Monthly Archives: February 2014

Who can forget this classic scene in the film Canadian Bacon?

Finance Minister Flaherty has given explicit permission to the IRS to collect taxes from Canadian citizens living in Canada. While this strips them of their protection as Canadian citizens, it nevertheless presents a new challenge to the IRS.  Should we presume that the IRS can operate in Canada while ignoring all the laws of Canada?  Or shouldn’t they have to obey, just like all other government agencies, the laws of our land. One rule that I’d like to see them obey is our official languages law.

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A group of Canadians has put together a campaign to explore the constitutional violations posed by FATCA in Canada. Some of these issues were raised by pre-eminent constitutional scholar Peter Hogg, this letter to Finance. Others arise because of the adoption of the intergovernmental agreement (IGA), which bypasses data protection laws and lacks even the minor anti-discrimination clause seen in other IGAs.

I’ve been asked if these issues are serious. I think they are. The issue FATCA raises for me is not so much sovereignty– Continue reading →

In a new article at CNBC, Mark Mazur, assistant secretary for US tax policy writes:

Governments across the globe are recognizing the growing support for tax fairness, and with the United States at the lead, the world community is making important progress to expose these hidden financial accounts and stop offshore tax evasion.

Over the past few years, FATCA has become the global standard for fighting international tax evasion. The U.S. has partnered with like-minded governments to find efficient ways to implement the statutory reporting requirements. Progress has been substantial: The U.S. has signed intergovernmental agreements with 22 countries, and many more have either reached agreements in substance that are awaiting signature, or are well along in the process.

Read full article here: http://www.cnbc.com/id/101452453

McCain additionally calls for strongly increased CRIMINAL prosecutions of non filing non resident dual citizens.

http://www.hsgac.senate.gov/download/?id=DD609B36-94AB-44B5-AABA-97B2AB08E058

This may make some of you Obama 08 voters feel better.

Tim

I spoke to David Kennedy of the Toronto Observer about The Isaac Brock Society. Here is the money quote:

I’m scandalized by the fact that the Canadian government signed the IGA,” he said, “and basically, in writing, accepted that the U.S. has the right to assert their sovereignty over Canadian citizens… The Isaac Brock Society is doing what the government won’t do—and that is protect people living in Canada.

Canadian warns U.S. citizens abroad of new tax collector

The Strengthening Canadian Citizenship Act will formally empower the government of Canada to revoke the Canadian citizenship in certain cases. According to the Toronto Star, certain crimes may result in the stripping of Canadian citizenship from dual citizens:

Under the proposed changes, citizenship can be revoked from dual nationals convicted of terrorism, high treason and spying offences, or who take up arms against Canada. As well, permanent residents who commit these acts will be barred from applying for citizenship.

The Star failed to mention one crime which has already resulted in effective stripping of Canadian citizenship: Being of US national origin.

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Robert Wood reminds us who’s the boss off the ice:

Canada Defeats U.S. In Hockey & Gold Tally, But Not At FATCA

Hockey rivalries and FATCA all in one convenient package – this should generate some interesting comments.