Travel HIDDEN TREASURES WHAT’S YOUR ROAD TRIP? AS CANADA “BREAKS OUT” Health COLONAND RECTAL CANCER Finance BEARMARKET GAME PLAN IN THIS ISSUE OFFICIAL NEWS MAGAZINE OF THE CANADIAN SNOWBIRD ASSOCIATION | SUMMER 2022 | ISSUE 123 Publication mail agreement no: 40063603
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Editor’s Message CSANews© is published four times a year and is Copyright SUMMER 2022 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 Shari McIntyre David McPherson Andrew Moore-Crispin Rex Vogel Robert Wiersema Judith Adam Gabrielle Bauer Donna Carter Michael Coren Jennifer Cox James Dolan Milan Korcok 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 SUMMER 2022 | ISSUE 123 CONTRIBUTING EDITORS We acknowledge the support of the Government of Canada. Merv Magus Illustrator Summertime Summertime, and the livin’ is easy Fish are jumpin’ and the cotton is high Oh, your daddy’s rich and your ma is good-lookin’ So hush, little baby, don’t you cry. One of these mornings you’re gonna rise up singing And you’ll spread your wings and you’ll take to the sky But till that morning, there ain’t nothin’ can harm you With daddy and mammy standin’ by. The real summer is here and it has been an amazing start. This Porgy and Bess song has been rattling through my brain, so I thought that I would share it with you. Except for the “daddy’s rich” part (we were quite poor growing up, but were rich in every other way), it reflects an incredible optimism which we should all have every day of our lives. We are all blessed to just be here in this wonderful world and especially so, in Canada. The political idiocy in North America should not affect us; it is just background noise, after all. We can always try to make our world even better, however, and I encourage everyone to do so. Make a few targeted charitable donations, donate your time to worthwhile organizations and help others whenever you can. Try and stay in contact with your friends, here and there, and your life will be the richer for it. Sincerely; J. Ross Quigley Editor P.S. We want to know what you're thinking! Complete our Readership Survey online at www.snowbirds.org. CSANews | SUMMER 2022 | 3
Table of Contents SUMMER 2022 | ISSUE 123 OFFICIAL NEWS MAGAZINE OF THE CANADIAN SNOWBIRD ASSOCIATION Hidden Treasures These sunny, warm-weather getaways offer snowbirds plenty to see and do. by Barb & Ron Kroll What’s Your Road Trip? A CSA board member goes on the trip of a lifetime. by Mary Ellen and Garry McDonald Features 14 22 Travel 28 Canada “Breaks Out” A strong snowbird season is anticipated. by Milan Korcok 4 | www.snowbirds.org
Table of Contents 48 Golf by David McPherson 50 CSA Online by Andrew Moore-Crispin 52 Gardening by Judith Adam 54 Food & Drink by Shari McIntyre 56 Fun & Games 57 Grins & Giggles 58 CSA Application 59 CSA Benefits 60 CSA Events 62 Fast Facts 3 Editor’s Message 6 Snowbird Alert 8 Bird Talk 10 President’s Message 11 Government Relations Report 12 Insurance by J. Ross Quigley 13 Opinion by Michael Coren 44 Health Pulse 45 Book Review by Robert Wiersema 46 Fitness by Jennifer Cox 47 Longevity by Jennifer Cox 32 42 36 Summer 2022 The 11 Best Things to Do in Western Canada. by Rex Vogel Colon and Rectal Cancer Colorectal cancers are far more likely to be successfully treated when found early. by Dr. Robert MacMillan RV Lifestyle Finance Your Bear Market Game Plan How to thrive in an extended market downturn. by James Dolan Health Departments CSANews | SUMMER 2022 | 5
Snowbird Alert Source: www.newscanada.com IMPORTANT NOTICE U.S. 3G/HSPA networks shutting down As of July 1, 2022, if travelling to the U.S., you’ll no longer have roaming coverage as U.S. carriers will have shut down their 3G wireless networks. This means you’ll no longer be able to use roaming cellular services including 9-1-1, while in U.S. There’s no impact to your service while in Canada. On July 1, 2022, Cityfone will be removing the U.S. roaming features from your current plan (such as U.S. roaming voice minutes, texting and data) and renaming it to a Canada-wide plan. You’ll continue to receive the same domestic features (such as Canada-wide voice minutes, texting and data) and you will receive an ongoing discount of $20 per month, which will remain on your account as long as you keep your plan. The rest of your wireless services will remain the same. Please visit the Help section at www.simplyconnect.ca/help for more information. If you have questions or wish to change or no longer wish to subscribe to your plan, visit www.simplyconnect.ca for ways to contact us. We value your business and look forward to continuing to serve you. The SimplyConnect Team 5 TIPS to protect yourself if you must be outside on a hot day Spending time outside is a valuable booster for your mood and your health. For some, their livelihoods depend on being outdoors while, for others, their favourite physical activity is best done outside. However, when temperatures become extremely hot, time spent outside in the heat can put anyone’s health at risk. Though some are more vulnerable to heat, such as older adults and kids, or those with health conditions including heart problems or breathing difficulties, heat illnesses are preventable! During an extreme heat event, the most important thing is to keep cool and hydrated and avoid overexposure. Here are key ways to protect your health if you have to be outside on a very hot day: 1. Dress for the weather Simple choices such as what you wear canmake a big difference to your body temperature. On a hot day, opt for loose-fitting, light-coloured clothes made from breathable fabrics to help keep you cool. 2. Stay hydrated Thirst is not a good indicator of dehydration, so make sure that you drink plenty of cool fluids such as water before you feel the need. Staying hydrated can help you feel cooler in the heat and help ward off heat illness. 3. Find the shade If you must go outside during a heat wave, schedule activities for the cooler, shadier hours of the day – before 11 a.m. and after 3 p.m. – and limit your time in the sun. Choose an area in the shade whenever possible, as tree-shaded spaces can be as much as 5°C cooler than the area around them. 4. Go easy on yourself Physical activity in extreme heat can put you at greater risk for heat illness, even if you’re healthy. So, put off your tougher workouts for a cooler time or place. If you must be active outside on a hot day, remember to adjust your expectations and be realistic about your performance. Take extra breaks to remove any gear (such as a bike helmet) and to drink water. 