Publication mail agreement no: 40063603 OFFICIAL NEWS MAGAZINE OF THE CANADIAN SNOWBIRD ASSOCIATION | SUMMER 2021 | ISSUE 119 IN THIS ISSUE GRANDKIDS COVID-19 & Vaccines BORDER OPENING What's it going to take? TRAVEL Time to Fly!
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Editor’s Message CSANews© is published four times a year and is Copyright SUMMER 2021 by Medipac International Communications Inc., 180 Lesmill Road, Toronto, Ontario M3B 2T5. 416.441.7000. Subscription Price: $9.95 Canada; $20.00 U.S. and foreign. Single copy: $3.95. Prices include tax. Published by Medipac International Communications Inc. Opinions expressed are those of the writers and are not necessarily those of the CSA, Medipac International Communications Inc. or its affiliates, their Directors, Officers, or other employees or agents. Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement No: 40063603. ISSN No: 1195-2393 Milan Korcok Barb & Ron Kroll Dr. Robert MacMillan Shari McIntyre David McPherson Andrew Moore-Crispin Laura Tennant Rex Vogel Robert Wiersema Judith Adam Gabrielle Bauer Diane Bracuk Alexis Campbell Donna Carter Michael Coren Jennifer Cox James Dolan John Hardy Karen Huestis Ron Steeves Garry McDonald Ted Popel Wendy Caban Bob Slack James Leroux Mike Legault John Foster James Carl Simpson Johanne Blain Michael MacKenzie Wallace Weylie President First Vice-President Second Vice-President Treasurer Secretary Past-President Director Director Director Director Director Executive Director Legal Counsel CSA BOARD OF DIRECTORS Editor CSA Editor President Art Director Director of Operations Marketing & Events Specialist J. Ross Quigley Karen Huestis Christopher Davidge Peter Prusa Paula McGovern Fran Castricone SUMMER 2021 | ISSUE 119 CONTRIBUTING EDITORS We acknowledge the support of the Government of Canada. Merv Magus Illustrator It’s Time… …to put COVID-19 behind us. We have all been terrified by governments and media − and our lives have been disrupted and dismal since March 2020, with the lockdowns and curfews. We could not travel; we were unable to visit with our families; and we could not even get a haircut. We at CSANews are partially to blame, as well. I decided to check our past four issues and “COVID” or “COVID-19” was mentioned 476 times. Good grief! Why would we ever reinforce this COVID fear to such an extent – 476 times! And this issue has even more COVID information. My apologies. The cities, the provinces and the federal government are finally seeing the light and restrictions are being slowly lifted, as life returns to almost normal. The new normal, of course, as we have been wisely taught to be much more careful in all of our interactions. Borders will probably be open by the time you read this and, if not, they will be shortly after that. Cruise lines have started up again and travel within Europe is slowly returning to normal. But, and there is always a “but,” most of your travel freedoms will depend on you getting vaccinated and I strongly urge you to do so. I personally recommend the Moderna vaccine if available, but most of them will do the trick. As a last COVID-19 thought, I recommend that you have a look at the following website of the Federal Government; it is very well done: travel.gc.ca/travelling/health-safety/travel-toolkit The days are getting longer, so get out there and enjoy themwhile you can. Happy summer. J. Ross Quigley Editor CSANews | SUMMER 2021 | 3
Table of Contents Features SUMMER 2021 | ISSUE 119 OFFICIAL NEWS MAGAZINE OF THE CANADIAN SNOWBIRD ASSOCIATION Enjoy a hike! No matter where you live in Canada, you’ll find walking trails where you can enjoy fresh air and exercise. by Barb & Ron Kroll 18 23 Travel Finance Twelve common portfolio problems (and how to solve them) A closer look at some of the common issues and challenges which all investors face. by James Dolan SPECIAL SECTION: snowbirding during a pandemic 36 Vaccines and Grandkids Returning to normalcy: a vaccine Q&A with family doctor Roland Grad. 38 Kids and COVID-19 What we know - and don't know - about immunity and transmission. 40 COVID-19 Vaccines Separating fact from fiction. 45 Vaccinations and the Border Vaccines are opening the world. In Canada − not so much. 48 The Great Snowbird Slimdown From minivan to carry-on in three easy steps. 4 | www.snowbirds.org
Elise Stefanik is the CSA's best ally in the fight to pass the Canadian Snowbird Visa Act. by John Hardy Have a Drink - to Your Health Cheers to reducing your stress! by Gabrielle Bauer Table of Contents Departments 56 Longevity by Jennifer Cox 57 Book Review by Robert Wiersema 58 Gardening by Judith Adam 60 Food & Drink by Shari McIntyre 62 Fun & Games 63 Grins & Giggles 64 CSA Application 65 CSA Benefits 66 Fast Facts 3 Editor’s Message 8 Snowbird Alert 9 Bird Talk 12 President’s Message 13 Government Relations Report 16 Insurance by J. Ross Quigley 17 Opinion by Michael Coren 35 Health Pulse 52 Golf by David McPherson 54 CSA Online by Andrew Moore-Crispin 28 32 14 34 Road Trip Inspiration The summer of 2021 is going to be all about road trips. by Rex Vogel Radon Gas Is your home safe? by Dr. Robert MacMillan RV Lifestyle Health Snowbird Profile CSANews | SUMMER 2021 | 5
Back on the road with simple and affordable wireless service Join the satisfied CSA members who chose SimplyConnect for their wireless service! What they are saying about SimplyConnect: To learn more, visit the website or call SimplyConnect’s dedicated live agents today at 1-888-281-2105. “SimplyConnect is by far the best cellphone company I have ever dealt with. I have and will continue to recommend this company to everyone. The selection of services is wonderful. And the service you receive is above and beyond. Travelling South every year has always been a cellphone nightmare until someone recommended SimplyConnect to me, that changed everything!” - Godfrey Customer since September 2018 As we slowly head back to normal and as travelling opens up, having a reliable cell phone service is important. That’s why SimplyConnect is always focused on providing ways for Canadians to stay engaged and connected with what matters most. What is SimplyConnect? SimplyConnect is a Canadian cell phone service provider committed to offering a friendly, affordable andeasy-to-use wireless service. It has improved the CSA members cell phone experience with great plan and phone combinations and no activation fees. Simple and Affordable Individual plans start from $16.20/month1. SimplyConnect also offers Couples and Family plans starting at $55.25/month for 2 lines1 which include unlimited talk and text between users across Canada, so you can stay connected with loved ones all the time. In addition to a wide selection of phones including basic and smartphones starting from $02, SimplyConnect also offers reliable national LTE network coverage, 30-day money back guarantee, and friendly Canadian customer service. “Greatest service ever! It leaves other providers I had in the past way behind in the dust, no comparison whatsoever!” - Roger Customer since August 2019 Exclusive discounts for CSA members 10% OFF Talk & Text plans1 15% OFF Smartphone plans1
