FATCA Fact Sheet Anti-FATCA Slogans Protest Press Release
AtticusinCanada has received an official permit to protest on Parliament Hill Oct. 16, 2013, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.! We will meet at 9 a.m. in front of Parliament Hill and proceed to the Hill itself once we have a reasonably sized group. Families and even children are welcome if you feel they are old enough! We ask that everyone bring their own sign. A good idea would be to email AtticusinCanada with the slogans you would like to use, so we have as few duplicates as possible.
First posted on September 11, 2013
The mini-protest in Ottawa on Sept 9, 2013, garnered some well needed media attention. Just imagine how much we could achieve if more Brockers joined forces for a larger protest at parliament hill this fall!
Many of us believe that a formal announcement of an IGA for FATCA is just around the corner. It’s time to ramp up with the push back. The letter writing and emailing to our elected representatives has been great, and some illuminating articles have been written by Lynne and Victoria, but we need to do more.
Atticusincanada and I would like to be the drivers towards organizing a larger protest, but first we need to gather enough participants. For those Brockers who can commit to coming to Ottawa for a day, and would like to join us, please email Atticusincanada at atticusincanada@gmail.com.
I’m sorry, WhiteKat, but unless this rally coincides with an unexpected trip to visit family in Montreal, I won’t be attending. I strongly believe that it should planned for when the press is expected to cover an event that’s happening at the same time, just as the 1st’s success can be partially attributed to. Thoughts?
No worries bubblebustin. Obviously not all Brockers can easily make it to Ottawa.
We haven’t planned the date yet. We are just trying to gather a list of interested participants at this point. Once we think we have more than enough people, we can set the date,
I agree, we should try to pick a date that coincides with another event.
I agree too that it should coincide with an event where media will be present otherwise there is no way to garner attention aside from alerting media to the protest ahead of time and that will not draw them unless it is a large group. I’m sure something will come up before too long.
I’m not sure whether this is the best time, but I noticed earlier today a short announcement on CBC News webpage that Harper has announced that Parliament re-convenes on October 16, a Wednesday. I’m not clear on whether that means the Throne Speech is on that day, and I leave it to others more media- and Parliament-savvy than I to discuss which date (October 16 or Throne Speech day) would be more appropriate for something like a rally, if it happens and if you want lots of media nearby.
Tim has noted that Flaherty is (or was until now) slated for a visit to Washington in mid-October, whatever that is. As I’ve expressed privately already, I very much doubt Flaherty is going to announce or sign anything in Washington for an IGA during that visit, especially now with the October 16 opening of Parliament. It would be a huge blunder and gift to opponents of FATCA if he did something as craven and sneaky as to make that announcement a) on US soil and not here, and b) at or very near the resumption of Parliament and the Throne Speech. Flaherty just doesn’t impress me as craven, sneaky, or so dumb as to hand a silver bullet like that to his opponents on a platter, with that kind of timing. At least, I sure as hell wouldn’t play it that way if I were he. But that’s just my gut instinct, and I’m not a politician so what do I know?
Which is a long way of saying that I’d be very surprised if there’s any IGA announcement before, say, Halloween (how appropriate, eh?) or thereabouts. Certainly not before the 16th, Tim and I both agree on the extreme unlikelihood of that.
I am going to look into the city of Ottawa’s permit requirements. Legally they aren’t supposed to be able to ask us to get one for the Hill! However, this article from Aug. 30th leads me to believe I ought to write to them. I will print my reply because I’m pretty sure it will say “No we can’t require one” and I’ll have that with me. http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Women+told+they+need+permit+their+sign/8855127/story.html
@Shubert, this is just to see who would be willing to participate when the right date does come up because I think it will be fairly soon. If people are interested some will need a heads up a bit before hand and some planning will need to take place. So if anyone is interested, we’re going to try and see what the lay of the land looks like.
Any input on best dates is appreciated or if you notice anyone speaking of importance. Hopefully, this fall.
I’m in, tenatively, depending on the date.
