UAE | General
Canadian expats criticise special tax for non-residents
Canadian expatriates responded strongly to proposals for a special tax for non-residents saying it is a knee-jerk reaction to the evacuation of Lebanese-Canadians during the recent war.
- By Mahmood Saberi, Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:00 January 21, 2007
Dubai: Canadian expatriates responded strongly to proposals for a special tax for non-residents saying it is a knee-jerk reaction to the evacuation of Lebanese-Canadians during the recent war.
Immigration analysts are pushing for the tax and also a review of Ottawa's policy of dual citizenship, saying that overseas Canadians are getting a 'free ride at taxpayer's expense' for just the cost of a passport.
It has been suggested that overseas Canadians should pay more to get their passports renewed.
According to reports, Canada spent $94 million last summer for the evacuation of 15,000 Lebanese-Canadians trapped in war-torn Lebanon, and those evacuated were given return tickets and half of them returned to Lebanon within two months.
A political scientist was quoted as saying that if there was upheaval in Taiwan or mainland China (from where Canada gets the second-largest number of immigrants), the impact on Canada would be enormous.
But a lawyer and immigration consultant in Dubai, Sam Bayat questioned the policy saying, "Any responsible government will help its citizens abroad and will not distinguish between any of its citizens.
"Maybe the Parliament needs to determine what the rights are of dual citizens, and more importantly those of non-resident Canadians. As non-resident Canadians we do not get any social or health care services from the Canadian government," he said.
A non-resident who works as an immigration consultant in Dubai said overseas Canadians are 'ambassadors' and help promote their country abroad. "We bring more to the table than what we are getting," said Norbert D'-Souza.
M.C., a professional photographer, said the proposed hike in the cost of a passport to $500 (Dh1,600) for those living abroad for five years, was way too much.
"That's a huge increase," she said, pointing to the fact that it costs just Dh640 to renew a British passport (which is valid for 10 years).
"This [review] is targeted more to naturalised Canadians, who have taken citizenship as a 'safety net', rather than natural-born Canadians like me," she said.
But she said it was like "giving with one hand and taking with the other."
A journalist from Toronto however, said that $500 is a small price to retain the 'most respected passport in the world'.
But he said he was "worried that at some point, the small fee would become much higher as pressure from Canadian taxpayers grows to cut the looming cost of healthcare in the country."
Latest news
- Dubai porter found dead inside container
- Dubai Municipality plans new zoo in emirate
- Strong winds and haze expected in the UAE
- Dubai Police deny reports of Burj Khalifa fire
- New road eases traffic problems in Dubai
- Abu Dhabi hosts strong man contest
- Farmers to be taught techniques to improve yield
- Keep recycling bins open
- President of Wollongong varsity about his plans
- Challenging role in Libya
- Parachuting event promises rich fare
- UAE ministry backs efficacy of Tas'heel system
- UAE students on research trip to Antarctica
- Brothers held in Sharjah for possessing heroin
- Fund drive for displaced Syrians launched
Community Reports
-
Keep recycling bins open
People should be allowed to do their part as the world moves towards a greener future
-
Bridges needed
Al Ittihad Road has no pedestrian facilities as one nears Sharjah
-
Street lights needed
Authorities urged to act with haste before a major accident occurs in Al Nahda, Dubai
-
Motorists ignore stop sign on buses
Overtaking school vehicles can put students' lives at risk