5. Know the signs of heat illness Long-term health problems or death can result from heat illnesses, so be aware of the signs in yourself and those around you. If you experience dizziness or fainting, nausea or vomiting, headache, extreme thirst or unusually rapid breathing and heartbeat during extreme heat, move to a cool place immediately and drink cool fluids. If you’re with someone, such as a co-worker or running partner, who has a high body temperature and is either unconscious or confused, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately. This could be heat stroke, which needs emergency medical care. Apply cold water to their skin and clothes and get them to a cool place immediately while you wait for help. Find more information at Canada.ca/health. Ontario Licence Plate Stickers Now that the Province of Ontario has stopped issuing dated licence plate stickers for private passenger vehicles, it is highly recommended that you remove your expired licence plate sticker tags from your licence plates. Expired licence plate sticker tags provide too much of an opportunity to draw attention and cause confusion among traffic enforcement officers locally, and in other jurisdictions throughout North America. Keep in mind that, although you will not be issued new dated licence plate sticker tags, you are required to continue to renew your licence plates with Service Ontario before your birthday, every one or two years. 6 | www.snowbirds.org
CSAnews.com is now live! All of your favourite issues are now available on the web, with an archive of every issue from the past six years. All recent feature stories will be available to read online on any device. Sort by subject, issue or column. CSANews | SUMMER 2022 | 7
Bird Talk Dear Bird Talk, Here’s something I’ll throw out about the plate renewals; hopefully, the CSA will either know the answer or can get it. My wife and I have just renewed online for two years and have received e-mail receipts for the transaction. They say two-year renewal, but only include the date of the transaction and no date as to when the renewals expire. Something in writing which includes that info would be helpful. Our current plates were due to expire in July and November of this year. My understanding is that it’s “in the system” and thus any police officer in Ontario “running your plates” would see that they are valid. I have two questions to which I cannot find answers on theMTOwebsite. First, if you are in another province in Canada, would the police in those provinces have immediate access to the same info? Recent articles in the newspapers regarding Ontarians ticketed in Quebec for expired plates (even though Ontario was not requiring renewal on time before the current system was put in place) makes one wonder. Second, many of us seniors are snowbirds. What access to that info do police in the United States have? Example: my plates have a Nov 22 sticker on them, as does my ownership. Would a stop or check in Jan 23 allow them to check the validity of my plates? This is a potential nightmare for many seniors and/or vacationers. Should the CSA not know, you certainly have greater knowledge and capability than I to research the issue. I suspect that a lot of your readers would be interested in the answer − I definitely would. Thanks in advance for any info that you can give me. Dave Sickles Brighton, ON Ed.: In an effort to streamline the licence plate renewal process and save costs, an increasing number of provinces are moving away from providing drivers with physical stickers to place on their rear licence plates. The Ontario government has stated that law enforcement bodies in other jurisdictions have been made aware of changes to Ontario’s licence plate sticker program. The receipt which you received from Service Ontario should have an order date, as well as the length of renewal (one year or two years). For most drivers, the sticker will need to be renewed before their birthday in one or two years. It is recommended that drivers keep this receipt in their vehicle with other official documents, such as proof of insurance and the vehicle registration. Drivers should also physically remove dated licence plate stickers from their licence plates. Ontario vehicle owners can also obtain proof of the expiration date of their licence plate by visiting a Service Ontario location with their existing vehicle permit and requesting that a new permit be printed, at no charge, for the purpose of travelling out of province. Dear Bird Talk, Good on the CSA for helping get Ontario back on track with health care. While down south, I hope to get the same muscle used on the FEDS regarding the highly annoying, redundant and just plain overkill of the “ArriveCAN” app. I hate to alignmyself with the “FREEDOM” wingnuts but, on this issue, they are right. It is invasive and restricts our ability to move across the border. It should NOT be easier to cross than to just return to my own country. Aside from the fact that the app NEVER works, it is blatantly discriminatory to ALL seniors, the not-entirely wealthy and anybody who does not have a computer or smartphone (I would guess that this is maybe 20% of the population!). After missing my time down south (California) for the last two years due to COVID, I do not need to fight my own country just to get back in. Anything that the CSA can do would help. Thanks, Gord Cochrane Port Burwell, ON Ed.: It makes me crazy, too. I, personally, do not carry a cellphone − so what is a person to do? My wife assures me that it does occasionally work. Dear Bird Talk, I was in Lake Havasu, AZ for more than three months. Before I came to the border, I tried my ArriveCAN. I forgot my password and verification code and I’m not good on computers. I tried for a day and the next morning and got tired of trying to get it working. I went to customs and they told me that I had to stay home for 14 days and take two COVID tests because I didn’t fill out the ArriveCAN. Some other people came back fromArizona and they didn’t have to do anything. The only thing that the ArriveCAN (sic