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Going to Calgary for the Tory convention? Know anyone who is?

Posted on by Posted in Issues regarding US persons abroad 7 Comments

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.

I was born and educated in the US. After completing my post-graduate education, I entered Canada on a temporary work permit, moving to Canada because of the Vietnam war. Shortly after unpacking, I applied for landed immigrant status. A few months later I received in the mail an induction notice from the US Army; I drew a peace symbol on it in felt marker pen and mailed it back. As a result, I was indicted and a warrant was issued for my arrest (both were quashed in 1977 by the Carter amnesty). I became a Canadian citizen in 1975. In 1976, for the US Bicentennial I wrote a political letter to Henry Kissinger, then Secretary of State. In it I mentioned that I had "renounced" (I didn't then know of "relinquish") my US citizenship on becoming a Canadian, explaining in several pages my reasons for leaving the US. I also mentioned the fact that on my mother's side I am a descendant of a soldier who fought in Washington's army during the US rebellion, but now I was declaring my personal independence from the US and rejoining the British Commonwealth. Within six months, I received by mail a CLN recognizing my having expatriated myself from the US in 1975. I filed away my CLN and forgot I had it, until I found it after searching for it upon learning of FATCA and OVDI in August 2011. Since then, I proudly keep a photocopy of it with my passport (which is Canadian; I have never had a US passport in my life, nor will I ever). As a Canadian who long since ceased being an American and who has a CLN, I am not directly affected by FATCA or other US taxation outrages. However, my wife and several of her friends are affected, until their relinquishment CLNs (dating from 30-40 years ago) are issued. Also I have several close friends who were born in Canada of US parents and are considered by the US to be US citizens, though they have never lived in the US, worked there, earned income there, held property there, held US passports, or in any other way excercised USC and are horrified they might be considered US. I am active on this website and in writing my elected Canadian politicians about these issues, on their behalf. I am a retired former employee of the Government of Canada who faithfully and proudly served his adopted and adoptive country for many years. Updated September 2, 2012: earlier this week, my wife finally received her relinquishment CLN, State Department formal recognition that (in their exact words on the CLN) she "ceased to be a US citizen on" the date she became a Canadian more than 35 years ago. Mission Accomplished, to borrow words from my least-favourite contemporary/contemptible American. I will continue to monitor this website from time to time to see if I contribute useful information or opinions, but my wife and I are determined to regain our lives after the past twelve months of angst. Best wishes to all of you on this website in your odyssey toward freedom from the US.

7 thoughts on “Going to Calgary for the Tory convention? Know anyone who is?”

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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:

    Convention Agenda
    Please Note that all Events take place at the BMO Centre unless otherwise indicated

    Western wear welcome!

    Thursday, October 31

    12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m Registration (Palomino Room)
    5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Opening Ceremonies and Best of the Wild West Rodeo & Grub, hosted by Alberta EDA’s (Hall A, Guest tickets can be purchased at Registration, Palomino Room)

    Friday, November 1

    7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Registration (Palomino Room pre-function)
    7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Breakfast (Hall C)
    7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Interfaith Prayer Breakfast hosted by John Walsh, President, National Council (Hall C)
    8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Policy Workshops:
    Economic Development (Palomino Rooms A-D)

    Role of Government, Taxation and Crime (Palomino Rooms E-H)

    Canada’s Social Fabric (Boyce Theatre)

    8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Constitution Workshop (Hall E)
    9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Technology Update (Quarterhorse Room)
    10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Growing Your Donor Base – EDA Fundraising (Quarterhorse Room)
    12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Lunch Service (Hall C)
    12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Ministerial Information Sessions:
    Economic Development (Palomino Rooms A-D)

    Role of Government, Taxation and Crime (Palomino Rooms E-H)

    Canada’s Social Fabric (Boyce Theatre)

    1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m Technology Update (Quarterhorse Room)
    2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. National Council Candidate Speeches (Palomino Rooms A-D and E-H)
    3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Growing your Donor Base – EDA Fundraising (Quarterhorse Room)
    3:00p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Redistribution of Federal Electoral Districts (Boyce Theatre)
    4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Alternate Upgrade Registration (Palomino Room pre-function)
    5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Key Note Address (Hall D)
    7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Thank You Reception, hosted by National Council (Cowboys Dance Hall, Cowboys Casino, Stampede Park)

    Saturday, November 2

    7:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Registration (Palomino Room pre-function)
    7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Breakfast Service (Hall C)
    7:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. National Council Election (Palomino Room)
    9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Constitution Plenary Session (Hall D)
    10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Policy Plenary Session (Hall D)
    12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Lunch Service (Hall C)
    1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Policy Plenary Session (Hall D)
    2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Closing Ceremonies (Hall D)
    National Council election results

    Conservative Fund report, Hon. Irving R. Gerstein, C.M., O.Ont

    Maple Leaf Awards, Honourary Chair Mrs. Laureen Harper

    4:00 p.m. Convention 2013 concludes

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