ALSO IN THIS ISSUE The Dominican Republic A Caribbean treasure trove of island charms A.I. & MEDICAL CARE Health POWER TO YOUR PORTFOLIO Finance OFFICIAL NEWS MAGAZINE OF THE CANADIAN SNOWBIRD ASSOCIATION | FALL 2026 | ISSUE 140 Publication mail agreement no: 40063603
Introducing Canada’s official snowbird wireless program. NDesigned for the snowbird lifestyle. NDesigned to keep you connected across North America. NDesigned to save members money! Rogers Preferred Program Offer subject to change without notice, available for eligible Rogers Preferred Program members new to Rogers mobile. Membership verification is required. Taxes extra. 1 10GB’s speed caps up to 150 Mbps, 100GB’s speed caps up to 1 Gbps. If you exceed the high-speed data allotment of your plan, you will continue to have access to data services with no overage beyond the high-speed data allotment at a reduced speed of up to 128 Kbps for 10GB’s and 512 Kbps for 100GB’s. (upload and download) for light web browsing, email and messaging until the end of your billing cycle. Access to Rogers’ 5G/5G+ network, where available, requires a 5G compatible device. Whether connecting to Rogers or another carrier’s network, whether in Canada or internationally, speed, performance and whether a 5G capable device uses the available 5G/5G+ network depend on various factors including your device, configuration, usage, the carrier’s network technology, network and internet traffic, topography, environmental conditions, applicable network management practices, and other factors. See coverage map for more details. Usage is subject to the Rogers Terms of Service and Acceptable Use Policy and the Rogers Network Management Policy. 2 Where applicable provincial 9-1-1 fees are billed monthly. 3 $10/mo. Auto-Pay Discount available with eligible plans (must be set up on account and remain active to get discount). Discount will end if you move to an ineligible plan or cancel Automatic Payments. If you remove Automatic Payments and re-add it to your account you will get the same discount tied to the wireless plan you subscribed to. 4 On the Rogers Network within Canada, the U.S., and Mexico excluding calls made through Call Forwarding, Video calling or similar services. Includes unlimited text/picture/video messages sent from Canada, U.S. and Mexico to Canadian, U.S., Mexico mobile numbers and received texts from anywhere. Premium texts (alerts, messages related to content and promotions)Rogers & Design and related brand names and logos are trademarks of Rogers Communications Inc. or an affiliate used under license. © 2025 Rogers Communications. Contact us today to learn more: 1-888-516-7669 www.snowbirds.org/csa-wireless RogersPreferred@fvwireless.com Get a 5G+ plan with 10GB1 Get a 5G+ plan with 100GB1 for only for only $29/mo.2 $50/mo.2 with Auto-Pay3 when you bring your own device. with Auto-Pay3 when you bring your own device. Plan includes data and unlimited talk and text in Canada/U.S./Mexico.4
Editor’s Message CSANews© is published four times a year and is Copyright FALL 2026 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 Dr. Robert MacMillan Shari McIntyre David McPherson Steve Paikin Robert Wiersema Judith Adam Gabrielle Bauer Donna Carter Michael Coren Dr. Elaine Dembe James Dolan Garry McDonald Johanne Blain James Carl Simpson Ted Popel Marjorie Heisler Karen Huestis Bud Conroy Ronald Brown Debra Ann MacLean Kimberley Tetzlaff Michael MacKenzie Philip Weylie President First Vice-President Second Vice-President Treasurer Secretary Past-President 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 Garry McDonald Christopher Davidge Peter Prusa Paula McGovern Fran Castricone FALL 2026 | ISSUE 140 CONTRIBUTING EDITORS We acknowledge the support of the Government of Canada. Merv Magus Cover photo: iStock.com/RuslanGuzov Illustrator You may or may not be aware that the vast majority of Canadian snowbirds are continuing their annual sojourns to the southern United States. Apparently, old habits die hard. There is also a contingent of winter expats who are choosing to explore other warm-winter countries with their elbows up. That’s fine, and we should all endeavour to respect the choices that our friends are making ‒ whether we agree with them or not. To that end, CSANews is pleased to continue to offer content that highlights “alternative” winter destinations for our readers to consider, whether it be for a short stop, on a cruise, or for a longer seasonal visit. We are also excited to introduce two new writers to our publication. First, Dr. Elaine Dembe, who has built a wellness practice in Toronto on the very subject of longevity. Her column sheds light on simple, yet effective steps that we can take to live longer, hopefully. Second, Steve Paikin is a well-known journalist who has served as a Queen’s Park correspondent, daily news host of a current affairs show on CBC Newsworld and, most recently, retired as the anchor of The Agenda with Steve Paikin, on PBS station TV Ontario. Steve offers balanced insights regarding current affairs in North America, and we are pleased to share these with you. Once we get into the habit of avoiding winter weather in Canada, it is hard to stop. A few of us tried to stay in Canada last year but, when winter crept in as she always does, many just packed up and headed south. So…what will you do this year? Sincerely, J. Ross Quigley Editor CSANews | FALL 2026 | 3
Snowbird Events FREE SNOWBIRD SHOW For additional information or to volunteer, call the CSA at 1.800.265.3200 or visit snowbirdextravaganza.com/canada Canadian Snowbird Association President Garry McDonald With a special presentation from Sponsored by Join us for a FREE concert to celebrate the snowbird lifestyle! Our all-Canadian, world-class entertainment for this year’s tour includes fiddler Ashley MacIsaac, comedian Bruce McCulloch and singer-songwriter Carolyn Dawn Johnson; this event also includes a special presentation by Canadian Snowbird Association President Garry McDonald. Tickets are required for these FREE* events and are now available through each theatre’s box office. Tickets may be available on the day of the event, but these events have been known to “sell out” in the past, so we recommend that you reserve early! *Service charges may apply to telephone and online orders. SNOWBIRD CONCERT SERIES Ashley MacIsaac Bruce McCulloch Carolyn Dawn Johnson 4 | www.snowbirds.org