app) does is have you upload a picture of your shots and your passport. I showed them both to customs. I think that someone is making a lot of money on this ArriveCAN. I’m 70 years old. Richard Dittaro Fort Frances, ON Ed.: Just another government nightmare and very, very unfair − especially to seniors. Your young age (I am 77) has nothing to do with this. We are being treated like criminals. CSA is fighting this and we will win, but it will take some time. Dear Bird Talk, We are new to being snowbirds. Please tell me that there is a travel insurance plan out there which covers you for 150 days without having to come across the border every 30-33 days? What is the point of buying travel insurance if you have to come back every 30-33 days? It is very costly to have to cross the border eachmonth? Confused on travel insurance... help… Lynn Wills Nerepis, NB Ed.: Medipac will be happy to insure you for any trip up to 212 days in length. And there is no requirement for you to cross back and forth across the border. The U.S. allows you to visit for up to six months, in any 12-month period. That is not a calendar year; it is ANY 12-month period. Don’t forget to take advantage of Medipac’s Early Bird Discount. Buying your insurance now can be very effective for savings. 8 | www.snowbirds.org
Dear Bird Talk, We have just purchased a U.S. home in California and are wondering whether, if we move excess furniture from our Canadian home, we will have issues at the border with U.S. customs. Jeff Wilcox Golden Lake, ON Ed.: You will be able to take the furniture to your new property and you should have no issues at the border. Make a detailed list to show at the border and explain what you are doing and also show proof of your new home purchase. Dear Bird Talk, Issue #122 Page 8 – 1st Insertion – From Judy Gage, Victoria, B.C. In your answer – Line 10 you state … “Go to 1-94 website and see for yourself.” Can you please clarify what “I-94 website” means…or…is it a typo? I look forward to your response. Sir Richard T. Neville Ottawa, ON Ed.: It was not a typo, sir.We implore all snowbirds to visit this website and take a look at how the U.S. Customs and Border Protection service is tracking your entries and exits to the United States. Go to the website and click on the “VIEW TRAVEL HISTORY” tab. You can then log in with your name, date of birth and travel document, such as a passport or Nexus card number, and you will see the dates and points of entry on record. It’s interesting to see. Big Brother is watching! Here is the website address: i94.cbp.dhs.gov Bird Talk 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, Hello, I am a snowbird spending winters in Nokomis, Florida. There seems to be a discrepancy in thought between my fellow snowbirds about a rule that does or does not actually exist. There is a large number of snowbirds saying that, if you leave the U.S. and return before 30 days have expired, the time in Canada actually counts as time in the U.S. Question: If we were to leave Canada and enter the U.S. in November and fly home to Ontario for two weeks at Christmas − and then fly back to the U.S., do the two weeks in Canada count as days in the U.S. or Canada? Richard Stevens St. Thomas, ON Ed.: The trouble with this discrepancy is that it is at the DISCRETION of the CBSA officer. When you re-enter the United States after your Christmas visit to Canada, you may be permitted to stay for an additional six months! The problem that can occur down the line is that when you presumably re-enter the United States next fall, or in following years, a CBSA officer may look at your file and decide, at their DISCRETION, that you overstayed your welcome. He or she may decide to reduce the number of days for which you will be permitted to visit. We have been advised by CBSA that a “best practices” approach to this potential discrepancy is that when you enter the United States to reside there for the winter, short trips abroad and back to Canada should not be deducted from your “days in the United States” count. Please do not confuse this with the Calendar Year count that is employed on the 8840 Form. The 8840 Form is an IRS day count for tax purposes and only counts the actual days spent inside the United States from January 1 to December 31 of each year. Dear Bird Talk, Medical marijuana use is legal in Canada, but not in all of the states. When we cross into the U.S., I do not bring any form of CBD (which I have registered to use) with me. However, I have just been issued a Medical Marijuana Use ID card by the state of Florida. When I return home to Canada, I am crossing the Canadian border. Can I bring my CBD (purchased in Florida) across our Canadian border without any complications? Carol Heaslip Waterford, ON Ed.: No! No! No! Under the Cannabis Act, transporting cannabis across the Canadian border in any form is illegal; this includes any oils containing THC or cannabidiol (CBD) regardless of how much cannabis you are travelling with, whether you are authorized to use cannabis for medical purposes in any form (including cannabidiol – CBD), or if you are travelling to or from a municipality, state or country in which cannabis has been legalized or decriminalized. So don’t take any chances. Dear Bird Talk, Hi, I received a statement of interest income from my TD Bank in the U.S. − interest earned is .44 cents. Would I have to file income tax in the U.S? If no filing is required, as of what amount earned would I have to file? Maria De Marco Québec Ed.: No tax is payable on your interest from this bank and, anyway, you are way below the threshold for filing and paying U.S. tax, which is about $750. CSANews | SUMMER 2022 | 9