Offers shown are available until August 31, 2021, or while quantities last and are subject to change without notice. 1 10% off applies to the Talk & Text monthly plan fees, and 15% off applies to the Smartphone monthly plan fees. Discount applies for as long as you are a member of the Canadian Snowbird Association and cannot be combined with Bring Your Own Phone discount, Tablet Data plans and Wireless Home Phone plans. 2Device pricing and minimum monthly rate plan apply for each line, and vary by term and plan chosen. Early cancellation fees apply with a 2-yr term. 3Bonus data, minutes and text vary by term and plan chosen. Other offers cannot be combined. Some conditions apply, call 1-888-281-2105 or visit simplyconnect.ca/csa for details. All trademarks are property of their respective owners. Stay connected with our Canada-wide plans! Plan includesCanada-wide minutes, voicemail, call display and name display. Heading to the U.S.? Travel seamlessly with our Canada/U.S. plans. With SimplyConnect Canada/U.S. plans, your phone, rates and number are the same, whether you are in Canada or in the U.S. You’ll never have to worry about long distance charges to the U.S., switching plans when travelling, temporary numbers or changing SIM cards ever again. Canada/U.S. plans start from $36/month1. Perfect for Canadians who travel back and forth between Canada and the U.S. $100 Save 15% $85 /month for 2 lines1 Unlimited calling and texting between both users, share 2 GB of dataand 800 minutes in Canada/U.S.3 Canada/U.S. Couples Shared Plan + Samsung Galaxy A52 for $02 Includes bonus data and minutes3 Call 1-888-281-2105and quote promo code: CSASAVE2021 + moto e for $02 $25 $2250 /month1 Save 10% + $85 $7225 /month for 2 lines1 Save 15% Samsung Galaxy A32 for $02 Canada-wide Individual Talk & Text Plan 12 GB Canada-wide Couples Shared Plan 12 GB of shared data Unlimitedminutes Unlimitedmessages Unlimitedminutes Unlimited text messages
SnowbirdAlert Don’t fall for the latest online shopping scam (NC) Due to lockdowns and public health restrictions, Canadians are relying on online shopping more than ever. However, this puts us at greater risk of being targeted by fraudsters. Even if you’ve shopped online for years, it’s important to stay up to date on the latest tricks, as scammers’ techniques evolve. In recent years, they’ve gone from asking for wire transfers, banking details and ferreting out your credit card number to going after gift cards, cryptocurrency and access to your online bank accounts. How to differentiate between a real CRA call and ascam (NC) Many of us have heard of scammers pretending to be from the Canada Revenue Agency. You may have even received a call or e-mail yourself. But how do you know what you can trust? Avoiding this common scam is easier when you know what the agency will and won’t do. The agency will never threaten you with immediate arrest or jail for a tax debt, and never uses text or instant messaging to communicate about taxes. It will never demand that you settle a tax debt by buying gift cards or prepaid credit cards, or using cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin, or offer to pay you a refund by e-transfer. Remain vigilant when you receive communication from someone claiming to be from the CRA, especially when asked for personal information such as a social insurance, credit card, bank account or passport number. If you are unsure as to whether or not the person on the phone is a legitimate agency employee, ask for the agent’s phone number and badge number and call 1-800-959-8281 to validate the caller. If you receive a call demanding immediate payment, take time to think it over. If you believe that it was legitimate, you can check the status of your account online. If you use online or telephone services, you can further protect yourself by keeping your access codes, user ID, passwords and PINs secret, and changing them frequently. Enabling “e-mail notifications” for online CRA accounts will notify you by e-mail of any changes, warning you of potentially fraudulent activity. Finally, suspicious phone calls or messages can be reported to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre online or by telephone. If you think that you have fallen victim to a scam, contact your local police. Find more information at canada.ca/taxes. Source: www.newscanada.com Here are some key tips to avoid falling prey to scammers when shopping online: ▶▶Do your research and comparison shop, so that you have a sense of realistic pricing ▶▶Read the terms and conditions, as well as refund and return policies ▶▶Use your internet browser’s ad blocker to hide sponsored ads and pop-ups ▶▶Request a full refund if your order is unavailable or can’t be fulfilled at the advertised price ▶▶Keep any records of e-mail confirmations and customer service conversations ▶▶Review your credit card and bank statements carefully for recurring or unknown charges ▶▶Remember that if the price seems too good to be true, it probably is ▶▶Take online reviews with a grain of salt, and consult multiple sources for feedback If you think that you’ve been a victim of fraud, contacted by a scammer or misled by an online ad or marketing tactic, report it to the Competition Bureau at competitionbureau.gc.ca. 8 | www.snowbirds.org
