15% Foreigner Tax a Human Rights Violation? Bullshit!

To those who feel that the 15% Foreigner Tax implemented by the British Columbia government is a violation of human rights: 

Let me ask you this?  Was colonization of foreign lands and forcing those who were rightfully there first right?  We can ask the British, Spanish and other colonizing nations that.  We are 300+ years removed from the colonization of North America by Great Britain and many injustices have been rendered against the original inhabitants of this continent, however we need not increase those injustices by compounding them. 

Vancouver is a housing market out of alignment with reality.  The housing bubble has forced Canadians to the point where they are unable to afford to live in the city in which they grew up or were born in unless they mortgage away their future and their own children’s future.

Having done a calculation of the costs of owning a home, it doesn’t make sense that you have to earn over $100,000 to be able to buy a starter home or you'd better have a windfall to be able to afford to buy it with the minimal mortgage that you'd be able to qualify for working a standard wage job.  But due to the drastically over-inflated prices in the Vancouver housing market, it costs exactly that to be able to qualify for a mortgage to buy a home.  

This was the cheapest house in Surrey available at the time, at the bottom of a hill and is labelled as a fixer-upper - read into that "dump".  And the average first-time home-buyer is unable to buy it, because they wouldn't be able to swing the mortgage for it.  And Abbotsford prices aren't any better.  In fact the prices are just as outrageous going farther up the Fraser Valley towards Hope. 

Just as it was in the 1600s, is it right for foreigners to kill off a country's population to take over the country?  No...it isn't.  Just as it is not right for foreigners to use financial leverage to take over a country.  Except that we have legal ways of preventing foreigners from doing things like that now.  

Implementing a 15% foreigner tax on homes purchased by non-Canadians is not a violation of human rights.  Using one's financial or military leverage to enforce poverty on those who were there first is.

Canada is not a free-for-all.  And those who have worked hard to build this country and build their own lives in this country, choosing to take citizenship and work for the benefit of this country deserve to own a home.  Not financial carpetbaggers from a foreign nation.  

If Canadian law-makers and realtors cared about the fact that we are selling Canada out from under our children, then there would be wide-spread support for a ban on foreign buyers and restrictions put in place.  

After all the UN has indicated that they consider this to be a human rights situation in their information pamphlet "The Right to Adequate Housing".  

http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Publications/FS21_rev_1_Housing_en.pdf 

"The obligation to protect

The obligation to protect requires States to prevent third parties from interfering with the right to adequate housing.  States should adopt legislation or other measures to ensure that private actors—e.g., landlords, property developers, landowners and corporations—comply with human rights standards related to the right to adequate housing. States should, for instance, regulate the housing and rental markets in a way that promotes and protects the right to adequate housing; guarantee that banks and financial institutions extend housing finance without discrimination; ensure that the private provision of water, sanitation and other basic services attached to the home does not jeopardize their availability, accessibility, acceptability and quality; ensure that third parties do not arbitrarily and illegally withdraw such services; prevent discriminatory inheritance practices affecting women’s access to and control over housing, land and property; ensure that landlords do not discriminate against particular groups; ensure that private actors do not carry out forced evictions."


Yet we are trumpeting the rights of the foreign buyer to buy housing in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland yet, maligning those who would be forced into impoverishment by those same foreign buyers.  

It is an unjust situation when the rights of foreigners are being touted over the rights of Canadians. 

I Will Not Bow Down To A Foreign Power.

I am a Canadian of Japanese-descent. I was born in Edmonton 45 years ago. I have absolutely no ties to Japan other than through my father who severed his own ties 5 years before his death by taking out Canadian Citizenship. So there is no reason why I should be so absolutely ecstatic about the Japanese Emperor showing up to Nikkei Place.

His country was the cause of many of Japanese-Canadian descent being shoved into internment camps. If they hadn't attacked Pearl Harbor, the Canadian government of that time wouldn't have had a good reason to shove them into internment camps.