President’s Message Karen Huestis CSA President On June 2, Ontario voters gave Premier Doug Ford another four-year term at Queen’s Park. The Progressive Conservatives, who won 76 ridings in 2018, increased their seat count by seven, capturing 83 seats to secure their second consecutive majority government. The NDP are once again Ontario’s Official Opposition, winning 31 seats in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. The Ontario Liberal Party failed to secure official party status for the second consecutive election, with only eight seats. Both NDP Leader Andrea Horwath and Ontario Liberal Leader Steven Del Duca announced their resignations as party leaders shortly thereafter. In 2020, the Government of Ontario eliminated the Out-of-Country Travellers’ Program which provided reimbursement for Ontario residents facing medical emergencies while travelling outside of Canada. The CSA challenged that decision in Ontario Divisional Court − the Court’s ruling sided with us and reinstated this important coverage for travelling Ontarians. On behalf of the Canadian Snowbird Association, I would like to congratulate Premier Ford on his re-election and we look forward to working with him on issues of importance to our Ontario members. I would also like to thank Official Opposition Leader Andrea Horwath and Ontario Liberal Leader Steven Del Duca, who were always willing to listen to the concerns of our association. The CSA continues to pursue passage of our Canadian retiree visa bills. If successful, this initiative would extend the length of time for which Canadians aged 50 and older could stay in the United States annually from six months to eight months. In the current session of Congress, we have bills in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. The House bill, H.R. 4856 the Canadian Snowbird Visa Act has 12 bipartisan co-sponsors. The Senate companion bill, S. 2096 the Canadian Snowbirds Act is sponsored by Florida Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott and Arizona Senators Krysten Sinema and Mark Kelly. Snowbirds are frustrated that these bills have not progressed faster, and we understand that. Frankly, it has been very difficult to get much of anything passed in the United States Congress for a number of years now. Negotiations are currently taking place to have these pieces of legislation included in the upcoming budget reconciliation bill. Reconciliation is a special tool that makes it easier to pass legislation in the United States Senate. Debate on a reconciliation bill is limited to 20 hours, so that it cannot be filibustered on the Senate floor. This allows the bill to be passed by a simple majority, in contrast to most Senate legislation, which requires a 60-vote supermajority. This is must-pass budget legislation with a deadline for passage of September 30, to avoid a partial government shutdown. As always, we will keep you posted on our progress. There is a new U.S. Ambassador to Canada. This past winter, President Joe Biden nominated David Cohen to fill the position that had been vacant since 2019. Ambassador Cohen most recently served as the top in-house lobbyist for Comcast, the enormous American internet, cable TV and movie company. He has also served as the chief of staff to the mayor of Philadelphia, Ed Rendell. Most important, he has been friends with President Biden for more than 30 years which will, hopefully, turn out to be a plus for Canada. Prior to the pandemic, it is estimated that approximately 400,000 people crossed the Canada-United States border every day. Our two countries share one of the largest trading relationships in the world, with more than $1 trillion in bilateral trade in goods and services in 2021. Clearly, both nations have an enormous interest in striking the right balance among security, trade and tourism. The CSA has had great working relationships with many of Ambassador Cohen’s predecessors. We worked hard to build those relationships and we will work hard to build this one as well. We look forward to sitting down with Ambassador Cohen in Ottawa and bringing him up to speed regarding issues of importance to our members. This summer, your association is working hard to shorten the lengthy delays which many of you are experiencing when renewing your passports, enrolling in Nexus and flying in and out of many of our airports. You can read more about these issues in Ron Steeves’ Government Relations column. Bill and I wish you a safe and happy summer with family and friends. 10 | www.snowbirds.org
Government Relations Report Ron Steeves First Vice-President As the COVID-19 pandemic and the government response evolves, we anticipate additional changes to cross-border travel measures in both Canada and the United States over the summer months. Since my last report, the U.S. government has suspended the requirement for air travellers to obtain a pre-departure COVID-19 test within a day of their departure flights effective June 12, 2022. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will reassess this decision in 90 days and, like all COVID-19 measures, it remains subject to change. Please note that a pre-departure COVID-19 test is not currently a requirement for land travellers entering the United States by vehicle. While the Biden administration has removed the requirement for a pre-departure test for entry into the United States, it is still important to keep in mind that no changes have been made to the U.S. government’s requirement for all visitors 18 years of age and older to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. At the time of printing, the CDC has not altered their definition of “fully vaccinated.” Travellers are considered fully vaccinated two weeks (14 days) after their second dose of an accepted two-dose series. More detailed information about this requirement, including exemptions, can be obtained at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/proof-of-vaccination.html. In Canada, in an effort to reduce traveller wait times at Canada’s major airports, the federal government temporarily suspended randomized arrival testing for fully vaccinated Canadian travellers from June 11 to June 30. As of July 1, all testing, including for unvaccinated travellers, will be performed off site. Additionally, the Canadian government has also suspended the requirement that domestic and outbound travellers be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 effective June 20, 2022. This means that vaccination against COVID-19 is no longer required to board a plane or train in Canada. Canadian citizens and Canadian permanent residents returning from international destinations who do not qualify for the fully vaccinated traveller exemption continue to be required to provide a valid pre-entry test result, remain subject to Day 1 and Day 8 molecular testing, and must quarantine for 14 days. Further, all travellers entering Canada are required to input their mandatory information in ArriveCAN within 72 