BirdTalk Featuring the letters & concerns of our members SEND YOUR LETTERS TO Bird Talk, c/o CSANews 180 Lesmill Road Toronto, Ontario M3B 2T5 or by e-mail: csawriteus@snowbirds.org Bird Talk Dear Bird Talk, I’m writing to find out what I’m missing, based on the below excerpt from the 2020 Form 8840. It specifically states on page 3, that: “...you will not be treated as a U.S. resident for 2020 if: You were present in the United States for fewer than 183 days during 2020.” Given the above, how does this put a snowbird in jeopardy of being taxed in the U.S. based on a “rolling” 12-month period as was noted in a previous Bird Talk question/ answer? The 8840 Form plainly states that one can remain in the U.S. for 182 days in any calendar year, so isn’t this all that a snowbird needs to keep records for, or be concerned with? Closer Connection Exception − Even though you would otherwise meet the substantial presence test, you will not be treated as a U.S. resident for 2020 if: You were present in the United States for fewer than 183 days during 2020; You establish that, during 2020, you had a tax home in a foreign country; and, You establish that, during 2020, you had a closer connection to one foreign country in which you had a tax home than to the United States, unless you had a closer connection to two foreign countries. Phil Wooster Victoria, BC Ed.: This is one of our most common questions. There are two U.S. agencies that monitor snowbirds; one is the U.S. Customs and Border Protection which monitors our time in the United States and our right to be there. Their rule is that a person may not be in the United States for more than six months in any 12-month period. This has nothing to do with a calendar year. For instance, if you normally go to the U.S. for six months every year starting on October 1st each year and returning at the end of March, you are fine − as that is a six-month period. But, let’s say that you had a wedding in Canada to attend, and you did not leave until November 1st. You still decided to stay for six months, and left at the end of April. You are still fine. But, next year, if you decide to go back to your normal patterns, you are NOT fine. You would count the normal early three months – October, November and December – but, due to the wedding, you spent four months in the U.S. in the earlier part of the year. That is seven months and it is illegal. Penalties can be severe, including being barred from entering the U.S. Be very careful about those extra days. The other U.S. agency that is interested in snowbirds is the Internal Revenue Service. They are the tax collectors. Anyone who spends longer than six months in the U.S. is considered to be a resident of the U.S. and is taxed on their worldwide income. This has nothing to do with earning money in the U.S.; it has to do with residency. So, in any Calendar Year, you must be there for less than six months, too. These people are very serious and you must stay on the right side of the six months to avoid being taxed.We file a Form 8840 to alert them that we are staying for an extended period, but are still compliant. Filing this form has been very helpful in prior tax cases. Some snowbirds in the West have had to pay millions of dollars in taxes when they were “caught.” Need I say more? Dear Bird Talk, I have just returned from Texas after spending 3 1/2 months in the Rio Grande Valley. I thought that the association might be able to provide some data. What is your estimate about how many snowbirds travelled to the U.S. sunbelt over the past winter? For snowbirds with Medipac, I was wondering how many claims were reported in respect to COVID? I figure that most returning snowbirds were fully vaccinated. Since the government closely tracks each returning snowbird, I would be curious how many vaccinated snowbirds have tested for COVID? The Federal Government should have the data on that. On our return, they specifically asked if we had been vaccinated. It would be greatly appreciated if you could shed some light on issues. Brian Fitzpatrick High River, AB Ed.: Based on our statistics and estimates, we believe that about 500,000 snowbirds travelled to the U.S. last winter. The Conference Board of Canada indicates that during the first five months of the winter travel season (Nov-Mar), there were 824,000 Canadians who took an outbound trip (to anywhere), compared to 12.8 million in winter 2019-20. Medipac had 16 COVID claims during that same time period, with only one being in excess of one million dollars, but we insured only about 25,000 of those snowbirds. I would love to have the real government statistics related to any component of COVID. What I do know is that every snowbird who returned by plane had a negative COVID test BEFORE they were allowed to board. They were then subjected to two more COVID tests in the next eight days. My guess is that these tests were all negative; ours were. Three tests in 10 days is ridiculous, of course. CSANews | SUMMER 2021 | 9
Dear Bird Talk, Should a snowbird refrain from buying and holding U.S. securities in order to avoid any closer connection determination being made by the IRS/Homeland Security officials in scrutinizing an individual’s residency basis for an income tax status? Ralph McGiffin Ottawa, ON Ed.:We have never seen any negative repercussions from owning U.S. stocks. I have been trading U.S. stocks (in Canada) for 40 years without any issues, other than the tax withholdings which my accountant gets back eventually. Dear Bird Talk, I just received, on April 30, 2021, the following e-mail: ‘Wells Fargo now requires that all consumer retail deposit customers provide a valid primary physical address located within the United States or its territories. Your deposit account ending in xxxx currently has one or more account holders with a non-U.S. address on file, which does not meet our new requirements.’ I have had a bank account with Wells Fargo (formerlyWachovia Bank) since September 25, 2003; I go to the United States every year and keep a reasonable amount in the bank at all times. However, it appears that I now have 60 days to close my account. Are you aware of this new measure? Is there anything that can be done to keep the bank accounts open so that I can continue to benefit from the Snowbirds Currency Exchange Program? Thanks in advance. Gaston Guénette Gatineau QC Ed.: This is a recurring problem with U.S. banks that are worried about money laundering and criminal activity resulting in massive government fines. In our early days as snowbirds, we were with the First Union Bank, which became the Wachovia, which became the Wells Fargo − and we are still with them.We had a lawyer in Florida and used his address as a “Dropbox” and that resolved everything. Perhaps a close next-door neighbour who is a year-round resident could assist with your mail, as well. Dear Bird Talk, Is the CSA even aware of the Form I-94, as I never see any articles or questions about it?This form states how long a Canadian can spend in the U.S. and, every time I cross the border, people set it for only 90 days! It is so frustrating! Last time I asked a border security person to make it April 1, and he said that he had “no clue what I was talking about”!? “What’s an I-94?” I kid you not! So I continued to my snowbird destination condo in Las Vegas, Nevada, planning to stay until March 31. Out of curiosity and a feeling, I went to the website (see below) to check my status and it says that I must leave the U.S. by 31 December (when I crossed the Canadian/U.S. border on 1 November 2019). I ended up in a panic, as I planned to stay until April 1 2020 (prior to pandemic knowledge). Anyways, does anyone else have this problem with this I-94 Form that is completed by the border people as you drive through? Here is the website – it is for I-94 and shows the following tabs: “How much longer may I remain in the U.S.?” and “Need a History of Arrivals and Departures?” i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94 I ended up in a panic, having to call various numbers to find out how to extend this and was told that the only option was to leave and return to the U.S. – meanwhile, my border crossing was four days’ drive away at Port Huron to Ontario! I ended up talking to someone in immigration at the airport and they extended it for me over the phone! They were super nice and upset that this had been done to me. How can I get it stamped for longer than 60 or 90 days’ stay? Any information on this I-94 problem is appreciated. Sanford Long Utterson, ON Ed.: The CSA provides detailed information about the I-94 Form in the Travel Information Guide which is included in your CSA membership package. Since 2013, the I-94 Form, which is simply a record of your entry and departure from the United States, has been automated. Travellers can access their most recent I-94, as well as their travel history to the United States by visiting i94.cbp.dhs.gov. Travellers who believe that the information on their I-94 is incorrect will need to contact the nearest CBP port of entry or the nearest CBP deferred inspection office in person to have the information corrected. Travellers who are having continuing issues when entering the United States can submit an inquiry to the DHS Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (TRIP) at the following website, www.dhs.govdhs-trip. BirdTalk 10 | www.snowbirds.org
BirdTalk Dear Bird Talk, I just was informed today that the border is closed once again until June 21 [Now it has been extended again until July 21]. My wife and I recently crossed the border into Canada by land after a two-week visit to our home in Sun Lakes, Arizona. We had been away for more than 13 months and had to go to check our property, get our air-conditioners, car and water filter serviced. We needed to confirm that our U.S. investment was OK. While in Arizona, we easily obtained our second Pfizer vaccine and had our mandatory COVID test within 72 hours of return to Canada. All they required was a B.C. driver’s licence to confirm our identity. Everything was incredibly well-organized and so easy to do. We flew to Bellingham, Washington and took a cab to the border for $60 plus tip. Everyone at the border was super nice and we had our next COVID test there, followed by a further test on day eight of quarantine at home. We did this to avoid an expensive three-day stay in a Vancouver hotel, which we believe is unsafe and poorly organized, according to many reports that we have read. Once home, the bureaucracy is interesting. A daily e-mail check-in with ArriveCan, a phone call on day two and a front-door visit on day eight to ensure that we were not breaking the rules. The day eight check-in for the final COVID19 test took 2 ½ hours to connect with the Ontario nurse, who was also very pleasant. As our test was on a Friday, Purolator could not pick up our swabs until the following Monday − on day 11. Having had two vaccines and a total of four negative COVID tests, we are clearly low risk, taking the same precautions in Arizona that we have in B.C. since March 2020. Most people were wearing masks in the stores there. The border restrictions for twice-vaccinated Canadians are ridiculous. The hotel requirement makes little sense. This was set up as a deterrent to travel. The system is both expensive and cumbersome. Users who don’t speak English or French would have a difficult time negotiating it. People flying within Canada do not have to do any of this. The other interesting observation is the reaction of a few so-called friends who expressed righteous indignation and anger at what we had done. One has ghosted us from social media permanently. The pandemic has done strange things to people. John Barclay Delta, BC Ed.: Your experience was very close to our own, John.Wonderful people at every contact, but we were actually called twice per day. My wife thinks that the many, many people we interacted with could better serve our province and country by giving vaccinations instead. Dear Bird Talk, To all those who didn’t heed the directions of the Canadian government and left the country anyway − you were warned that it is a changing environment and that rules could change when you are away, as the pandemic changes. The spring Bird Talk only had letters from the group that are complaining about the quarantine and testing requirements. Well, most of us who stayed home do not agree with your view. The biggest thing I would like to object to is that the editor of CSANews has such an unbalanced view. Before you offer DeSantis the medal of freedom, maybe you should make sure that everyone knows that Florida has 1.5 times the population of Ontario and have had 2.275 MILLIONCOVID cases and deaths of about 36,000. Compare that to Ontario’s andmaybe our lockdown and masks weren’t such a bad idea after all. Do you really think that we need you all arriving back in Ontario with numbers like these and we just say welcome home? Also, DeSantis is against vaccine passports for cruise industry as another example of his “wonderful” policies. And don’t get me started on