Publication mail agreement no: 40063603 OFFICIAL NEWS MAGAZINE OF THE CANADIAN SNOWBIRD ASSOCIATION | FALL 2021 | ISSUE 120 IN THIS ISSUE VACCINE REGISTRATION Make sure you're included in your province's vaccination stats ESTATE PLANNING Eight steps to avoid estate failure ESCAPE THE MUNDANE Add more adventure to your travel
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Editor’s Message CSANews© is published four times a year and is Copyright FALL 2021 by Medipac International Communications Inc., 180 Lesmill Road, Toronto, Ontario M3B 2T5. 416.441.7000. Subscription Price: $9.95 Canada; $20.00 U.S. and foreign. Single copy: $3.95. Prices include tax. Published by Medipac International Communications Inc. Opinions expressed are those of the writers and are not necessarily those of the CSA, Medipac International Communications Inc. or its affiliates, their Directors, Officers, or other employees or agents. Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement No: 40063603. ISSN No: 1195-2393 Milan Korcok Barb & Ron Kroll Dr. Robert MacMillan Shari McIntyre David McPherson Andrew Moore-Crispin Rex Vogel Robert Wiersema Judith Adam Gabrielle Bauer Donna Carter Michael Coren Jennifer Cox James Dolan John Hardy Dave Hunter Karen Huestis Ron Steeves Garry McDonald Ted Popel Wendy Caban Bob Slack James Leroux Mike Legault John Foster James Carl Simpson Johanne Blain Michael MacKenzie Wallace Weylie President First Vice-President Second Vice-President Treasurer Secretary Past-President Director Director Director Director Director Executive Director Legal Counsel CSA BOARD OF DIRECTORS Editor CSA Editor President Art Director Director of Operations Marketing & Events Specialist J. Ross Quigley Karen Huestis Christopher Davidge Peter Prusa Paula McGovern Fran Castricone FALL 2021 | ISSUE 120 CONTRIBUTING EDITORS We acknowledge the support of the Government of Canada. Merv Magus Illustrator W e must be at the bottom of the trough. We have vast fires raging through most of Canada and many other places in the world. There are droughts and floods and landslides and lost crops in every country in the world. Locusts and new diseases are affecting those crops that are left. Famine is rampant and millions of people are going to die. All of the wars are almost irrelevant, when placed in comparison to this catastrophic background. The massive displacement of people has created a thousand armies of refugees and people seeking a better and safer life. The next great challenge is water. The Canada/U.S. sharing agreements are on shaky ground. Egypt, Ethiopia and surrounding countries are dependent on the Nile River and are threatening a “water war.”The Hoover Dam is holding the lowest water reserves in history. Entire lakes have disappeared and our deserts are growing ever larger. I believe that water will be the new gold – rare and expensive. And let’s not forget our COVID pandemic, although it seems pretty minor when compared to all of our other world disasters. But we have only scratched the surface of the pandemic. I believe that we will find millions more deaths in Africa and Asia that are, so far, unreported. And will there be new and more virulent strains evolving? Or will it simply die out like many other viruses?There is a lot of uncertainty all over the world. I believe that the only real answer is to continue living and enjoying our lives. We must obviously help to put out the fires and help to resolve the many other issues. But we are a resilient species and we CAN resolve our many problems. We need to help others in need and give of ourselves (and our money) to improve the lives of less fortunate people. We can certainly do that easily. Start now, unless you are already a super volunteer. We WILL make a difference! Please stay safe and don’t forget to be happy, as we are the luckiest people in the world. J. Ross Quigley Editor CSANews | FALL 2021 | 3
Florida senator Marco Rubio supports the Canadian Snowbird Act as a boost to his home state’s economy. by John Hardy Table of Contents Features FALL 2021 | ISSUE 120 OFFICIAL NEWS MAGAZINE OF THE CANADIAN SNOWBIRD ASSOCIATION Add a Thrilling Experience to Your Trip! Escape the mundane by including an aquatic, aerial or terrestrial adventure in your next vacation. by Barb & Ron Kroll A First-Timer Discovers the Mysteries of Golf In January 2020, travel writer Dave Hunter took up golf...just in time for the pandemic. by Dave Hunter 9 26 20 16 29 Travel Finance Estate Planning How to avoid estate failure and ensure that your assets go to the people and causes that you want them to. by James Dolan Snowbird Profile Special Report Vaccination Registration If you received your COVID-19 vaccination outside of Canada, here’s how to register with your home province/territory’s Health Insurance Plan. 4 | www.snowbirds.org
Pandemic Stress Test Reveals Fragile Future for Canada’s Health Care The COVID-19 pandemic revealed some gaps in Canada’s health-care system. An analysis. by Milan Korcok Table of Contents Departments 46 CSA Online by Andrew Moore-Crispin 48 Longevity by Jennifer Cox 49 Book Review by Robert Wiersema 50 Gardening by Judith Adam 52 Food & Drink by Shari McIntyre 54 Fun & Games 55 Grins & Giggles 56 CSA Application 57 CSA Benefits 58 Fast Facts 3 Editor’s Message 8 Snowbird Alert 12 Bird Talk 14 President’s Message 15 Government Relations Report 18 Insurance by J. Ross Quigley 19 Opinion by Michael Coren 42 Fitness by Jennifer Cox 43 Health Pulse 44 Golf by David McPherson 32 40 36 Imagine Your Next Snowbird Adventure Snowbirds escape winter by migrating southward from their summer homes. by Rex Vogel Blood Clots and Pulmonary Embolism Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of this potentially deadly health concern. by Dr. Robert MacMillan RV Lifestyle Health CSANews | FALL 2021 | 5