Snowbird Events • SEP • 15 Tues ST. CATHARINES ONTARIO FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre 250 St. Paul Street Box Office: 905-688-0722 or 1-855-515-0722 firstontariopac.ca • SEP • 16 Wed PORT HOPE ONTARIO Capitol Theatre 20 Queen Street Box Office: 905-885-1071 or 1-800-434-5092 capitoltheatre.com • SEP • 17 Thur OSHAWA ONTARIO Regent Theatre 50 King St. E. Box Office: 905-721-3399 regenttheatre.ca • SEP • 18 Fri BELLEVILLE ONTARIO Empire Theatre 321 Front Street Box Office: 613-969-0099 theempiretheatre.com • SEP • 21 Mon KELOWNA BRITISH COLUMBIA Kelowna Community Theatre 1375 Water Street Box Office: 250-469-8940 theatre.kelowna.ca • SEP • 22 Tues SHERWOOD PARK ALBERTA Festival Place 100 Festival Way Box Office: 780-449-3378 festivalplace.ca • SEP • 23 Wed REGINA SASKATCHEWAN Regina Performing Arts Centre 1077 Angus St. Box Office: 306-779-2277 reginapac.com • SEP • 24 Thur BRANDON MANITOBA Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium 205 20th Street Box Office: 204-728-9510 wmca.ca All events from 7-10 p.m. (doors to lobby open at 6 p.m.) Schedule subject to change. CSANews | FALL 2026 | 5
Table of Contents FALL 2026 | ISSUE 140 OFFICIAL NEWS MAGAZINE OF THE CANADIAN SNOWBIRD ASSOCIATION Before You Flock South A snowbird’s guide to packing smart and returning home prepared. by Dr. Amy Snow The Dominican Republic A Caribbean treasure trove of island charms. by Donna Carter Features 24 18 26 Power to your Portfolio Is now the time to invest in the energy sector? by James Dolan Travel Finance 6 | www.snowbirds.org
Table of Contents 44 Golf by David McPherson 46 CSA Online by James Dolan 48 Gardening by Judith Adam 50 Food & Drink by Shari McIntyre 52 Book Review by Robert Wiersema 54 Fun & Games 55 Grins & Giggles 56 CSA Application 57 CSA Benefits 58 Fast Facts 3 Editor’s Message 4 Snowbird Events 8 Bird Talk 10 Snowbird Alert 12 President’s Message 13 Government Relations Report 14 Insurance by J. Ross Quigley 15 Opinion by Michael Coren 16 Opinion by Steve Paikin 40 Health Pulse 42 Longevity by Dr. Elaine Dembe, D.C. 35 36 AI and Medical Care How new AI technology may help with your health care. by Dr. Robert MacMillan Where Have Canada’s Doctors Gone? The need only grows. by Milan Korcok Health Departments 32 Mahjong is on a Roll The ancient Chinese game is having a massive global resurgence. by Donna Carter Leisure CSANews | FALL 2026 | 7
Bird Talk Dear Bird Talk, We drove to the U.S. border in late October, where we were asked the usual questions ‒ where you are going, for how long, for what purpose. We, of course, answered honestly. We filled out the G-325R once we got to Phoenix and we received a certificate. We flew home for Christmas and flew back to Phoenix a couple of weeks later. The same basic questions were asked at U.S. customs at the airport. We drove back home in early April (well under the 182-day limit). In looking to see if we needed to fill out Form 8840 for this winter, we didn’t meet the criteria requiring us to submit, as our past two winters were shorter. Next year, we will have to fill out the form. The problem is that when we checked the U.S. site to see what their record is of our time spent in the U.S., it shows that we haven’t been there in the past five years, even though we have driven and flown down several times during that period. My question is, when we fill out Form 8840 next year, do I fill it out according to their records or what our actual travel was? Brian Rosney Cooks Creek, MB Ed.: Fill out the 8840 according to your travel records. The I-94 website does not always reflect an accurate report of everyone’s visits to the United States. Dear Bird Talk, Hello. I would like to know if we need to apply for the I-94 at least seven days before our planned departure in October 2026. In October 2025, we applied for the I-94 and, at the border, we requested it. We went inside, our fingerprints and photos were taken, and we subsequently printed the I-94. Since our fingerprints and photos were taken in 2025, do we simply need to apply for the I-94 before our departure, or will there be a different procedure since our fingerprints and photos are already in their system? Sylvie Mercier Gervais Mirabel, QC Ed.: Simply travel to the U.S. as you normally would. After entering, check the CBP I-94 website to see whether a new I-94 has been issued: i94.cbp.dhs.gov. If an I-94 has been issued, you’re all set. If it has not, you will need to complete the G-325R registration with USCIS. Dear Bird Talk, I am arriving in the U.S. from another country in order to transit to Canada. The flight arrives late at night and the connecting flight to Canada can only be made the next day, for a stay in the U.S. of fewer than 24 hours. One week later, I will be returning to the U.S. for a vacation. I was wondering if the authorities consider the one-week stay in Canada as being in the U.S. the entire time, because my connecting flight was not the same day as the arriving flight. Elayne Russell Penticton, BC Ed.: No! While you are in the U.S. waiting for your flight to Canada, you are considered to be “In Transit” and both that one day and the following days spent in Canada would not be counted as days spent in the U.S. Dear Bird Talk, We go to the U.S. for 5.5 months. Our I-94 expired in May. Are we going to be required to go through the whole renewal process again, including a border interview? Paul Cornies Kingsville, ON Ed.: Yes, you should generally expect the same process when requesting a new I-94. Whether you apply for a provisional I-94 before travelling or request one at the border, CBP will determine whether you need to go through an interview or any other processing. 8 | www.snowbirds.org