him making sure that his friend’s Florida development got special treatment for receiving vaccines – oh, and Publix getting the distribution rights for vaccines, despite the distance from the poor areas of Florida − meaning that poor, black Floridians have hardship to get a vaccine. (To take a dog to the U.S. you need proof of a rabies vaccine). Who then can object to a vaccine passport for humans? I hope to go to Florida for the winter of 2022, but I won’t be jumping on the DeSantis for sainthood bandwagon. Jane Gibson Toronto, ON Ed.: We have had numerous e-mails that are very similar to Ms. Gibson’s, with hundreds of different “Facts” and I expect that any snowbird who stayed home would agree with her. The only difference between us, really, is the definition of “essential” travel. It was essential that I go to the U.S. for dozens and dozens of reasons. Those who travelled have been vilified, unjustly in my opinion. I believe that they bring back a safer presence − having mostly had both vaccination shots in the U.S. and most having had three (3) negative COVID-19 tests immediately on arrival. Canadians who stayed home are still struggling to get the first shot in many cases. And we are a danger to the people who stayed home? I will let you decide. CSANews | SUMMER 2021 | 11
President’s Message Karen Huestis CSA President OnMay 25, 2021, I wrote to the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada, Dr. Theresa Tam, requesting that the Public Health Agency of Canada revise its guidance on quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated Canadian residents returning to Canada from the United States, on the basis that these individuals do not pose a risk of significant harm to public health. Currently, quarantine requirements are applied equally to both those who are unvaccinated and those who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. As numerous outbreaks of COVID-19 continue to plague the hotel quarantine system, we requested an exemption for fully vaccinated Canadian residents inoculated in the United States (or Canada) re-entering Canada by air. Treating vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers in the same manner is not only counterproductive, it is not informed by the latest science. On June 9, 2021, the federal government announced that fully vaccinated Canadians will be able to travel outside of Canada without having to stay in a quarantine hotel upon arrival starting as early as July. We thank the federal government for making this long overdue adjustment. Although fully vaccinated Canadians will no longer be subject to hotel quarantine, they will still be required to quarantine in their homes until their arrival test for COVID-19 returns negative. The federal government’s own hand-picked panel of scientific experts has called on the government to end the hotel quarantine program entirely and to exempt fully vaccinated travellers from all further quarantine measures. We urge the government to take the advice of their own medical experts. With the world beginning to reopen − at least to fully vaccinated travellers − the question now becomes how will one’s vaccination status be confirmed for international travel and, frankly, who knows what else? Reports suggest that Ottawa is actively engaged in discussions with other countries and the provinces regarding just what a “vaccine passport” would look like, but it does not sound as if this is an issue that will be resolved by July. What will the interim measures look like? Early reports suggest that the interim arrangement will closely mirror the current system in place to confirm COVID-19 testing prior to boarding a plane. One would presumably upload the proof of vaccinated status (which they would have obtained when vaccinated) to the ArriveCAN software application prior to departure. In terms of a more permanent solution, current discussions appear to be focused on the development of both vaccine passports and vaccine certifications. The vaccine passport, issued by the federal government, would contain certified proof of COVID-19 vaccination and would allow Canadians to travel internationally and be admitted to participating countries which, again from early reports, appear to be the overwhelming majority. Vaccine certification documents could be issued by provincial governments and would presumably be used to permit Canadians to engage in a wide range of domestic activities, such as attending large gatherings including sporting events or, perhaps, something as simple as indoor dining. I suspect that these may prove more contentious than the vaccine passport used primarily for international travel, but current polling seems not to support that view. According to a recent Ipsos poll, 72 per cent of Canadians support vaccine passports for air travel. What some might findmore surprising is that 67 per cent support requiring proof of vaccination to attend indoor concerts, theatres and museums, as well as to attend post-secondary education. The bottom line is that there are a great many unanswered questions, but the federal and provincial governments are actively involved in these discussions and, with polling numbers like these, I have no doubt that we’ll be hearing a lot more about the implementation of some, if not all of these requirements over the summer. If you travelled to the United States during the winter and were vaccinated in the U.S., please contact your provincial/district health authorities to ensure that your vaccination status has been registered. We are aware that this is not yet possible in all jurisdictions and it remains confusing in others that are accepting your U.S.-issued vaccination receipts. We are actively engaging the provinces on this file in an effort to allow you to register your status wherever you reside in Canada. If you are experiencing difficulty in navigating this process, please do not hesitate to contact the office and we will do our best to point you in the right direction. Ron Steeves covers this topic more extensively in his government relations column elsewhere in this issue of the magazine. Have a great summer and please stay safe. 12 | www.snowbirds.org
