Publication mail agreement no: 40063603 Also In This Issue RV LIFESTYLE Planning Your Snowbird Route FINANCE Investment Biases Holding You Back HEALTH Stroke OFFICIAL NEWS MAGAZINE OF THE CANADIAN SNOWBIRD ASSOCIATION | FALL 2019 | ISSUE 112 GREEK ISLANDS ODYSSEYDiscovering Greece on a cruise to five islands
Snowbirds have unique needs that we understand. Protect your home and auto with an insurance plan designed for your lifestyle. We’ll be with you all year long. Call us for a quote today 1-800-267-8000 Heading South this Winter? Endorsedby theCanadianSnowbirdAssociation. UnderwrittenbyRoyal&SunAlliance InsuranceCo. RSA isa registered tradenameofRoyal&SunAlliance InsuranceCompanyofCanada. “RSA”and theRSA logoare trademarksusedunder licence fromRSA InsuranceGroupplc
Editor’s Message CSANews© is published four times a year and is Copyright Fall 2019 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 Judith Adam Gabrielle Bauer Donna Carter Michael Coren Jennifer Cox Shari Darling James Dolan 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 Christopher Davidge Peter Prusa Neville B. Levin Paula McGovern Fran Castricone FALL 2019 | ISSUE 112 CONTRIBUTING EDITORS We acknowledge the support of the Government of Canada. T David Blazek Illustrator his is an idiom generally used to mean that something is really easy… but that’s not what I mean here, well maybe it is. What I really mean is that I want YOU to go for a walk in the park, with your significant other or your best friend. Labour Day has come and gone and we are now in that magical time of year called fall, or perhaps autumn is a better word. We are before snow and after the sweltering heat in most of Canada this summer. As I say – that magical time when leaves change their colours, the kids and grandkids are back to school and the TV networks launch their new, mind-numbing programs. Are you ready? I sometimes think that we have forgotten how to live. As kids and young adults, we frolicked in parks all the time. We searched the old forts for gold coins, strolled hand in hand with our partners-to-be and simply watched the world go by in its utter silence and beauty. But it was not really silent. If you took the time to listen (and we normally did), there were thousands of little sounds of nature all around us. A chipmunk rustling in the leaves, a sleeping owl snoring in the high branches, a tiny stream wending its way to the ocean and probably a baby rabbit silently watching us – mesmerized by our massive size and not yet old enough to fear us. I am sure that all of the old gold coins are long gone, but the beauty and serenity of the park are still there. So, please make a couple of tuna or egg salad sandwiches (or peanut butter and jam if you are really going to relive your childhood), grab two bottles of water and head for your park. Many of us will have to drive there and that is OK; some of us will need a wheelchair and a little help, and that is OK, too. Then just get out and wander around. You are not here to exercise, or to power walk or to run a marathon; you are here because you belong here as part of nature. After a while, you could find a park bench to sit on and have your snack – and listen to the world around you. You will have found a much better world than the humdrum monotonies and stresses of everyday life. And don’t forget to look up and see all of the beautiful leaves about to fall. What I would like you to do is “a piece of cake” – take one with you if you like. J. Ross Quigley Editor It’s Just a Walk in the Park CSANews | FALL 2019 | 3
Table of Contents Features FALL 2019 | ISSUE 112 OFFICIAL NEWS MAGAZINE OF THE CANADIAN SNOWBIRD ASSOCIATION 18 24 Greek Islands Odyssey Discovering the culture, cuisine and customs of Greece on a cruise to ve islands. by Barb & Ron Kroll Planning Your NorthSouth Snowbird Route Do a little homework before you leave and enjoy successful – and stress-free – trip. by Rex Vogel Travel RV Lifestyle 28 Florida’s Murals Move over, the Louvre, Florida is giving you a run for your money. by Dave Hunter Travel 4 | www.snowbirds.org
Table of Contents 38 Departments 46 Golf by David McPherson 48 Gardening by Judith Adam 50 Food & Drink by Shari Darling 51 Book Review by Robert Wiersema 52 CSA Online by Andrew Moore-Crispin 54 Fun & Games 55 Grins & Giggles 56 Canada Clubs 58 CSA Update 60 CSA Application 61 CSA Benefits 62 Fast Facts 3 Editor’s Message 6 Snowbird Alert 7 Snowbird Events 10 Bird Talk 12 President’s Message 13 Government Relations Report 14 Insurance by J. Ross Quigley 16 Opinion by Michael Coren 40 Health Pulse 42 Longevity by Jennifer Cox 44 Fitness by Jennifer Cox 45 Lifestyle by Gabrielle Bauer Stroke Prevention and treatment. by Dr. Robert MacMillan Finance 32 11 investment biases that may be holding you back How to understand (and master) the secret psychology that may be sabotaging your investment decisions. by James Dolan Health CSANews | FALL 2019 | 5
SnowbirdAlert What’s the first sign of glaucoma? Producing few symptoms until it has seriously progressed, glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness for people over the age of 60, and can lead to permanent vision damage if le untreated. at’s why it’s a disease about which everyone needs to be aware. A survey conducted by the Canadian Ophthalmological Society found that 61 per cent of people are unaware of the signs and symptoms of glaucoma. When symptoms occur, blind spots develop in the eld of vision. Many don’t notice these blank spots until the optic nerve is signi cantly damaged and these spots become large. It is crucial to schedule regular eye exams to catch the disease before any serious damage is done. Some people have a higher risk of developing glaucoma. ese include those who are over 40, have a family history of glaucoma, have high intraocular pressure, or have diabetes or high blood pressure. Learn more about glaucoma and what you can do to detect and prevent this disease at cos-sco.ca. Online shopping can be bad for your feet Online shopping is soaring in popularity in Canada, as more and more of us discover the convenience of having our purchases delivered directly to our door. However, when