Dear Bird Talk, You have advised that “Beginning April 11, 2025, Canadian snowbirds staying in the U.S. for 30 days or longer must register with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This new rule requires filing Form G-325R online, with potential for $30 fees, fingerprinting and photography at land borders, marking a shift toward stricter biometric tracking for Canadian visitors.” Must I file a Form G-325R annually, or is it one and done? D. Bremner Iroquois Falls, ON Ed.: The good news is that the G-325R does not have a fee associated with it. The not-so-great news is that you will need an I-94 or G-325R every time you intend to visit the United States for 30 days or longer. Dear Bird Talk, Interesting Bird Talk about obstructed licence plates in Florida. In your comment, you failed to note that it is illegal to obstruct licence plates in Ontario as well. Mind you, the fine and penalties are a lot less. In Ontario, the Highway Traffic Act requires that licence plates must be kept free from dirt and obstruction, ensuring that the entire number plate is plainly visible at all times. According to Section 13(2), any obstruction, such as a promotional licence plate cover or modifications, can lead to fines ranging from $75 to $110 for obstructed plates. If a police officer observes an obstructed plate, he or she may issue a ticket, which can be contested if the officer’s discretion is questioned. Are your licence plates legal?? Jim Hajas Huntsville, ON Ed.: Section 13(2)? Are you a retired police officer? Thanks for the input, Jim. It is probably a bad idea to have an obstructed licence plate in any jurisdiction in North America, including Ontario and Florida. We should also remember to remove the expired renewal tags from our Ontario licence plates to avoid confusion when we are driving outside of the province. Dear Bird Talk, We drive from Sydney Cape Breton to Florida every year. But we are thinking of flying down instead. Can you walk us through the requirements for a Canadian buying a car in Florida? Also, might it be more economically feasible to do a long-term, six-month, low-mileage car rental? Robert Baillie Sydney, NS Ed.: There are no special requirements for purchasing and registering a vehicle in the United States. You need a valid driver’s licence (a Canadian licence will do) to purchase insurance coverage, so we recommend that you look into this expense as well. A local Allstate Insurance agent will be able to assist you with getting your Canadian driving record recognized. Some of the larger national insurance companies which you see on television only insure persons licensed in the United States. Featuring the letters & concerns of our members SEND YOUR LETTERS TO Bird Talk, c/o CSANews 180 Lesmill Road Toronto, Ontario M3B 2T5 Online at www.snowbirds.org/bird-talk or by e-mail: csawriteus@snowbirds.org Bird Talk Bird Talk CSANews | FALL 2026 | 9
Snowbird Alert Please note that this form cannot be completed in advance; it can only be completed when you are already in the United States. Form I-94 and the USCIS Registration Requirement As of April 11, 2025, some Canadian snowbirds will be required to file a general registration form (G-325R) with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) if they will be in the United States for 30 days or longer. Canadian snowbirds who are issued an electronic Form I-94, which is an official record of admission, are considered registered and therefore will not be required to file Form G-325R with USCIS. Generally, whether a Form I-94 was issued depends on how you entered the United States. ▶ If you entered the United States through the air, generally you would have been issued an electronic Form I-94. ▶ If you entered the United States through a land port of entry, as most snowbirds do, you may not have been issued an electronic Form I-94. To verify if an I-94 was issued for your latest entry, go to i94.cbp.dhs.gov. Select “Get most recent I-94” and enter your first and last name, date of birth, country of citizenship and your document (passport) number. If an I-94 was issued for your latest entry, you should print it and carry it with you as proof of your legal entry into the United States. No further action is required. If an I-94 was NOT issued for your latest entry, you will need to complete the general registration form (G-325R) with USCIS: 1. Create a USCIS account by visiting my.uscis.gov and selecting “Sign up.” 2. From the USCIS dashboard, select “File a form online.” 3. Select “G-325R Biographic Information (Registration)” then click “Start form.” 4. Complete the form, which will include: I. Your full legal name, your contact information, citizenship, when and where you were born, your address history (only U.S. addresses are currently accepted) and criminal record (if applicable). II. Your current marital status, your spouse’s and your parents’ full names, date of birth, place of birth and place of residence. 5. Once submitted, you will receive proof of registration which can be accessed through your USCIS account. USCIS will issue a receipt once your information is reviewed. Print a copy of your receipt and carry it with you when travelling throughout the United States. 10 | www.snowbirds.org
Discover the warmth of the Okanagan. For snowbirds seeking a warmer winter escape, Regency Retirement Resorts offers nine welcoming communities with vibrant lifestyles and engaging activities. Explore local wineries, scenic trails, and the best the Okanagan has to offer. Fall is here. Winter doesn’t have to be. Dining On-Site Activities Personalized Services Safety & Security Pet Friendly Scan to explore Regency Retirement Resorts. Call 778-907-5586 to learn more. regencyresorts.ca
Beginning on September 12, 2026, Canadian snowbirds who own property in Arizona will benefit from stronger protections against illegal squatters, following the passage of important new legislation designed to help homeowners regain possession of unlawfully occupied properties. Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs recently signed Senate Bill 1426 into law after the measure received broad bipartisan support in the Arizona legislature. The Canadian Snowbird Association has been expressing our concern to Arizona officials regarding this issue since the summer of 2024 and we welcome the passage of this legislation as an important victory for Canadian seasonal homeowners in Arizona. For snowbirds, the issue is particularly significant. Unlike year-round Arizona residents, many Canadians leave their properties vacant for a significant portion of the year. If an unauthorized individual occupies a seasonal residence while the owner is back in Canada, resolving the situation can be complicated, expensive and extremely stressful. SB1426 ‒ introduced by Arizona state Senator Wendy Rogers ‒ is intended to make the process considerably faster. Under the new law, qualifying property owners will be able to pursue an expedited forcible-detainer process when an unauthorized occupant refuses to leave a residential property. In simple terms, a forcible-detainer action is a court proceeding used to determine who has the immediate legal right to possess a property. Rather than forcing a homeowner to become involved in lengthy litigation over every possible issue surrounding a property, the process focuses primarily on possession: who has the legal right to be there? The legislation establishes safeguards to ensure that the expedited procedure is directed at genuine cases of unlawful occupancy, rather than legitimate landlord-tenant disputes. Among other requirements, the occupant cannot be a current or former tenant, cannot have a prior written or verbal agreement permitting occupancy and cannot be an immediate family member of the property owner. Once a judgment is entered in favour of the homeowner, an order restoring possession of the property may be issued immediately. For Canadian snowbirds who may be thousands of kilometres away when an unlawful occupation occurs, having access to a faster and more clear legal remedy represents a significant improvement. To repeat, the CSA has strongly and vocally supported efforts in Arizona to strengthen protections against unlawful occupancy. In 2024, similar legislation passed the Arizona legislature but was vetoed by Governor Hobbs. We continued to support stronger protections for seasonal homeowners following that setback and welcomed renewed efforts by Arizona lawmakers to address the problem. The enactment of SB426 demonstrates the value of our continuing advocacy issues on behalf of our members. Canadians make an enormous contribution to Arizona’s economy and local communities. Seasonal residents purchase homes, pay property taxes and support countless local businesses throughout the winter months. They deserve reasonable and effective protection of their property when they return to Canada. Arizona lawmakers deserve credit for addressing this issue on a bipartisan basis. On behalf of the Canadian Snowbird Association, I would like to thank Senator Rogers for introducing this legislation and Governor Hobbs for signing the measure into law. The CSA is proud to have strongly supported this initiative, and we will continue to advocate for laws that protect Canadian seasonal homeowners ‒ wherever they choose to spend the winter months. For Arizona snowbirds, many of whom are our western Canadian members, the message is encouraging: stronger protection against unlawful occupancy, providing greater certainty and greater peace of mind when they lock the door and return to Canada each spring. The new, six-lane Gordie Howe International Bridge between Windsor and Detroit is now open for business. It creates an additional full-service border crossing in the WindsorDetroit corridor, with direct connections to Ontario’s Highway 401 and Michigan’s interstate system. The new crossing may reduce reliance on the Ambassador Bridge and provide an alternative during congestion, closures or severe delays. Members should compare routes, tolls and live border-wait times prior to departure ‒ information which is readily available online. Please consider joining us in September for the free Snowbird Concert Series celebrating the snowbird lifestyle with an outstanding, all-Canadian lineup featuring fiddler Ashley MacIsaac, comedian Bruce McCulloch and singer-songwriter Carolyn Dawn Johnson, along with a special presentation from yours truly. Shows take place on September 15-24 and begin in Ontario in St. Catharines, Port Hope, Oshawa and Belleville. We will then head west for shows in Kelowna, British Columbia and Sherwood Park, Alberta. We conclude our concert series with events in Regina, Saskatchewan and Brandon, Manitoba. Look for specific dates and times elsewhere in this issue of the magazine. President’s Message Garry McDonald CSA President 12 | www.snowbirds.org
Government Relations Report Johanne Blain First Vice-President In my last column, I highlighted just some of the many successes achieved by the Canadian Snowbird Association (CSA) over the years. I shared examples of how our advocacy efforts have improved the travel experience for Canadians and demonstrated what can be accomplished when our members’ voices are united. Today, I am proud to announce another important achievement for Canadian travellers: the expansion of online passport renewal services for eligible Canadians. This latest improvement builds on the CSA’s long history of advocating for more convenient and accessible passport services. More than a decade ago, the CSA successfully advocated for the introduction of the 10-year Canadian passport. At the time, many snowbirds told us that the previous five-year passport created unnecessary inconvenience, particularly for those who travel south each winter and plan their trips well in advance. We listened, brought those concerns forward to government and worked to achieve a longer passport validity period that better reflects the needs of travelling Canadians. The introduction of the 10-year passport was a significant victory and highlights one of the many examples of how CSA advocacy has resulted in practical changes which benefit snowbirds. Today, we are proud to continue that work with another important advancement: online passport renewals. For many snowbirds, preparing for the winter migration is an annual tradition. Travel arrangements are made, accommodations are confirmed, medical insurance is secured and countless details are organized before heading south. One of the most important items on that checklist has always been ensuring that passports are valid and ready for travel. The ability to renew a passport online is a meaningful step forward. The Government of Canada has expanded its online passport renewal service, allowing eligible adult Canadians in Canada to complete their renewal application digitally. Applicants can now submit their application, photo and payment online without having to mail documents or visit a Service Canada Centre. This is exactly the type of practical improvement for which the CSA continues to advocate: reducing unnecessary barriers and making government services more accessible for