OFFICIAL NEWS MAGAZINE OF THE CANADIAN SNOWBIRD ASSOCIATION | SUMMER 2017 | ISSUE 103 TRAVEL Surprising Gibraltar FINANCE Where to stash your cash RV LIFESTYLE South Okanagan HEALTH Insomnia Saskatchewan Imposes Tax on Travel Insurance In This Issue
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Editor’s Message CSANews© is published four times a year and is Copyright SUMMER 2017 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 Barb & Ron Kroll Dr. Robert MacMillan David McPherson Andrew Moore-Crispin Robert Wiersema Rex Vogel Merv Magus Judith Adam Gabrielle Bauer Donna Carter Michael Coren Jennifer Cox Shari Darling James Dolan Illustrator Karen Huestis Ron Steeves John Foster Garry McDonald Rod Seiling Bob Slack James Leroux Robert Herman Ted Popel Wendy Caban Michael MacKenzie Wallace 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 Sales Director of Operations Marketing & Events Specialist J. Ross Quigley Karen Huestis Chris Bradbury Peter Prusa Neville B. Levin Paula McGovern Fran Castricone SUMMER 2017 | ISSUE 103 CONTRIBUTING EDITORS We acknowledge the support of the Government of Canada. s a child, I was enthralled withmonkeys and, when I found out that there was an island which was overrun with monkeys, I decided that I had to make plans to visit one day. I have flown over Gibraltar a few times, but have not made it there yet. Pat & I cruised by on a cruise ship a few years ago and I was determined to finally see it. It turned out to be 3:00 a.m. ‒ in the middle of the night ‒ and I had fallen asleep. Our story “Surprising Gibraltar” makes me even more determined to get there. I also have dozens of friends in the Okanagan Valley and I have never been there either. Rex Vogel’s write-up on the Valley, from the RV perspective, just reinforces my desire to visit. Neither of these destinations will affect our U.S. time limits and we will not need those pesky U.S. dollars. So much to see – so much to do. Just to mention a few thoughts on the rest of our magazine…I am a bridge player and I play a few hands on the computer every day to stay sharp. It is sad to see the younger generation drifting towards the incessant use of iPhones and iPads and their total immersion in Facebook and similar social media applications. They are missing a great opportunity to meet new “real” friends and to challenge their brains. I totally agree with our finance article’s advice that bonds are, potentially, a very poor investment over the next few years. Interest rates are obviously rising and bonds will lose part of their capital value in this environment. Stay away from them; the total diversification strategy can harm your financial health. And now for your home remedy idea of the month. Our Health Pulse has a note on leg cramps in this issue and I would like to add that drinking some tonic water (with or without the good stuff) before bed has helped many people. Apparently, the quinine in tonic water acts as a muscle relaxant. Quinine is famous as a treatment for malaria and is made from the bitter bark of remijia or cinchona plants. Try it and, perhaps, you can throw those drugs away. As a last note, I sleep like a baby every night. Well, except when I have a deadline for the magazine. Enjoy. Sincerely, J. Ross Quigley Editor A CSANews | SUMMER 2017 | 3
Table of Contents Features SUMMER 2017 | ISSUE 103 OFFICIAL NEWS MAGAZINE OF THE CANADIAN SNOWBIRD ASSOCIATION 16 26 22 Surprising Gibraltar There is no place on earth like Gibraltar. by Barb and Ron Kroll Where to “stash” your cash Understanding your options when it comes to investing your cash allocation. by James Dolan The South Okanagan A beautiful desert in the centre of British Columbia. by Rex Vogel Travel Finance RV Lifestyle 4 | www.snowbirds.org
Table of Contents 38 32 36 Departments 42 Golf by David McPherson 44 Book Review by Robert Wiersema 45 Gardening by Judith Adam 46 Food & Drink by Shari Darling 48 CSA Online by Andrew Moore-Crispin 50 CSA Application 51 Benefits 52 Fun & Games 53 Grins & Giggles 54 Fast Facts 3 Editor’s Message 6 Snowbird Alert 8 Bird Talk 10 President’s Message 11 Government Relations Report 12 Insurance by Ross Quigley 14 Opinion by Michael Coren 35 Health Pulse 40 Fitness by Jennifer Cox 41 Longevity by Jennifer Cox The Rise and Fall of Bridge Once the most popular card game on the planet, today it’s fraught with a damaging image and debated relevance. by Donna Carter Insomnia: Causes and Cures Improve the quality of your sleep. by Dr. Robert MacMillan Zika Virus Should you be worried about this deadly disease? by Gabrielle Bauer Leisure Health Health Feature CSANews | SUMMER 2017 | 5
SnowbirdAlert Don’t Be a Victim to These Six Common Scams If Internet scams are not on your radar, they should be. It is not only businesses that can fall prey to these scams. Plenty of Canadians have had their personal information stolen through similar schemes. Here’s what to look for in six common scams: 1. CEO spoofing. Victims receive an e-mail claiming to be from the “CEO” asking them to make an urgent payment outside of normal procedures. E-mails are written in a different style than usual and there is an uncommon payment request. The money is inevitably stolen. 2. E-mail scam. Phishing scams appear to be legitimate e-mails, but are fraudulent messages that may lead to downloading viruses or may be attempts to collect and steal personal information. Beware of unsolicited e-mails that require clicking through. Equip all hard drives and network systems with anti-phishing software. 3. Invoice scam. Fraudsters research a company so that they know which suppliers are used and when regular payments are due. They then pose as a supplier to create phony invoices. Watch for small discrepancies in invoices, such as a different address. Implement a standard accounts payable process so that all invoices are validated. 