it comes to footwear, foot experts say that you need to approach online shopping with caution. “To be e ective and comfortable, footwear needs to t properly,” explains Anthony Harper, a Canadian certi ed pedorthist and president of the Pedorthic Association of Canada. “Ill- tting shoes can cause numerous problems including bunions, hammertoes, blisters and ulcerations, as well as balance issues. Only a professional shoe- tter who is able to see and measure your foot can accurately recommend the most appropriate type and size of footwear for you.” Although some online retailers provide a sizing guide, Harper says that these guides tend to be very general and can vary greatly from one shoe company to another. Evaluating how one manufacturer ts compared to another is valuable when choosing the right shoe. As dealing with returns is a time-consuming nuisance, some shoppers keep the footwear even when it doesn’t t properly, causing them to squeeze into shoes that are too tight or use insoles or thick socks to improve the t of shoes that are too large. “If shoes don’t t comfortably, you shouldn’t wear them,” warns Harper. “In my clinic, I’ve seen many patients who are dealing with painful conditions that have been caused or exacerbated by inappropriate or ill- tting footwear. Although we are usually able to help ease their pain, in some cases, the pain could have been avoided entirely.” When it comes to footwear, he advises saving online shopping for shoes that you’ve already had success with and would like to order another pair. For your everyday needs, visit a local shoe retailer in your community and have your feet properly measured. If you are experiencing ongoing foot pain, he recommends consulting with a Canadian certi ed pedorthist. More information can be found at pedorthic.ca. Is this side-effect normal? We’re all familiar with the possibility of side-e ects when we take prescription pills. But did you know that other health-care tools can also cause concerns? For example, medical devices − everything from pacemakers to prosthetics to bandages − have also been linked to adverse reactions. Canadians rely onmedical devices tomaintain and improve their health and well-being. Canada has one of the best regulatory systems in the world for medical device safety. But, while all medical devices and medications have bene ts, they can also have risks and potentially serious side-e ects. e more you know about your medical device and the more you talk to your health-care professionals, the easier it is to avoid problems. It is important to go to all of your medical appointments and to talk to your team of care professionals − including doctors, pharmacists, nurses or physician assistants − about your medical conditions, the medications that you take, the medical devices that you use and any health concerns that you have. It may help to make a list of comments, questions or concerns before your visit (or your call). Also, think about having a close friend or relative accompany you to your appointment if you are unsure, or if you would like someone to help you understand or remember answers to your questions. It’s important to report any adverse reactions or side-e ects, as reporting can help identify problems so that these can be addressed. Any incidents related to medical devices should be reported to your health-care provider, Health Canada and the device’s manufacturer. Source: www.newscanada.com 6 | www.snowbirds.org
Events Snowbird Join us at a CSA Winter Information Meeting! Snowbird Extravaganza RP Funding Center 701 West Lime St. Lakeland, Florida Tuesday and Wednesday, January 28 & 29, 2020 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Winter Texans’ Snowbird Extravaganza Pharr Events Center 3000 North Cage Blvd. Pharr, Texas Tuesday and Wednesday, February 4 & 5, 2020 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Canadian Snowbird Celebration Mesa Convention Center 201 North Center St. Mesa, Arizona Tuesday and Wednesday, February 11 & 12, 2020 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. All events start at 1:00 p.m. (doors open at noon). For more information or to volunteer, call the CSA at 1-800-265-3200 or visit www.snowbirds.org SUN CITY WEST, AZ NEW! Friday, February 14 Sun City West Foundation 14465 R.H. Johnson Blvd. INDIO, CA Monday, February 17 Fantasy Springs Casino Resort 84245 Indio Springs Pkwy. WINTERHAVEN, CA Tuesday, February 18 Quechan Casino 525 Algodones Rd. Hundreds of people and sometimes even thousands attend these one-of-a-kind meetings. Join us for a taste of Extravaganza entertainment, hear presentations from the Canadian Snowbird Association, get a Medipac insurance update and pose questions to the panel right from the audience. SUBJECT TO CHANGE Florida WIM dates will be announced in the winter issue of CSANews CSANews | FALL 2019 | 7
1. Create a budget for your travel Many people think that creating a budget restricts them from spending and in result preventing them from having fun when travelling. In fact, budgeting guide spending and can provide peace of mind. Everyone has different preferences when travelling, but an important step to minimize stress during your trip is to set a budget and sticking to it as much as possible. 2. Utilize credit card points If you have the discipline and can use your credit card wisely, you can use it to your advantage. Credit cards can offer rewards such as travel miles, points for groceries or gas and even cash backs. Earn these points and use them to save on some of the expenses for your next trip. 3. Dine out wisely Expenses like going out for dinner every night can quickly add up and can limit other activities to enjoy during a trip. Research restaurants in advanced that ts the pocket and still enjoyable. Go on special discounted days or happy hours. If you still want to experience the local cuisine in your destination, an affordable alternative is to visit food trucks and street vendors. If you have access to a kitchen, choose days to go to the local grocery store and prepare your own meals. 