Dear Bird Talk: For a number of years, we have attended and enjoyed the Prince Edward Island picnic held annually at Fort DeSoto Park in Florida. We understand that the Canadian Snowbird Association, and we believe Medipac Travel Insurance, sponsor this fun day (and other provincial picnics), so we are writing to you regarding a […]

Dear Bird Talk: In issue # 75 under Snowbird Alert, you wrote that spending a week or two at home for the holidays would not be subtracted from the total days allowed. My question is – if I return home for four to six weeks, can I subtract this time from the “six months less […]

Dear Bird Talk: Re: Changes to length of stay We keep hearing from friends that the U.S. is trying to change the length-of-stay time from 182 days to a maximum stay of 120 days for Canadian citizens. Is there any truth to this? I have been unable to find anything regarding this on the website. […]

Dear Bird Talk, Thank you for printing Michael Coren’s column in the summer Issue 75 regarding some Canadians’ perception of the United States. He was able to express my thoughts and it is my hope that more Canadians will give what he says some consideration. Joni Steele Ontario Dear Bird Talk, Hmm. Not sure what […]

Dear Bird Talk, Regarding the suspension of government health benefits ,” how would they know if I was away or home if I don’t go to the clinic for two years or whenever? Next, if I fill out the 8840 form, does that allow me to stay longer? Ron Wiltshire Miniota, MB Response: Ed: Big […]

Dear Bird Talk, We were thinking of visiting Arizona. However, their new “anti-illegal” law is very intimidating. What exactly would count as proof of being there legally for a Canadian? Would we have to force the border person to stamp our passports, legibly? Anna Ontario Response: Ed: I do not believe that the new Arizona […]

A few months ago, my brother passed away. Although his will, drawn up in Ontario, clearly specifies that my husband and I are the beneficiaries of his entire estate – including his portion of a condominium in Florida which we three jointly owned – friends have told us that his will is not going to […]

Dear Bird Talk, I have not seen anything from the snowbird organization commenting on the effect of this tax on seniors? G. Wadden Petawawa, ON Response: Ed: This tax is an abomination for seniors and CSA has been talking to both the Ontario and B.C. governments to try and forestall its implementation. The single collection […]

Dear Bird Talk, Re: Michael Coren’s Guest Column I’m Jack Layton’s mother – so I have to object to his claiming there are only two intellectuals heading parties in the government at this time . Jack has his PhD in political science from York University, after completing both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees, honouring in […]

Dear Bird Talk, I think you jumped the gun by supporting Stanley Knight over his concern about not getting a senior rate on B.C. Ferries. (BCF). BCF is now a privately managed Crown corporation which receives some subsidy from the taxpayers of B.C. Since Mr. Knight does not appear to be a taxpayer in B.C., […]