Government Relations Report Ron Steeves First Vice-President As more provinces cautiously progress through their staged reopenings and the vaccination rates throughout Canada continue to climb, we remain hopeful that the next travel season will look markedly different from the last. This is why the CSA is calling on both the Trudeau and Biden administrations to formalize a plan to safely reopen the land border to fully vaccinated travellers for non-essential purposes. Policy decisions of this nature should be based in science, and there is no convincing scientific evidence that persons whomeet the condition of demonstrating full vaccination − at least two weeks prior to arrival in Canada or the United States − “pose a risk of significant harm to public health” or present a “risk of introduction or spread of COVID-19.” The land-border closure, which has been in place since March 2020, continues to have a devastating financial impact on cross-border communities throughout multiple sectors. While the land-border restrictions were initially implemented as a way in which to curb the spread of COVID-19 and its variants, with increasing rates of vaccination in both countries, it is now time for these restrictions to be updated to reflect the progress being made and the most recent scientific data available. With more than 68% of Canadian adults having received at least one dose of vaccine andmore than 53%of American adults having been fully vaccinated, it is imperative that both governments develop a binational plan to permit cross-border travel for individuals who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with a Health Canada- or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-approved vaccine. Such a plan will also act as an incentive for individuals in both countries to become fully vaccinated in a timely manner. The latest scientific data from the CDC demonstrates that the chances of fully vaccinated individuals spreading COVID-19, also known as “breakthrough infecting,” are extremely low. By allowing the science to guide policy decisions, the federal government and its American counterpart need to revise the temporary border agreement and permit Canadian and American residents who can prove that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to travel between the two countries. While the CSA will continue to push for a safe and scientifically grounded reopening plan, progress is being made with regard to the existing border restrictions. In early June, federal government officials announced that fully vaccinated Canadian citizens and permanent residents returning to Canada by air will no longer be subject to the mandatory hotel quarantine requirement effective in early July 2021. Instead, fully vaccinated Canadians and permanent residents will be required to provide both a pre-departure molecular COVID-19 test and an arrival test and quarantine in their homes until their arrival test results come back negative. Travellers would also have to be vaccinated 14 or more days prior to their arrival and have a suitable quarantine plan. While this measure is a good first step, we are calling on the Prime Minister and his government to adopt all of the recommendations from the COVID-19 Testing and Screening Expert Advisory Panel’s report which was released last month. This includes ending the hotel quarantine program altogether and exempting fully vaccinated travellers from all quarantine and testing requirements, other than an arrival test for surveillance purposes. A growing number of jurisdictions throughout Canada are now asking individuals who received COVID-19 vaccines abroad to register these with the provincial health authority. In British Columbia, individuals who received their COVID-19 vaccine outside of the province or country can call 1-833-838-2323 to update their vaccination status with the BC Ministry of Health. In Quebec, residents who received the COVID-19 vaccine abroad can book an appointment at a designated vaccination centre and provide their ID and proof of vaccination. Following the entry of the information in the vaccination register, an electronic proof of vaccination is issued via e-mail or text message. Ontario recently announced that Ontario residents who received one or both doses of COVID-19 vaccine outside of Ontario or Canada can contact their local Public Health Unit (PHU) to have their COVID-19 immunization record verified and documented in the province’s COVAX system. In Alberta, anyone who received a first dose or was fully vaccinated outside of Alberta can bring a copy of their records to an AHS public health clinic to have them entered into the system and counted towards the provincial total. We will be providing further updates tomembers via our electronic member advisories as more provinces and territories update their systems to allow for the registration of vaccinations received abroad. Judy and I wish you a safe and relaxing summer. CSANews | SUMMER 2021 | 13
It’s not as if they’re serving poutine, maple syrup and Beaver Tails or listening to Michael Bublé, Anne Murray or Justin Bieber at Elise Stefanik’s house in Schuylerville, New York, but the suddenly contentious U.S. politician is an admitted and determined Canada booster. Despite the often nasty and vitriolic bipartisan grudge matches inWashington, D.C., there may be some subtle and encouragingly positive good news for Canadian snowbirds. U.S. Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, recently in the eye of the bickering storm as the Trump disciple and controversial replacement for firebrand Liz Cheney as chair of the House Republican Conference and now Number 3 Republican in theU.S. House of Representatives, just happens to be openly pro-Canada and dynamically Canada-savvy. The 37-year-old Harvard grad, whose NewYork congressional district borders Canada, is an outspoken advocate for Canadian trade, tourism, cultural ties and all things Canada. Most importantly, frompast and recent performance, when it comes to rules, regulations and finding constructive new ways to do things – Stefanik walks the walk. Earlier this year, she co-authored a bipartisan open letter to the Biden administration about prioritizing the reopening of the northern border after the 16+-month pandemic shutdown. In her letter to AlejandroMayorkas, the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, she said, “The continued closure of the United States/ Canada land border to non-essential travel has created hardships for the border communities which I proudly represent. Canada is one of our closest allies and our two