In case you haven’t heard, the Conservative Party is holding a convention in Calgary, starting Thursday October 31 (how appropriate!) and running through the weekend.
Some of us are trying to figure a way of getting some FATCA coverage amongst the Conservative delegates to the convention in Calgary next weekend. Musing about circulating the FATCA flyer and maybe also a copy of Hsu’s Q-121 question to delegates as they arrive, but we’ve learned that (surprise surprise) the convention centre is private property and leafletting isn’t allowed on private property, there’s only one area of public ground near the convention where the police will allow this, and not many delegates are likely to wander by that spot. Sort of sounds like G-20 in Toronto, doesn’t it?
If by some fluke of luck, any of you are delegates to that convention, or have personal connections to people who are and who might be sympathetic – our information from Calgary is that there is a policy workshop starting at 8:30am and going until 2:30 (probably with lunch break) on Friday November 1 in Palomino Rooms E-H at the BMO Centre. The subject is “Role of Government, Taxation, and Crime” (sorry but that’s the only thing I can make out on the agenda that seems related to taxation). From 12:30-1:30 there is a “ministerial information session” in that same venue and for the same topic. I’m not sure where Flaherty will be (there’s also a parallel Economic Development session where he might go, in other rooms, but I don’t think FATCA can remotely be stretched to economic development except for tax lawyers and accountants). So who knows which minister(s) will be at Rooms E-H at that time.
It would be wonderful if somehow we could get a delegate or two willing to raise some FATCA questions and maybe have a supply of the FATCA handout and Hsu’s questions to pass around at that session.
I know this is a “Hail Mary pass,” but I thought why not give it a stab.
If you think this might work, and are a delegate or are well-connected with someone who is and might be sympathetic, just try it. No need to reply on this thread, no real need to contact us about it.
I believe Calgary411 is trying to organize some leafleting activities on public property outside the convention hall. If anyone in the Calgary area is interested, perhaps reply to that effect on this thread.
No matter how small this is it can make an impact. If you are approached by media asking your purpose for being there you can hand out flyers to them.
Finding out who the delegates are and who is closest to you would be helpful.
Thanks, Schubert and thanks to anyone who can help. Surely I am not the only person in Calgary who wants answered the questions put forward by Liberal MP Ted Hsu, Question 121, Parliament of Canada, October 25, 2013.
Time is of the essence for answers; these questions should be answered BEFORE Canada signs an IGA with the US.
Is there a way to get the hand-out of FATCA Question 121 to the Conservative delegates in Calgary? I will have printed and deliver them to the person who can assist to make that happen.
I don’t know how much help this could be but the following is a link to the hotels that the delegates will be staying at and there is a Fun Run/Walk on Saturday morning starting in front of the Delta Bow Valley hotel:
http://www.cpcconvention.ca/?page_id=39
If you can’t get flyers to them on the grounds maybe there is way to “stalk” them (probably the incorrect term) where they are staying.
I am supposed to be getting info from my riding soon on the Liberal Convention in February b/c I can apparently help choose a delegate. Which is actually kinda exciting b/c where I lived in the States, politics even at the local level was a “who are you and who do you know” invitation only thing. Even though it looks like the Libs are getting on board with the anti-FATCA, I might still be able to chat up the delegate we send and make sure to get some questions asked and answered.
Sorry folks, I never thought about this as an opportunity. I might be available to help hand out with info, just let me know when and where. In case your not aware the Convention Centre is across from City Hall and with in a block of the US Embassy.
itacaf,
It would be great if you can join. NOTE:
The Conservative Convention is taking place at the BMO Centre on the Stampede Grounds, not the Convention Centre:
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