From: rpenner@unixg.ubc.ca (Ross B Penner)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.canada
Subject: Re: Canadians working Abroad
Date: 18 Nov 92 16:01:58 GMT
Organization: The University of British Columbia
NNTP-Posting-Host: unixg.ubc.ca


Warning: this is a long message. If you don't plan to go overseas don't
read this.

rtang@sunee.uwaterloo.ca asked a number of good questions about Canadinas
working overseas. First, it should be mentioned that most of the answers
are available through federal and provincial government departments. Consult
the white (or blue) pages for the appropriate numbers, or call the federal
or provincial general information number. Booklets or other printed
information is usually available. For some key issues, e.g. health care
get a letter from the department.  Second, a major problem for Canadian
ex-pats is the lack of non-resident voting rights (Americans and people
from some other countries have these rights).

Now for a response:
1) Income tax in two countries: This is a complex issue requiring
consultation with a good accountant and Revenue Canada Taxation. There
are bilateral tax treaties with different implications for different
countries. Generally speaking you pay there first, and then use that
information to complete a special tax form (not your provincial one).
As well there are additional forms for a foreign tax paid credit to
apply to your Canadian tax payable. As well, it depends on whether you
are considered to be a Canadian "resident" or you "emigrated."

2) Customs: If you live outside of Canada for less than one year, then
everthing is subject to duty and taxes. If you live outside of Canada
for one year or more, then only those items purchased in the final six
months are dutiable.  You need to be able to prove purchase dates and
prices, etc. Also, a complete list is needed (in duplicate). There are
some exceptions. Contact RC/CE for more details.

3) Passports: Passports last for five years, so get a new one before you
go. The alternative is to renew at an overseas embassy (and have to get
new visas for the new passport). Naturally, you'll take along your
necessary documents and keep a separately located photocopy of your passport
at home (just in case you lose the original). The option of a larger
passport (48 vs 24 pages) is also available if you will be travelling lots
and need more pages for visas and stamps. Contact External Affairs - 
Passport Office for more details.

4)
5) "Duel" (who are you fighting? :-)) Citizenship: a) Hong Kong is not a
country, so how can you become a citizen? Why do you need to be a "citizen"
to own land in HK? Do you want to be a citizen of the glorious Peoples 
Republic of China after 1997?
b) People of dual citizenship, in their second homeland, are in a bad
situation when dealing with their second government. Canada can't do a thing
for people who are deemed to be citizens of another country. Contact
External Affairs Consular Section for more details. For Citizenship quirks
contact the Secretary of State's Citizenship Branch.

6) Concerns raised by others, i.e. Health Care: a) get supplementary insurance
as Japanese (and that of many other countries) health care is more expensive
than Canadian coverage will provide.
b) the usual limit for provincial coverage is 3 months after moving permanently
or 1 year if absent temporarily. Coverage, after re-registration, normally
resumes 3 months after the return of a citizen. Contact your provincial health
ministry for details.

7) Ross' personal advice (after living overseas for 3 years):
- have supportive friends at home who will send you the news and keep you
up to date on Canada (nice if they have e-mail, faxes, etc.)
- avoid negative ex-pats, have some Cdn. friends, have lots of host culture
friends
- register your long-term stay with the Cdn. embassy (for emergency help)
- prepare culturally for the host country
- prepare  linguistically
- learn now about culture/reverse culture shock (it happens to everyone)
- have enough money to get home
- keep separate, multiple copies of important documents (in case of theft, etc.)
- make and keep on you a laminated emergency contact list

Good luck and have fun!
Newsgroups: soc.culture.canada