4. Text message. Text scams called “smishing” look like they are from a bank or other trusted organization and alert the victim to an account fraud or personal issue. Most smishing messages play on fear. Any correspondence that requires personal details is usually a scam. 5. Internet scams. A fake pop-up sends a “scam alert” message. Clicking on it links to a fake website, or allows malware to be downloaded. Beware of any unsolicited message that requires you to link to somewhere else. 6. Phone scam. Fraud over the phone, called “vishing,” is still popular. It happens when a fraudster calls, claiming to be from the bank or some other trusted organization. It is a scam if personal or financial details such as PIN numbers or banking passwords are requested. Protect your workplace by encouraging employees to be on the lookout for scams. Ongoing security training should teach them to question every request for payment or information change, and to never disclose sensitive personal information via phone, text or e-mail. All organizations should implement a culture of security from the top down. Partner with reliable third parties for security-related services, such as Shred-it, to outsource document destruction and eliminate security risks. www.newscanada.com The province of Saskatchewan is implementing a tax on all insurance premiums, including Travel Medical Insurance, effective July 1, 2017. The P.S.T. rate of 6% applies to all policies with a coverage term starting on or after August 1, 2017. Please write to Premier Brad Wall and the members of the Saskatchewan legislature expressing your outrage with this action. For assistance with constructing your letter, we offer the following resource to assist you, as well as a link to obtain contact information for the premier and MLAs. www.snowbirds.org/writing-guidelines Lawn Mower Safety •• Dress appropriately: long pants, long-sleeved shirts, eye and ear protection, heavy gloves and sturdy, closed-toed shoes with slip-resistant rubber soles. Wear sun protection, a wide-brimmed hat and drink plenty of water. •• Never disengage the fail-safe mechanism (dead-man switch) found on power mowers. It triggers the important safety feature of stopping the blades quickly as soon as the handle of a walk-behindmower is released, or the operator of a ride-on mower falls off of the seat. •• Turn the mower off before attempting to examine the blades, dislodge debris or adjust wheel height. •• Avoidmowing the lawn when it is wet and slippery. •• Do not allow children under the age of 16 to use ride-on mowers and children under the age of 12 to use walk-behind mowers. •• When mowing a ditch, mow down a slope, not across. Better yet, ditch the mower and use a trimmer. •• Never allow passengers on ride-on mowers. •• Always look behind you before putting a ride-on mower in reverse. Saskatchewan Imposes INSURANCE TAX 6 | www.snowbirds.org
Events Snowbird Michelle Wright John McDermott Jimmy Flynn PICK UP YOUR TICKET TODAY! FREE* tickets will be available at theatre box offices starting Tuesday, July 4, 2017. Tickets will be available on the day of the event provided that seating is still available. * Service charges may apply to telephone and Internet orders. We have arranged a spectacular line-up of entertainment for this year’s Snowbird Lifestyle Presentation tour! Appearing at all events: Country music superstar, Michelle Wright Scottish Canadian Tenor, John McDermott Funny fisherman, Jimmy Flynn Events from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. Schedule subject to change. •SEP• 13 Wed RICHMOND HILL ONTARIO Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts 10268 Yonge St. Box Office: (905) 787-8811 www.rhcentre.ca •SEP• 15 Fri ST. CATHARINES ONTARIO FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre, Partridge Hall 250 St. Paul Street Box Office: (905) 688-0722 or 1-855-515-0722 firstontariopac.ca •SEP• 18 Mon PARRY SOUND ONTARIO Charles W. Stockey Centre for the Performing Arts Two Bay St. Box Office: (705) 746-4466 or 1-877-746-4466 www.stockeycentre.com •SEP• 20 Wed NEPEAN ONTARIO Centrepointe Theatre 101 Centrepointe Dr. Box Office: (613) 580-2700 or 1-866-752-5231 www.centrepointetheatre.com •SEP• 25 Mon SUMMERSIDE PEI Harbourfront Theatre 124 Harbour Drive Box Office: (902) 888-2500 or 1-800-708-6505 harbourfronttheatre.com •SEP• 26 Tues MONCTON NEW BRUNSWICK Capitol Theatre 811 Main St. Box Office: (506) 856-4379 capitol.nb.ca •SEP• 28 Thur HALIFAX NOVA SCOTIA Rebecca Cohn Auditorium, Dalhousie Arts Centre 6101 University Avenue Box Office: (902) 494-3820 or 1-800-874-1669 www.dal.ca/artscentre FREE CONCERT CSANews | SUMMER 2017 | 7
BirdTalk Dear Bird Talk, I would like to know how many months we can be in the U.S. every year and when does the year start? All this in plain English. Thank you. Joe Hall Niagara Falls, ON Ed.: The year starts on the day you cross the border. You may stay for up to six months during the following 12-month period. That’s it! Sometimes, a border guard will only allow you a shorter period (for instance – only 90 days); in that case, you will have to comply with the shorter length of stay and leave when the 90 days are up. People tend to get confused between the IRS (taxes) and the Department of Homeland Security (formerly the INS), which deals with immigration. Taxes are calculated on a calendar year basis, while lengths of stay are calculated for ANY 12-month period – starting from the day you cross the border. Dear Bird Talk, We have filed 8840 forms for a number of years now, having no U.S. income to declare. In Dec. 2016, my lucky wife won a jackpot in a Nevada casino and, of course, they withheld 30%. In Jan. 2017, she filed a U.S. tax return with an ITIN number, again with no other U.S. income and, in Feb. 2017, believe it or not got her tax rebate cheque. Question is, should she still file Form 8840 for 2016? Thanks for the advice. Bill Naturkach Fort Frances, ON Ed.: Congratulations! It is relatively easy to get that 30% withholding tax back, as Bill proved. It just takes time. Always file the 8840, and keep a copy – no exceptions. Dear Bird Talk, My wife and I have travelled to Hilton Head, S.C. for the past two winters for three months each time. My question is, can we claim our travel insurance on our taxes? Murray Antram Mississauga, ON Ed.: Yes! The