As the provinces and territories gradually transition to opening parts of the economy which were shut down in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, one of the most common questions that we are asked relates to when the restrictions at the Canada/U.S. border will be lifted for non-essential travel. As I write this report, Canada and the United States have jointly announced that they are extending the restriction on non-essential travel across our borders to July 21. The ban on non-essential travel covers the land border between Canada and the United States, as well as air, sea and rail travel into Canada. Non-essential travel by air and sea into the U.S. is still permitted at this time. Despite this allowance, it is important to keep in mind that the Government of Canada’s global travel advisory to avoid all non-essential travel outside of Canada remains in place. Currently, travellers may find it difficult to obtain travel medical insurance which provides coverage for COVID-19. Travellers should also be mindful that the quarantine rules for individuals entering the United States and re-entering Canada are still in effect. On June 8, 2020, the Canadian Government amended its border restriction measures to exempt foreign nationals who are immediate family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents (including spouses and common-law partners) from the prohibition on entry to Canada. These individuals must be entering Canada in order to be with an immediate family member for a period of at least 15 days. Further, these foreign nationals must not have COVID-19 or exhibit any signs or symptoms of COVID-19. All foreign nationals who have COVID-19 or exhibit any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 continue to remain prohibited from entering Canada. In order to support Canadian seniors impacted by COVID-19, the Canadian Government is providing a one-time payment to individuals who are eligible to receive the Old Age Security (OAS) pension or the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) in June 2020. Eligible seniors will not have to apply and payments will be issued during the week of July 6, 2020. The one-time payment for seniors will be paid into your bank account, if you are enrolled for direct deposit. If you are not enrolled for direct deposit, you will receive a cheque. If you only receive the Old Age Security pension, you will receive a single payment of $300. If you receive the Old Age Security pension and the Guaranteed Income Supplement, you will receive a single payment of $500. If you receive the Allowance for the Survivor, you will receive a single payment of $500. The one-time payment for seniors is non-taxable. You will receive the full amount (no withholds). You will not receive a tax slip and you will not have to report this amount in your 2020 tax return. As you are aware, towards the end of 2019 the Canadian Snowbird Association launched a critical legal challenge against the Ontario government for terminating the Out-of-Country (OOC) Travellers Program on January 1, 2020. This program provided reimbursement to residents of Ontario who required emergency medical services while travelling outside of Canada. For those with insurance coverage, in the case of a claim, the insurance provider would collect the reimbursement on behalf of their client and apply 100% of the amount to the claim. While the reimbursements were minimal − up to C$400 per day in the case of emergency in-patient care − the right to coverage is enshrined in the portability section of theCanada Health Act. In fact, while rates vary by jurisdiction, every province and territory in Canada provides residents with reimbursement for out-ofcountry medical emergencies. While the association and our legal team continue to prepare for our legal challenge, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, our court case has been rescheduled for August 25. We will provide members with a detailed update via e-mail once the Ontario Divisional Court considers the merits of our case. We would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to all of our members who have contributed to this initiative so far. We have received contributions to our Special Action Fund from across Canada, recognizing that this is a national issue, not just a provincial one. If the Ontario government goes unchallenged in their blatant violation of theCanada Health Act, other provinces and territories will follow suit and pursue similar cuts to coverage. The Canadian Snowbird Association is the only organization in Canada using litigation as a means to overturn the illegal termination of the Out-of-Country Travellers Program in the province. We remain hopeful that this program will be reinstated. Government Relations Report Ron Steeves First Vice-President CSANews | SUMMER 2020 | 13
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