On April 5, 2014, I sent this tweet to every Conservative MP. A few answered.
I am sure they have forgotten by now.
@GeraldKeddy No Debate on #FATCA? http://t.co/gOoV0m3FTv Sneak This Bill Thru? U Will Pay at Polls-We R 1 million + families, friends
— U.S. Expat Canada (@USExpatCanada) April 5, 2014
But I haven’t. And I hope you haven’t either.
Duke of Devon just posted a very valuable resource that can help us ensure that the Harper Government is DEFEATED in the fall election.
Due to our very un-democratic first-past-the-post system, the danger of Harper being returned to power is very real, since people may not consider the need for strategic voting. Yes, ABC but exactly how to do it best in your riding?
This organization leadnowca is spearheading an effort to identify the most likely to win non-Conservative candidate in ridings all across Canada.
One is asked to sign the following pledge:
I pledge to vote for the best local candidate who can defeat the Harper Conservatives in my riding.
Basic message:
In the last federal election, a majority of people voted for a change in government, but their votes split across party lines and the Harper Conservatives got 100% of the power in Parliament with just 39% of the vote.
This time, we can defeat the Harper Conservatives by uniting NDP, Liberal and Green voters in swing ridings where a few thousand votes will be all that’s standing in the way of another Harper majority.
If we work together through this election, we’ll build a movement strong enough to stop a Harper majority, and to push the NDP, Liberals and Greens to cooperate for a strong democracy, fair economy and clean environment
At the time of this post, 35,328 have signed. Remember the despair of watching the long May 29, 2014 meeting when each and every amendment was defeated by the Conservatives? The passionate pleas of Murray Rankin to recognize all Canadians as equals? The revolting dismissal delivered by the Parliamentary Secretary for Finance MP Gerald Keddy (who by that time, had come to terms with the fact that there really is such a thing as an “American (US) Person; i.e., he apparently read the IGA, all 48 pages of it, in time for the final deliberations, unlike his statement of May 14):
I’ve never heard the term “American person” before. You’re either an American citizen or you’re not an American citizen, or you’re a foreign entity working in the United States with a green card.
But quite frankly, the idea that somehow this is new is incorrect. American citizens have always had a tax liability due to their citizenship and, quite frankly, we can’t change that. All we can do is put some parameters and some rules around it, and that is what FATCA has done.
I will never understand what is meant by “we can…put some parameters and rules” around the taxation of American citizens. Is he saying the Canadian Parliament has managed to control what the Americans are doing by passing the IGA? Could someone please explain what this means? The IGA has nothing to do with tax anyway……….
Here are the links to the transcripts and videos for FINA meetings on Bill C-31, Economic Action Plan 2014 Act, No. 1 (pertaining to the IGA)
May 13, 2014 Evidence
May 13, 2014 Video
(with Lynne Swanson, Prof Allison Christians and Prof Arthur Cockfield)
May 14, 2014 Evidence
May 14, 2014 Video
(with John Richardson)
Evidence May 29, 2014
Video May 29, 2014
ADCS-ADSC version produced by David Zimmerly & Lynne Swanson.
To sum up:
A clear majority of people want change, but the Harper Conservatives could win another majority if the vote splits between the NDP, Liberals, and Greens — just like it did in the last election.
The Vote Together campaign is about bringing people together – people who have voted NDP, Liberal, and Green, first-time voters, and even some unhappy Conservative voters – to pick the best local candidate who can defeat the Conservatives in their riding and move Canada forward.
We’re coming together because we want to elect a stable minority government with representatives who will work together for a strong democracy, a fair economy, and a clean environment.
So who will be the best local candidate who can win in your riding? You’ll decide. We’ll send you information about the state of the race, and candidate positions on key issues.
Please, look into this, and pass the word in your own riding to your neighbors as well as to all your family and friends in their ridings.
“You won’t recognize Canada when I’m through with it,” warned Stephen Harper.
Bill C-23, The Fair Elections Act, government being sued by The Council of Canadians and Canadian Federation of Students with Rocco Galati
Bill C-24,The Citizenship Act, government being sued by Rocco Galati
Bill C-31,The IGA, government being sued by ADCS-ADSC with Joseph Arvay
and last but not least,
Bill C-51, government to be sued by Rocco Galati
This is what Harper has done to Canada. Show him what you think of it.