Canadian Snowbird Association was instrumental in having travel medical insurance premiums deductible for tax purposes, during the Harper government years. Dear Bird Talk, I enjoy your Bird Talk letters and responses. What makes it so great is that, as snowbirds, we all have a lot in common and we share our experiences through your efforts. My concern is health insurance (a favourite topic among seniors). Within the last year or so, on two occasions acquaintances of ours were denied health coverage because of a “fatty liver” condition. The insurance says that the persons answered NO to the liver question. In one case, the person suffered an ailment totally unrelated to the liver. In both cases, the persons had to be air-evac to Canada with no insurance coverage. In one case, the patient was not even aware that he was afflicted with this condition. How many of us might have this liver condition and not be aware of it? I just want to pass this on. Any suggestion as to what action a snowbird should take? Chuck Gentes St. Catharines, ON Ed.: I have a fatty liver, and most of our readers will, as well. It is not really considered a disease but is as a result of our rich diets and lifestyles. Both of your friends had the same problem – they purchased the wrong insurance. These two insurers/brokers spent their time looking for ways to decline claims and your friends thought that their (perhaps cheaper) price would cover them properly. These are two more excellent examples of why you should only buy Medipac. We would have paid both of these claims based on your facts. I would have both of your friends write a letter of outrage to the president of the insurance company and the head of the brokerage company, if one was involved. This is outrageous treatment of our snowbird community. Dear Bird Talk, Do you have to return to Canada for 30 days or more to get a new B2 visa, or can you go to Mexico or other countries? Maurice Michaud Ed.: The B2 visa is verbally issued by, and applies only for travel to, the United States. You may travel to other places any time, as long as you have the proper documents which the other country requires. Each province has restrictions as to how many days that you may remain out of province; normally, this is up to seven months. Check the CSA Travellers’ Report Card for each province’s specific rules. Dear Bird Talk, Re: Letter from Laurel Pettigrew, Cochrane, AB There is a very reasonable way to have your blood work done. My husband required monthly blood work and urine analysis (in relation to a kidney disorder) to be provided to the specialist for monitoring of the disease. We found a company called Healthwaves, 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 which performs this service for a very reasonable cost. If I remember correctly, we paid around $35 per screening. This was in the Phoenix area and I don’t know if they are in all states. You can go on their website and get dates and locations for months in advance. They set up inmany areas, including grocery and hardware stores. It is a registered nurse or practitioner who draws the blood. If you require urine analysis, you have to contact them so that they will have the proper equipment at the place where you are going to attend. We found this by an advertisement in the paper and it was far more reasonable than the quote of $450 from labs which we contacted. The results were usually in the mail about two days later and then we faxed them to the specialist. Hope this helps. Shannon Hammer Millet, Alberta Ed.: As most of you know, your travel insurance does not cover the regular care and monitoring of a chronic condition. Kidney dialysis and heart monitoring are the two most common requirements and these can be either very inexpensive or exorbitant, depending on where you go. We found the care for my mother’s dialysis in the local paper, too, and it was excellent AND cheap. We were in the Tampa area at the time. We also had an incredible battery of tests at a bus in a pharmacy parking lot for $149, again found in the local paper. They found my aortic aneurysm and probably saved my life. We now go every year. Dear Bird Talk, We are snowbirds who have been filling out the Form 8840 yearly. We understand that the B2 visa allows us ‒ as visitors ‒ to stay in the U.S. for up to six months in a 12-month period. What confuses me and others, I would think, is how to enter the number of days you were present in the U.S. on the Form 8840. These are two different issues, one being for tax purposes and one for immigration, I believe. On filing out the number of days on the Form 8840, I have submitted the actual days we were present in the U.S., excluding days where we returned home for a week or so. Is this the right way to fill out the form? Sherry E. Vancouver, B.C. Ed.: That is the correct way to fill in the 8840 – using only the actual days in the U.S. If you are travelling for less than 41 days and you are under the age of 56, you do not have to complete sections A, C and D of this application. If you are uncertain of your answer to any of the medical questions, consult your doctor. A. ELIGIBILITY ✓Check Yes or No APPLICANT 1 YES NO APPLICANT 2 YES NO 1 Have you been diagnosed as having a terminal illness, been advised by a physician not to travel or do you have HIV, AIDS or AIDS-related complex? 1 YES NO YES NO ACCOUNT NUMBER TRAVEL EMERGENCY MEDICAL INSURANCE 2017 EARLY BIRD PLAN Must be postmarked on or before August 14, 2017 *123 4 5 6* Paying your premium just got easier and more secure! Pay your premium online with your bank’s website or mobile app. Here’s how… 1. Complete your Early Bird Travel Insurance application and calculate your premium. 2. Log into your bank’s website andaddMEDIPACas a payee. 3. Enter your Medipac account number, found under the bar code on your application. 4. Pay your premium. 5. Send your completed application to Medipac. CSANews | SUMMER 2017 | 9
