I would like to again thank Peter et al. for setting up this people’s social movement! I think that after one year, the task before us in Canada is clear:
1. Continue to lobby all the political parties as to these issues, reminding them that we are 1,000,000 strong in Canada and WE VOTE! AND WE ARE CANADIANS!
2, Continue to support the Canadian Civil Liberties Association. They are a tremendously influential organization that garners support from a wide swath of Canadian life.
3. And talk to all others you encounter, directing them to this site.
I would add to this, and the same goes by analogy for USPs in other countries outside Canada:
1. Write to parties in other countries telling them about the Canadian experience on FATCA. If you know someone that is politically active in another country (whether USP or not), lobby them to make their party and elected officials aware of the situation. Remember, FATCA also potentially raises security and privacy concerns for non-USPs and FATBARDT in general is a drain on other countries’ treasuries and economies.
2. Especially target Green parties and tell them about the Canadian Green party’s support for our cause.
3. Join the ACA and donate some money. They tend to stay a little too politically correct for me vis-à-vis congresscritters and International Reaming Service but we need their efforts what with their permenant office in Washington and their consistent participation with the Americans Abroad Caucus and Americans Abroad Week. People in Washington do probably take ACA more seriously because they are coming across as less vehement than some of us at IBS might be, but rest assured, ACA knows about IBS and we are viewed as an important part of the larger movement.
4. SWAT : Special Writers And Theses– Scour the Internet for articles about FATCA whether they be sensitive to the Minnow and bone fide resident abroad cause or just promulgating the old “look what these rich Americans are trying to get by with” ruse. Put comments on articles, reference back to IBS and other sites as well as other recent press articles online. Give IBS, Maple and other blogs a heads-up so that the rest of us can zoom in on the article and hammer it with comments (they just created a permenant “What’s New” thread at Maple that can be used for this purpose). This helps not only to educate people reading the articles and comments to see our side of the story, but may bring mainstream press writers into sympathy for our cause, while also attracting new IBS participants.
5. Look for other groups outside of IBS that are natural members or allies of our movement: scour the Internet for other blogs talking about our issues and post comments directing back to IBS and the other sites that you know.
6. Donate web hosting fees to Petros and/or other organizers such as those at Maple if you can.
7. Network with USPs in your area. Form a local Friends of IBS or Maple Club, or whatever you want to call it e.g. Swiss Caquelon. Put together contingency plans to help people who get accounts closed. Research the local legislation on 1st Amendment-type rights and see if you can pool money to advertise, contact local press, organize handing-out of handbills, or even small picket demonstrations.
BROCK ON!!! Let’s tar and feather FATBARDT. (Maple version= cover with maple syrup and pour on sand).
Someone who is a good wordsmith could start a petition with change.org
to stop the Canadian Government from signing and implementing an IGA on FATCA
Everyday people across Canada are using Change.org to start, join and win petitions for real social change.
The three victories below made news headlines across Canada, but we thought you might be interested in the inspiring people and the petitions behind them.
We’re sure there are plenty of things you would like to change, and we hope these victories inspire you to get started. Click here to take a few minutes and start your first petition.
High school student, Sarah Kavanagh gets Gatorade to remove an ingredient linked to flame retardants.
“Thanks to everyone who signed my petition for making this happen. Companies like Gatorade put so much thought into marketing. As someone who loves to drink their products, I’m so glad they’re making strides to put as much consideration into their customers’ health.”
Teacher, Ingrid Kerrigan’s 15,000 signature petition helps a wrongfully deported family return to Canada.
“I’m deeply thankful to all of the people who played a part, big or small, in helping this deserving family to finally find the safety and peace they have always hoped for. Being part of this family’s long journey home I’ve learned how important it is to speak out when people are wrongly deported to dangerous situations.”
Fort McMurray resident, Sobhi Hamid’s 20,000 signature petition pushes the Alberta Government to fast-track expanding a dangerous stretch of Highway 63.
“Over 100 people died travelling on Highway 63 over the past 20 years. It was so great to be able to bring thousands of supporters together using Change.org. Hopefully this change will help save the lives of hundreds of families traveling on this highway in the future.”
People like Sarah, Ingrid, and Sobhi are starting and winning meaningful petitions every day on Change.org. Starting a petition is easy and only takes a few minutes. Do you have something you want to change?
Lauryn, Jordy and the Change.org team