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Nancy Hopcraft 1941-2021 It is with deep sadness and regret that we announce the passing of Nancy Hopcraft, a retired member of the Canadian Snowbird Association board of directors. Nancy and her husband Gord joined the CSA on September 28, 2000. Nancy became a member of the Canadian Snowbird Association board of directors in 2004 and held the executive positions of secretary, second vice-president and treasurer while representing snowbirds as a director for the Province of Ontario until her retirement in 2017. Nancy’s enthusiasm to communicate the CSA’s message at “coffee hours” both at her Canadian home in Timmins, Ontario and at her U.S. home in Panama City Beach, Florida, as well as hosting Snowbird Lifestyle Presentation events andWinter Information Meetings, was indispensable to the growth of the CSA. In 2012, Nancy was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. We send our deepest condolences to Nancy’s beloved husband Gord and her family. Four ways to spot a fakeonline review When shopping online, many of us rely on product reviews to help us make smart purchasing decisions. However, fake online endorsements or reviews are more common than ever and could trick you into making a purchase. Fake reviews appear to be posted by regular customers, but are actually written by, or on behalf of the business offering the product or service. Not only do these fake reviews hurt you, they also hurt legitimate businesses by giving some businesses an unfair advantage. That’s because fake reviews are often used by businesses to improve upon legitimate negative ratings of their products or services. As social media and online shopping have become ever-present in our lives, fake reviews have exploded. Here are four red flags for fake reviews: 1. A product or service has received lots of great reviews all of a sudden. 2. A recently created profile has provided positive reviews on a variety of products in a short period of time. 3. The reviewer’s tone is overly positive and makes it out to be “the best thing ever.” 4. Several reviews for the product use very similar wording. Make reviews only one of several sources that you use to choose your online purchases, and when you do read them, look for reviews over a wide range of time. Find more information and report fake reviews at competitionbureau.gc.ca. Easy steps to help you avoidheat stroke Heat stroke might be a familiar term for many of us, but it’s easy to forget how serious it is. Heat stroke is a medical emergency and the most severe of several heat illnesses, including heat exhaustion and heat rash. Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately if you’re caring for someone who has a high body temperature and is either unconscious, confused, or has stopped sweating. Heat stroke can happen when your body overheats – often due to overexposure to, or overexertion in the heat. If not prevented, it can lead to long-term health problems and even death. Older adults, children, and those with pre-existing conditions or medications are most at risk. Fortunately, negative health outcomes of dangerous heat exposure are largely avoidable if you take appropriate preventive measures. Here are three easy steps that you can take: Drink liquids Water is the best way to stay hydrated. Remember to drink before you feel thirsty, since when you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated. Modify activities Plan strenuous outdoor activities − such as workouts − for cooler days, or choose a cooler location, such as a place with air conditioning or with shade. Avoid sunburn Limit your time in the sun and use a broad-spectrum sunscreen that is SPF30 or higher. Because sunburned skin makes sweating less efficient, it also makes it harder for your body to cool itself off. Also, remember to watch for symptoms of heat illnesses such as heat rash.These include dizziness or fainting, nausea or vomiting, headache, extreme thirst, rapid breathing or increased heart rate. If you experience any of these symptoms during extreme heat, move to a cool place and drink liquids right away. Findmore information at Canada.ca/health Source: www.newscanada.com Source: www.newscanada.com SnowbirdAlert 8 | www.snowbirds.org
British Columbiahas one registration system for all residents. Go to: Immunizebc.ca Click on: Record an Out-of-BC COVID-19 Vaccine Direct Link: https://immunizationrecord.gov.bc.ca/submission/1 Toll-free Assistance: 1-833-838-2323 GOOGLESearch: OUT OF PROVINCE VACCINE REGISTRATION BRITISH COLUMBIA Albertahas one registration system for all residents. Go to: www.albertahealthservices.ca Click on: COVID-19 Information for Albertans Click on: Vaccine Registry Direct Link: https://irssp.albertahealthservices.ca/ GOOGLESearch: OUT OF PROVINCE VACCINE REGISTRATION ALBERTA Saskatchewanhas provided a link to an immunization submission form that you can complete online and save as a PDF (or print off, complete by hand and scan), then e-mail along with a scan of your vaccination card toMySaskHealthRecord@eHealthSask.ca. Go to: www.ehealthsask.ca Click on: Immunization Submission form E-mail the completed form and vaccination record to: MySaskHealthRecord@eHealthSask.ca Direct link: https://www.ehealthsask.ca/residents/oop-proofofVac GOOGLESearch: OUT OF PROVINCE VACCINE REGISTRATION SASKATCHEWAN Special Report Did you get a COVID-19 Vaccine outside of Canada? You should register your vaccination status with your Health Insurance Plan Snowbirds who received their COVID-19 vaccines outside of their home province or outside of the country may want to register their vaccination status with their Provincial Health Insurance Plan. Some provinces have one registry for the entire province; provinces such as Ontario require registration with your specific health unit. Unfortunately, not all provinces and territories have systems in place to register COVID-19 vaccinations received outside of the province…yet. The CSA is working towards having this corrected as the potential for vaccine passports becomes a more likely reality. Some provinces have a vaccination portal where you can enter your information and upload your vaccination card. Others prefer that you e-mail your personal information and vaccination accreditation. If you are having trouble finding a secure web page on which to enter your vaccination status for your particular health unit, give them a call; the staff are very helpful and can walk you through the steps to get your vaccination status registered. Here is what we have been able to find at the time of writing. We have provided the “Main” website addresses for the appropriate portals, but the direct links may change over time – so we have also included GOOGLE Search Keywords to help you get there. CSANews | FALL 2021 | 9