President’s Message Karen Huestis CSA President At the end of May, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published the Fiscal Year 2016 Entry/Exit Overstay Report, which contains the most recent data on foreign visitor overstays to the United States. The data show that for the fiscal year 2016, the total overstay rate of Canadian visitors admitted under a B1 (business) or B2 (tourism) visa was 1.44 per cent. While the data confirm that the vast majority of Canadians travelling by air or sea depart the United States on time, there are thousands of Canadian travellers who remain in the U.S. beyond their authorized admission period. It is important to note that the information provided by DHS relates to non-immigrant visitors who travel through an air or sea Port of Entry (POE), and does not include all foreign visitors to the United States, such as those who enter the country by car. As the information being shared between Canada and the U.S. expands under programs such as the Entry/Exit Initiative, the importance of complying with U.S. immigration policy cannot be overstated. Even in the summer months we, as snowbirds, need to be mindful of the time which we spend south of the border as day trips can add up quickly. In addition to possibly being denied entry or banned from entering the United States for multiple years, the potential tax repercussions of overstaying your time in the U.S. can be severe. OnMay 17, the parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs (CanadaU.S. Relations) the Honourable Andrew Leslie addressed Parliament, providing important updates regarding key pieces of pending legislation, including Bill C-21, An Act to amend the Customs Act. As you may remember, Bill C-21 permits Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to collect personal information about all individuals who are leaving or have left Canada. Passage of this bill is necessary for the expansion of the cross-border information-sharing program, known as the Entry/Exit Initiative, which will automate the exchange of information on all travellers crossing the land border. Once fully implemented, an entry record into the United States will serve as an exit record from Canada and vice-versa. Bill C-21 was introduced and passed its first reading in Parliament on June 16, 2016. According to the parliamentary secretary’s statement, full implementation of the Entry/Exit Initiative is expected by 2018. We are monitoring the progress of this program carefully and will provide updates as they become available. Although you are probably reading this on what is hopefully a nice summer day, it won’t be long until it’s time to start thinking about travelling to our winter homes. One of the best ways to prepare for the journey south is by attending one of our annual Snowbird Lifestyle Presentations. This year, we are starting our tour in Ontario with stops in Richmond Hill, St. Catharines, Parry Sound and Nepean. From there, we head to Canada’s East Coast for shows in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, Moncton, NewBrunswick and Halifax, Nova Scotia. These events combine live musical entertainment with useful information regarding the snowbird lifestyle. As always, admission is free so, if you’re able, please attend a show and say hello. Feel free to bring a friend…we are always looking for new members. You can find dates and times for all of the shows elsewhere in this issue of CSANews. Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to renew their CSA membership. If you have yet to do so, please take a moment to renew by simply mailing us your renewal notice, visiting our website (www.snowbirds.org) or calling the office. We now have more than 100,000 members and believe me, that number makes a big difference when we are talking to our elected officials. Thanks also to everyone whomade donations to our Special Action Fund. Every dollar donated to the fund is held in a separate account and is used exclusively to fund our government advocacy efforts. Often, we find ourselves having to react quickly to emerging issues on the political front and that’s where the Special Action Fund is a necessary resource. If you haven’t already, please consider making a donation ‒ no amount is too small and this fund really plays an integral role in allowing us to continue to advocate on your behalf. Bill and I wish all of you a safe and relaxing summer. 10 | www.snowbirds.org
Government Relations Report Ron Steeves First Vice-President On Sunday, April 30, Nova Scotia Premier and Liberal Leader Stephen McNeil called a provincial election for May 30. As with every provincial, territorial and federal election, the CSA composed an election handbook which featured the current provincial policy regarding a range of snowbird issues. These included time permitted outside of the province, reimbursement rates for emergency services received abroad and travel supply policy under the Nova Scotia Family and Seniors’ Pharmacare Programs. In addition, the election handbook also provided members with information about advance polls, the continuous poll, as well as the voteby-mail option for absent electors. The Nova Scotia election handbook was distributed to our members in Nova Scotia both electronically by e-mail and by direct mail. In the end, Nova Scotia voters gave Premier McNeil his secondmajority government. On behalf of the Canadian Snowbird Association, I would like to congratulate Premier McNeil on his victory and we look forward to working with him and his government on issues of importance to our Nova Scotia members. In the sixth edition of theCanadian Travellers’ Report Card, we recommended that Elections Nova Scotia produce a comprehensive brochure specifically designed for travellers, and that they make the brochure readily available to electors. We are pleased to announce that, for the May 30 general election, Elections Nova Scotia acted on our suggestion and produced a brochure for travelling Nova Scotians. The brochure highlights the options for casting a ballot if you are travelling on or before Election Day. As well, it guides the reader through the timeline regarding when the application and write-in ballot kit must be completed and received by Elections Nova