This stinks. What if the strongest non-Harper candidate is also a terrible candidate on the issues?
If there’s a Green Party candidate who openly opposes the FATCA-enabling Canadian legislation and a Liberal who won’t say, and you vote fr the Liberal, you are just as guilty as the rest of them in voting against the Green Party candidate and preventing the Green Party candidate from winning.
The limitations of our system. And works only for those, who are one-issue voters.
I’ve signed up not because I’m committed to voting strategically, but to receive more info from them about it. I too believe that each voter should vote for the candidate and party that best represents their values and objectives, which is the essence of democracy. Nothing will change if as a result of strategic voting another party forms a majority government. Interesting concept though. Willing to learn more.
@Bubblebustin
“Nothing will change if as a result of strategic voting….”
Do you mean specifically regarding the IGA? Perhaps not. What I am wondering though, is if a different majority government would stop passing future bills such as C-23, 24. 31, 51 etc.
I still have trouble understanding exactly how this system works (only able to vote last 3 yrs….). It seems unfair but then, I always thought the Electoral College was also unfair.
Both the Liberals and the Cons have an agenda that includes the “destruction” of our sovereignty. It may be a harsh assessment, but I never will vote for those two parties ever again.
I signed up and hopefully it will confirm that the NDP is the best choice for my riding, although I know I live in very much entrenched Con territory. I think it will be a good way to easily find out which way the polls are swinging locally because I don’t watch the “normal” media. One thing’s for sure, I’m an ABC voter for the foreseeable future. The list of terrible, unconscionable, unconstitutional Conservative created C bills keeps growing. I’ll do whatever I can to end the travesty.
@brocknest
I think you did what I did when I first commented at Brock – you transposed your email address with your user name.
@ Bubblebustin
Yep … should have stayed in bed longer today.
@ Admin
Thanks for fixing that so quickly — you’re the best!
This seems like a good thread for this video.
@Tricia
I guess if I felt with certainty that any of the other parties would repeal the FATCA IGA, I might feel differently, but until the Liberals come out with a policy statement against it, a big win for them means little on that one issue. Also, their support of C-51 has left me cold. I don’t see any hope in hell of the NDP unseating John Weston in my riding.
@Tricia;
Thanks so much for this very informative post – for summarizing the situation and for embedding all those very significant links.
@bubblebustin, I’m facing the same quandary – with the same qualms.
I signed up because I want to vote ABC, and I refuse to vote for Harper; I want him to lose a lot of seats and step down from the party’s leadership. However, be warned that if you sign up, right away they ask for donations.
@EmBee
Catchy tune!
just got another message from my liberal candidate about her up coming meet and greets
I replied to this one just like I have replied to all the others I have gotten from her requests for attendance, help or money
“when either yourself or the Liberal party come out with a statement against the IGA and FATCA then and only then will you get any support from me. I am a one issue voter this issue and which ever party best addresses this issue will be getting my vote and my assistance.”
never got much of a response to the last few times I replied with the above and not really expecting a response this time….just wanting to keep the issue in front of her… 🙂
@EmBee
Just tweeted to a few folks on Twitter who are also ABC (not expats)
Harper is such a political scag.
Can’t you all see how rodent-like he and all his cronies have become. He is a rat and rats like to hide and are behind-the-scene creatures.
They will eat and manipulate from behind closed doors. Once and a while they will poke their ugly heads out and hold a finger to the wind .
But bottom line only concerned about their own survival and will do anything to breathe another day. Harper must be defeated. He showed his true self during FATCA initiation. He hid and cowered behind the scenes all the while manipulating for its enactment so cowardly.
A slithering snake he is and does not deserve
The office of Prime Mjnister. Get him out now.
