The Canadian Expat Association - Canadian Expat Association
Letters to the Editor
"Consular services for Canadians abroad created $5.2-million deficit last year" Canada Press (December 4th, 2011)
Response to: Canadian Press article published in the Winnipeg Free Press
"Consular services for Canadians abroad created $5.2-million deficit last year" (December 4th, 2011)
As an organization representing Canadians who live and work overseas, I was interested to read your article about consular services for Canadians creating a $5.2 million deficit last year.
While this may seem like a large number, one needs to put these expenditures in context with the benefits Canada gains because we have a system that supports our citizens abroad.
Your readers may ask, “How does Canada benefit by supporting our expats?” How about this example: close to $5 billion in bilateral trade was generated last year from one Canadian organization in just one US state (Canada-Arizona Business Council - the CABC). There are organizations like the CABC all around the globe. Canadian Chambers of Commerce, Business Councils and even Social Networks are located in virtually every major city of the world and are run exclusively by Canadians for the benefit of Canada. A solid system of support and a safety net available in times of emergencies encourage Canadian expats to continue to foster these relationships that all Canadians benefit from.
We spend or donate far greater than $5.2 million a year to assist others in times of emergencies around the world. Why would we not spend this much on our own citizens, especially since they contribute billions of dollars that are a positive force in the Canadian economy? Other nations, including New Zealand, Australia, the United States, China, the United Kingdom and India are spending more than ever before on their expats simply because they recognize the value they represent.
Is $5.2 million a lot of money? Perhaps not, considering what Canada gains in return.
April 30, 2008 - Embassy Magazine "Expats Feeling Death by Thousand Cuts"
Letter to the Editor in responce to an article in Embassy Magazine: April 30th, 2008
http://www.embassymag.ca/page/view/.2008.april.30.letter5
The Canadian Expat Association has been trying to get a reply from the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade ever since our members in Japan, Russia and Italy began asking us about the logic in closing the Osaka, St. Petersburg and Milan consulates last spring (RE: "Demand for Consular Services Triples Over Last 10 Years," April 23).
It looks like we are going to be getting more questions as a reduction of $5 million will probably mean a contraction in staffing and some of the department's brick and mortar. This has serious consequences for Canadian residents abroad. One normally requires consular services in times of dire need and often when time and finances are of concern.
In the case of the now closed Osaka office, a Canadian living in southwestern Japan will now have to travel to Tokyo for service. With the price of transportation, accommodation and food in Japan, it now will cost a Canadian upwards of $700 just to visit the embassy.
However, don't get me wrong. It's not DFAIT that we blame. They are miracle workers with what budget they are given. The current government is bent on reducing the services it provides to its citizens abroad. With the economic impact that Canadians living abroad have on Canada, this is a serious strategic error.
Where we do find DFAIT at fault, is in a serious deficiency with their public relations department. This is not news. Peter Harder, former DFAIT deputy minister, in his address to the Retired Heads of Mission Association in October of 2006, pointed out that if DFAIT doesn't begin to answer questions about its value to Canadian citizens, taxpayers and businesses, "we will be at risk of suffering a death by a thousand cuts."
We are now seeing Mr. Harder's prophecy coming to fruition at the expense of Canadian expatriates. This valuable resource to the whole of Canada deserves better.
Allan Nichols
Canadian Expat Association
Victoria, B.C.
May 22, 2008 - The Economist: Prisoners of abiguity
Comment to an article in The Economisy: May 22nd, 2008
http://www.economist.com/comment/42724#comment-42724
Amanda Cumberland is absolutely correct! The Canadian government needs to explain policy to its citizens. Not only does it need to explain policy, it needs to act on that policy with consistency. The inconsistency that we have been seeing is troubling.
The Canadian Expat Association takes the stand that if you break the law, you will pay the consequence of your actions and will be subject to the laws of the country you were naughty in. No one would argue otherwise. However, it is the responsibility of the government of Canada to represent the interest of Canadians abroad in an Equal and Fair manner based on policy and our values at home. Yes, it is the right of any sovereign nation to ignore anything that the Canadian government says. However, it stands to reason that it would be important to have a clear policy on how the government should act when Canadians are imprisoned abroad.
Recently it was proudly announced by DFAIT that Saul Itzhayek who has been imprisoned for just over ten months in India would be released. DFAIT stood up on a soap box, pounded its chest and said in a news release ~
“Since Mr. Itzhayek’s arrest, consular officials in Ottawa, New Delhi and Kathmandu have been actively working on his case, engaging Indian officials at all levels. “I am proud of the hard work of our consular officials, who succeeded in expediting Mr. Itzhayek’s release,” said Secretary of State Guergis. “Our officials will be escorting Mr. Itzhayek to ensure his smooth return to Canada, where he will be reunited with his family.”
In contrast, although Brenda Martin was eventually charged and transferred to Canadian custody, that had nothing to do with advocacy on the part of the Canadian government. In an article from the Canadian Press ~
"Brenda Martin languished in a Mexican prison while the Member of Parliament then handling her file mingled with Canadian expatriates at a private reception nearby, The Canadian Press has learned. Conservative MP Helena Guergis rubbed elbows in late January with Guadalajara’s Canadian diaspora as they nibbled on hors d’oeuvres and sipped soft drinks and Coronas, say sources who attended the social function. Guergis, secretary of state for foreign affairs, visited Mexico on Jan. 29 and 30 to meet with government officials in Mexico City and Guadalajara. But now some are wondering why Guergis opted to attend a reception in Guadalajara instead of visiting Martin at the Puente Grande women’s prison, about 20 kilometres away."
Canadians living in Canada expect the Canadian government to treat everyone with the same yard stick. Are Canadian Expats no longer Canadian? Do Canadians living abroad not deserve to at least be subject to a consistent policy?
Allan Nichols
Executive Director
The Canadian Expat Association
"Saudi Arabia slows visa processing" Embassy Magazine (November 30, 2011)
Response to: Embassy Magazine "Saudi Arabia slows Canadian visa processing" November 30th, 2011
http://embassymag.ca/page/view/saudi-11-30-2011
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To: The Editor, Embassy Magazine.