Scotia. The brochure can be accessed online at electionsnovascotia.ca/travellers. We would like to thank the Chief Electoral Officer of Nova Scotia, Richard Temporale, for implementing our recommendation and for providing the voters of Nova Scotia with an important new resource. In the recent 2017 budget, the government of Saskatchewan announced that it was raising the rate of the provincial sales tax (PST) from five per cent to six per cent. In addition to this increase, the government also announced that it would be expanding the number of goods and services subject to PST, including travel medical insurance premiums (which were previously tax exempt). The effective date for the application of PST to insurance premiums is August 1, 2017. This change will make Saskatchewan the only jurisdiction in Canada which collects retail sales tax on travel medical insurance premiums and will increase the cost of travel insurance for Saskatchewan residents. The Canadian Snowbird Association (CSA) is firmly opposed to the planned application of PST to travel medical insurance premiums in the province. The CSA believes that travel medical insurance premiums should remain tax exempt in Saskatchewan, as they are in every other province and territory in the country. As you know, supplementary travel medical insurance is a necessity for those who travel outside of Canada, as the government of Saskatchewan only reimburses travellers a maximum of $100 per day for emergency in-patient hospital care received abroad. Recognizing the limited emergency medical care coverage outside of Canada, the government of Saskatchewan recommends that residents travelling outside of the country should obtain additional health insurance. Moreover, travel medical insurance coverage is generally purchased fromproviders located outside of the province and is purchased for emergency medical care which, if required, will be obtained outside of Saskatchewan. Some provinces in Canada, such as Manitoba, exempt travel medical insurance premiums from retail sales tax because health insurance covering the health-care costs of insured individuals is deemed a non-taxable insurance contract. Other provinces, such as Newfoundland and Labrador, exempt travel medical insurance premiums from retail sales tax because the insurance coverage relates to risk, peril or events outside of the province. With more than 5,000 CSA members in Saskatchewan, there is strength in numbers. This is why we are asking you to write or e-mail your local MLA, Premier Brad Wall (premier@gov.sk.ca) and the Minister of Finance Kevin Doherty (minister.fi@gov. sk.ca) requesting that the government of Saskatchewan exempt travel medical insurance premiums from the provincial sales tax. Contact information for SaskatchewanMLAs can be accessed online at www.legassembly. sk.ca/mlas. You may also find ourGuidelines to Writing Government Representatives useful when composing your e-mails and letters, which you can find at www.snowbirds.org. We kindly ask that members copy the CSA on the e-mails and letters that they send. We will keep members updated regarding our progress in Saskatchewan via e-mail, CSANews and www.snowbirds.org. If you have any questions related to this advocacy campaign, please do not hesitate to contact our office toll-free at 1-800-265-3200 or e-mail us at csastaff@snowbirds.org. Thank you for your participation in this initiative. CSANews | SUMMER 2017 | 11
J. Ross Quigley CEO Medipac International Inc. Insurance This is a direct quote from the Conference Board of Canada’s publicationOutward Bound. It appears that snowbird travel is on the increase once again. e loonie is starting to strengthen nicely and, hopefully, it will be over $0.78 and rising by the time you are reading this. Are you planning on heading south this winter? If so, you should buy your travel insurance right now. Medipac is offering their Early Bird Special again this year and we have instituted a rate freeze effective during the Early Bird season. As you know, the Canadian Snowbird Association is celebrating their 25th anniversary this year and, as a special reward for their Medipac clients, we have offered a $25 reduction to your Medipac premium for each person. This is only effective for our Early Bird season, so don’t miss out. All of our other discounts still apply – 5% off for Early Bird, up to 10% off as your Claim-Free discount and up to 8% off as your Loyalty Credit. And then – take that $25 and put it in your pocket. We are expecting a very busy year this year, so the earlier you call us the better – and you can obviously sign up online, if you prefer. If you can use a cheque or a debit card, we would be most appreciative as the credit card fees are getting to be so exorbitant. This is going to be a fun year! Not only do we have a CSA 25th anniversary, it is also Canada’s 150th birthday. I should also mention that this month is CSA President Karen Huestis and her husband Bill’s 55th wedding anniversary. Oh, and my son Chris is getting married to a wonderful girl. I am certain that many good things are happening in your world as well; you should try and get out to some of the great events taking place across the country, enjoy your summer and, as always, travel safely. Canadian Travel to the United States “Canadians made 4.8 million leisure trips to the U.S. between January and April, an increase of 6.3 per cent. Overnight travel (for all purposes) to the U.S. has now increased for eight consecutive months, and April was the first month since 2013 that growth in auto trips was registered from all regions. On a monthly basis, travel to the U.S. was 14.9 per cent higher than last April, however, it was 23.6 per cent lower than the peak of April 2013, when the loonie was close to par with the greenback.” 12 | www.snowbirds.org