Canadians, particularly those who spend extended periods of time outside of the country. While this may seem like a simple administrative change, it represents a significant convenience for many snowbirds. Preparing for the winter season involves many moving parts, and any improvement which simplifies that process provides greater peace of mind. As with any government program, there are eligibility requirements. Online renewal is available only to those who meet specific criteria, including renewing an adult passport that was issued within the last 15 years and providing the required information and documentation. Applicants must also provide a digital passport photo which meets government requirements. Snowbirds should also remember that passports renewed online cannot be delivered outside of Canada. Those planning to spend the winter months abroad should continue to check their passport expiry dates well in advance and complete their renewal while they are still in Canada, whenever possible. This latest achievement is another reminder of why advocacy matters. Meaningful changes rarely happen overnight. They require identifying challenges, bringing concerns forward to decision-makers and continuing the conversation until solutions are achieved. Over the past several decades, the CSA has worked on a wide range of issues affecting travelling Canadians. From the 10-year passport and online passport renewals to border concerns, taxation issues, access to services and protecting the interests of Canadian property owners abroad, our goal has always remained the same: to ensure that snowbirds have a strong and effective voice. The expansion of online passport renewals demonstrates what can be achieved when more than 115,000 CSA members stand together behind common goals. It is another example which illustrates the fact that advocacy works. However, our work is far from finished. Each year brings new challenges, and the CSA remains committed to identifying those issues and working toward solutions. The concerns and experiences shared by our members guide our priorities and shape our advocacy efforts. I encourage all members to continue sharing their experiences with us. Many of the issues which we address begin with a simple question or concern from a snowbird who is facing a challenge while travelling. These real-life experiences help us understand where improvements are needed and allow us to bring those concerns forward on behalf of Canadian travellers. As another snowbird season approaches, we can celebrate this latest achievement while continuing to look ahead. The CSA will remain focused on making travel easier, protecting the interests of Canadian snowbirds and ensuring that our members’ voices are heard. Thank you for your continued support. Gilles and I wish you safe travels. CSANews | FALL 2026 | 13
Insurance Ihope you have enrolled with Early Bird! This year we have seen the cost of travel medical insurance go up across the board with all insurance plans available in the market. At Medipac we experienced an increase in claim volume, an increase in the cost of medical services in the United States and around the world, a decrease in the value of discounts that are offered by various medical service providers and a devaluation of the Canadian dollar in recent months, which just happens to be when we are paying your claims in foreign currency. We are not alone. This is happening to all travel insurance providers protecting Canadians in the United States and elsewhere. Our analysis of the market is showing premium increases of 12 to 15 percent and more, regardless of age, health or trip length, which tells us that the market has had a tough year and is preparing for a challenging future. At the time of writing this column, we were pleased to see that our loyal clients have been taking advantage of our Early Bird offering. Our call center is a hub of activity, our online applications are at risk of breaking the internet and even snail mail applications are steady. That tells us that Snowbirds want to head south, intend to head south, and will be heading south. If you didn’t enrol in the Medipac Early Bird Travel Insurance program all is not lost. Take advantage of higher deductible options to get your premium cost down. Enjoy the benefits of your loyalty credit and claims free discount to help offset the increase in premium you may face this year . The Bank of Canada tells us that inflation in Canada has risen by 23% from 2020 to 2026. In the last five years Medipac has only made minor adjustments in the premiums charged for emergency medical insurance. Single digit increases between 1 and 3% for targeted sectors of our program and we have managed to hold off on any dramatic price adjustments for the benefit of our clients. This also has kept pressure on the industry to keep prices down overall. Snowbirds have survived the pandemic shutdown of 2020, economic downturns that put their retirement portfolio’s temporarily at risk in 2008, low valued Canadian dollars – remember when it was 62 cents in 2002? And now we must survive a perfect storm that has forced the industry to invoke a correction necessary to remain solvent. Unfortunately, inflation forces consumers to make tough choices at the grocery store, at the gas pump and everywhere else that purchasing enhances or detracts from our daily lives. I just hope it doesn’t interfere with your winter. Christopher Davidge Medipac Travel Insurance 14 | www.snowbirds.org