To help us keep the promise, Trish…
Sent: Thursday, June 25, 2015 3:50 PM
To: Letters@calgaryherald.com
Subject: Letter to the Editor
Alex Neve, Secretary General, Amnesty International Canada spoke about C-51 and ‘the Insecurity of Human Rights’ last night, June 24, 2015 at Calgary Public Library, Central branch. What a great presentation (and turn-out for the short notice). Wish there had been more time, including more time for discussion. I was able to get Mr. Neve’s business card and gave him this page that I put together to hand him:
Bills C-31 (2014), C-51 (2015) and C-24 (2015) — their connecting relationship and new Two-Tiered Canadian Citizenship
It’s been an interesting progression for three of the Conservative laws rammed through the Canadian Parliament without full due consideration of what legal and other experts had to say. (Neither the Information Commissioner nor the Privacy Commissioner testified to committees considering Bill C-24.)
· Bill C-31* (2014), the first Canadian legislation to make approximately one million Canadians who are deemed US Citizens (plus their Canadian spouses, plus their Canadian-born children, plus their Canadian business partners who will be US taxable because they have a US business partner taint — all deemed *US Persons*), SECOND-CLASS Canadian citizens. They have been defined by the Conservative government *US citizens who happen to reside in Canada* (whether also Canadian citizens, even those born in Canada who have never lived or received any benefit from the US)…
*The Government of Canada has signed a ‘FATCA IGA’ (Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act Intergovernmental Agreement) with the United States to help that foreign country acquire assets of those Canadians it alone deems to be ‘U.S. persons’. FATCA is the enforcement tool for the imposition of that peculiar and punitive U.S. style ‘place of birth’ taxation on the world. …the Canadian legislation that implements the FATCA IGA said to violate the Canadian Constitution, Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the principles of Canadian sovereignty and democracy and the fundamental rights of all Canadians. Nathan Cullen (NDP), Official Opposition Critic for Finance, was not heeded when he said about Bill C-31 / implementation of the US FATCA IGA …
· to Bill C-51 (2015) which could deem any of us who dare speak out or gather in protest in this country a threat to Canada. One example — if a Canadian citizen, who is also deemed a US citizen (see above) with the secondary US citizenship one the US deems superior to their Canadian, should now oppose Canada protecting its banks before protection of its own citizens and residents, could that person be perceived a threat to Canada and the Canadian economy by speaking out and opposing the actions of Canadian financial institutions (deemed by the US *foreign financial institutions*)? A threat to local Canadian financial institutions who will be sanctioned by the US if they do not comply in collecting and turning over Canadian private financial information on specific *US Persons* to Canada Revenue Agency who will in turn send on to the US IRS? A bonus, with this Bill, Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has been given permission to share our income tax filings with 13 additional government agencies – and, because of FATCA, CRA will have far more information about *U.S. Persons* than they will about other Canadians.
· and now Bill C-24, adding the remainder of those from many countries around the world who chose to become Canadian citizens by naturalization, as well as their children who were born in Canada – to those *US Persons* whose Canadian citizenship is now CONDITIONAL and SECOND-CLASS. It paves a road where under some circumstances (like invoking some of Bill C-51, Canadians with another nationality (and those who are eligible to obtain another nationality) *could have* their Canadian citizenship revoked . Their Canadian citizenships are not the same as any others’ Canadian citizenships. They are now not afforded the same due-process and rights provided by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms to any other Canadian citizen. This new law *could have the effect and power* of silencing some voices of *dual citizens* or persons who could claim a second nationality. Now a segment of this country’s citizens may exist in the shadow of other Canadians. Is this what we want for Canada – a second-class of Canadian citizenship?
Constitutional lawyer, Rocco Galati, has reported he is preparing a court challenge for Bill C-24 and is interested in heading a court challenge for Bill C-51 ( http://pressfortruth.ca/top-stories/rocco-galati-preparing-court-challenge-against-bill-c-24/).
On August 4th, a summary trial will be heard at Federal Court in Vancouver for the FATCA IGA lawsuit filed on behalf of two *Accidental American / non-meaningful American* Canadian plaintiffs (born on US soil to Canadian parents but who returned with their parents as young children to live in Canada). They come forward for all those deemed *US Persons in Canada*. Litigator, Joseph Arvay, another Canadian constitutional lawyer, leads this expensive effort against legislation passed with omnibus Bill C-31(2014) ( http://www.adcs-adsc.ca/ ).
Remember, Stephen Harper said “You won’t recognize Canada when I’m through.”