Manitobahas one registry for all residents of the province. Go to: www.gov.mb.ca Click on: COVID-19 VACCINE Click on: Vaccinated while away? Report your vaccine today! Direct Link: https://forms.gov.mb.ca/covid-immunization-record-request/index.html Toll-free Assistance: 1-844-MAN-VACC (1-844-626-8222) GOOGLESearch: OUT OF PROVINCE VACCINATION REGISTRATION MANITOBA Ontario’svaccination registration is co-ordinated through its various health units. Some Public Health Units in Ontario have easy-to-find portals to register your vaccination. Others do not, and you will have to call them. They will then e-mail you a link to a secure page where you can enter your vaccination information and upload your vaccination record. This will take you directly to the link for the public health unit locator, where you can enter your postal code and be provided with a link to get to your unit. Direct Link: www.phdapps.health.gov.on.ca/PHULocator/ Service Ontario : 1-866-532-3161 There are 46 Public Health Units in Ontario; the easiest way to find your public health unit is to use the followingGOOGLESearch: ONTARIO PUBLIC HEALTH UNIT LOCATOR New Brunswickhas one registry for all residents of the province. The easiest way to get to the portal to fill in the blanks and upload your vaccination record is by using the suggested GOOGLE Search Keywords below. Go to: www2.gnb.ca Click on: COVID-19 Vaccines Click on: Are you a NB resident who got vaccinated in another province or country? (on the right) Click on: Register Now Direct Link: www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/corporate/promo/covid-19/nb-vaccine/vaccination-outside-province.html GOOGLESearch: NB Resident vaccinated against COVID-19 in another province or country InQuebec, you have to make an appointment to visit a vaccination centre in person and provide your records for approval and registration. The Public Health Act requires that your immunization information be validated before it can be entered into the vaccination registry. At your appointment, a health-care provider will verify the information on your proof of immunization and confirm whether it is acceptable for inclusion in the Québec vaccination registry. You will also be informed if you need another dose of vaccine, or if your COVID-19 vaccination is complete. If necessary, you will be able to complete your COVID-19 vaccination at the same appointment. Go to: www.quebec.ca Direct Link: www.quebec.ca/en/health/health-issues/a-z/2019-coronavirus/progress-of-thecovid-19-vaccination/vaccinated-for-covid-19-outside-quebec-using-vaccination-registry GOOGLESearch: OUT OF PROVINCE VACCINATION REGISTRATION QUEBEC Special Report 10 | www.snowbirds.org
InNova Scotia there is currently no system in place to record out of province/country vaccinations. Nova Scotia Department of Health andWellness: 1-800-387-6665 (toll-free in Nova Scotia) or (902) 424-5818 Prince Edward Islandhas one registry for all residents of the province. The suggested GOOGLE Search Keywords below will take you directly to the link for the portal. Go to: www.princeedwardisland.ca Click on: What I should know about COVID-19 Click on: COVID-19 Vaccines (on the right under “PEI’s Response”) Click on: COVID-19 Immunization Record (under “Popular Content”) Click on: Upload your out of province vaccination record. Direct Link: services.princeedwardisland.ca/en/service/submit-your-out-province-covid-19-vaccine- record#/service/GenericWebformSubmission/GenericWebformGenerateTransactionID GOOGLESearch: Submit Out-of-Province Vaccine Record for PEI Residents In theYukonyou can either visit the department of health in person to provide your vaccination records and be entered into the system, or you can e-mail a copy of your vaccination record and your identification to be entered into the system. Whitehorse Health Centre: (867) 667-8864 or Hss-whc-imms@yukon.ca InNunavut there does not appear to be a system in place to register out of province COVID-19 Vaccinations at this time. Nunavut Department of Health: (867) 975-6000 In theNorthwest Territories there is no formalized system in place, but if you have your vaccination records from another province, territory or country, you can take them to your local Public Health office and they will update your records accordingly and provide you with a NTHSSA vaccination record. If you prefer, you can call your local Public Health office and conduct the procedure by e-mail. Go to: www.nthssa.ca Click on: COVID-19 Click on: COVID-19 Vaccination Record Requests Direct Link: https://www.nthssa.ca/en/services/coronavirus-disease-covid-19-updates/ covid-19-vaccination-record-requests Help line: (867) 767-9120 InNewfoundland there does not appear to be a system in place to register out of province COVID-19 vaccinations at this time. Newfoundland Department of Health and Community Services: (709) 729–4984 or healthinfo@gov.nl.ca Special Report CSANews | FALL 2021 | 11
BirdTalk Dear Bird Talk, For the six winter months that I’m in the U.S., am I legally allowed to still be dealing with my clients back in Canada? A.k.a. − working. I am self-employed. I was told that I cannot, because it’s considered working in the country, even though my clientele is in Canada and my paycheque comes from Canada. Dan Hamilton Ontario Ed.: The prime work test is, “Are you taking a job away from an American?” In this case, you are not and you should be fine. Make sure that your paycheques are deposited in Canada for a little extra separation. Dear Bird Talk, We have just purchased a home in Florida and are hoping to travel in October for approximately five months, depending on restrictions. We have rented for a few months, but have never crossed as a homeowner. Is there anything that I require when crossing into the states? Karen Guzzi Thunder Bay, ON Ed.: No, you will be fine. Congratulations! Dear Bird Talk, My husband and I have owned homes (three) in Florida since 1992, and have spent every winter there, except for last year. We are beginning to have serious concerns about border openings for the coming season and are wondering if there could be any change to the “essential travel” condition, which could include us as concerned homeowners with a sizable investment in the U.S., on which we continue to pay property taxes. We MUST get back to that home this year... do you have any sense of whether this type of exception will be considered if the “non-essential ban “ is still in force? I know that we are not alone...this home is a large part of our estate and we feel that it essential to be sure that it is not losing value as we speak. It has now been empty for 18 months. I hope to hear something positive on this subject in the near future. It is very stressful for all of us Canadian snowbirds (especially those who are homeowners). Thank you for your continued support. Linda Johnson Mont-Tremblant, QC Ed.: I believe that there is no possibility of the non-essential travel ban being removed any time soon. Neither government cares about you and me and our minor problems (major to us, of course). This is raw, bare-knuckle politics at its worst, prior to elections. Your only option is to get on a plane and go, and rent a car in the U.S. This works! Dear Bird Talk, I am wondering if we can take homemade jam across the U.S. border from Canada. Dave Freed Lethbridge, AB Ed.:While the entry of goods into the U.S. is made at the discretion of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer processing your admission, in general, jams and other homemade dishes are prohibited as there is no way for the customs officer to verify the contents. It is strongly recommended, when travelling into the United States with any food products, that travellers keep all original labels identifying content and origin. Dear Bird Talk, When travelling back home from the states, how many days must we remain home so that those days do not count as being in the states when we re-enter the U. S.? Jack Toth Oakville, ON Ed.: Thirty days is the recommended time. It makes for a long Christmas with the family. 12 | 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 Dear Bird Talk, I have just returned fromTexas after spending 3 1/2 months in the Rio Grande Valley. I thought that the association might be able to provide some data. What is your estimate about how many snowbirds travelled to the U.S. Sunbelt over the past winter? For snowbirds with Medipac, I was wondering how many claims were reported in respect to COVID? I figure that most returning snowbirds were fully vaccinated. Since the government closely tracks each returning snowbird, I would be curious how many vaccinated snowbirds have tested for COVID? The Federal Government should have the data on that. On our return, they specifically asked if we had been vaccinated. It would be greatly appreciated if you could shed some light on issues. Brian Fitzpatrick High River, AB Ed.: Real information on COVID is almost impossible to get. At this point, I believe nothing I read or see on TV with regard to COVID statistics.We estimate that between 150-200,000 Canadian snowbirds visited the U.S. this past season. According to the Conference Board of Canada, 914,000 trips were recorded throughout the first half of 2021, compared to 8.1 million last year and 16.7 million in 2019. Compared to the first half of 2019, overseas activity has declined by 94 per cent and transborder trips have fallen by 95 per cent. Medipac has had several COVID claims, one of which was well in excess of $1 million. Dear Bird Talk, As anyone who pays attention knows, the crime rate in the U.S. over the last eight months has increased by more than 300%. One of the big reasons is the thousands and thousands of criminals released from jail. A lot of these inmates are very dangerous; some were even serving life sentences. There have been a lot of carjackings, muggings and assaults, and some even worse. For 13 years, we have crossed over at Sarnia and taken highways 69 and 65 and then on down to Panama City Beach. In view of the huge increase in crime, how safe do you think this drive will be this winter? Gord & Patty Port Dover, ON Ed.: I believe that the drive will be the same as in prior years – safe. Most of the increases in crime have occurred in the very large inner cities, which I would avoid. Dear Bird Talk, Good day. We are planning on purchasing the multi-trip plan this year and we were wanting to know if we would quality for full discounts even though we didn’t travel or purchase insurance for the 2020-2021 season. With the COVID restrictions on travel and the warnings put out by the Canadian government, we were leery of travelling to the United States. We have been going to Florida for the past nine years and rent a condo for four months. We have plans also to visit our grandson in Canmore, AB in September, so we will be purchasing the multi-trip. So, will we be able to receive full discount on the multi-trip package? Michael Landon Rockland, ON Ed.: Yes. Medipac has maintained everyone’s applicable discounts through this COVID mess and hopefully, you were in time to get the Early Bird pricing. CSANews | FALL 2021 | 13