Opinion with Michael Coren The World Cup has come and gone, and nobody scored 10 goals in a single game. But believe it or not, it has been done ‒ by Germany against Russia in the 1912 Olympic Games. It’s naturally the highest total for any German player, yet it’s the fate of the man who achieved this, and that of his friend and fellow German sports star that’s relevant and tragic in this age of spiralling anti-Semitism. The footballer was Gottfried Fuchs, who appeared for his country several times and would have done so far more often but for the First World War, in which he won the Iron Cross. He was the first Jewish player to represent Germany, but not the only Jewish athlete in the pre-First World War national team. His friend Julius Hirsch won seven caps and scored four goals against Holland. They and their families were typical of post-enlightenment German Jews. Patriotic, intensely German and members of what was regarded as the most assimilated and successful Jewish community in Europe. The grotesque unravelling of that situation has been told many times, but beyond the obvious horror of persecution and eventual attempted genocide was the sense of betrayal, of rejection and hatred exhibited not by foreign invaders and oppressors, but by ostensible friends and literal neighbours. In this case, two men who enjoyed hero status in the country of their birth and ancestry were suddenly regarded as despised outsiders. What ended with slaughter began with slights, as it always does. And each time we read today of yet another anti-Semitic insult ‒ sometimes in the guise of geopolitics, increasingly not ‒ we should keep this in mind. In 1935, for example, the national sporting legend was told by his local tennis club that he was now barred from membership, and the German Football Association expunged all mentions of the two men from their records. Social discrimination then become racial law. A precursor of course, but more than sufficient for Fuchs to leave Germany in 1937, to Britain and then to Canada. Hirsch, however, continued to believe in the German spirit. His brother had died for the country in 1916, his wife wasn’t Jewish, he was revered in the German sporting world. This madness simply couldn’t last. He left briefly for Paris, but returned to Germany where, in 1943, he was deported to Auschwitz and later murdered. His wife and children were also taken to concentration camps but survived the war, and his grandchildren, a living tribute to courage and hope, continue to live in the country of their and their grandfather’s birth. It took many years for Germany, and German football, to acknowledge what it had done and for the longest time there were those who preferred to forget or even ignore. That was, of course, impossible for Gottfried Fuchs, now Godfrey, to do. Not that he spoke about his experiences very often, living a quiet life in Montreal, seldom mentioning what had happened to him in Germany or his sporting prowess. His grandson, successful Toronto lawyer Julian Heller says, “My grandfather was really a very humble man, spoke little about his past and certainly didn’t dwell on it. I do remember him saying, however, that he would never forgive them for how they had treated his friend Hirsch, and in fact would never forgive them for what they did to him.” There is now a Gottfried-Fuchs-Square close to the former stadium in which the two men played, and a prize in their name is given to youth teams that work in areas of anti-discrimination. In 1972, Fuchs was asked back to Germany for the Olympic Games. The invitation letter was from Sepp Herberger, the former player and coach of the German national team, a man who had been a member of the Nazi party and participated in state propaganda. He was a divisive figure, but this gesture seems to have been a genuine expression of guilt and contrition. Fuchs had understandably long refused to return to Germany but, on this occasion, he agreed. Not long before the flight, aged 82 and in poor health, he suffered a heart attack and died. If he’d gone, he would have likely been in Munich when 11 Israeli athletes were killed by Palestinian terrorists, possibly with the help of local neo-Nazis as well as a notorious German far-left militant. May Godfrey Fuchs’ memory be a blessing and may we learn that racial hatred is never, ever acceptable. CSANews | FALL 2026 | 15
Opinion This summer, I inadvertently found myself in some pretty rarified company and simply had to take advantage of the situation. There I was, in a small group, unexpectedly talking to a former member of President Donald Trump’s cabinet. How could I not ask about the deteriorating relationship between our two countries? So, I did: “Our government has to make a huge, multi-billion-dollar decision soon about whether to buy your F-35 fighter jets or, instead, purchase the cheaper Gripen plane from Sweden. Which one should we buy?” The former cabinet secretary went through all of the logical reasons why the Americanmade F-35 was the obvious choice: a superior design, a much more powerful plane, already interwoven with the Canadian military with plenty of interoperability, and so on. “Yeah, that’s all true,” I said, “but you’re forgetting one thing ‒ we Canadians don’t like your president very much these days. And it will be very hard for any Canadian government to sell the public on the notion of giving tens of billions of dollars to an American company, given what he’s doing to our economy right now.” The man politely accepted everything I said, but then added: “Don’t ever confuse the United States of America with one guy.” That comment sort of stopped our conversation in its tracks. Because it’s true. That this American president takes up a massively disproportionate amount of bandwidth should not obscure the fact that there are plenty of Americans ‒ even plenty in positions of authority ‒ who wish us well, who feel affection for us and who think that Trump’s actions are completely counterproductive. That’s often hard to remember when the president insultingly refers to Canada as a potential 51st state, or calls our two most recent prime ministers “Governor,” in another example of puerile trolling. Someone once suggested to me that Mark Carney should have responded to that slight by saying, “No, that was my last job. I was the governor of the Bank of England and Bank of Canada. Now, I’m Prime Minister of a sovereign country.” He may have thought it, but I’m not sure that he’s ever said it, preferring instead not to wave a red cape at the bull and saying that he doesn’t intend to react to every online post of Trump’s. In fact, one time during a joint meeting, Trump accidentally called Carney “President,” to which Carney thanked him for the upgrade. But the fact is that for more than 200 years, our two countries have had one of the best relationships in the world, making the current tensions all the more heartbreaking. I can’t count the number of times American friends of mine have either emailed, called or told me in person how awful they feel for the way their president is treating us. Even people who voted for Trump find his behaviour appalling. Like many Canadians, I’ve had