4. Take advantage of FREE The best things in life are free! This is also true while travelling. There are things to enjoy that do not involve a lot of spending. For example, visit the local parks or beaches around the area to enjoy the beautiful scenery. Take advantage of free or discounted admission days for museums, zoos and other tourist locations. Avoiding peak seasons or hours will help you save on costs as well. 5. Use cell phone apps to save Through different apps, you can research special deals and discounted rates during your travel. Here are some apps that can help you save money during your trip: GasBuddy.com – this is most helpful if you are driving around. The app provides a list of stations nearby with their different gas prices. Choose the most convenient location when lling up to save time and money. Groupon – with this app, you can browse available discounts and coupons on different places like restaurants, spas, shops and other tourist spots nearby. Download the app to conveniently access great deals and save on your trip. Kayak – this app is a great tool for planning, booking and travelling. The Kayak app will search the best deals on ights, hotels and car rentals. It shows rates for different dates so you can choose the most affordable option. Note that using mobile apps will consume mobile data if you are not connected to Wi-Fi. These are some simple ways to save money while travelling. The most important part to remember is careful planning. By planning, you can afford a wonderful vacation for you and your family without hurting your wallet. Apply some of them and enjoy a stress free vacation next time! Bonus Tip: Along with the apps mentioned, using the right cell phone plan is important to have a seamless and affordable travel experience. Without a travel solution, roaming charges can pile up and be a cause of stress. If you travel mostly to the U.S., you can stay connected and conveniently use your phone with SimplyConnect’s Canada/U.S. Smartphone plans. Canada/U.S. plans are perfect for Canadian Snowbirds who travel back and forth to both Canada and the U.S. - one plan, one phone number and one SIM card for both your Canadian and U.S. wireless needs. A Canada/U.S. plan paired with a smartphone provides you with more connections while you seamlessly travel this summer. ANY QUESTIONS? Our dedicated live agents are just a free phone call away. SimplyConnect has a large selection of devices and plans for all your wireless needs. Call us at 1-877-931-2266 to learn more! MONEY SAVING TIPS WHILE TRAVELLING Have you felt more stressed out over your spending while travelling rather than experiencing the enjoyment you deserve? This a common problem for anyone who is on a trip. Thankfully, careful planning and wise spending can help solve this. Here are some ways to save and still enjoy your next travel experience:
Call 1 877 931 2266 andquote promo code “CSAFALL19“ *O ers shown are available until October 15, 2019or while quantities last and are subject to change without notice. Double minutes and data bonus available 2-year term on in-market Individual plans from $18/mo to $60/mo and on all Couples and Family plans. 10% o applies to the Talk & Text monthly plan fees, and 15% o applies to the Smartphone monthly plan fees. Discount applies for as long as you are a member of the Canadian Snowbird Association and cannot be combined with Bring Your Own Phone discount, Tablet Data plans andWireless Home Phone plans. Early cancellation fees apply with a 2-yr term. Some conditions apply, call 1-877-931-2266 or visit simplyconnect.ca/csa for details. All trademarks are property of their respective owners. Travelling to the U.S. soon? With our Canada/U.S. plans, your plan, phone, and rate are the same whether you are in Canada or the U.S. LIMITED TIME OFFER UNTIL OCTOBER 15, 2019 GET BONUS DATA AND MINUTES ON CANADA/U.S. PLANS Other plans, phonesandpromotionsavailable. Visit simplyconnect.ca/canada-us-plans for more details. Talk & Text Plan Bonus minutes included Bonus minutes & data included 150300minutes and unlimited text messages inCanada/U.S.* $36 /month * $40 Save 10% Couples Data Plan $100 Save 15% $85/month for 2 lines * Unlimited calling and texting between both users, share 1 GB 2 GBof data and 400800minutes inCanada/U.S.* + + Samsung Galaxy A50 for $0* Moto G7 Play for $0* Wide selection of phones starting at $0 Friendly Canadian customer service Reliable network coverage 30-day money-backguarantee
BirdTalk Dear Bird Talk, I will be gone for sixmonths. What can you do if the toilet is not ushed; when it sits there for a while, the water turns yellow and it stinks? Also in the taps, when you run the water. Can you help, when there is no one to run the water. ank you. Linda Christensen Lethbridge, AB Ed.: We have found that having someone check the house every two weeks is the best bet. That is also very, very good, should you ever have a home insurance claim. When no one is available for a house visit, it may make sense to hire one of the “look after your house/cottage” services.They can be quite reasonable.We have had exactly the same problems in the U.S. and we simply turn off all of the water before we come home. We also cover the toilet seats with SaranWrap or something similar, and make sure that all of the shower and sink drains are closed or blocked. Dear Bird Talk, I will be turning 70 next year and am trying to understand the premium increase clip levels at 70 and 75? I am basically healthy, with one med for blood pressure and no other existing conditions. If I can get an estimate of the approximate % increase at 70 and 75, that will help in my decision to buy versus rent. Bruce Oxley Sidney, BC Ed.: And I am going to be turning 75. Travel insurance is very necessary, if you travel, and very expensive at older ages. I will give you the current Early Bird gross prices for YOU, if you travel for six months: Ages 66 to 70 $ 934 Ages 71 to 75 $1,299 Ages 76 to 79 $1,946 Ages 80 to 85 $3,214 Ages 86 and older $4,665 We have many discounts available for claim-free years and for purchasing regularly from Medipac. Next year, for instance, if you buy our Early Bird product at age 70, with our best discounts your price would be $765, not $934. Over 86, it makes a