President’s Message Karen Huestis CSA President On August 11, Federal Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino confirmed that Canada is, in fact, getting a vaccine passport for international travel. The Government of Canada is working with provinces and territories to develop a secure “pan-Canadian approach.”The provinces and territories actually hold and track vaccination data, so their participation is critical. For Canadians who decide to travel, using a proof of vaccination will provide foreign border officials with the vaccination history needed to assess whether a traveller meets their public health requirements, as well as to provide a trusted and verifiable credential for when they return home. This certificate will be common across all provinces and will include the individual’s COVID-19 vaccination history, date on which they received their inoculation, the type of vaccine that they received and the location at which they received their shot. It will be available to all citizens, permanent residents and temporary residents living in Canada − provided that they are fully vaccinated. Destination countries will determine if or what type of proof of vaccination is required and the related benefits that may be provided, such as reduced or no testing or quarantine requirements. Canadians who do not have a proof of vaccination can travel outside of the country, but they may have to quarantine or meet other requirements at their destination country, and they will be subject to mandatory quarantine and testing upon return to Canada. As Ron Steeves discusses in his Government Relations column elsewhere in this issue, there is currently no international consensus regarding an acceptable proof of vaccination. We have asked the Government of Canada to work with international partners to ensure the recognition of Canada’s vaccine program, which includes mixed vaccination schedules, extended dose intervals and a variety of Health Canada-approved vaccines. Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc confirmed that, although the credentials will be issued digitally, they will also be made available in hard copy form for those without access to a smartphone or similar device. The federal government expects the vaccination credential to be available early this fall. While the federal credential is intended primarily to facilitate international travel, provincial certificates geared towards protecting local economies and health systems are beginning to roll out. Quebec has announced the introduction of a provincial vaccine passport scheduled to be implemented on September 1. It will be available through a free mobile phone application. Those without access to these devices will be able to show paper proof of full vaccination. The passport will allow Quebecers access to a wide variety of non-essential services and gathering places such as restaurants, bars, gyms, movie theatres, outdoor festivals and sporting events. As of September 1, only those who can display these credentials will have access to these services. The government’s stated intent is to control the spread of COVID-19 without having to implement another major lockdown. The vaccine passport will only be used to access non-essential services and will not be required to enter retail stores or schools. Children under age 12 will not need to provide proof of vaccination, as there are currently no approved COVID-19 vaccines for that age group. In British Columbia, as of September 13, people aged 12 and older will be required to show proof of one dose of vaccine to enter a broad range of social, recreational and discretionary events and businesses throughout the province. As of October 24, entry to these locations will require people to have been fully vaccinated and they must have received their second dose at least seven days prior to arrival. Places that will require proof of vaccination include indoor sporting events, indoor and patio dining in restaurants, movie theatres, gyms, pools, indoor organized gatherings such as weddings, conferences, etc. Proof of vaccination will not be required to access retail stores, faith services, health services or grocery stores. A secure web link will be provided and publicized prior to September 13, where people will be able to access their proof of vaccination. B.C. residents will be able to save a copy to their phones, to display when entering these establishments. Individuals who cannot access their proof of vaccination online will be provided with a “secure alternative option.” Manitoba issued a proof of vaccination card in June that allows residents to skip mandatory quarantine when returning to the province from international travel. It is also used to provide access to sporting events, restaurants, bars and any private business that requests proof prior to entry. Other provinces continue to debate whether to adopt these domestic measures, while some have already ruled them out. With more and more private businesses jumping on board and widespread public support, I suspect that most provinces and territories will eventually adopt similar measures. There’s a great deal of change to many of the rules and regulations that govern our dayto-day lives both here at home and abroad. The Canadian Snowbird Association will continue to keep you up to date so that you will have the information which you need in order to make informed decisions, as we begin what we all hope is the final phase of the pandemic. 14 | www.snowbirds.org
Government Relations Report Ron Steeves First Vice-President Over the summer months, as COVID-19 case numbers steadily decreased and vaccination rates increased, the Government of Canada amended many of the COVID-19 travel requirements which they had previously imposed. In July, the federal government announced a number of changes to existing border restrictions and entry requirements. These changes included, effective August 9, permitting fully vaccinated American citizens and permanent residents entry into Canada for non-essential purposes. This change marked the first time that American citizens would be allowed to enter Canada for non-essential reasons since March 2020, when the border closure was initially implemented. The federal government tentatively plans to reopen Canada’s borders to fully vaccinated travellers from the rest of the world on September 7, but this is subject to change based on domestic COVID-19 case counts. In addition, due to the increased rate of vaccination in the country, the federal government has also terminated the mandatory three-night hotel stay for all travellers. This program was eliminated effective August 9. This is a policy change for which the CSA advocated and is in line with the recommendations of the federal government’s own COVID-19 Testing and Screening Expert Advisory Panel. Further, effective August 9, fully vaccinated travellers are exempt from quarantine, however, all travellers must still provide a quarantine plan and be prepared to quarantine, in case it is determined at the border that they do not meet the necessary