hours before their arrival in Canada. Travellers who arrive without completing their ArriveCAN submission may be subject to Day 1 and Day 8 molecular testing, quarantine for 14 days and fines or other enforcement actions, regardless of their vaccination status. Members are advised to visit travel.gc.ca/ travel-covid prior to any return to Canada for the most up-to-date information related to re-entry requirements. The CSA continues to advocate on behalf of our members on a wide range of issues, including passport and NEXUS program enrolment backlogs and congestion at Canada’s airports. We have all seen the images of the extensive lines outside of passport offices across the country. The federal government recently launched a tool that allows passport seekers to view walk-in wait times at Passport Canada offices which can be accessed at www.cic.gc.ca/english/passport/map/map. asp. As we experience a surge in passport applications due to pent-up travel demand, the association is calling on the federal government to address the backlog in passport applications through the streamlining of processes and increased hiring. Members are urged to review the expiry date on their passport and renew, if necessary, as soon as possible. Anyone travelling in more than 45 days, or who doesn’t have a specific travel date, can receive in-person service at a Service Canada centre. Alternatively, no proof of travel is required for mail-in applications. With more than 300,000 Canadians waiting for NEXUS approval, we are committed to working with the federal government to address this backlog in a timely manner. While U.S. enrolment centres have been reopened since mid-April of this year, Canada’s enrolment centres have remained closed since March of 2020. The continued closure of Canada’s enrolment centres is forcing NEXUS members to book in-person interviews in the United States where there are limited appointments available. The CSA is calling on the federal government to effectively address this backlog and open Canadian NEXUS enrolment centres immediately. Tackling the NEXUS backlog will, in part, alleviate some of the congestion which we have been witnessing at Canadian airports by expediting the travel process for trusted travellers who have been vetted under the program. The association will continue to provide members with our timely email advisories over the summer months to notify you when there are changes to cross-border travel measures both in Canada and the United States. Judy and I wish you a safe and enjoyable summer. CSANews | SUMMER 2022 | 11
J. Ross Quigley CEO Medipac International Inc. Insurance One of my sons is required to be tested with an MRI on his brain, approximately every six months. In early June, it was again time for his testing and he attempted to book an appointment at the local laboratory. Unbelievably, the first appointment that was available was October 29, four-and-a-half months away. The things that can happen, medically, in four months could be very dangerous. I insisted that he get the MRI immediately − instead of waiting − and we booked an MRI in the U.S. two days later. It was a very small price to pay, given the other possible outcomes. Fortunately, he passed the test with flying colours and our worries were over. But what if this were a cancer, a circulation issue or a gastrointestinal issue? He could have died waiting for that MRI and I am certain that many people do in fact die, or have a cancer that would subsequently be out of control and possibly incurable. Canada’s Medicare system is fraught with peril due to the extensive waiting periods for a simple MRI, a CT scan or a similar test. In fact, simply waiting for a doctor’s appointment and then further waiting for a specialist referral and then, even further waiting for the proper tests to determine a diagnosis, can result in death and/or unnecessary disability. When serious illnesses and conditions arise, timing is everything. When the issue turns out to be a fast-acting cancer that a two-, three- and even fourmonth or longer wait can allow to take complete control of your body… the results are obvious. Timing can also be critical because of a lack of available doctors. In Florida, for instance, there are daily ads in the newspaper which announce the retirements of local doctors. In parts of Canada, the same thing is happening. I know of one current situation in New Brunswick in which a doctor just up and moved to a different city. He had more than 600 patients whom he was treating for many and varied illnesses. What do these people do now? Finding a doctor to take you on as a new patient is one of the most unfair and difficult things to resolve. Canada does not have enough doctors, or nurses for that matter. Doctors from overseas are not allowed to practise without passing numerous tests and relearning their education − which can take years. Medical schools have severe limitations on the number of students who can enrol in their programs. Why? If you find yourself in a position such as this, then please work very hard to get a family doctor. Don’t wait until you really need one, as that simply adds more time to your possible cure. Contact your minister of health and the local hospitals. Get a referral as soon as you can, now, while you are healthy. And we can all use another “work up,” even if we are experiencing no symptoms. I know several people who have died from colon cancer. At least three of them had colon cancer in their family but none − I repeat none − had been tested with a simple colonoscopy or perhaps even a virtual colonoscopy, if you are squeamish. They even have non-invasive pretests that you can use. So…don’t wait for symptoms, get tested now. And if anything runs in your family, PLEASE GET TESTED NOW − it can save your life. Annual blood tests are also a great way to stay on top of your health. What is your blood pressure? Are you managing your cholesterol? Are your EEG and EKG normal. Find out NOW. Your doctor can, and will, recommend these tests and they can be arranged very quickly; just do it. As this is supposed to be an insurance update, I would recommend that you see your doctor soon. Medipac has a 90-day, pre-existing exclusion clause and it is best to get medication adjustments at least 90 days prior to travel. That way, we can insure you properly, even for a new condition, in most cases. And, as I am sure that you are aware, Medipac has just launched our new Early Bird Travel Insurance program. We still offer full Covid coverage, including the many variations, and our rates are very similar to last year. We have reduced our Annual Add-on rates by a little more than 10% and this is really excellent coverage as it includes six months of coverage while travelling in Canada, as well. We are expecting an onslaught of new clients this year and we will be very, very busy. I recommend that you enrol in our Early Bird program NOW and avoid the last-minute rush. Timing is Everything! Timing is Everything 12 | www.snowbirds.org