huge difference; with maximum discounts, your price would be $3,825. A little tip for people who are changing age bands would be to start your insurance coverage before your birthday, even if you are not leaving before your birthday. So, if you are turning 80 and want to go for six months, buy seven months of coverage and start the policy one month earlier, if that will keep your age at 79. That would save you $1,200. Oh, and don’t waste your money buying zero deductible. I know a lot of you like that, but it makes no difference at claim time, and it is 10% less, of course. Dear Bird Talk, Returning from our usual winter in Florida last year, I consulted my family doctor for a slightly swollen neck. Turns out that it was a very fast-moving lymphoma and before you could say Bob’s my uncle, I was in the middle of chemo. Talk about getting your world rocked and having to deal emotionally with your mortality, as well as the loss of three big bucket-list items (a trip to the Philippines, a cruise in the Orient and a trip to China). But, by late October, I was declared in full remission (blessing #1). But we were s-o-o-o missing not being able to travel to our beloved Florida home. And mentally, a er the ordeal of chemo, we REALLY wanted and needed that respite. My wife suggested that we talk toMedipac who we have beenwith since retiring 12 years ago. ey suggested that we submit an application for special underwriting, along with all mymedical and test results. ey worked with us every step of the way and were so compassionate and caring and then, blessing #2. ey o ered me coverage for the rest of the winter. Our Florida beach never looked nor felt so wonderful and healing. anks, Medipac. Whatever time I will be blessed with in life, you will always be my insurer of choice. Harold Gri th St. Catharines, ON P.S. You have o ered me coverage again this winter. You should see the smile on my face. Ed.: We have a big smile on our faces, too, when we get letters like yours. Thank you, and we will do our best to live up to your high expectations. Dear Bird Talk, Has anyone used a car delivery service from Toronto to Tampa, Florida? Harvey Bates Innis l, ON Ed.: Yes, there are several and they are quite expensive, but we have found them to be very reliable. Some use priests and ministers to drive the cars rather than 18-year-old yahoos and I would ask about the drivers when booking. Another fun option would be the Amtrak Auto Train. It only goes from Orlando to Washington, but you can get a good night’s sleep and get rid of a lot of miles. It starts at around US$400 for two and a small car, and goes up from there. I would recommend a small bedroom at about double the price. A good tongue-in-cheek review is here: https://www.ohhowcivilized.com/taking-amtraksauto-train-car-washington-dc-florida Dear Bird Talk, Cedar Breaks National Monument, Utah − “At an elevation of more than 16,000 kilometres…” at sounds really impressive, but perhaps inaccurate! Carlsbad Caverns National Park, NewMexico − “Explore a whole new world more than 1,100 kilometres below the ground…” at also sounds very impressive, but perhaps inaccurate! Just thought I would point that out as an indication that your readers DO pay attention to detail. We would like to read reliable information. Patricia Stuart Glaslyn, SK Ed.: We are going to send our editors and proofreaders to the bottom of the Carlsbad Caverns and will advise on their retraining progress. Thanks. Dear Bird Talk, What domost snowbirds do about snow tires if you are heading south in January and coming home in May? Harvey Bates Innis l, ON 10 | www.snowbirds.org
Ed.: Mr. Weylie − our lawyer − replies: Upon the sale of the U.S. property, there is a withholding of 15% of the sale price, (it cannot be reduced in any way) which funds must be sent to the IRS within 20 days of the closing. There is an exception if the sale price is less than $300,000.00 AND the property is going to be occupied by the purchaser or members of his/her family for at least 50% of the occupied time over the two years following the closing. There is also a procedure available where one can apply prior to the closing for an exemption certificate where one shows what the capital gain will be and the tax thereon, in which case only the amount of tax need be transmitted.This is complicated, and of course you need to have the certificate issued and received prior to the closing. Capital gains tax is payable on the whole gain less any deductions. In calculating, the taxable gain deduction can be taken for the costs of purchase, costs of sale, and the costs of any improvements made to the property during ownership. Costs such as maintenance or taxes are not generally deductible. There is no time limit involved.Although it is best to have receipts, honest estimates can be used, as the tax return only deals in figures. The only time at which receipts might be necessary would be in the event of an audit. A tax return must be filed in the year following the sale in every case, at which time the taxable gain is calculated, the tax thereon, and claim made for any excess funds transmitted. Tax is about 20%. Where property is owned by multiple owners, a return must be filed for each person as to their share of ownership. If you care about Canada, please VOTE! 