requirements. Unvaccinated and partially vaccinated travellers are still required to quarantine upon arrival in Canada for a 14-day period. It should also be noted that, regardless of one’s vaccination status, all travellers entering Canada are still required to provide proof of a negative molecular COVID-19 test. A full list of requirements for entry into Canada can be accessed at: travel.gc.ca/travel-covid. Despite the lifting of restrictions by our federal government, the Biden administration has still not made a reciprocal policy change at the land border. Entry into the U.S. at the land border for non-essential reasons remains prohibited until at least September 21. The CSA will continue to advocate for the safe reopening of the land border between Canada and the United States and we remain optimistic that Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be permitted to enter the United States through the land borders by the fall. Another issue of concern for snowbirds and other travellers remains whether the United States will impose a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination requirement for entry, and whether those vaccinated with the AstraZeneca vaccine or mixed doses of mRNA vaccines will be impacted. While the U.S. government is currently looking into the feasibility of imposing such a restriction, no formal decision has been made at the time of printing. The CSA is pushing to ensure that, if the United States requires visitors to provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 as a condition for entry, they recognize as acceptable a full course of all Health Canada-approved vaccines – including the AstraZeneca vaccine and the mixed doses of the mRNA vaccines. Stateside, we remain committed to passage of a Canadian snowbird visa in the U.S. Congress which would permit eligible retired Canadians to spend eight months in the United States annually, an addition of two months from the current policy. On July 9, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY) and CongressmanPeterWelch (D-VT) introduced theCanadian Snowbird Visa Act, a bipartisan companion bill to the Canadian Snowbirds Act which was introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senators Marco Rubio [R-FL] and Rick Scott [R-FL] in mid-June. The association is currently lobbying to have hearings held on this legislation and is looking at having a Canadian snowbird visa provision included in additional bills in order to increase the chances of passage. In Canada, following a meeting with Liberal Leader JustinTrudeauonAugust 15, Governor General Mary Simon approved his request to dissolve Parliament, triggering the issuing of the election writs and formally beginning Canada’s 44th federal election. Weeks prior to the September 20th general election, the CSA electronically distributed our Federal Election Handbook to all members. This guide covers the association’s primary issues and provides details regarding how to vote, along with key dates to ensure that members have the information which they need in order to exercise their right to vote. Judy and I wish you safe travels. CSANews | FALL 2021 | 15
For Canadian snowbirds flocking to Florida, Texas, California and Arizona, it’s about more! More golf. More beaches. More pool time. More golf. More palm trees. More mall-walking time. More golf. More freshly squeezed orange juice, tamales and chimichangas. More gator, saguaro and armadillo-spotting. More golf. More 24/7 shorts and tank tops. And more IRS immunity. About 30% more. If lightning rod U.S. Senator Marco Rubio gets his determined and Canadian snowbird-boosting way − and the feisty American politician does have a knack for skilfullymaneuvering behind-the-scenesWashington − the Senate will soon vote on Rubio’s Canadian Snowbird Visa, giving Canadians about 30% more time to enjoy the slower-paced and balmy good life in the U.S. It was a sweltering, hot June afternoon when Senator Marco Rubio walked into the iconic well of the U.S. Senate chamber, surrounded by those 100 historic mahogany desks, and reintroducedBill 2507, theCanadianSnowbird Act. He originally introduced it in September 2019, but all pending U.S. legislation expires with the end of each congressional session. Although the 50-year-old Cuban-American father of four and recent U.S. presidential candidate is fiercely partial to his Florida constituency, he bluntly admits that, “tourism is a crucial part of Florida’s booming economy, creating and supporting thousands of jobs all across the Sunshine State. The Canadian Snowbird Act will be a huge boost to the economy by allowing themillions of Canadian snowbirds who visit each year to stay and spend money in the U.S. for two months longer,” he quipped with bottom-line honesty. “Unfortunately, the pandemic has severely hurt Florida’s travel and tourism industries, particularly in terms of snowbirds who consider Florida their second home. Now, as we continue to recover, we should do everything we can to welcome visitors to our state, especially our Canadian neighbours to the north. It helps Florida and other snowbird-popular communities thrive, businesses grow and creates job opportunities.” Rubio often reflects on his humble background, his hard-working immigrant parents and his successful election to the U.S. Senate 10 years ago, where he continues to be active on several influential committees (including being a member of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, responsible for allocating funding for the federal government). He’s also a former presidential candidate and continues as an outspoken and much-quotedU.S. politician, frequently in the eye of controversial political storms. “I believe in the AmericanDream, because I’m living it!” he said with high-energy enthusiasm. One fluky but memorable Marco Rubio controversy also unintentionally involved Canada and Canadians. In 2016, in the thick of the U.S. presidential election, candidate Rubio was on the stump, hoping to emulate Ronald Reagan with inspirational “Morning in America”-themed TV ads. Unfortunately (and embarrassingly), Rubio’s stirring, rahrahMorning in America commercial showed the sun rising on the Vancouver skyline − as a Canadian-flagged tugboat floated in the unmistakable Vancouver harbour. Oops!The Rubio campaign admitted that the clip was a mistake, and it was pulled. The Republican primary campaign continued. Rubio lost. Trump won. And life went on. Fast forward to 2021Washington business-asusual leaks, rumours and buzz. With Marco Rubio’s politically savvy, clout, connections and Senate support, the Snowbird Visa Act is gainingmomentumand likely oozing through the Senate process on its way to a vote and on to President Biden’s desk for signature. The outspoken Senator refers to Canadian Embassy stats, noting that, “In a normal year and, of course 2020 was anything but normal, approximately 3.6 million Canadians visit Florida, contributing more than $6.5 billion each year to Florida’s economy.” Snowbird Act supporter Marco Rubio More!!! by John Hardy SnowbirdProfile 16 | www.snowbirds.org