Have those who cheered Akihito's arrival just realized his father's complicity in many Japanese-Canadians losing their possessions and freedoms during WWII? As an immediate descendant of an Japanese-Canadian internee, I resent the glorification of the Japanese monarchy by the Nikkei community.

If I was there, I probably would have waved a Canadian flag as well as a photo of what internment camp my mother and her family ended up in.

I AM A CANADIAN; THIS IS MY COUNTRY...and I don't care if ILLEGALS get offended.

I THINK I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING THIS GUY SAYS (TOO MANY PEOPLE WHINE IN THIS COUNTRY)

I Am the Democratic, Conservative, Liberal Parties, Worst Nightmare.
I am a White, Tax-Paying, Canadian Veteran, Gun Owning Biker. That’s me!
I am a Master Mason. I work hard and long hours with my hands to earn a living.
I believe in God and the freedom of religion, but I don't push it on others.
I ride Harley Davidson Motorcycles, and drive Canadian-made cars, and I believe in Canadian
products and buy them whenever I can.
I believe the money I make belongs to me and not some governmental functionary
that wants to share it with others who don't work!
I'm in touch with my feelings and I like it that way!
I think owning a gun doesn't make you a killer; it makes you a smart Canadian.
I think being a minority does not make you noble or victimized, and does not entitle you to
anything. Get over it!
I believe that if you are selling me a Big Mac or any other item, you should do it in English.
I believe there should be no other language option.
I believe everyone has a right to pray to his or her God when and where they want to.
My heroes are Malcolm Forbes, Bill Gates, John Wayne, Babe Ruth, Roy Rogers, and Willie G. Davidson, who makes the awesome Harley Davidson Motorcycles.
I don't hate the rich. I don't pity the poor.
I know wrestling is fake and I don't waste my time watching or arguing about it.
I've never owned a slave, nor was I a slave. I haven't burned any witches or been persecuted
by the Turks, and neither have you!
I believe if you don't like the way things are here, go back to where you came from and
change your own country!
This is Canada ...We like it the way it is and more so the way it was ...so stop trying to
change it to look like Russia or China , or some other socialist country!
If you were born here and don't like it... you are free to move to any Socialist country that will
have you. I believe it is time to really clean house, starting with the Parliament, the seat
of our biggest problems.
I also think the cops have the right to pull you over if you're breaking the law, regardless of
what color you are, but not just because you happen to ride a bike.
And, no, I don't mind having my face shown on my driver's license. I think it's good....
And I'm proud that ' Canada ' is written on my money..
I think if you are too stupid to know how a ballot works, I don't want you deciding who
should be running our government for the next four years.
I dislike those people standing in the intersections trying to sell me stuff or trying to guilt me
into making 'donations' to their cause.... Get a job and do your part to support yourself and
your family!
I believe that it doesn't take a village to raise a child, it takes two parents....
I believe 'illegal' is illegal no matter what the lawyers think!
I believe the Canadian flag should be the only one allowed in Canada !
If this makes me a BAD Canadian, then yes, I'm a BAD Canadian.
If you are a BAD Canadian too, please forward this to everyone you know...
We want our country back!
My Country..... I hope this offends all illegal aliens
My grandfather watched as his friends died in WW I.
My father watched as his friends died in WW II
And I am watching our family and friends die in Afghanistan
Enough is enough
This message needs to be viewed by every Canadian; and every
Canadian needs to stand up for Canada .
We've bent over to appease the Canada-haters long enough. I'm taking a stand.
I'm standing up because the hundreds of thousands who died fighting in wars for this country,
and for the Canadian flag.
If you agree, stand up with me. If you disagree, please let me know.
I will gladly remove you from my e-mail list.
And shame on anyone who tries to make this a racist message.
Canadians, stop giving away Your RIGHTS !
Let me make this clear! THIS IS MY COUNTRY !
This statement DOES NOT mean I'm against immigration !
YOU ARE WELCOME HERE, IN MY COUNTRY, welcome to come legally (don't jump the queue or think that your situation entitles you to benefits):
1. Get a sponsor !
2. Learn the LANGUAGE, as immigrants have in the past !
3. Live by OUR rules !
4. Get a job !
5. Pay YOUR Taxes !
6. No Social Security until you have earned it and Paid for it !
7. NOW find a place to lay your head !
If you don't want to forward this for fear of offending someone,
then YOU'RE PART OF THE PROBLEM !
We've gone so far the other way . . . bent over backwards not to offend anyone.
Only Canadians seems to care when Canadian Citizens are being offended !
WAKE UP Canada ! ! !
If you do not Pass this on, may your fingers cramp !

