I submitted my Canadian residency visa a couple of months ago. Seeing that 3 out of 4 of our family members are Canadian, it makes sense that I take the plunge. (And the reality is that Canada will stop me from entering in the future if I don't!)
I actually stopped thinking of myself as Australian many years ago, and embraced the idea of being a world citizen instead. I was born in Australia, but ever since Australia denied a visa to my husband for the second time way back when, I fell out of my favour with it. Then of course, we were screwed over by the government because immigration kept refusing Matt entry and we weren't living there. A real pain in the backside to say the least. The reality is that Australia is just too costly a process to ever considering going back to live. House prices are super ridiculous and the internet is horrific. And that is just off the top of my head. And, of course, with no home there to speak of, it is easier to just stay where we are. Not that Canada is perfect, of course. I absolutely hate the winters - and am considering becoming a snowbird to avoid it in future.
At this stage, I am not sure how long the visa process will take. But, once it goes through, it definitely widens our options. We can look at buying a property somewhere and I will even be able to work. Where those options take us - we will see.
Best I start learning the Canadian national anthem in the process!