nations share a deep economic and social bond, yet the continued inability to establish a bilateral plan to reopen the border undermines this special partnership.” The prickly urge to reopen the 8,891-km Canada/U.S. border was actually Stefanik’s second pro-Canada crusade. The first was the Canadian Snowbird Visa Act. With her newfound government clout and growing bipartisan support for the Canadian Snowbirds Act legislation, the magic number for Canadian snowbirds lovin’ winter life in Florida, Arizona, Texas and beyond could soon be bumped from the current 182 to 240 days, extending the time for which Canadians who own or lease a home in the United States can travel and stay in the U.S. by two months. “And why not?” asks the focused and sharp congresswoman. “Our successful and productive economic partnership with Canada extends beyond our cross-border business and manufacturing operations. Our Canadian visitors are critically important to regional economies, whether it’s New York State or Texas or Florida. Providing an extra two months to enjoy the United States will also grow American small businesses, create jobs and foster our relationship with our closest economic ally. “Canada continues to be our strongest economic ally, and we must actively work to maintain our partnership to ensure that it is productive and beneficial for both countries,” she Canada-boostingly said when she became co-chair of the Northern Border Caucus, a bipartisan group of House members who focus on policies central to the U.S.-Canada relationship. At last count (before the borders closed down), more than 79 million international visitors entered the U.S., with Canada accounting for more than 21 million people, spending more than US$18 billion on all things American. The stats also show that more than 500,000 Canadian snowbirds enjoy up to the current maximum allowable six months in the U.S. and about 80 per cent own U.S. property. Elise Stefanik Snowbird Booster Pushing for snowbirds in Washington by John Hardy SnowbirdProfile 14 | www.snowbirds.org
By any measure, that’s a lot of clout! It’s also the reason why the U.S. tourism economy and the U.S. government are again readying to consider Stefanik’s pro-Canada, snowbird-boosting bill. “Letting Canadians stay longer means more business for restaurants, retail stores and attractions,” she says with enthusiasm. Stefanik acknowledges that the Canadian Snowbird Visa Act is sometimes misquoted andmisunderstood, on both sides of the border. Officially, it is on record as congressional document H.R.3241. To avoid misquoting and misunderstanding, it reads: “This bill authorizes the Department of Homeland Security to admit into the United States qualifying Canadian citizens as long-term non-immigrant visitors. A qualifying Canadian citizen is an individual who (1) is at least 50 years old, (2) maintains a Canadian residence and owns a U.S. residence or has rented a U.S. accommodation for the duration of the individual’s stay, (3) is not inadmissible or deportable, (4) will not engage in employment or labor for hire in the United States other than for a non-U.S.-based person or entity by whom the Canadian citizen was employed in Canada or for whom the Canadian citizen performed services in Canada, and (5) will not seek certain forms of assistance or benefits. A qualified individual may be admitted for up to 240 days during any single 365-day period. The spouse of such person may be admitted under the same terms, except that he or she is not required to separately satisfy the requirement for owning or renting a residence in the United States. The bill grants a person so admitted non-resident alien tax status.” When passed, the Canadian Snowbird Visa Act will allow 50+ snowbirds who own or rent a home in the U.S. to spend as long as eight months there, but prohibit Canadians from either working for an American employer or receiving any form of public assistance – such as food stamps or housing vouchers – paid for by American taxpayers. Stefanik points out that the U.S. House and the Senate have each proposed similar, but separate, bills to allow particularly Canadian snowbirds to stay longer and she explains that two slightly differing versions of essentially the same legislation have been introduced in each U.S. chamber: her House version and the Senate version, introduced by Florida Senator Marco Rubio. The House version has attracted 19 bipartisan co-sponsors − 10 Democrats and 9 Republicans. It’s waiting for a potential vote by either the House Judiciary orWays andMeans Committee. The Senate version has attracted one Republican co-sponsor and is waiting for a potential vote by the Senate Finance Committee. In theory, the bill’s bipartisan co-sponsorship would make it likely for passage. Elise Stefanik grudgingly agrees and reality versus wishful thinking cautions that U.S. politicians are hesitant to pass anything that could be perceived as weakening their country’s immigration laws, but there’s something special about Canada and Canadians. Snowbirds are mostly about the beach, sunscreen, golf (lots and lots of golf), property taxes, groceries and mall-walking – not stealing jobs or risks to homeland security. Snowbird consensus resoundingly shows that most would love the option of staying for 240 days versus the current 182, if it weren’t for some other pesky consequences such as U.S. immigration laws, IRS taxation and possible loss of Canadian health-care insurance. Besides, although most provinces already extend basic provincial health coverage for seven out-of-province months, there is also a subtle snowbird nudge brewing for provincial governments to stretch the allowable health coverage period to a coinciding eight months – if Congresswoman Elise Stefanik’s bill is passed. SnowbirdProfile CSANews | SUMMER 2021 | 15