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 Ed.: Most snowbirds do nothing; who wants to own snow tires? Mostly, we are driving on major highways to get to our destinations and they are usually kept very clear. The weather forecast is our greatest aid and no one will set out with any snow either happening or forecast along their route. If you should get caught by a surprise storm, simply hunker down for a couple of days and stay wherever you are. We had a wonderful three-day winter wonderland in the Appalachians a few years ago − one of our best trips south. Dear Bird Talk, ank you for theMember Advisory outlining the entry/exit initiative between Canada and the U.S., particularly as it relates to immigration rules. I entered the U.S. on November 15, 2018 and returned 179 days later on May 13, 2019. e clock starts again on November 15 and it seems tome that it will be the same date every year going forward. While I can see that the date could change to a later date, it can never be an earlier date. I could shorten my stay to four months and return for the month of October without using up the 182 days, but my 12-month period will always start on November 15. Am I correct? Don Bowder Oakville, ON Ed.: Pretty close. As you stated in a later e-mail – “Therefore, you calculate by looking back over the last 365 days. If you have been in the U.S. for more than 180 days within the last 365 days, you are offside and subject to deportation. You may also be refused entry to the U.S. in the future. If you shortened your trip to four months, then it would be totally legal to return in October the following year, or even September. But then your 365 days for the new trip would start on the day in October (or even September) when you crossed again. Dear Bird Talk, Is it true that it is now obligatory to have an IDL when travelling to the U.S.? I have been told that as of July 2019, it is mandatory. I look forward to your reply and con rmation. Claire Morris Green Valley, ON Ed.: Nonsense.This was a scam, possibly started in Georgia, to scare snowbirds. One of our Canadian competitors sold a lot of IDLs during a short period a few years ago. We have written documentation from the State of Georgia refuting this nonsense. No IDL is required anywhere in the U.S., but you must carry your Canadian driver’s licence, of course. I would like to know who told you this, so that we can set them straight. Dear Bird Talk, We own a second home inMesa, Arizona. I am aware that any capital gain on a real estate sale in the U.S. is reportable and taxable. ere is also a 15%withholding tax on the sale price, unless the sale price is US$300,000 or less; then no withholding is required. In the future (and assuming that tax laws remain the same), if the property is sold at a price in excess of US$300,000, is some of the 15% withholding tax recoverable a er ling and do I pay a capital gains tax on only the amount greater than US$300,000? Second, can I deduct any renovations, improvements or maintenance expenses incurred over the years against any capital gains tax, thereby reducing the sale price to less than the US$300,000 threshold? If so, how long do I keep the records of such renovations or improvements? In other words, is there a time limit for claiming such deductions? ank you. Michel Brisebois Victoria, BC CSANews | FALL 2019 | 11
In June I, along with CSA o cials, met with Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott to discuss the government’s planned elimination of the Out-of-Country Travellers Program which provides reimbursement to eligible OHIP enrollees for emergency illnesses, conditions or injuries which are acute, unexpected, arose outside of Canada and require immediate treatment. e Ford government, a er a consultation period of exactly four business days, announced that the program would be discontinued on October 1, 2019. As we have said from day one, our biggest concern is that the elimination of this program will ultimately increase premiums for private travel medical insurance coverage. We completely understand the need for scal responsibility at the provincial level. However, we are of the view that the elimination of this programwill have the opposite e ect. By increasing the price of private insurance, the Ontario government is making it more expensive for travellers to be su ciently covered for their trips outside of the country. If travel insurance prices continue to rise, this will prevent a signi cant number of seniors, particularly in the older age brackets, to obtain the necessary coverage and travel abroad. Unfortunately, some of those senior travellers who must now stay home will require emergency medical attention in Ontario… thus putting an even-higher burden on the provincial medical system. e cost of emergency medical care for those individuals will now be paid 100% by the Ontario government. If the same emergency were to occur outside of Canada, the government would be responsible for approximately 6% of the overall health costs. In her 2018 report, auditor general Bonnie Lysyk did not suggest eliminating this program. She simply noted that the government administration of the program was poorly done and that they should “revisit opportunities to reduce administrative costs” which, by the way, is exactly what we also recommended. is is a $9-million government program that costs $2.8 million to administer. Yes, that is de nitely ine cient administration and those costs could be substantially reduced by simply adopting a single reimbursement rate for all emergency health services obtained out of the country. Federal Health Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor noted that the Ford government’s proposal will make Ontario the only jurisdiction in the country to provide absolutely no coverage for emergency hospital and physician services received out of the country. Subsequent to that statement, the Ontario government agreed to continue to provide limited coverage for renal dialysis patients when travelling abroad. ey have also agreed to delay the elimination of the Outof-Country Travellers Programuntil January 1, 2020. Finally, it’s important to remember that this proposal will not only impact the snowbird community who travel south for the winter, it will also a ect cross-border shoppers and Ontarians simply planning family vacations. Premier Ford never misses an opportunity to remind us that his government is “for the people.” Hard-working Ontarians who simply want a break and are able to get away for a few days, weeks or even months during retirement will soon be paying more to spend that time with their family and friends. I suspect that many of the tens of thousands of travelling Ontario seniors who have saved their money, paid their taxes and played by the rules for their entire lives will remember this come election day. e Doug Ford Travel Tax becomes a reality on January 1, 2020. On October 21, 2019, Canadian voters will yet again go to the polls and elect a new federal government. CSA sta are once