At that point, we had to decide what was next.We concluded that living in Canada made the most sense.As an academic, it would be easier for me to find a job there than for my husband to find one in the US. Being Canadian, he wouldn't immediately have had the same clearance or career opportunities in the federal government.Canada's culture also appealed to me, asit feels more progressive. As someone workingin public health nutrition, its collectivist mentality also aligns with my values.Immigrating to Canada was fairly easyI've always enjoyed adventure. I've moved around a lot, going to places I knew nothing about and where I knew no one.For me, moving to Canada was more exciting than stressful. The anxiety I felt mainly stemmed from the legal process there were so many details to manage.Living with my husband in the Redmond and her husband. Courtesy of Leslie Redmond There are several ways to immigrate to Canada, including marriage, but we didn't want to take that route. Instead, we applied through Canada's Federal Skilled Worker Program, designed for skilled professionals in high demand.The process is based on a points system, where factors like education and age can help you score highly. We felt my credentials were competitive, and this pathway would be faster than applying solely based on our marriage.Despite the paperwork, the process was relatively easy for me. I'm fortunate to be healthy, have English as my first language, and have plenty of resources. I recognize my privilege in having such an easy experience. I understand that people from countries with different governments or languages and fewer resources face far more barriers.In 2022, I moved to Manitoba, a prairie province of Canada, and received permanent residency. The process took significantly longer due to COVID since many workers were out or working from home, and the building had capacity limits, causing extended wait times. I believe the process has become more reasonable recently.Canadians have a 'collectivist mentality'If you can picture North and South Dakota, you can picture Manitoba. I live in Winnipeg, the capital city of about 700,000 people.Winters here are typically -20 Fahrenheit and can reach extreme lows, with prairie winds bringing temperatures down to -40 Fahrenheit.Many movies are made in Winnipeg, as the area is often used to represent historic downtowns ofChicago or Minneapolis. Winnipeg, Manitoba. Photo by Salvador Maniquiz/Getty Images I'm working as an assistant professor in nutritional science at the University of Manitoba. We live in a neighborhood near the university in a single-family, four-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bathroom home that we purchased for just over $500,000. You can definitely find homes here that cost much more.Our home is not a new build; it was constructed around 1984. Given the housing shortages and rising demand, it's possible the price was a bit inflated, but we still feel comfortable with what we paid and believe it was a fair value. The agriculture building at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg. benedek/Getty Images I've noticed there are many similarities between the US and Canada, like higher education, career opportunities, and cultural values. From sports to music, the social and entertainment scenes are quite alike, making it easy for someone from the US to fit right in.The biggest difference, which I'm more attuned to because of my profession in nutrition, is the collectivist mentality here. The people I met in Canada seemed more focused on the common good. This is evident in aspects like healthcare, where many accept that it might be more expensive, but it's available for all.There's a sense of, "I'm not just being taken care of, but my neighbors are, too." Many people are generally happy to support systems that ensure access to healthcare and childcare. While this mindset exists in the US, I find it more prevalent here.The cost of living is rising in CanadaWinnipeg is considered one of the most affordable cities in Canada, and many people justify living here despite the harsh winters.However, I'd say it's more expensive than living in the States, mainly due to taxes that fund social services and various environmental initiatives, such as carbon taxes.Still, like many Canadians, I'm OK with it because I'm contributing to a system that benefits everyone. Redmond and her family. Courtesy of Leslie Redmond Food prices have risen recently, and grocery shopping in Winnipeg is significantly more expensive than across the border in North Dakota at least twice as much. However, my husband and I both have well-paying jobs, so we're in a good position to adapt to these challenges.Winter also brings added costs, like the need for winter tires and increased car maintenance something many living in a cold climate likely experience.On the bright side, heating and electricity are more affordable than expected, thanks to being primarily hydro-powered.Canadians aren't happy about US tariffsMany Canadians are confused about the tariffs and the presidential election. I often hear colleagues and friends express disbelief, asking, "How did America let this happen?"I can only speak from my own experience. As an American living here, I'm in a unique position, hearing perspectives from both sides of the border from my American and Canadian friends and family.I think many people in Canada initially saw American politics as a spectator sport, watching with interest, almost like reality TV, but remaining detached. I found that frustrating because I knew there would be consequences for everyone.Now, many Canadians are realizing they'll be affected. I hear strong opinions that are completely valid. President Donald Trump issued executive orders on February 1 to levy 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico. Xinhua News Agency/Xinhua News Agency via Getty Images Overall, my family and acquaintances here still see Americans as decent people but are shocked and disappointed by the presidential administration's lack of respect for Canada.This has become a rallying cry for many to unite, show patriotism, and take action. Many support Canadian-made products, buy locally, and stand firm rather than just complain.Moving to Canada was a great decisionMy husband and I plan to continue living in Canada despite the changes. We have an 18-month-old and another baby on the way.There are great benefits to raising children here. For example, I get a generous 12-month maternity leave with full pay, which is standard. There's also subsidized childcare, costing just a few dollars a day, compared to the several thousand a month my friends pay in the US.Looking back, I don't think I would have taken the initiative to move to Canada on my own. I would have kept quiet and just talked about it, but the opportunity to live here has offered many benefits.It was a great choice, and I don't regret it.