Question for Canadian members

[sv_pelagia]

Originally Posted by boatpoker

!0 round trips from Ontario to points south over 30 years. Leaving Ontario in August and returning in June. Never made any healthcare/tax adjustments (can't be bothered), never had an issue. I know it's not legit but leaving and returning by boat seems to be below their radar. The powers that be are just not that efficient and I don't deal well with bureaucracy

PERHAPS more of an issue now that border crossing info is shared between USA and Canada?

[Mike OReilly]

I think most Canadian travellers who extend their stays beyond the seven months (in every 12) allowed in Ontario, just do, as BP says, under the radar. As far as I know, the feds are not sharing CBSA transit data with provincial authorities. But just know, since it's mostly digital now, it's certainly possible they could.

The Snowbird association has been warning its members for a few years now to be careful, so they sense it might become an issue. But at this point, unless you give them cause to look carefully, I really doubt any provincial authority will care.

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by sv_pelagia

PERHAPS more of an issue now that border crossing info is shared between USA and Canada?

I don't believe they are as capable as they would have you believe.

[sv_pelagia]

Originally Posted by boatpoker

I don't believe they are as capable as they would have you believe.

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

But at this point, unless you give them cause to look carefully, I really doubt any provincial authority will care.

Agreed. I think the Provinces currently have much larger problems to focus on....

Still, best to be "quiet" about one's longer travels.

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by boatpoker

I don't believe they are as capable as they would have you believe.

This is from a recent Snowbird's Ass. advisory:
https://www.snowbirdadvisor.ca/canad...ts-and-entries

The Entry/Exit Initiative began in 2011 when Canada and the United States committed to establishing a coordinated entry-exit information system.
The program has a number of objectives, including:

• Improving border security and tracking high risk travellers
• Tracking permanent residents to ensure they meet their residency requirements
• Identifying travellers who do not leave Canada by the end of their authorized period of stay
• Checking to see if Canadians remain eligible to receive benefits from certain social benefit programs

In December 2018, Bill C-21received Royal Assent and officially became law, amending the Customs Act and giving the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) the authority to collect biographic information on all travellers departing Canada by land and air.
The collection of data is expected to begin in 2019 and will be implemented in phases.

In the past, some snowbirds may have intentionally or unintentionally violated these rules, but slipped through the cracks due to gaps in traveller data collection and information sharing between Canada and the U.S. However, once the Entry/Exit Initiative starts, slipping through the cracks will be much more difficult – if not impossible.

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

This is from a recent Snowbird's Ass. advisory:
https://www.snowbirdadvisor.ca/canad...ts-and-entries

Four 8mnth trips by boat plus one in motorhome since then ... no issue

[Kolchac]

In 7 months your ohip will expire, and you will need some time to recover it. Also, if you have some adds to your pension plan, it will be gone. Why do you require this forum for such question?

[JPA Cate]

We've had Canadian friends who were long term cruisers. Some of them settled elsewhere, but the ones who returned to Canada were allowed to re-establish their residency and then were eligible for the health care system in their province.

Ann

[sv_pelagia]

Originally Posted by JPA Cate

We've had Canadian friends who were long term cruisers. Some of them settled elsewhere, but the ones who returned to Canada were allowed to re-establish their residency and then were eligible for the health care system in their province.

Ann

Easily done, just have a waiting period of 2-3 months after arrival in province.

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by argonauta1

Hi, well, if you follow to the letter all the rules, you will never go anywhere beyond 6 months. But, if you are in good health and as you must be, of an adventuresome spirit, then you might decide to ignore some of the more show stopping restrictions.

I might be showing my age and sounding like my grandmother

(or yours! ), but what about ACCIDENTS? That require hospitalization?