O Canada; Our National Anthem - Ingrain This Into Your Heart & Soul.

If you are ever planning on becoming Canadian or are a Canadian - you should know our anthem by heart at least in one of our official languages (if not both).  Ingrain this into your heart.  Our ancestors may have died in battle under the Red Ensign, but know that there are many in uniform serving under this flag and have died in Afghanistan under service to this flag. 

English Version: 

O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!
From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

French Version:

O Canada! Terre de nos aïeux,
Ton front est ceint de fleurons glorieux!
Car ton bras sait porter l'épée,
Il sait porter la croix!
Ton histoire est une épopée
Des plus brillants exploits.
Et ta valeur, de foi trempée,
Protégera nos foyers et nos droits.
Protégera nos foyers et nos droits.

"O Canada" was proclaimed Canada's national anthem on July 1, 1980, 100 years after it was first sung on June 24, 1880. The music was composed by Calixa Lavallée, a well-known composer; French lyrics to accompany the music were written by Sir Adolphe-Basile Routhier. The song gained steadily in popularity. Many English versions have appeared over the years. The version on which the official English lyrics are based was written in 1908 by Mr. Justice Robert Stanley Weir. The official English version includes changes recommended in 1968 by a Special Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Commons. The French lyrics remain unaltered.

National Anthem: O Canada from the Canadian Heritage site of the Government of Canada

Mr. Richard Brunt; You Do Not Speak For Me.

With the Obama-led signing into legislation of the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, targeting American expatriates and accidental citizens abroad, the Obama administration has unleashed hell on earth for millions of American expats around the world. Renunciations of United States Citizenship are increasing every quarter. And all because of one simple reason: He expects those who have to pay for those who don't due to slacking off.

Evidently Mr. Richard Brunt of Victoria thinks that Obama is the best person in the entire world. Why not have him be our Prime Minister? I presume he's completely out of his mind.

Having those who have money pay for those who aren't willing to work will result in the haves feeling put-upon by the masses. Hell even those dual-citizen expatriates who are making $20,000 an year before taxes are being asked to provide for those who don't want to work and sit around on welfare in the United States. "Pay my way for me, Pay for my kids, pay for my health-care!" Why do you think American expatriates are angry and renouncing their citizenships in droves. Nobody wants to pay for a slacker.

It's people like this that gives expatriates a bad impression. When they're making $20K-$65K working their butts off and then having to pay taxes in the home country that they're living in, they don't want to hear this kind of shit. Why should we have to pay for someone who is too damned lazy to get their asses off welfare and get a job? Even a McJob would help her situation more than sitting on her ass demanding that... "Someone's gotta pay for me and my 15 kids." No...nobody has to do a damned thing for you. Angel Adams.

(Photo by David Shankbone - CCby3.0)-for commentary only
The Tyee - Photograph

Obama and the Democrats have painted expatriates as unpatriotic 1% tax cheaters feeding off the frenzy of the Occupy Wall Street Movements that spawned similar Occupy movements all over the world - headed by professional slackers who don't have a job and have developed a portfolio of professional protesting while maligning hard-working individuals who are just trying to make ends meet.

If one wants to meet a cross-section of the expatriate community that these professional slacking scumbags want to malign as rich one-percenter tax cheats; take a look at the following: Dual Canadian-American Citizens: We Are Not Tax Cheats. These hard-working expatriates aren't tax cheats, but you professional Occupy Wall Street and Occupy Vancouver slackers...ARE.