again working to produce our popular Federal Election Handbook. We want to ensure that our members have the tools you need to e ectively question your local candidates when they knock on your door looking for your vote. As always, these handbooks are loaded with lots of very useful voting information, including dates of advance polls, absentee ballot information, voter identi cation requirements, etc. Our goal is always to make this a handy, one-stop-shopping tool covering all of your election day needs. is year, we are going to send the handbook to you via e-mail and we will also post it on our website at www.snowbirds.org. We are attempting to make this available to you by the third week of September. If for any reason you do not receive it, please contact us at the o ce and we will ensure that you receive a copy. We have been told that the Canadian Snowbird Visa Act will be reintroduced in the United States Senate shortly a er the August recess. Between attempting to advance this in Washington and engaging our Canadian o cials prior to the federal election, we anticipate a very busy fall at the Canadian Snowbird Association. Safe travels and hopefully, Bill and I will see you somewhere down the road. President’s Message Karen Huestis CSA President 12 | www.snowbirds.org
Earlier this summer, the CSA distributed an electronic advisory to our members updating them regarding the status of the entry/exit initiative. As most of you know, the entry/exit initiative is the co-ordinated entry-exit information system between Canada and the United States. is system permits information sharing so that the record of a land entry into one country can be used to establish an exit record from the other. Previously, Canada and the U.S. only exchanged biographic entry information at land crossings about third-country nationals (non-U.S. or non-Canadian citizens), permanent residents of Canada who are not U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents of the U.S. who are not Canadian citizens. As of July 11, 2019, the entry/exit initiative has been expanded to include the sharing of information about all travellers − including Canadian and American citizens − at land ports of entry. is means that now, when Canadian citizens enter the United States at a land crossing, their information will automatically be sent to Canada Border Services Agency and they will be recorded as having le Canada. When they re-enter Canada, this information will be transmitted to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and an exit record will be created on the U.S. side. In other words, U.S. Customs and Border Protection o cers will now know precisely when you entered and exited the United States. e biographic information shared will include the travellers’ rst, middle and last name, date of birth, nationality, sex, document type (i.e. passport), document number and the name of the country which issued the travel document. In addition to the biographic information that Canada and the U.S. currently collect about travellers at ports of entry, the date and time of entry, as well as the port through which the traveller entered is collected by each country, and are exchanged to create exit records. While the current federal government has gone on the record stating that the entryexit information will not be shared with the provinces to administer provincial health programs, it will be used to administer federal bene t programs such as Old Age Security (OAS) and the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS). Under the current OAS rules, if you have resided in Canada for 20 years past the age of 18, there are no residency requirements tied to your OAS bene ts. is means that those who meet the 20-year criterion are not required to stay in Canada for a prescribed amount of time in order to continue to receive their OAS bene ts. e Guaranteed Income Supplement, on the other hand, will be suspended once a recipient is outside of Canada for more than six consecutive months. It is important to remember that the immigration and tax rules for Canadian snowbirds remain unchanged. For immigration purposes, as Canadian citizens travelling to the United States for tourism purposes, we are limited to “sixmonths less a day” (182 days) within any 12-month period. For example, if you entered the U.S. on November 1, 2019, your 12-month period would conclude on October 31, 2020. Within this time frame, you would be limited to 182 days. One of the recurring questions which members have been asking our head o ce sta is how the full implementation of the entry/exit initiative will impact the so-called “30-day rule.” For those who are unfamiliar with this policy, when you enter the United States for your winter stay and temporarily return to Canada for fewer than 30 days, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) o cer may, at their discretion, treat your brief return to Canada as if you never le the United States. At this time, we are advising our members to continue to err on the side of caution and to include short-term trips back to Canada of fewer than 30 days in their 182-day allotment. We will be seeking further clari cation from U.S. Customs and Border Protection regarding this issue. For tax purposes, any Canadian who spends roughly four months or longer in the U.S. each calendar year would want to le IRS Form 8840 in order to be treated as a non-resident. e three-year calculation known as the substantial presence test determines whether or not you need to submit the closer connection form. If you typically spend four or more months annually in the U.S., the CSA strongly recommends ling the 8840 Formby theJune 15deadline. You are eligible to le the 8840 Form as long as you do not exceed 182 days in a single calendar year. It is more important than ever that Canadian travellers adhere to American immigration and tax rules now that this stage of the entry/ exit initiative is fully implemented. Travellers can view their U.S. travel history online here, i94.cbp.dhs.gov. Safe travels. Government Relations Report Ron Steeves First Vice-President CSANews | FALL 2019 | 13
