Government Relations Report Ron Steeves First Vice-President Since my last report, there has been a series of updates to cross-border travel measures made by the Canadian federal government. In mid-February, the Government of Canada announced that fully vaccinated Canadian travellers could return to Canada with a COVID-19 rapid antigen test result instead of a pre-arrival COVID19 molecular test result, effective February 28. As COVID-19 rapid antigen tests are cheaper, provide faster results and are more readily available abroad, this change made it easier for fully vaccinated Canadians to return home. While the CSA applauded this policy change as it gave fully vaccinated Canadian travellers re-entering Canada more options, we continued to push the Government of Canada to remove all pre-arrival testing requirements for fully vaccinated Canadian travellers. In May 2021, the COVID-19 Testing and Screening Expert Advisory Panel recommended that the federal government eliminate pre-arrival testing for fully vaccinated travellers entering Canada, as travellers who have been vaccinated pose a lower risk of importation and transmission of SARS-CoV-2. One month after the approval of pre-arrival rapid antigen tests, the federal government announced the total removal of pre-arrival COVID-19 testing requirement for fully vaccinated travellers entering Canada at airports and land-border crossings effective April 1. This decision came after months of extensive lobbying by CSA officials to lift the mandatory testing requirement for vaccinated Canadian travellers returning home. At the time of printing, Canadian travellers are still required to submit their travel information via ArriveCAN, including contact information, travel details, proof of vaccination and a suitable quarantine plan. A complete list of the current requirements for re-entry into Canada can be found here, https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid. These requirements are subject to change and it is recommended that members review this site prior to any return trips back into Canada. Currently, the pre-entry testing requirements for partially vaccinated or unvaccinated travellers entering Canada have not changed. Unless otherwise exempt, all travellers five years of age or older who do not qualify as fully vaccinated must continue to provide proof of an accepted type of pre-entry COVID-19 test result: • a valid, negative antigen test, administered or observed by an accredited lab or testing provider, taken outside of Canada no more than one day before their initially scheduled flight departure time, or their arrival at the land border or marine port of entry; or • a valid, negative molecular test taken no more than 72 hours before their initially scheduled flight departure time or their arrival at the land border or marine port of entry; or • a previous positive molecular test taken at least 10 calendar days and no more than 180 calendar days before their initially scheduled flight departure time or their arrival at the land border or marine port of entry. It is important to note that positive antigen test results will not be accepted. This year, there are two significant general elections scheduled in Ontario and Quebec. As we do with every provincial and territorial election, the CSAwill be putting together and distributing our election handbooks for members in these provinces. The election handbooks contain key information about our major issues in each province, as well as details regarding how to vote, along with key dates to ensure that members have the information which they need in order to exercise their right to vote. For the upcoming election in Ontario, Elections Ontario will be scheduling 10 days of advanced voting, increased fromfive days during the previous election. In addition, Elections Ontario has revised the process to apply for a mail-in ballot online, allowing electors to sign up from May 4 to May 27. More detailed election information will be included in our elections handbooks, which will be sent to members in Ontario and Quebec and placed on our website, www.snowbirds.org closer to the election periods. As part of our annual renewal campaign, we provide members with two copies of IRS Form 8840, Closer Connection Exception Statement for Aliens. For tax purposes, any Canadian who spends roughly four months or longer in the U.S. each calendar year would want to file IRS Form 8840 in order to be treated as a non-resident. The threeyear calculation known as the substantial presence test determines whether or not you need to submit the closer connection form. This formula and additional information have been included in our membership renewal package. If you typically spend four or more months annually in the U.S., the CSA strongly recommends filing the 8840 Form by the June 15 deadline. You are eligible to file the 8840 Form as long as you do not exceed 182 days of presence in the United States in a single calendar year. It is a relatively simple way to protect yourself by ensuring compliance with U.S. tax law. On behalf of Judy andmyself, please have a safe and enjoyable spring. CSANews | SPRING 2022 | 11
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