Documents obtained by The Canadian Press show the federal government plans to crack down on people who spend too much time out of the country .
It’s a move that could cost snowbirds – Canadians flying south of the border for winter—certain financial benefits.
Roland Painchaud and his wife spend several months each year in southern California.
“I think it's both the climate and we have a plethora of friends there,” said Painchaud. “And of course there's the golf, which is an important part of our life."
Under a border agreement between Canada and the United States, the federal government plans to better monitor the comings and goings of people like Painchaud and his wife.
Those that spend too much time out of the country could be penalized financially.
If the government goes ahead with the move it could see savings of $48 million for the Old Age Security program, $21 million for the Employment Insurance program and between $125-250 million for the Child Tax Benefit program.
Evan Rachkovsky of the Canadian Snowbird Association downplayed the impact of the move, saying most seniors who spend significant time away are already aware of the rules.
Still, he recommends people keep track of how much time they spend outside of Canada because it could be a small detail that costs them.
"Those Canadians who live close to the border states and often times, every weekend or every other weekend, they're spending time in the US…they might spend six months in Florida as well; those are the kinds of individuals that would have to be mindful of these kind of changes,” said Rachkovsky.
Painchaud said seniors who winter in America bring financial benefits to both countries and he would like to see restrictions on time allowed abroad relaxed for seniors, not more strictly enforced.
"In Canada, Canadian snowbirds still pay taxes. Income taxes, residential taxes; they pay a series of other taxes and yet they use very few services while they're away,” said Painchaud.
The government would still need to pass a bill before stricter border monitoring of Canadian citizens, and the sharing of that information with federal agencies, could begin.