It’s a long drive, and I have a CLN, but I’m still furious about this situation. I need to walk it off. 😀
Glad to know it The Mom. I don’t think you’ll regret participating at all. One reason to start this list now of those maybe interested is car pooling! Someone else in your area may be interested in participating and you could share a ride. Or maybe we can get a group rate on the train. I know they have those.
I wish there were an edit button. If you have AirMiles they can be used for Via Rail tickets too.
@Atticus, good idea about inquiring into the permit possibility!
@All, Spouses and kids of tainted ‘US persons’ are welcome too. They are also affected by this.
I’ve heard from someone who is a regular reader who is in as well as a few of you! Not bad for a few hours. My spouse will come. Maybe even my sister in law and her daughter. I’m going to contact others in my family affected by this and encourage others who want to do the same.
No VIA for me in northern Ontario. 🙁 What I wouldn’t give for a GO train up here. LOL
Email coming your way.
Thank you so much The Mom. Really!
I would try my best.
I just posted a possible Toronto protest on a different thread:
http://isaacbrocksociety.ca/2012/07/16/canadian-bankers-association-maura-drew-lytle-responds-to-the-isaac-brock-society/comment-page-5/#comment-531631
That is another great idea and there is no reason why this can’t happen in multiple rotating cities. Going after the big banks with the privacy commissioner there!
I like the idea of using the Throne Speech or the day Parliament reconvenes as possible dates.
And if you want a chance to talk with Trudeau, he has meet and greets tomorrow and Friday in Etobichoke, which I have no idea where in Ontario this is but tickets to the event are free.
http://events.liberal.ca/Event-List.aspx
Couldn’t find anything on the Conservative site about Harper’s schedule.
Ottawa is nowhere near my neck of the woods and I am not likely to be east anytime soon but if someone plans something out west, I can look at the possibility of being there.
Perhaps try to join up/get support from other similar groups?
http://dwatch.ca/aboutdw.html
Democracy Watch P.O. Box 821, Stn B Ottawa, Canada K1P 5P9 Tel: 613-241-5179 Fax: 613-241-4758 Email: dwatch “@” web.net
http://www.canadians.org/democracy
Ottawa, ON Phil Soublière 613-204-1459, ottawa.cofc(*a*)gmail.com
sites.google.com/site/ottawacanadians on facebook
http://www.commoncauses.ca/
Common Causes is a new assembly of social movements dedicated to defending democracy, the environment, and human rights. Common Causes was launched today with several community actions taking place across the country.
Twitter: @Common_Causes & @CausesCommunes | Facebook.com/CommonCausesCausesCommunes |
http://www.commoncauses.ca
@Atticus: It is only possible in a multi city mode. Canada is many times larger than any European nation @Tricia: these groups might help organize local protests. At least make them aware of the issues and they might contribute to local protests.
@Yogagirl: I am sure Justin will be sympathetic. He could be the greatest ally, but he is looking to be elected and the numbers of Americans in Canada are not enough to affect his chances. Maybe half of the Americans in Canada are Canadian citizens so that dilutes Justin’s interest in this issue.
kermitzii,
FATCA hurts ALL Canadians, not just those with a US birthplace. This is the message we need to drive home!
@Kermitzii,
Multiple city protests makes sense.
This morning, while trying to catch up on things at home that I’ve fallen behind on lately, I’ve been mulling about why I am so determined to fight against an IGA with USA for FATCA. My family of five is middle-income, no private pension is coming our way, we’ve not seen any return on investment housing-wise because we bought our first house in 1989 – right at the peak of a housing boom in southern Ontario. We recently sold (no US taxable capital gains) and put the proceeds into a non-registered account. The only reason we have non-registered accounts over 50K is because we have been loathe to sink our ‘house money’ into the housing market here in Ottawa which is significantly more over-valued than the one we left – thus necessitating a large mortgage. However, if the FATCA train gets to close, buying another house would be a good way to make sure we have no reportable accounts.