to remind myself that more than 75 million Americans voted for Trump in 2024 and, rather than dismiss them all as a bunch of boobs, I’ve tried hard to understand why that happened. I’ve talked to many people who told me that they held their collective noses and voted for Trump because they thought the Democratic Party alternative was worse. To oversimplify, they saw the Democrats as a party obsessed with which pronouns to use, while dismissively referring to the heartland of America as “flyover country.” In other words, the only people who mattered were on the two coasts: well educated, upper income, so-called coastal elites. Trump’s superpower ‒ if we can call it that ‒ is that he’s somehow convinced Red State America that he is their champion, that he gives voice to their concerns despite the fact that so many of his policies seem to fly in the face of what’s actually good for his coalition. By putting tariffs on a wide variety of Canadian-made goods, Trump has made those products more expensive for the very people who need to buy them. And yet, either his supporters haven’t put two and two together, or they cut him a lot of slack because they think he’s still their guy. How have Canadians reacted to Trump’s mistreatment of their country? In a wide variety of ways, almost all of which the vast majority of Canadians seem to support. Polls show that most people are very pleased with Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s edict to pull all American booze off of the shelves of the Liquor Control Board of Ontario retail outlets. Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew got rave reviews when he simply said: “No CUSMA, no boozema!” referring to his move to refuse to sell American spirits as 16 | www.snowbirds.org
Opinion long as Trump declined to play fair in the free trade talks. Stephen Harper was one of the most pro-American prime ministers Canada has ever had. But when he was asked at a conference what he’d do if he were in Prime Minister Carney’s shoes, he said that he’d rather see Canada impoverished than annexed by the United States, suggesting that there’s no price he wouldn’t pay to subsidize and support Canadian businesses against the unfair tariffs they were facing. Having said that, while the public has reacted favourably to tough-talking politicians north of the border, they’ve also cut Carney a great deal of slack when he’s backed off the bellicosity. Where Premier Ford has likened Trump to a bully in the schoolyard whom you need to stand up to when he threatens to steal your lunch money, Carney has backed down on several tactics designed to push back against the president, such as the digital services tax, and divvying up the revenues from the newly opened Gordie Howe Bridge between Windsor and Detroit (despite Canada paying 100 per cent of the cost of building the thing). Furthermore, as I write this, we haven’t seen anything remotely as tough-talking from Carney against Trump as his speech in Davos, Switzerland in January, in which he called for middle powers everywhere to rise up against the world’s hegemonic powers and create new alliances. And yet, Carney has not (yet) paid a political price for these attempts to accommodate Trump. Perhaps it’s because, every now and then, he rolls up his sleeves and pokes the bear, such as when he withdrew invitations from all American VIPs to attend the official opening of the Gordie Howe Bridge. That played well at home. Of course, what’s so sad about the state of relations between Canada and the U.S. is that, once upon a time, we were mostly the same people. America may have just celebrated the 250th anniversary of its Declaration of Independence. But it’s also worth remembering that in 1776, as the U.S. was taking this bold step forward, thousands of Americans loyal to the British Crown were abandoning this nascent country for points north. The United Empire Loyalists came to British North America (technically, we weren’t yet Canada, the independent country) and had a mostly positive influence on building the harsher half of this continent. While reconciliation with Indigenous people is still a massive work in progress, the northern half of North America abolished slavery nearly seven decades before the Americans did, and it didn’t take half a million casualties in a civil war to get it done. Yes, we have had our flare-ups in the relationship from time to time since the War of 1812. President Richard Nixon once privately referred to Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau as “that asshole.” President John F. Kennedy, after a meeting with Prime Minister John Diefenbaker, said: “I don’t want to see that boring son of a bitch ever again.” But in the main, our countries have achieved some wonderful things together, led by heads of government who cared deeply about the relationship. I well remember former president Ronald Reagan rebuffing his staff’s recommendations in the 1980s to do nothing about the acid rain, which was caused by American pollution and was killing Canadian lakes and tourism. Why did Reagan do that? “Because Brian (Mulroney) needs it,” was all that the president said. Wish as we might, those days are clearly not coming back as long as Trump is president. When one sees how abysmally he treats his allies in his own government, we can’t be surprised to discover how little he cares about good relations between his country and ours. One of the biggest questions to which Canadians need an answer now is: is this the new normal for us? Or might the end of Trump usher in a saner future? No one knows whether our relations are best described as being on a pendulum about to swing back to some kind of normalcy, or on a continuum, inexorably taking us in an increasingly negative direction. It’s all so sad. But the optimist in me wants to continue to hope that, through millions of continuing positive interactions between Americans and Canadians, we can figure out a way through this awful time. We have so much in common. We like visiting each other’s countries. We care about each other. Notwithstanding who the president is. with Steve Paikin CSANews | FALL 2026 | 17
