Sort of. Canada is 'mostly' free medical care. Somebody has to pay for it, so it's employers usually and taxes. In Ontario, we pay an additional 'premium' (they were very careful not to call it a 'tax' because they'd promised no new taxes - guffawww). Also, there are things that are simply not covered at all, or only partially covered. My mother's hearing aid for example is only covered to about 50%, and her own insurance paid another part. The rest was on her. When I go to the doctor, I don't pay him anything for the visit. If I had to have an operation that's covered; broken leg, or heart surgery etc, I'd pay nothing. As far as I know, the homeless and street people will be taken care of if they need it.

The Canadian government like most western style governments, however, will shirk their responsibilities whenever the opportunity presents itself if it costs money not to.

IMHO, there are homeless and there are homeless. There are those who are out there through no fault of their own and would jump at the chance for work in order to change their circumstances, and there are others who are just... how can I say this delicately... parasitic lowlifes.

The part that escapes my ken, and I assume there must be a rational for it, is watching them chuck pennies. They take their cups or hats or whatever and pick out the pennies and chuck them into the street before they clock out.

>No, but they get free medical care. :o) (I really think this may be true...) If not, Alan or Evan can let us know.
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>>>>>Unfortunately, that's the way it always is. The only type of politician we ever get a chance to vote for is the type who lusts for power. The ones who don't have that lust, don't run. And it doesn't matter on which side of the fence one sits.
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>>>>Isn't that like saying that the only ones who go to restaurants are those that want food? :)
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>>>Maybe, but for the most part, the ones who really want food the most, can't afford restaurants, so they seek me out on my way to or from work. ;) There is a really big guy who I've seen around for at least 10 years now. These days he panhandles in the entrance to one of the underground malls near the subway, and his line is, "Please. For toast and an egg." My philosophy is 'never trust a starving fat person'.
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>>Wait. Canada has panhandlers and beggers? I thought Canadian government took care of all that.