The point I am getting at, is that it is not hard for most middle-income people with modest savings to avoid being run over by the FATCA train with some creative financial planning. So why am I so damn angry? USXCanada, feel free to chime in with your opinion on this.
I’m angry because, I love Canada, and am proud of all the hard won liberties, and the respect for human rights that our country exemplifies. I don’t want to see USA reach its tentacles into our country and slowly begin to erode all that. It’s not about the money. It’s about the freedom. It’s about wanting Canada to be Canada, not an extension of the USA.
Vent over – the cat fur is taking over, and the vacuum cleaner is calling.
@Whitecat, perhaps you saw my contribution to the FATCA Forum?
Why am I opposed to an IGA and implementation in of FATCA in Canada? Because the mere threat of this law has already caused damage to many taxpayers in Canada and has diminished the collective wealth of Canadians. The IGA would make extortion by the IRS essentially legal in Canada. I’ve written about it here (called the “FATCA master plan”): http://isaacbrocksociety.ca/2012/01/23/fatca-the-need-to-know-basis-is-not-satisfied/
This is not a rant. Don’t allow people to call it that and thus downgrade the value of your objections. These are rational, valuable objections that our government needs to hear. My objection to Flaherty is that people can’t sort out their US tax problems without help. Not everyone is coming to this Isaac Brock Society for help soon enough and some have already paid extortionate crippling financial penalties to the IRS, not knowing that there are better ways to protect oneself. That’s why the government has to step in to outlaw the cross-border lawyers and the extortion of the IRS in our country. It is the government of Canada’s responsibility to make sure that it protects the residents of this country. They are remiss in this chief mandate when it comes to the IRS but doing a better job with Eritrea by expulsing the Eritrean Ambassador.
The Yanks still claim to be the greatest country in the world. If so, then they should leave the tax bases of other countries alone. By attempting to extort money through out the world in this manner, they prove what Putin said in the NY Times, that the US is not exceptional:
@Petros,
I don’t mean to downgrade the financial impacts of FATCA, just pointing out that its not just about the money for me personally. I am worried that FATCA is one step closer to the annihilation of Canada as its own country, even more than I am concerned about the economic impact. If we say ‘yes’ to FATCA, what are we going to say ‘yes’ to next? Where is the line? It is starting to blur. That scares me.
kermitzii, I was just thinking of Trudeau from a media standpoint. They follow him like flies. Where he is, a reporter, camera and video are probably close by. And he has said he plans to be “honest”, so there is no harm in trying. I get the impression there is no telling what issue might strike him as a good one. And it can’t hurt to try.
Whtie Kat, I agree with you., FATCA is unlikely to greatly hinder me or my family because we don’t have all that much. It’s the principle of the thin. What right does the USG have to make me prove I am not a criminal – only a yearly basis and at my own expense – for the rest of my friggin life just because I choose to live in Canada?
And it incenses my inner Canadian that the American govt sees it as little more than a small obstacle to implementing America laws and values in other people’s countries.
I have been reading up on the Charter. One thing I found interesting is that for the Canadian govt to pull off “not withstanding” trick with our rights, it has to meet certain criteria and only rarely has the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that money (b/c financial institutions in Canada could get hit with the 30% withholding by the US for not compiling) is seldom an okay reason for overriding a Charter right.
The Charter is fascinating and a far greater document for the protection of rights and the promotion of debate about the roles of the various levels of governing and oversight than I think most people understand.
All, I like the idea of a multi-city effort but I still agree with the point that it’s better to make sure we are picking venues for maximum exposure and maximum impact on people. It’s convincing non-USC’s in our respective countries that this has the very real potential to impact them personally on some level (ie: banks passing on costs or something) that will go a long way towards furthering our cause.
@ AtticusinCanada,
re the issue of the permits “…the city of Ottawa’s permit requirements. Legally they aren’t supposed to be able to ask us to get one for the Hill!”….
This is useful; http://rabble.ca/toolkit/guide/event-organizing
and,
another privacy issue is this;
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/bid-for-increased-surveillance-alarms-privacy-watchdog/article4590665/