When Christopher Columbus first set foot on the land now known as the Dominican Republic, his emotions were likely mixed. It was 1492 and the Spanish explorer was on a mission to find an overseas route to China, Japan and India, places known to possess riches in gold, silk and spices. At first sight, he would have realized with disappointment that this sunsplashed island in the Caribbean was not the destination he had sought. On the positive side, this newfound land was a splendid piece of terra firma with magnificent beaches, lush tropical forests and towering mountains. In fact, he thought the place so impressive that he famously stated that it was “the most beautiful land that human eyes have ever seen.” Not surprisingly, Columbus claimed the land for Spain and thus began the long, colourful and sometimes wrenching history of the island he named Hispaniola. Today, it is shared by the independent countries of Haiti in the west and the larger Dominican Republic in the east. Centuries later, the Dominican Republic ‒ commonly referred to as “the DR” ‒ has become the most-visited tourist destination in the Caribbean, welcoming more than 11 million sun-seeking vacationers a year. In fact, numbers show that it outstrips all others in the Caribbean region ‒ sometimes by a wide margin. My own experiences there made it easy to understand the island’s winning popularity. What I found most compelling is that it’s a vacation destination that truly has it all: spectacular beaches, mountain retreats, awesome seaside resorts, championship golf, colonial history museums, Spanish architecture, endless water sports and more. For snowbirds, the DR also has an abundance of long-term-stay properties ranging from oceanside condos to city apartments and mountain villas. The island’s attraction is further sweetened by its reputation as one of the most affordable in the Caribbean. The DR has come a very long way since Columbus arrived there purely by accident. Today, the island’s breathtaking beauty and natural bones are the foundation on which the Caribbean’s most-visited vacation destination was built. Beginning with the island’s three main cities, the following is a limited selection of what this sunshine getaway has to offer. The Dominican Republic A Caribbean treasure trove of island charms. By Donna Carter 18 | www.snowbirds.org Travel
Santo Domingo Founded in 1496 by the brother of Columbus, this is the Dominican Republic’s capital city. Lying on the island’s southeast coast, it ranks as the oldest, continuously inhabited European settlement in the Americas. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, there is plenty to see and do in this city of more than four million Dominicans. A must-see attraction is the city’s Colonial Zone, a virtual open-air museum featuring 300 Spanish colonial buildings scattered among ancient cobblestone streets. Today, the city’s centuries-old buildings co-exist with modern structures including shopping centres, boutiques, souvenir shops, restaurants and street vendors. In the heart of the district is the imposing Fortress Ozama built by the Spanish in 1502 for protection against pirates and other invaders. A complete history of the island’s colonial era can be explored at the Museum of the Royal Houses. Overall, it’s a city that uniquely blends old-world attractions with such modern-day features as a baseball stadium and casinos. Santo Domingo’s Columbus Park is the site of frequent festivals and cultural events. Punta Cana With more than 30 miles of white-sand beaches, this premier resort town on the easternmost tip of the island is the DR’s most renowned tourist destination. It features all-inclusive, world-class resorts ‒ the type that regularly attracts the rich and famous such as former U.S. president Bill Clinton, Michael Douglas, Jennifer Lopez and others. While its selection of luxury resorts can be pricey, there are also plenty of affordable options. Overall, it’s a place that oozes indulgence: spectacular beaches, ultimate gastronomy, luxury spas, endless water sports, championship golf and VIP yacht charters. In addition, downtown Punta Cana is famous for its buzzing nightlife: nightclubs, Vegas-style shows, authentic Dominican music, a lively casino scene, dance and disco clubs, plus premier rum and cigar bars. CSANews | FALL 2026 | 19 Travel
Fore Golf The DR is a premier golf destination with more than 25 courses, many of them famous for dramatic oceanside fairways designed by such masters as Pete Dye, Jack Nicklaus and Robert Trent Jones. Overall, the collection ranges from world-class luxury resort courses to country club-style tracks. Generally rated the No. 1 course in the Caribbean is the iconic Teeth of the Dog, featuring seven stunning holes running alongside the edge of the southern coast. Designer, Pete Dye claims that he had help designing the course when he said, “I created 11 holes and God, the other seven.” Dye did not stop with Teeth of the Dog. In fact, he went on to design another DR masterpiece named the Dye Fore Golf Course. This time, he veered away from the ocean creating a 27-hole mountainside track set high on the cliffs west of Punta Cana with sweeping views of the Caribbean. In total, the island’s remarkable golf collection is often called the “Golf Mecca” of the Caribbean. With courses spread across the island, golf is never far away. Moreover, the cost to play them ranges from moderate to high end. Puerto Plata Known as the birthplace of DR tourism, this vibrant town on the north coast of the island blends colonial history with miles of golden sand beaches dotted with all-inclusive resorts and oceanfront hotels. Flanked by a lush mountain range, the city offers an endless variety of entertainment options both on land and sea: water sports, mountain hiking, cultural tours, authentic Dominican dining and a vibrant nightlife. In addition, the city’s historical centre is renowned for its late 19th-century architecture characterized by more than 150 pastel-coloured buildings, creating a unique Caribbean-Victorian vibe. Nevertheless, its Spanish colonial past remains a continuous presence. Of particular note is the city’s San Felipe Fortress, a 16th-century battlement originally built to protect the island’s northern coast from pirates and privateers. Overall, Puerto Plata tends to be more budget-friendly than Punta Cana and tends to offer visitors a more authentic Dominican experience. 20 | www.snowbirds.org Travel
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MzMzNzMx