The new Farmers’ Almanac says that this is going to be a bitter winter across the Prairies and around the Great Lakes. I imagine that it will be even worse farther north, where many of our snowbirds happily reside in B.C., Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec. at’s the bad news! I know, I forgot Saskatchewan and the Atlantic provinces. Does anyone actually live in northern Saskatchewan during the winter? If so, please send me a picture or two. I used to live in Nova Scotia, many years ago, and I know what winters are like there. ey are all bitter, with a biting wind o the ocean that will chill your bones! I do not want to be too negative here, because the Atlantic Provinces are probably the best place in the world to visit, or even live, during their wonderful spring, summer and fall seasons. e good news, of course, is that most of us are going to escape to much warmer places such as California, Nevada, Florida, Texas, Mexico, Spain, Italy and other parts around the Mediterranean and even farther south. Some of us will even migrate to the Southern Hemisphere where it is actually summer, in the middle of winter here in Canada. Panama, Uruguay, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and other locales can be wonderful destinations to explore or to just relax in the warm sunshine. Many news sources are saying that outbound travel will be down this year, but I don’t believe a word of it. As most of you know, we have just completed our Early Bird travel insurance sales season. Are sales down? No, they are up! Several hundrednewclients purchased our Early Bird package over last year. Sure, some of them were kicked o of their credit card coverage when they turned 65 and several came to us from other companies that cut them o at age 70, 75 or 80. But that is all fairly normal; this year, there are just more of them. It is too bad that these snowbirds did not start buying fromMedipac eight years ago; then, they would have enjoyed an additional 8% o of their rates now. at is on top of our 10% claim-free discount (if you qualify, of course). We have kept our excellent rates unchanged for the Early Bird season, but were forced to increase themmarginally for the upcoming season. A small (but large to some) increase of 2-3%will apply to all new policies. All of the governments are putting the boots to we retired people because there are just so many of us, and we are growing in number every year. We are easy pickings for their disgusting policies. It is the of our medical bene ts, the of our pension bene ts and the of our social bene ts − all of which we have paid for many times over. eir abuse, and breach, of the Canada Health Act is just a small thing, but it will a ect us all in the long run. An even worse government policy is to debase our dollar. When we gave the government our one dollar in 1965 to invest and save for us, for our retirement, it would buy ve loaves of bread or four quarts of milk. Do you remember? Instead they, of course, spent all of the money. When they nally, and reluctantly, give that one dollar back to us in 2019, it will not even buy one-half a loaf of bread…and milk? It will only buy one cup of milk. at is 16 times less (approximately) than what we gave them. ese are numbers straight out of the Canadian Bureau of Statistics. “ e Horror,” as they said in the movie Apocalypse Now. J. Ross Quigley CEO Medipac International Inc. Insurance 14 | www.snowbirds.org
Insurance Now a short “holier than thou” speech for our smokers and vapers and grass inhalers. It has been proven over and over again that this stu kills you. We see it every day in the hospitals, where we are trying to make you healthy again. Some people are in hospital because they smoke, and others are in much more trouble than they should be, because they smoke. I did too, for almost 50 years. What an idiot I was. I gave up at least 50 times, of course, but was always drawn back by the sirens of stress and the false sense of relaxation and social interaction. Ninety per cent of us smoked when we were young, but it is long past time to get the monkey o your back. Go to a laser (stop smoking) clinic and get lasered. ey shine a light on you and your massive cravings disappear – for about four weeks. en get a booster laser and you are o cigarettes for good. It works! I have no idea how or why, but it sure “cured” me. ere is only one side-e ect – you get to save about $100 a week. e cost of this is $100 for the entire session and they will usually give you a free booster when you need it. You will save that amount in ONE week, since you don’t have to buy cigarettes anymore. It is too late, you say – wrong, it is not too late. Your lungs start to heal immediately. Your doctor could prescribe you some Ventolin and this will dramatically improve your lungs and speed the healing process. One clinical test showed that lungs were 95% normal in two years. at’s amazing and worth your e ort. So, for our new season, we have reduced the waiting time for best insurance rates from three years to two years for smoking. You can save 20% by giving up smoking, every year! If you bought Early Bird and paid the smoker surcharge, and have been o cigarettes for two years, we will give you your 20% back. We can beat this stupid habit and, although it is a long shot, we may even be able to beat these governments. Please write, e-mail, show up on their doorstep or otherwise contact your MPs and MPPs and scream bloody blue murder. e Canada Health Act is your law − obey it! I recommend requesting a minimum $1,200 per day in hospital for any reason…and that is cheap. Labour Day is past and you can feel the chill in the air. I am excited. I am ready to head South. I can hardly wait to see my friends again. What a wonderful life we lead! CSANews | FALL 2019 | 15