We Are Not A Myth in answer to Robert Stack stating: Some claim that Americans living abroad will give up their U.S. citizenship because of liabilities and burdens created by FATCA. His answer:

FATCA provisions impose no new obligations on U.S. citizens living abroad. Instead, FATCA’s withholding obligations fall on institutions making payments to FFIs, and the due diligence and reporting requirements fall on the FFIs themselves.

U.S. taxpayers, including U.S. citizens living abroad, are required to comply with U.S. tax laws​. Individuals that have used offshore accounts to evade tax obligations may rightly fear that FATCA will identify their illicit activities. Yet a decision to renounce U.S. citizenship would not relieve these individuals of prior U.S. tax obligations, and might well create additional U.S. tax obligations for certain citizens and long-term residents who give up citizenship or residency.

Yet the IRS penalizes taxpayers with draconian penalties upwards of $100,000 for failure to file a form. Some have been assessed in excess of $450,000 on personal savings for retirement from working for 45 years at a job paying at best $16/hr. Do they really think that a regular working joe is using their off-shore accounts for illicit activities? Let's be honest here. This is nothing but a money-grab.

And our Progressive Conservative government rolled over and decided to let US statutes take precedence over Canadian Law in Canada by instituting an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) between Canada and the United States to let the IRS take precedence over the CRA.

And that is why most of us Canadians who have some indicia of US ties whether by accident of birth or by marriage to a US citizen are pissed off as hell at the United States, at Obama, and at Stephen Harper.

Don't Go Down The Same Path As WWII! - Innocence Until Proven Guilty.

I don't care what color, race or creed you are; I don't care what religion you are: if you're Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, Pastafarian ; if you love Canada enough to apply for citizenship; believe in its ideals, reside here and are patriotic towards Canada, then you are a Canadian. We have these scum-sucking misfits who wander off to Arab countries to join ISIS and those scumsucking misfits who persist in breeding hatred. Those are the types of assholes I want out of MY Canada. Revoke their citizenship - send them back to whatever hell-hole they originated from. The only people I want to see Canadian are those who would fight for Canada, and defend the very ideals for which this country ratified the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms.

My grandparents spent 5 years in an internment camp because people were suspicious and quick to hate, as well as thinking that we were traitors to Canada just because a bunch of Japanese from Japan bombed Pearl Harbor. Not a single Canadian interned was convicted of an espionage crime. And you very assholes that are engaging in haranguing Muslims want to go down the very same route. What happened to innocence before proven guilty and a right to a fair trial? Because as far as I can see, Muslims who go about their daily lives haven't commited any crime. The only Canadians who have committed crimes are the Muslims who have joined ISIS and have gone to the Arab countries and they are the ones that need their citizenships revoked.

The ones who murdered Cpl. Nathan Cirillo and WO Patrice Vincent were shot and killed, justice has been done. There is no way to prevent a terrorist attack unless you have pre-existing information to work from. The terrorist attacks that killed Nathan Cirillo and WO Patrice Vincent were spur of the moment attacks that couldn't be foreseen and unless you want to round up every innocent Muslim-Canadian who is just trying to eke out a living in Canada, you won't be able to stop "spur-of-the-moment" attacks.

But trying to rationalize with those who are imbued with hysteria is like trying to herd cats and isn't going to work. All I can say is that we don't want to go down the same road as we did in WWII. It's against the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms. Secondly, you wait and watch, then if you see them organizing in a way that you can prosecute them for, then you prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law.

Until then, you leave them be. If you can't understand that and the ideals of Canadian Human Rights; then you are a simpleton who needs to go back to school.

By the same token, if you are a Muslim radical who wants to bring Sharia law to MY Canada, then I WANT YOU OUT! There's no room for extremism in Canada from both sides.

Does My Canadian Flag Offend You - Please Feel Free to Leave, Eh?

