Canada is Falling

Today, I would like to step away from internal audit discussions and share some personal reflections. Tomorrow marks election day in Canada. Meanwhile, tragic news has surfaced: 11 lives were reportedly lost after an SUV rammed into a Filipino cultural festival — an event that took place not far from where I live. While I am not eligible to vote, and I have never been deeply engaged in politics, elections are an important moment to pause and consider: Who can genuinely lead us toward a better future?

A Shift in Vancouver's Atmosphere

I first visited Vancouver as a tourist eight years ago. Back then, life felt more affordable, and the social atmosphere was welcoming — strangers would greet each other in parks, and small courtesies, like holding doors open, were common. Although issues like drug addiction existed, they were largely confined to specific areas such as East Hastings and parts of Chinatown. Today, unfortunately, these problems appear more widespread, and the situation has visibly worsened.

At the New Westminster SkyTrain station, I recently noticed a illegeal cannabis dealer with long queues stretching outside. The surrounding area, a key transit hub, now has a noticeably different atmosphere compared to a few years ago. At Metrotown Superstore, I observed an individual eating grapes directly from the produce section — a reflection of both economic hardship and declining social norms. Even more striking was witnessing someone pushing a full cart of unpaid groceries through the store's entrance, right past customer service, without being stopped — while security remained focused on monitoring self-checkout exits. It is ironic: honest customers are closely scrutinized, while brazen theft is seemingly tolerated.

Understanding Internal Challenges in Canada

Canada is often celebrated as one of the most progressive societies globally. Yet, while our political culture leans left, simple acts like making a "left turn" in traffic can be surprisingly difficult.
Despite Canadian drivers' reputation for politeness, Canada's road fatality rate is around three times higher than that of Hong Kong — a city known for its hurried and aggressive driving style.
This contrast raises an important point: intentions do not always translate into better outcomes. 

Consider the broader context:

• Elon Musk, currently one of the world's wealthiest individuals, holds Canadian citizenship.

• Li Ka-shing, the legendary Hong Kong entrepreneur, also holds Canadian citizenship.

• Zhao Changpeng (CZ), the founder of Binance and a global figure in cryptocurrency, is likewise Canadian.

Yet, none of them chose Canada as the headquarters for their core businesses. Why? This is a question worth pondering.

Let's think in practical terms:
If given a choice between Harvard University and the University of Toronto, which would you choose?
Between job offers from Amazon versus Canadian Tire?
Between delivery services from UPS/DHL versus Canada Post?
The answers are self-evident.

Reflecting on the Future as Election Day Approaches

As someone from Hong Kong, I understand why some frustrations toward the United States.
However, external resentment does little to solve internal challenges. The issues facing Canada today — rising crime, economic strain, and urban disorder — have been building over many years. They are not the result of American influence.

As we head into election day, it’s a good time to reflect: not just on political ideologies, but on what truly works — and what kind of future we are building.