Opinion with Michael Coren Early this summer, and in the space of two weeks, a pair of seemingly unrelated events took place, and statements were made that I believe go to the heart of the contemporary malaise, in Canada as well as in the United States. ey involved di erent issues, but screamed the same lack of compassion that so characterizes our current moral situation. Thomas Tobin, the Bishop of Providence, Rhode Island tweeted, “A reminder that Catholics should not support or attend LGBTQ ‘Pride Month’ events held in June. ey promote a culture and encourage activities that are contrary to Catholic faith and morals. ey are especially harmful for children.” e comment went viral, thousands protested, but the bishop stood rm. His misunderstanding of Christianity aside, the man seemed unable to grasp the incalculable harm done to children by the very church which he represented and the pain still being experienced by survivors of Catholic clergy abuse. Many of those people who had been assaulted by priests explained that they were gay and would be attending Pride. Tobin was unmoved. Just a few days later, the ndings of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls were reported, and they made for horrendous reading. If you remember back a few months, those ndings referred to “genocide” and, when we read of the organized attempt to expunge native culture, destroy an entire people as a distinct group and allow or cause mass death, it’s di cult to avoid that word. But some commentators certainly did, and even seemed to take delight in rejecting and at times mocking it. is wasn’t genocide, they argued, and joked about the alleged privileges of native people. O en led by seemingly intelligent people, the mob was unleashed and had its fun. I came to Canada from Britain – a di erent type of snowbird – when I was in my late 20s, so the indigenous story was new to me. But I’ll never forget hearing a First Nations man explain why his grandfather could never be hugged and would never hug him. It was, he said, because that poor man had been in a residential school and hugs from teachers and sta were o en a preamble to rape. I bowedmy head and tried not to weep. I’m not going to argue matters of religion, or the history of the settler treatment of indigenous people, because the truth stands for itself. What I do want to proclaim, however, is empathy. Because the inability to feel for others is ripping the soul and heart from debate, discussion and civility. How can an alleged man of God not imagine how an abused child would feel when reading his cruel condemnation? How can an allegedly intelligent person not wonder what it feels like for native people to see their story of su ering dismissed and used as conservative comedy fodder? It’s been said many times before that social media is a large part of the problem, and how it’s easier to objectify and insult someone whom you can’t see and who is at the end of a computer. ere’s truth in that, but the problem goes far deeper. Joy in cruelty has entered the grid of human interaction to an alarming extent, and notions of community have been replaced by the fashion of harsh individualism. is has always existed of course, but has now taken on a weird prestige, as though what was considered dishonourable is now worthy of praise. e more cynical and reactionary people are, it seems, the more novel and courageous they appear. A Toronto summer. A homeless man asks me for some money. I usually o er food rather than cash, and go into the nearest store to buy him a sandwich and a coke. He follows me, which is hardly surprising. is guy is in very poor shape. He trembles, his clothes are ripped and lthy, and he smells. I put the food on the counter and the woman serving looks at me, then at him, then at me again, then at him, and then nally back at me. Her words are simple. “Are you two together?” She’s asking if I’m paying, but that easy question seems to take an age to answer. “Yes,” I nally say, “we’re together.” Empathy isn’t always comfortable, especially when it challenges our complacency, whereas ippant nastiness comes with very little e ort. But the latter diminishes all it touches, while the former could change the entire world. 16 | www.snowbirds.org
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Travel Greek foods, wines & liqueurs Meals in the two bu et and two à la carte restaurants included both Greek specialties and international dishes. We especially loved the thick Greek yogurt with thyme honey, Greek cheeses, succulent roast lamb, moussaka, baked redmullet and aky baklava. A daily Chef ’s Corner featured made-to-order dishes, ranging fromGreek crêpes to chicken and pork gyros. One evening, elaborately carved fruits and vegetables decorated a bountiful barbeque bu et. e included red, white and rosé wines went well with our meals, but we joined a Greek wine-tasting class to sample four premium Greek wines. Our drinks package featured six Greek liqueurs. Clear, white Mastiha had a sweet herbal avour. KoumKouat, made from kumquat fruits, had an aroma reminiscent of oranges and strawberries. On Greek night, everyone dressed in blue and white (the colours of the Greek ag) and servers o ered passengers traditional anise- avoured ouzo. To learn more about Greek cuisine, we joined Teresa’s Greek cooking class. Her Food Networkstyle demonstration and quips kept everyone laughing. Danny’s presentations on the health and culinary bene ts of Greek herbs and extra virgin olive oil were equally entertaining and informative. GREEK ISLANDS ODYSSEY Discovering the culture, cuisine and customs of Greece on a cruise to five islands “You’re so lucky,” said our Mykonos guide. “Other cruise lines stay here only a few hours. Passengers see only Mykonos Town. Your ship stays overnight so you can tour the countryside, experience our nightlife and explore nearby Delos island.” Two-day visits to Greece’s most popular islands, Mykonos and Santorini, was only one reason why we picked the seven-night Idyllic Aegean cruise on the 1,200-passengerCelestyal Crystal. Another reason was the opportunity to learn about Greek history, mythology, foods, drinks, music, dancing, language and destinations. Who knows Greece better than the Greeks? Celestyal Cruises is the only cruise line based in Greece. Another bonus – the cruise included all gratuities, port charges, meals, entertainment, an unlimited drinks package and three shore excursions. Story and photos by Barb & Ron Kroll Chef’s Corner 18 | www.snowbirds.org
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