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
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