OAPAC Ontario Association of Professional Audiology Clinics Your Hearing Deserves An Audiologist * Cover Story - April 2014 Hearing Review; Douglas L. Beck, AuD, and Curtis J. Alcock Can’t find an OAPAC clinic? Call 1-844-412-HEAR (4327) or visit www.oapac.ca Improve your hearing. Improve your life. Ajax Advanced Hearing Ontario 905-426-4000 Almonte Almonte Hearing Aid Clinic 613-256-4327 Amherstburg Amherstburg Audiology & Hearing Aids 519-730-1030 Angus In Touch Hearing 705-503-4327 Aylmer Elgin Audiology Consultants 519-773-3838 Barrie In Touch Hearing 705-503-4327 Beamsville Lincoln Hearing 905-563-4327 Belle River Sound Hearing Care 519-979-3300 Blenheim Blenheim Hearing Clinic 519-676-3311 x21 Brampton Peel Audiology and Hearing Aid Services 905-874-4911 Brantford Brantford Audiology/Brant Hearing Aid Clinic 519-759-8250 Burlington Sense of Hearing 905-681-8977 Sense of Hearing-North 905-336-9656 Cambridge Auburn Hearing Centre 519-620-4327 Corunna Bluewater Hearing 519-344-8887 Essex Hearing and Dizziness Clinic 519-961-9285 Etobicoke HearCare 416 241-4327 West End Hearing Services 416-246-2172 Fergus Wellington Hearing Care 519-766-4327 Guelph Sense of Hearing 519-763-1517 Hamilton Mountain Hearing Centre 905-574-4187 Mountain Hearing Centre West 905-383 4971 Sense of Hearing 905-521-8940 Kingston Limestone Hearing 613-384-4400 Kitchener Auburn Hearing Centre 519-744-3277 Lambeth Lambeth Hearing Clinic 519-652-0936 London Bentley Hearing Services Ltd. 519-936-5850 Elgin Audiology Consultants 519-873-1500 London Audiology Consultants 519-435-1899 Markham Markham Stouffville Hearing 905-471-4327 Mississauga Sense of Hearing 905-274-3032 Newmarket In Touch Hearing 905-967-0345 Upper Canada Hearing and Speech Centre 905-895-7399 North York The Audiology Centre 416-498-4151 Oakville Sense of Hearing 905-339-1397 The Oakville Hearing Centre Inc 905-849-5894 Oshawa Advanced Hearing Ontario 905-723-2273 Owen Sound Owen Sound Audiology 519-376-0887 Peterborough The Ear Company 705-741-1114 Petrolia Bluewater Hearing 519-344-8887 Lambton Audiology Associates 226-738-0401 Pickering Advanced Hearing Ontario 905-831-8311 Richmond Hill Upper Canada Hearing and Speech Centre 905-780-6687 Sarnia Bluewater Hearing 519-344-8887 Lambton Audiology Associates 519-542-0569 St.Thomas Elgin Audiology Consultants 519-637-5925 Stratford Elgin Audiology Consultants 519-305-8000 Stoney Creek Sense of Hearing 905-662-3130 Tecumseh Sound Hearing Care 519-979-3300 Toronto Global Hearing Aid Clinic 647-247-2676 Tottenham In Touch Hearing 1-855-390-0093 Vaughan Salus Hearing Centre 905-303-4327 Vineland Sense of Hearing 289-438-1340 Waterdown Sense of Hearing 905-690-1633 Waterloo Auburn Hearing Centre 1-888-460-3277 Welland Sense of Hearing 905-788-9449 West Lorne Elgin Audiology Consultants 1-888-815-2306 Whitby Advanced Hearing Ontario 905-666-7726 Windsor Riverside Hearing Care 519-945-9500 South Windsor Hearing Centre 519-250-9774 Statistics indicate that 7 years wait* to get help is too long. Help change Canada’s numbers and get your hearing tested today. Don’t wait. Trust your hearing to an OAPAC Audiologist. We can help you hear soft voices again, and help you understand better in a noisy environment. Annoyed by ringing in your ears? We can reduce or eliminate your tinnitus! …And with virtually invisible hearing aids, no one will ever know, unless you tell them… OAPAC members own and manage their hearing clinics. They are not owned by large hearing aid manufacturers or retail chain stores. No quotas. No franchise rules. No conflict. See an OAPAC Audiologist today. HOWʼS YOUR HEARING? JUST CHECK IT.
Opinion with Michael Coren This May, the British author and actor Stephen Fry was briefly investigated by the Irish police on charges of blasphemy. Yes, you read that correctly. The case was based on remarks made two years ago on Irish television and, if he had been convicted, Fry could have faced a fine of $25,000 euros. It speaks volumes, or perhaps bibles, that a member of the public in a modern, western, liberal and democratic country can still initiate legal and criminal proceedings if offended by comments about their God and faith. I should declare at this stage that I know Stephen and am immensely fond of him, but that doesn’t influence my opinion of this situation one way or the other. During the interview in question, the well-known atheist was asked what he would say if he met God after death. The reply: “How dare you create a world in which there is such misery? It’s not our fault? It’s not right. It’s utterly, utterly evil. Why should I respect a capricious, meanminded, stupid god who creates a world which is so full of injustice and pain?” He continued, “Because the god who created this universe, if it was created by god, is quite clearly a maniac, an utter maniac, totally selfish. We have to spend our lives on our knees thanking him. What kind of god would do that?”The interview has been watched online more than seven million times and I am sure that this number will now multiply. As a seminarian studying for ordination to the priesthood, I can assure you that what Stephen Fry said would be a perfect starting point for a systematic theology class. He was eloquent and perceptive, and forced one to think. I don’t have to agree with him to admire him, though much of what he said was certainly compelling. Faith is a dialogue and tough, challenging questions can’t be strangled or ignored simply because they are difficult. That way lies oppression, bigotry and intolerance. More to the point, who knew that Ireland – a member of the European Union no less – still had blasphemy laws? In fact, this particular darling is not some stale anachronism but was passed as recently as 2009. The so-called Defamation Act prohibits the “publishing or uttering [of] matter that is grossly abusive or insulting in relation to matters sacred by any religion, thereby intentionally causing outrage among a substantial number of adherents of that religion.” The Fry debacle passed away, but something far more serious occurred at around the same time when Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, Jakarta’s Christian governor, was sentenced to two years in prison in Indonesia for blasphemy. He was accused of insulting Islam while running for re-election, even though he has repeatedly denied the charge. Here, we have a senior