He cites numbers crunching from Visit Florida (VF), the state’s tourism marketing arm, “which is somewhat skewed because Canadian snowbirds who own property or rent long-term aren’t technically counted as visitors. Regardless, the VF surveys show that, in 2019, Canada was the No. 1 source (accounting for more than 25%) of the total 44.2million Florida tourists. More than double the No. 2 source, which was the U.K.” It’s why popular and usually jam-packed uniquely snowbird special events such as the Snowbird Extravaganza in Lakeland and CanadaFest in Fort Lauderdale (both cancelled by the pandemic this year) are staged to celebrate Canadian snowbirds enjoying their currently allowed 182 days. And Marco Rubio’s push is gaining traction. With strict conditions, the Act will permit an annual 240-day stay. While his focus is understandably on what’s good for his home state of Florida, the bonus stay-time that’s a key part of the legislation which he introduced will also significantly impact such other popular snowbird destinations as Texas, Arizona and California. One pro-Canadian catch is that Bill 2507, already referred to as the “Snowbird Visa,” will allow the extra stay time for only Canadian snowbirds, and it is worded with strict conditions to permit Canadians 50+ to live in the U.S. for up to eight months per year with three key stipulations: a) they have a home in Canada and own or lease a long-term residence in the U.S.; b) waive all rights to American welfare or public assistance funds; and, c) have no U.S. employment. Some Washington insiders are wary about smooth sailing of Rubio’s pro-Canadian legislation. Current hurdles are the Biden administration’s busy agenda, the contentious chin-wagging, elbow bending and debates and voting on trillions of dollars. Another speed bump is Washington’s notorious hypersensitivity about anything to do with the topic of immigration. Rubio acknowledges possibly choppy waters and says that he is ready and prepared to debate. He is focused and determined and, every chance he gets, underscores that the Act is carefully worded to satisfy even immigration-prickly critics. “It strictly spells out that snowbirds cannot take American jobs, earn money, or in any way benefit from American social services.” He emphatically points out that, “the Snowbird Visa is all about tourism, not employment or business.” When passed and enacted − and the Canadian snowbird stay is bumped from the current 182 to 240 days − the primary impact will still be on moneys owing to the IRS. Under current American tax law, Canadians are permitted to be tax-free in the U.S. for up to sixmonths each year. Snowbirds who stay for longer than six months in a calendar year are considered U.S. residents for IRS tax purposes and are required to pay U.S. federal income taxes on all earned income, including pensions, regardless of the country in which the moneys are earned. With the passage of Rubio’s Bill 2507, the IRS tax-free period will be bumped to eight months, or 240 days. As Rubio explains, the Washington process, much like the Ottawa process, is tangled with protocols, formalities and officialdom, such as legislation getting assigned to a committee for study, put on a calendar, debated or amended, voted on and finally passed by a simple majority. As the Snowbird Visa momentumhas begun, Marco Rubio is revved and confident that it’s a win-win for the U.S. economy as well as for Canadian snowbirds, enjoying 30% more quality time with sun, golf, palm trees and the beach. SnowbirdProfile CSANews | FALL 2021 | 17
J. Ross Quigley CEO Medipac International Inc. Insurance Imagination… …is what it takes to survive and prosper in our COVIDwinter, and summer, and fall and spring. We have all been pretty well locked down for well over a year and our normal lives have been disrupted to a large extent. We have been unable to see friends and family − although that is slowly improving − and our “fun” things in life have been cut off. So, what to do? First, we began with backyard things. We weeded everything, rearranged our colours to be more pleasing to the eye and, after finding a little nursery that stayed open (out of town), we planted dozens of new flowers and plants. It was possible that our food supply might not be as reliable as in the past, so we planted some vegetables; some squash, tomatoes, carrots and spices to tide us over in case there were shortages. The birds started to come by after they noticed all of the backyard activity, so we decided to get serious about birdwatching. We got two or three bird identification books on Amazon, with pictures of course, and now we are semi-experts. It is amazing howmany different types of birds we attracted, once we set up a few feeders. The fat birds, mostly doves, are very messy and a lot of the bird seed ends up on the ground. Now we have squirrels and chipmunks to entertain us. Probably out of curiosity, we have also attracted some little rabbits. The strangest thing in our backyard ventures was the morning I came out and found a vicious-looking dead “thing” in the middle of the yard. It had vicious-looking teeth and was the size of a mediumsized dog, and I wondered what had killed it. I ran off to get my wife, as I thought that she might know what it was