With Canada being battered by this FATCA legislation which has been implemented by the United States and aided and abetted by the Obama-apologist Harper Progressive Conservative government whose focus appears to be turning Canada American, I've become rabidly Canadian. This year will be the first year that I intend to put up a Canadian flag; replete with angled flag pole bracket from Lowe's Canada. I looked for one at Rona (a completely Canadian hardware store) and infuriatingly, a Canadian store isn't patriotic enough to carry flagpole brackets and Canadian flags so that patriotic Canadians can actually fly OUR FLAG on Canada Day. As a child I didn't realize how good Canada was to me, having been born and raised here all of my life...viewing our elephantine neighbour to the south with rose-colored glasses. As I have aged, married and raised a family here in the glorious and free home and native land that I have grown to respect, love and cherish, I feel more and more patriotic and am proud to be a Canadian; born and bred and realized just how much this country means to me.

Thank you, @pmharper for signing in Bill C288. Red Ensign beside my Canadian flag protesting your sell out of Canada. pic.twitter.com/9zqluI6AeF

— Wildlife Photog (@WildlifeFotog70) March 4, 2015

I am sick and tired of the Canadians who are so bloody apathetic that they would care less about their country that they would allow Harper to continue his sell-out of Canada to American interests. My grandparents, uncles and mother were imprisoned during WWII in the Japanese-Canadian internment camps in the interior of Canada under the Red Ensign of Canada (flying the Red Ensign brings my family memories that it would rather forget), but Harper has made it such a deal that I WILL FLY the RED ENSIGN alongside the Canadian flag as a symbolic protest against the United States and what its apologist Stephen Harper is trying to do to MY Canada.

Another thing that royally makes my blood boil is when I see articles like this: Is Flying A Canadian Flag On Your House Too American? Are they f***ing kidding me? Are they reducing my love of my country to being as jingoistic as an American? I love my country and I don't think many of my compatriots love it enough if they either disdain the flag or the ideals for which Canada's flag stands for, because they really are ignoring Canada's ideals when they ignore what Stephen Harper is doing to this country.

Other articles question why there aren't more people flying the Canadian flag: >Why Don't More Canadians Fly The Flag? The homeowner's association in Belle-River, Ontario should be ashamed of themselves. If the Homeowner's Association is so anti-Canadian that they won't allow for Freedom of Expression enshrined under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, then I'll be happy to drive them to the damned airport and they can each go back to where they bloody well came from.

Perhaps we should take a page from the Americans when it comes to our flag and state that anyone who flies a foreign flag on Canadian soil had damned well better couple it with an equally large Canadian flag. I don't care what country they come from - I don't give two sour owl shits about your creed, culture or religion, but when you are on Canadian soil, there'd better be a Canadian flag beside your country of origin's rag or else, be prepared to explain yourself to a pissed-off Canadian. And that also goes for you jingoistic Americans too. Fly the Stars and Bars at your leisure, but if you live on Canadian soil, there'd damned well better be a Canadian Maple Leaf flag along-side it. Just this morning when I was going to drop my daughter off to daycare I saw some Yankee yokel with a US Flag emblazoned in the back window of his truck flaunting his American-ness along the streets of Surrey. No Canadian flag to be seen in his truck with BC plates. That was like a red flag to a bull. My only thought was: "You Yankee DUMBSHIT!!! You come up here to live in this country, earn a living in this great country of ours, partake of our free healthcare and our hospitality and you have the fucking guts to flaunt your American flag in my face with no nod to the country who took you in? You sorry-ass sonofabitch!!!"

Bill C288 protects my right to fly a CANADIAN flag anywhere at anytime on Canadian soil and I will take that as my God-given right and as my country's anthem says: "God keep our Land; Glorious and Free". Too many people have forgotten the phrase that goes along with it. "Oh, Canada, We stand on Guard for thee..." and I'll be damned if I let Stephen Harper do any more to sell-out this great country of ours.