J. Ross Quigley CEO Medipac International Inc. Insurance It’s Time… …It’s About Time …to start thinking about travelling again. Last year was a mess for most people, withmany snowbirds not travelling and most countries simply shut down. This year, it is very different. When my wife Pat got her second Moderna shot, she said that it was like someone had lifted an enormous burden off of her and it was almost euphoric. We had also been worrying about her 96-year-old mother, who had her second shot at the same time. Wow, what a difference a day makes, as the saying goes. At this time, I would like to strongly recommend that you get your COVID virus vaccine if you are one of the few snowbirds who is still “sitting on the fence.” The statistics are so one-sided as to be almost unbelievable. Those who have been vaccinated are experiencing very rare cases of COVID, and these are almost universally mild in nature. Severe hospitalizations and COVID deaths are difficult to find, following any vaccination. That is close to being a miracle. It is a miracle. Medipac has many travel insurance statistics and we are so confident in the vaccine’s effectiveness (any of the vaccines), that we are giving 5% off of our premiums to anyone who has had a COVID vaccine before travel. This 5% is in addition to our normal 5% Early Bird discount and our loyalty and claims-free discounts. Our Early Bird Program has just been released, but do not wait too long to take advantage of its many benefits. Our MedipacPLUS endorsement will be limited to $2 million USD coverage for COVID but, if you purchase the MedipacMAX endorsement, it will increase to $5 million dollar USD maximum coverage, with other benefit increases, too. This was necessary to protect everyone from the very real hospital realities of a very serious COVID claim. We, of course, still insure you if you do not have the vaccinations, but some of the treatments to cure you cost as much as $75,000 per day. And then you have the joy of paying the hospital on top of that. Well, we actually do that, but you understand the issue, I am sure. Last year, there were several multimillion-dollar claims and Medipac is ready; are you? Medipac.com is ready and willing to issue your policy today at our Early Bird great rates. It’s fast, it’s easy, your discount is automatically calculated and your policy is issued right away. Lock in your EB discount and your new Vaccine discount today. And simply call us if you have any questions… P.S. Please be patient with us, as the phones are already ringing off the hook. You will not miss out on Early Bird pricing and discounts, but it may take us a little more time this year. Thank you for your understanding. 16 | www.snowbirds.org
Summer is here, but the pandemic never quite leaves us. It’s led to people considering mortality in a way they’ve seldom done before, whichmakes the timing of Rev Richard Coles’ new book, “The Madness of Grief: A Memoir of Love and Loss,” extraordinarily appropriate. Yet timing can be a swine, because the book is the result of the horribly early death of Richard’s partner David in December, 2019. I had lunch with Richard the month before, when he told me, “David is seriously ill.” I asked how serious. “He’s dying.” I did what people so often do when given terrible news – I tried to be empathetic and loving, which often comes across as concerned anger. I mumbled that I loved him as we parted, and a few days later flew back home. Just weeks after that, I woke to read that David was gone. For those who don’t know Coles, he’s something of a national treasure in Britain. An Anglican priest, he’s also a BBC radio host, and a regular on television. He was once a pop star, too: The Communards’ “Don’t Leave MeThis Way” was the biggest-selling single of 1986! Now comes this compelling work. But it’s not a guidebook, not some clerical manual on how to deal with the numbing ache of bereavement. “I felt like a war correspondent, even though I’ve never been one, with bombs going off and windows smashing,” he says. “I simply tried to record all of that as accurately as I could. The book wasn’t cathartic − not at all − and many people advisedme not to write it. I understand what they meant, because it’s not until the second year that you realize he’s not coming back. I was in the early stages, they said, and this was long-term, it was forever.” That doesn’t negate the book’s importance. Precisely because those left behind in these cases need accounts of that first year, need to be accompanied rather than advised. What they realie is that, while there may be some mildly helpful devices and techniques available, there are no genuine cures and solutions. It hurts, and it’ll continue to do so. Even for a priest, even for someone who has seen the horror before. Witnessing is one thing, participating quite another. The book is a story of loss, but also a captivating tale of romance – it has to be, because without understanding the depth of love, we can’t fathom the clawing darkness of losing it. That symbiosis, that paradox, is the foundation of an intimate partnership, and one part of it can’t be had without the other. Richard and David had been a couple for 12 years and were in a civil partnership for nine. David had made the first move after one of Richard’s sermons, later sending him a text asking, “Don’t you get it?” Eventually, he did. And the book explains the love of his life, the former nurse, musician, family man, husband, traveller, priest. Mingled in all of this is faith in God, the constant theme and thread in what is written and woven, implicitly and gorgeously, into the text. On death and loss and suffering, he writes: “A bit rich coming from you, youmay think, but Christianity does not offer you a palliative or an escape from this. On the contrary, it insists on the fact of death; without it, there’s no hope of a new life beyond that last horizon. For some, that means Aunt Phyllis and the family spaniel bounding towards them across the springing meadows of eternity to greet them. For others, me included, it conjures no cast of best-loved characters, no misty shore or flowery field, but something more like geometry.” Many years ago, when experiencing a crisis that I thought might never end, I read “A Grief Observed” by C. S. Lewis. I’d still recommend it to anybody dealing with loss and its terror, but I’d give them Richard’s new book, too. Not merely because he’s a friend, or someone whom I admire very much, but because it’s a genuinely memorable and important volume which will help countless others. I only hope that it can help Richard as well, because this walk never really ends. “But we skipped the wedding, and went straight to the funeral, and our last walk together up the aisle, or rather my walk, and his trundle, was for a parting not a union.” Thank you, Richard. And bless you. Opinion with Michael Coren CSANews | SUMMER 2021 | 17
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