politician sent to jail for allegedly making a remark about Islam, in a country with the largest Muslim population in the world, but one that claims equality for the 13% of its non-Muslims. But, before we congratulate ourselves that blasphemy legislation is the preserve of a handful of oddities, such laws still exist in Scotland and Northern Ireland; and Denmark – considered a model of pluralism and freedom – has just brought the first blasphemy charge in 46 years. A staggering 66% of the Danish population supports the blasphemy law and, in case anybody assumes that this is an idea imported from the Muslim world, less than 5% of the Danish population follows Islam. Similar laws still exist in Poland, Austria, Italy, Greece, Turkey and Russia. In much of the Islamic world, of course, the notion of blasphemy is not only part of the political and social fabric, it can lead to deadly consequences. In Canada, blasphemous libel is, surprisingly, still a crime but earlier this year, the government announced that it was currently under review. It’s difficult to imagine many Canadians supporting such a law, but polls in various northern European countries with similar values reveal surprising results. Something deeply troubling is occurring. As freedoms expand, subsequent fears of those freedoms develop in reaction and there is none so angry as a fundamentalist scorned. Insult for its own sake is childish and pointless, but strong words to make a point or to oppose a creed are not only acceptable, but also absolutely vital in a healthy democracy. I will remember that every time I sit down to pray to my God, and shall thank Him for our right to speak our minds. 14 | www.snowbirds.org
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Travel We encountered our first surprise while getting here from the Spanish town of La Linea. Traffic lights stop vehicles and pedestrians following the 1.5-kilometre-long isthmus south from Spain after border passport formalities. Why? Crossing barriers are the only obstacles to collisions between cars and flights using the Gibraltar International Airport runway that intersects Winston Churchill Avenue. After each plane lands or takes off, the safety arms lift and traffic resumes. Flying time from London, Manchester and other U.K. cities to Gibraltar is about 2.5 hours. Most visitors, however, arrive by cruise ship, car or coach tours fromMarbella, Malaga and other Spanish Costa del Sol cities. Surprise #2: Gibraltar has only 50 kilometres of roads. Parking is scarce, so most visitors leave their cars in the large lot by La Linea’s marina and walk for about 15minutes (or take a bus) to Gibraltar’s town centre. Another surprise – locals drive on the right, even though Gibraltar is British. It’s easy to see the compact town on foot but, to view the attractions on the Rock, Gibraltar’s scenic landmark, you should take a minibus tour or ride the Cable Car as we did. As high as New York’s Empire State Building, the 426metre natural fortress juts out of the Strait of Gibraltar like an imposing fist of limestone. Dwarfing everyone and everything around it, the Rock was one of the two legendary Pillars of Hercules. (The other promontory is in North Africa.) When the ancient hero pushed them apart, the waters of the Atlantic Ocean rushed through the gap to form the Mediterranean Sea, separating the African and European continents. Story and photos by Barb & Ron Kroll Surprising Gibraltar Howmany surprises can you cram into a British Overseas Territory that is barely twice the size of New York City’s Central Park? There is no place on earth like Gibraltar. It’s a little piece of Britain linked to southern Spain by a narrow isthmus. Gibraltar is strategically located on one of the busiest sea lanes in the world, the Strait of Gibraltar, at the junction of the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Morocco beckons across the strait only 12 kilometres to the south. Planes have the right of way Six-minute ride on the Cable Car to Top Station Winston Churchill Avenue intersects Gibraltar’s airport runway 16 | www.snowbirds.org
Travel For years, banks and insurance companies touted that they were as solid as the Rock of Gibraltar. But, surprise! The limestone rock is honeycombed with more than 140 caves and 53 kilometres of man-made and natural tunnels. St. Michael’s Cave is the largest. During the Second World War, the cave was outfitted as a hospital, but it was never used. Flashing multicoloured lights illuminate stalactites and stalagmites in a series of underground chambers stretching 214 metres into the rock. Inside the largest cavern, a dramatic natural cathedral grotto with superb acoustics, audiences enjoy concerts and cultural events in a 400-seat theatre. Equally impressive are The Great Siege Tunnels. A detachment of British military officers excavated this defence system during The Great Siege of 1779-83. Using During the Second World War, concerns about a German invasion led to an expansion of the tunnel system. The excavations were so extensive that the interior of the Rock was large enough to house an entire garrison of 16,000 soldiers, a power station, hospital, water distillation plant and supply depots. Churchill and Eisenhower planned the Allied invasion of North Africa from these World War II Tunnels. At O’Hara’s Battery, on the highest point of the Rock, we viewed a massive black cannon, a 2.8-metre gun and a 1947 film to set the scene. A sign explained that the gun had a 28-ton barrel and a 27,066-metre range. In addition to caves, tunnels and military relics, the Upper Rock Nature Reserve protects numerous flowers and plants. We followed a spider’s web of easy-to-difficult themed trails that weave through the greenery. Crying seagulls and cheeping migratory and resident birds surrounded us. (The Gibraltar Ornithological & Natural History Society lists 311 species.) A free downloadable app provided maps, as well as information about the flora, fauna and points of interest. sledgehammers, crowbars and gunpowder, they blasted and hewed out the rock to create vital gun emplacements. Today, mannequin soldiers dressed in authentic 18th-century uniforms man the guns, facing out towards Spain. What happened to the rock excavated from the tunnels riddling the Rock? It was used to build Gibraltar’s airport runway, which we viewed below some of the tunnel openings. Yes, the runway that we walked across. Military history comes to life More holes than Swiss cheese Flashing multicoloured lights illuminate St. Michael’s Cave Massive black cannon at O’Hara’s Battery Entrance to World War II Tunnels Upper Rock Nature Reserve preserves more than 500 species of flora Costumed mannequins and a cannon inside The Great Siege Tunnels CSANews | SUMMER 2017 | 17