Let me say immediately that there is nothing Christian about allowing women to die from illegal backstreet abortions. Nothing Christian about removing the basic right of a woman to control her own body. Nothing Christian about wanting to criminalize female equality. This needs to be emphasized because inMay, it was leaked that the U.S. Supreme Court has provisionally voted to overturn Roe vs. Wade, the iconic 1973 ruling that legalized abortion. Judge Samuel Alito apparently wrote in February that, “Roe was egregiously wrong from the start. Its reasoning was exceptionally weak, and the decision has had damaging consequences. And far from bringing about a national settlement of the abortion issue, Roe and Casey have inflamed debate and deepened division.” He was supported by four other Republicanappointed justices – ClarenceThomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett. It took very little time for Canadian politicians and activists to take up the fight, empowered by the big brother to the south. There’s a chapter in my last book, The Rebel Christ, entitled, “Life Begins at … Being Really, Really Angry About Abortion” and, while I realize that the optics scream otherwise, please know that the war on women’s reproductive choice isn’t at all Christian. Until relatively recently, the evangelical church had a far more nuanced and moderate position on the issue. As late as 1971, the Southern Baptist Convention − the largest Protestant church in North America − voted to, “work for legislation that will allow the possibility of abortion under such conditions as rape, incest, clear evidence of severe fetal deformity, and carefully ascertained evidence of the likelihood of damage to the emotional, mental, and physical health of the mother.” In 1968, Christianity Today, the most influential magazine in the evangelical world, stated that abortion had always to be considered in the light of “individual health, family welfare, and social responsibility.” Both positions would be considered heresy today. The Roman Catholic Church has beenmore consistently opposed to abortion, but also objects to birth control, divorce and women’s ordination. With all due respect, it’s difficult to regard this anachronistically patriarchal institution that was so slow and reluctant to admit systemic sexual abuse of children, as a qualified commentator on the subject. But what of scripture itself? The central point is that any ancient text, even one that is central to a religious faith and certainly crucial to my life and beliefs, has to be understood and interpreted in context and with understanding. So, for example, when opponents of abortion quote Jeremiah − “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, and before you were born, I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations” – they should grasp a few realities. First, this was written around 2,700 years ago. Second, the text is speaking more of a single person, “a prophet to the nations,” thanmaking a sweeping comment about the beginning of life. Or Psalm 139, “For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together inmy mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” This is poetry and metaphor − a beautiful testimony to God’s love, but not a guide to human biology. The very idea is un-biblical. The New Testament has Elizabeth − the mother of John the Baptist, meeting Mary − mother of Jesus, and “the child leaped in her womb.” Again, a lyrical description of an event that shaped history, but not scientific and not supposed to be. If we’re to take a literalist approach to the Bible, we’re in all sorts of trouble. By the way, it sometimes supports abortion, something the Christian right doesn’t like to mention. This is all very important to stress, nomatter what your religion or lack of it. And on that point, Islam, Judaism and Christianity have taught historically that life begins not at conception, but at the first breath. Other faiths have taught something similar. What does run through scripture, if we read it through the light-filled prism of Gospel love and empathy, is care for the marginalized and powerless. And it’s poor and racialized women in particular who will suffer if the extremists have their way. This isn’t about life and never has been. It’s about control. Of women, freedom and progress. As a Christian, I knowwhere I have to stand. This really is an issue that we in Canada have settled. God keep it so. Opinion with Michael Coren CSANews | SUMMER 2022 | 13
Hand-Painted Eggs With Ukraine dominating the news this year, the Ukrainian Museum of Canada is especially relevant. We visited the Saskatoon branch. (Other branches are in Edmonton, Winnipeg and Toronto.) Amid displays of Ukrainian heritage, folk art and traditional clothing, we discovered dozens of intricately patterned, colourful and painstakingly hand-painted pysanky (Ukrainian Easter eggs). Some – brought to Canada by early immigrants – are more than 100 years old. Pysanky-making workshops – held for two weeks prior to Easter in the Saskatoon branch – teach participants how to paint the decorative symbols using wax resist techniques. Year-round, you can buy kits with instruction guides, design sheets, beeswax, tools and dyes. The gift shop also sells beautiful pysanky created by Canadian artists. umcyxe.ca Hidden Treasures Where in the world will you find an impressive collection of Ukrainian Easter eggs, a Cold War memorabilia-filled four-storey bunker and the cast of a 12,000-year-old woolly mammoth? Answer: In Canada’s lesser-known museums. Although our country boasts several worldrenowned institutions, you’ll discover countless fascinating artifacts in Canada’s smaller, specialty and sometimes off-the-beaten-path museums. Here are several discoveries that we’ve enjoyed, to give you an idea of the diverse treasures preserved in collections from coast-to-coast-to-coast. Story and photos © Barb & Ron Kroll 14 | www.snowbirds.org Travel