and what to do with it. As we came back outside, we spotted the “weird thing” wandering off behind the garage. It was a very big possumwho had certainly convinced me that it was dead. And then we found three baby foxes which were obviously primed to dine on our menagerie. All of this was in the middle of our city. Once you start paying attention to the little things, it is amazing how much entertainment value there is in your backyard. We also went for many long walks three or four times a week and it is amazing what we did not know about where we live. There are many nooks and crannies in our neighbourhood… as well as little parks and lots of neighbours of interest. One of the neighbours actually ran for the presidency of Nigeria. Not sure how, but I will ask him one day in better times; another neighbour has a massive car collection and he leaves odd cars on the street at times. Just more free entertainment. I probably mentioned this before, but I have taken up bridge again after a long hiatus. I play with a British friend who now lives in rural Nova Scotia and we play on an internet platform calledBridgeBase.com. My wife has indicated a desire to improve her bridge, so we are getting set to take on the world. As a result, we are too busy, especially now that the travel insurance season is in full swing. We are currently underwriting about 800 people per day and the pent-up demand to get away is very high. There are still lots of issues to address, with borders and such, but everyone is generally ready to go and will adapt as necessary. In order to have a wonderful life, it only takes a little bit of imagination to adapt. Have a wonderful fall, and stay safe! 18 | www.snowbirds.org
John Wesley, founder in the late 18th century of what became known as Methodism, once famously said that, after a particular sermon, he found his “heart strangely warmed.” I’ve little doubt that this authentically Christian man would have felt a similar experience if he were still with us when, in July, the Methodist Church in Britain voted overwhelmingly to permit same-sex marriages. With 164,000 members and 4,000 churches, it’s the largest denomination in the U.K. to approve equal marriage. The Church of England and the Roman Catholic Church are still opposed, albeit the former strongly divided. It is permitted, however, in the Scottish Episcopal Church and the United Reformed Church. In Canada, the situation is more progressive, but still not finalized. Same-sex marriage is welcomed in most, though not all, United Churches. There are a handful of evangelical churches that will marry gay couples. However, most not only refuse but are often deeply resistant, even homophobic, in their theology. The Catholic Church in Canada is, of course, in step with Rome and, earlier this year, the Vatican said that it couldn’t even bless same-sex couples. “The blessing of homosexual unions cannot be considered licit,” explained Rome, because God, “does not and cannot bless sin.” The situation in the U.S. is similar. The Anglican Church of Canada has debated the issue for 50 years, and now operates what is known as the “local option,” where some churches can and do perform same-sex marriages, others not. “This decision has madereal people, withreal lives and with real commitment to the church, really happy,” says Susan Bell, Bishop of Niagara. “It has opened up the possibility that the life-sustaining joy of the marriage covenant can be shared by all. It’s also gone a very little way to healing some of the profound damage that 2SLGBTQ+ people have suffered at the hands of the church.” British Methodists will also allowministers who disagree with the move to refuse to conduct ceremonies. While the vote in favour was supported by 254 of the 300 delegates, there will doubtless be some conservatives who will leave the church over what they see as heresy regarding a vital issue. The irony is that while it’s obviously “vital” to 2SLGBTQ+ people, the issue is hardly prominent in Christian theology. Homosexuality is seldom mentioned in the Bible, and the handful of critical verses from the Old Testament are usually quoted without the contextualization which they demand. The Genesis story of Sodom, for example, simply isn’t a sexual morality tale: Lot, one of its heroes, offers the mob his two virgin daughters in place of his male guest! Scripture itself, in Ezekiel, explains, ‘This was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy. They were haughty, and did abominable things before me.” It was not until the 11th century that the Papacy insisted that homosexuality was the issue. When the Hebrew Scriptures do mention homosexuality − it’s only men, and lesbianism is ignored − it generally concerns the need for procreation in order to preserve the tribe, and has no relevance to what we now know as committed and loving samesex relationships. It’s also usually linked to obscure prohibitions, such as of various combinations of cloth, eating the wrong foods, or having sex with a woman when she is menstruating. It’s worth remembering that if we’re to embrace without discrimination all of the Old Testament teachings, we have to justify genocide, slavery and selling one’s children into bondage. As a Christian and an ordained cleric, I believe that we can take the Bible seriously or literally, but we can’t always do both. Jesus doesn’t mention homosexuality and is more concerned with the judgmental and legalistic than with sexuality. When St. Paul does seem to refer to the subject, we need to understand the Greek vocabulary which he uses, as well as his motives. His criticism was of straight men exploiting boys for sex, often in pagan initiation ceremonies. He uses the word “exchange,” implying that this was not about being gay, but using others for gratification. There’s much more that could be said, but the point is that it’s a fringe theme, a mere footnote. One day, Christians will look back at this divide with shame, as they do now to so many earlier collective sins. Pray that day comes soon, and all of our hearts are strangely warmed. Opinion with Michael Coren CSANews | FALL 2021 | 19
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