Travel For us, the Rock’s most surprising attraction was the semi-wild troop of Barbary Apes (actually, tailless macaques) that scamper around the nature reserve and the Cable Car Top andMiddle Stations. Gibraltar is the only place in Europe where monkeys live in their natural state. More than 200 of the tiny simians nonchalantly perched on rocks and railings, groomed their youngsters and snoozed on viewing scopes. Their population wasn’t always so high. In 1942, when their numbers dwindled to only seven, Churchill ordered additional primates from their original North African homelands. Legend claims that if the playful monkeys ever leave the Rock, their demise will spell the end of British rule. The cinnamon-coloured troublemakers created havoc by attempting to steal food from purses and bags carried by unsuspecting tourists. Two nimble-fingered pranksters hopped on our backpacks and quickly unzipped them. Finding only camera equipment, they quickly left and snatched a bag of chips and a can of cola from nearby visitors. A management team feeds the macaques healthy meals of oranges, potatoes, lettuce and carrots. Fines of £500 and warning signs discourage visitors from feeding the Barbary Apes. Other signs describe monkey behaviours, such as grooming and submissive gestures, and warn visitors not to touch the cuddly looking critters because they can bite. Competing with the macaques for our attention were the splendid views from the terraces around the Cable Car Top Station. It took only six minutes to ride the gondola from the base to the 412-metre-high platform, a former SecondWorldWar gun emplacement. We felt as if we were on top of the world. From the terraces, we looked out over two continents, three countries and the merging of two great bodies of water. It was easy to imagine how would-be invaders felt when they gazed up at this towering obstacle rearing up above them. The Rock’s east face is almost as precipitous as its north face, but there’s room for a road, three narrow beaches and The Caleta Hotel at the bottom. The town has tenaciously crept up the craggy west side and extended into the bay, thanks to land reclamation. Since 1841, Trinity Lighthouse has dominated Europa Point to the south. We were surprised to see the towering white minaret of a mosque behind the lighthouse. It is the southernmost mosque in continental Europe. The £5-million gift from the late King of Saudi Arabia was built in 1997 for Gibraltar’s Muslim population, who primarily originate from nearby Morocco. Monkey shenanigans Panoramic views Macaque sits on railing at the Cable Car Top Station Couple view the 426-metre peak of the Rock from a Cable Car Top Station terrace View from a terrace of the road, two beaches and The Caleta Hotel at the base of the Rock’s east face 18 | www.snowbirds.org
Travel From the Rock, we also had great views of many yachts moored in the marinas. Gibraltar Harbour may look familiar to 007 aficionados. In You Only Live Twice, Sean Connery was supposedly buried at sea in Hong Kong Harbour, but the ruse burial was actually filmed from the HMS Tenby in Gibraltar Harbour. The Upper Rock was the 1987 film location forThe Living Daylights. The opening NATO exercise scene starred Timothy Dalton, with some mischievous macaques as extras. Sean Connery liked Gibraltar so much that he married his first and second wives here. Another James Bond, Roger Moore and his new wife honeymooned in Gibraltar. In 1969, John Lennon and Yoko Ono signed their marriage papers at the Registry Office. Charles and Diana boarded the royal yacht Britannia in Gibraltar for their 11-day Mediterranean cruise honeymoon. Much of the town centre is protected by the Gibraltar Heritage Trust. At the Southport Wall and Gates, a sign explained that a wall has existed here since the Moorish occupation. Gibraltar’s ancient ramparts were started by the Moors, extended by the Spanish and finished by the British. The Moors were in Gibraltar for more than 600 years. A 14th-century Moorish castle and its battle-scarred Tower of Homage cling to the rock above the town. In 711 A.D., Tarikibn-Zeyad and his Moorish armies landed near the Rock. His name for the Rock, Gebelal-Tarik – which means Tarik’s mountain – was eventually corrupted to Gibraltar. Whether their heritage is British, Spanish or Moroccan, Gibraltarians speak English, Spanish and (surprise!) Llanito. This local dialect is an eclectic mix of British English, Andalusian Spanish, Hebrew and other Sean Connery and Diane Cilento stayed at The Rock Hotel after their wedding. Completely different is the Sunborn Gibraltar, a floating hotel inside a 142-metre yacht. It’s located in Ocean Village Marina, fromwhere dolphin-watching cruises depart. Until we travelled here, we didn’t know that Gibraltar is an excellent place for viewing dolphins year-round. Our Dolphin Adventure ticket pictured the most common species that frolic in the Bay of Gibraltar – bottlenose, common and striped. Mediterranean languages. Local restaurants reflect this heritage, serving fish and chips, Spanish tapas and Moroccan couscous. How Gibraltar got its name Gibraltar Harbour where Sean Connery starred in You Only Live Twice Pedestrians walk through one of the arched gates by the Southport Wall Battle-scarred 14th-century Tower of Homage above the Moorish castle Bond was here CSANews | SUMMER 2017 | 19
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