Top-Secret Bunker If Russia’s threats of nuclear attacks during its Ukraine invasion bring back memories of the Cubanmissile crisis, the Diefenbunker in Carp, west of Ottawa, is a must-see. Top-secret for years, the four-storey bunker was named after Prime Minister John Diefenbaker, who commissioned it in 1959 to house key government and military officials in the event of a nuclear attack on Canada. Built to withstand a five-megaton nuclear blast from 1.8 kilometres away, the steel-and-concrete structure is Canada’s strongest building. Its 358 rooms could safely shelter 535 people with enough food for 30 days. Our eyes widened during a guided tour of the underground mini-city, as we viewed Geiger counters, decontamination rooms, a hospital, cafeteria, dental clinic, CBC radio studio, Bank of Canada vault, electronic equipment, meeting rooms and bedrooms, including one for the prime minister. Civil defence publications, ColdWar archives and posters fill the extensive library. The 100,000-square-foot nuclear bomb shelter operated until 1994, when it became a National Historic Site. The museum opened in 1998. diefenbunker.ca Ice Age Mammals We time travelled much further back in history at the Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre in Whitehorse. Near the end of the ice age 30,000 to 16,000 years ago, lowered sea levels created a land bridge over the Bering Strait, allowing people and animals to migrate from Siberia to the Yukon – an area called Beringia. Wall murals, skeletons and replicas portray landscapes and the mix of familiar (caribou, muskox and grizzly bears) and now-extinct animals that roamed Beringia’s treeless plains. Scimitar cats occupied the Yukon more than 20,000 years ago. Amodel of the formidable 200-kilogram feline predator depicts its oversized canine teeth. Craning our necks, we viewed the skull of a plaster cast of a 12,000-year-old woolly mammoth. The four-metre-high adults had curved tusks that grew up to 3.5 metres long and weighed up to 100 kilograms each. We examined a woolly mammoth tusk unearthed in the Dawson gold fields. By studying its growth rings, scientists determined that it was about 25,000 years old. beringia.com CSANews | SUMMER 2022 | 15 Travel
Octopus Bags The 40,000 objects in downtown Whitehorse’s MacBride Museum also include mammoth tusks, as well as Klondike Gold Rushmemorabilia and wildlife displays. (Will your head fit into a polar bear’s mouth? Discover the answer at the hands-on exhibit of animal skulls!) Among the Yukon’s 14 First Nations arts and crafts on display are some fascinating beaded octopus bags. Named after the eightarmed mollusk, the bags were originally used by medicine men who stored traditional medicines in each finger.They were later used as ceremonial dance aprons and beautifully decorated bags to carry tobacco, pipes and flint for starting fires. macbridemuseum.com Birch Bark-Biting Located 15 minutes northeast of downtown Saskatoon, Wanuskewin Heritage Park combines an archaeological site, indigenous cultural interpretations and performances, indoor exhibits and galleries. Works by contemporary and traditional First Nations artists include paintings, sculptures, beadwork, jewellery and porcupine quill-decorated baskets. The unique birch bark bitings by Cree Elder and residential school survivor Sally Milne are especially impressive. Using only her teeth to bite hand-peeled birch bark, she creates distinctive pieces of art. wanuskewin.com 16 | www.snowbirds.org Travel
Inuit Culture Although it’s a small building, Churchill Manitoba’s Itsanitaq Museum houses impressive displays of 1,300 items from a collection of 4,800 Inuit artifacts and works of art. Itsanitaq means “things from the past – objects, events and stories.” Most outstanding are the whalebone, walrus ivory, soapstone and muskox horn carvings. Visitors can listen to audio descriptions of specific items on handsets. We especially enjoyed viewing handmade items from everyday Inuit life, including tools, sealskin boots and boats. travelmanitoba.com/directory/itsanitaq-museum World’s Only Mooseskin Boat Much rarer than the sealskin boats in the Itsanitaq Museum’s collections is the only mooseskin boat ever preserved. For us, it was the highlight of the natural history, northern aviation, mining exhibits, Dene and Inuvialuit cultural displays in the Yellowknife, N.W.T. Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre. A moose hide sign explained that, from the late 1800s to the 1950s, these boats transported people, dogs, meat, furs and other goods down rivers to theMackenzie River and trading posts. Designed as temporary craft, the boats were dismantled after the journey. The hides were used for clothing and other items and the occupants returned home on foot. By the 1950s, mooseskin boats had virtually disappeared. Elders, who still retained the knowledge and skills, decided to teach young people about this part of their heritage. In 1981, Gabe Etchinelle built the boat from eight moose hides, without nails, using only an ax, needles and knives. Another moose hide sign shows its route from the construction site near the headwaters of the Keele River to the Mackenzie River and Tulita (formerly Fort Norman). A barge transported it to Yellowknife. pwnhc.ca CSANews | SUMMER 2022 | 17 Travel