***************
Mr. Neve did not know about US FATCA law in Canada.
Alex Neve: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Neve
http://voices-voix.ca/sites/voices-voix.ca/files/dismantlingdemocracy_voicesvoix.pdf, then read the document.
I’m very much in favour of voting out the cons, and if an ABH vote (via leadnow or any other catalyst) will do it, great.
But..don’t kid yourself that ANY other government will do a damn thing about the FATCA IGA. Remember there are two forces (at least) at work here: the diplomatic and economic might of the US, AND the self-interest of the financial institutions, whose money always goes to the CPC and LPC, to say nothing of their lobbying energies. The NDP would have a lot on its plate if it were elected nationally, and my bet is that our issues would be WAY DOWN their list.
Just sayin’
Nice work, Calgary411. The similarities are undeniable. The Harper government wants to devalue Canadian citizenship by creating two tiers of Canadians. I hope your dialogue continues.
@Calgary411
FATCAFAANNNNNNTASTIC! As Just Me would say.
I often hear in my head, the tone of incredulity of Nathan Cullen’s voice when he made that comment (“why the government wouldn’t vote to clarify….”). I would love to see him be PM someday.
@mr phyzix
Perhaps so but then life does seem to turn out quite differently than we think it should/tend to expect. At least the NDP would be more willing to respond/react in a way quite differently than the CONs have done. It will be many years between now and when the FATCA IGA case in Canada is resolved. And along the way, many things will happen that will affect how anyone reacts to that, including whatever government is in power. That’s why I find it incredible that some claim if we succeed at winning the suit, it will be automatic that Canada will fall apart economically and “US Persons” will be worse off than they are now and so on. Of course that would be true if the law remains exactly as it is now and the situation of expats doesn’t change from where we are now. But in late 2011, no one would have been able to convince me that the IRS would come up with streamlined, that different expat groups would begin to talk to each other, etc. Things change. The only constant of life there is.|At least IMHO.
I also hear Scott Brison saying (at the hearing the next day) to Mr. Hannah, (the CBA VP who steadfastly proclaimed “I don’t know the number, it’s not going to be very many….”), “but we could have negotiated a better IGA, given our relationship with the Americans.” And Murray Rankin, Elizabeth May, Guy Caron, Charlie Angus, Ted Hsu, Peggy Nash, Mike Sullivan and all of them………
I hope if I develop dementia, this is NOT the kind of stuff that will circulate in my head, all the while staring out at the world in a blank stare…..yech! 😉
Revisit this article http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/sean-casey/border-security-canada_b_3691387.html written by a Liberal MP from PEI, Sean Casey. MP Casey says he is very concerned about Canadian sovereignty vis a vis the plan to empower US law enforcement personnel to operate on Canadian soil
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/sean-casey/border-security-canada_b_3691387.html
He says; “……….Bit by bit, agreement by agreement, Canada is giving away more and more in the name of trade. To Conservatives, none of this is a threat to our sovereignty, as if the very act of stating so makes it so …”….
If you’re a constituent, ask him where he ( http://seancasey.liberal.ca )and the Liberal party leader Justin Trudeau stand on FATCA – a US law operating on Canadian sovereign soil – imposed via extortion by a foreign power extraterritorially claiming Canadian residents and citizens as subjects and their Canadian sited income, savings, family home and persons as US property.
This MP is a lawyer, and “elected to the House of Commons in 2011 and now serves as the Liberal Critic for Justice”.
So, where does this “Liberal Critic for Justice” stand on the ADCS lawsuit http://www.adcs-adsc.ca .
If you tweet, send him one https://twitter.com/seancaseymp asking whether he’ll be following the anti-FATCA lawsuit – commencing August 4th ( Summary Trial Hearing: August 4-5, 2015 in Vancouver, B.C
Email or call him http://www.parl.gc.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/Sean-Casey(71270) to let him know that as the Liberal Justice Critic you expect him to be following this lawsuit as it wends its way up to the Supreme Court of Canada! Ask him what his position is. He can read the documents filed so far, for himself – linked at http://www.adcs-adsc.ca
Remind Sean Casey and the Liberal Party that they haven’t committed to a position on FATCA – and October is fast approaching.