Largest Yukon River Sternwheeler Canada’s maritime history is also showcased in a Parks Canada museum inside the permanently docked S.S. Klondike in Whitehorse. To prepare for our visit to the national historic site, we viewed outdoor interpretive panels – developed in partnership with First Nations along the Yukon River – and watched the 20-minute In the Days of the Riverboats video in the theatre. They explained how life on the Yukon’s rivers changed for Indigenous peoples after the first steam-powered paddlewheelers arrived in the 1860s, carrying newcomers and their ways of life until the 1950s. During our guided tour, a heritage interpreter recounted stories of life on the river. We learned how much wood was required to keep the paddlewheel turning, how captains negotiated the rapids and how the crew unstuck ships from sandbars. pc.gc.ca/en/lhn-nhs/yt/ssklondike Viking Ship Newfoundland’s Norstead Viking Village also reflects Canada’s maritime past. The replica 11th-century port and commercial trading site features four historically correct buildings, costumed re-enactors and a knarr (Viking ship). Inside the sod-roofed boathouse, Bjorn explained that the Vikings explored the coasts of Newfoundland and Labrador in ocean-going traders such as this one. Built in Maine in 1996, the re-created 16.5-metre ship had an open deck and a canvas sail. Pointing at the planks, he noted that they were fastened with 2,700 rivets from an English bridge. In the Norstead chieftain’s hall, other interpreters described daily life for the Vikings who settled in Newfoundland. We watched a woman spin sheep fleece into yarn with a whorl drop spindle. She explained how she knit the yarn into mittens, socks and hats with a needle made from moose antler. http://norstead.com/main.asp 18 | www.snowbirds.org Travel
Living History Museum Just two kilometres from Norstead is another living history museum – L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site. Interactive displays in the visitor centre answer questions about Viking life and depict archaeological finds, including spindles and fragments of bone needles used by Norse women. Inside one of the reconstructed sod buildings, we discovered a Viking encampment. Dressed in Norse costumes, Egil andThora sat by the hearth and invited us to relax on sheepskin-covered benches on the other side. After describing how they churned butter, cooked in iron pots and used the tools around them, Egil pulled out a wooden lyre and sang a song as he plucked the strings. For a few minutes, the music and surroundings transported us back 10 centuries. pc.gc.ca/en/lhn-nhs/nl/meadows Creepy-Crawlies The living museum concept takes on a whole new perspective at the Bug Gallery in Edmonton’s Royal Alberta Museum. Even squeamish visitors become fascinated when they view and learn about the spiders, insects and other invertebrates that comprise 97% of the animal kingdom. As we safely searched glass cases for camouflaged insects – inches from our noses – and viewed the social behaviour of paper wasps, we learned about warning colours, ambush predators and how invertebrates find mates and capture prey. The beauty, diversity and ecological roles of jungle nymph stick insects, rhinoceros beetles and scorpions soon captivated us. The highlight for intrepid visitors is the opportunity to handle some species, including tarantulas, when staff and volunteers are available. royalalbertamuseum.ca/visit/galleries/bug-gallery CSANews | SUMMER 2022 | 19 Travel
Building-Sized Exhibits Whereas the Bug Gallery’s exhibits are smaller than the palms of your hands, other museum displays are as large as edifices. In Pembroke, Ontario, more than 30 giant canvases cover the buildings’ exterior walls. Painted by Canadian artists, these illustrate the history and culture of the city from 1828 to recent years. Using a free audio tour (which can be streamed or downloaded) and a Pembroke Heritage Murals© map, we walked along Pembroke’s streets, exploring a bygone era. Mural topics are as diverse as the city’s history, ranging from old-time fiddling to street lights. (Pembroke was the first town in Canada to illuminate its streets with commercial electric lights.) From 1828 to 1980, lumber was Pembroke’s main industry. The Timber Raftmural portrays loggers steering rafts made fromwhite and red pine timbers along the Ottawa River rapids. From here, they followed the St. Lawrence River to Quebec City to ship the wood to European markets. The timbers were hewn square so that they fit more easily into the holds of ships. One of the most unique Heritage Murals is a rare three-dimensional painting of Marguerite d'Youville, founder of the Grey Nuns and the first Canadian-born canonized saint. Photocell-illuminated cornices resembling stained glass windows span paintings depicting people for whom Marguerite cared in her mission. pembroke.ca/en/recreation-and-culture/ pembroke-heritage-murals.aspx 20 | www.snowbirds.org Travel
So Much Choice This summary barely scratches the surface of Canada’s numerous museums. The Canadian Museums Association currently lists 2,752 museums in its directory, in every province and territory. Their categories include aeronautics, agriculture, anthropology, archaeology, arts & leisure, children’s museums, community & regional, cultural centres, historic sites, industry & trade, living history, maritime, military, music & performing arts, natural history, religion, science & technology, sports and transportation. museums.ca/site/aboutthecma/ services/canadianmuseumdirectory The directory is proof that, no matter where you’re travelling in Canada, you’ll find many opportunities to discover hidden treasures. Barb & Ron Kroll publish the trip-planning website www.KrollTravel.com Travelling Displays While Pembroke’s exhibits are permanent, many museums feature rotating temporary shows of artifacts on loan from private collectors and other institutions. Whenever we plan museum visits, we always check their websites for these special exhibitions. They offer opportunities to view rarely seen items. GET OUT THERE FAMILY TIME Take your time and enjoy the journey by coming to Ruby’s Inn at the gateway to Utah’s Bryce Canyon National Park. Life’s too short to just reach your destination, so reward yourself and come experience life Ruby’s way! • Hotel and Campground • Closest Accommodations to Bryce Canyon National Park • Just off Highway 89 for a perfect side trip • Midway point for Western US destinations The Closest accommodations to Bryce Canyon | rubysinn.com/CSASummer22 During a visit to the Prince Edward Island National Park Greenwich Interpretation Centre, for example, we viewed an engrossing and informative display of Mi’kmaq baskets from the Ray Sark Collection. In addition to admiring the beautiful baskets, we learned about the tools and techniques for weaving them from ash, maple, sweetgrass and other materials. pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/pe/pei-ipe/ visit/greenwich/ CSANews | SUMMER 2022 | 21 Travel
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