Canadian Snowbird Association

Commitment, Service and Advocacy for Travellers On Thursday June 12, 2014 the residents of We don’t want election promises! We want fair will choose their next provincial government. As a treatment! member of the Canadian Snowbird Association (CSA), now is the time to ensure your voice is heard! Take the time to learn where your local candidates Bob Slack stand on these important issues. Do they support your President right to travel? What will they do on your behalf? Canadian Snowbird Association

Access To Emergency Health Coverage When Travelling

Ontario’s practice for reimbursing Canadians for emergency health services while abroad contravenes sub-paragraph 11(1)(b)(ii) of the Canada Health Act. Emergency in-patient hospital services eligible for OHIP coverage will be paid up to a maximum of $400 per day for complex hospital care. “Complex” is defined as care that takes place in a coronary care unit, intensive care unit, neonatal or paediatric special care unit or the operating room of an eligible hospital or health facility. For less intensive emergency in-patient care Ontario reimburses travellers up to $200 per day. Both these rates are well below the Do your local candidates support up- rate of $851 provided for in-patient hospital services holding the portability principle of the received within the province. Canada Health Act? Do they support reimbursing emergency in-patient and Emergency out-patient services will be paid to a out-patient health services obtained maximum of $50 for all out-patient services provided while outside of Canada at the same on any one day. Fifty dollars per day is below the rate as services required while present average paid to residents for similar in-province in Ontario? Do they support continually services in other jurisdictions. For physician services, updating these reimbursement rates to OHIP will pay the actual cost billed by the out-of- reflect changing costs? country physician(s) or the cost of the same physician service(s) in Ontario, whichever is less.

Preservation of Health Coverage for Frequent Travellers

Ontario residents can keep their health Do your local candidates benefits and be out of the province for support allowing an up to 212 days (approximately seven unlimited number of short- months) in any 12-month period. term trips to anywhere in While this is one of the longest allow- the world, in addition to able travel periods in Canada, Ontario the 212 day allowance, does not have a policy that allows provided that the travel- residents to travel the rest of the year ler maintains his or her without risk of losing their benefits. principal residence in the Residents of Ontario may be eligible to maintain their OHIP coverage for an ex- province? tended vacation absence of up to two years. To be entitled to continuous health coverage during the first of these absences, residents must have been physically present in Ontario for at least 153 days in the 12-month periods for 2 consecu- tive years before the absence. Further absences of this nature will be permitted provided residents are physically present in Ontario for at least 153 days in the 12-month periods for 5 consecutive years before each subsequent absence. Access to Prescription Drugs For Use During Travel

Ontario’s Drug Benefit Program will cover the cost of 200 days’ worth of prescription drugs, but only in two separate 100-day supplies. In order to Do your local candidates support obtain the second 100-day supply, the traveller must provide the pharma- simplifying the process for obtain- cist with a letter (written by the individual) or a copy of travel insurance, in ing a 212 day travel supply of pre- either case confirming the planned scription medication? This would departure. In addition, if an Ontario allow travellers to meet their resident has 30 days or less left on medication needs without having their current prescription, the min- to time their requests, write a let- istry will allow an early refill of the ter or make arrangements to have next 100-day supply. This allowance medication sent from Ontario to enables one to take between a 200 their travel destination. to 230-day supply of medication with them when travelling, depend- Do your local candidates support ing on when the request for an early reimbursing the cost of medica- refill and vacation supply is made. tion prescribed by appropri- ately accredited physicians and The Ontario government does not dispensed outside the province at reimburse the cost of prescriptions the same rate as if purchased in purchased while outside of the the province? province.

Registered Provincial Political Parties Contact information to conduct election platform inquiries New Democratic Party of Ontario Election Date 210-10 St. Mary Street 101 Richmond Street East and Times , Ontario Toronto, ON Election Day is Thursday M4Y 1P9 M5C 1N9 June 12, 2014. Tel: 416-961-3800 Tel: 416-591-8637 Toll-Free: 1-800-268-7250 Toll-Free: 1-866-390-6637 (ONDP) Polls will be open from 9:00 a.m. Fax: 416-323-9425 Fax: 416-599-4820 to 9:00 p.m. ET. Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Absent electors who are unable to vote www.ontarioliberal.ca www.ontariondp.com on Election Day may cast their vote in advance at an advance polling station Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario or through special ballot (in person or by mail). Tim Hudak 59 Adelaide Street East, 4th Floor Toronto, Ontario M5C 1K6 Tel: 416-861-0020 Toll-Free: 1-800-903-6453 Fax: 416-861-9593 Email: [email protected] www.ontariopc.com

For a full list of registered political parties in the province of Ontario please visit www.elections.on.ca Advance Polls Elections Ontario If you will not be present in Ontario on The dates, times and locations of advance Information Election Day, you may cast your ballot polls are provided on your Notice of beforehand at an advance poll. Registration Card. During the election, they How will I know if I am on the voters list? The advance polls will be open from will also be available online from Elections Saturday, May 31 to Friday, June 6, from Ontario at http://www.elections.on.ca. The majority of qualified voters are already 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (local time). on the Permanent Register of Electors for Ontario, which is used to prepare the preliminary voters list for elections, by- Special Ballot Voting elections and referendums. When an election is called, a Notice of Due in large measure to the advocacy Voting in person at the local Registration Card is mailed to voters efforts of the Canadian Snowbird Associa- returning office confirming they are on the list. It also lets tion, residents of Ontario may now vote in them know the location of their Election Ontario elections via special ballot. Eligible electors may also vote by special Day poll, as well as dates and locations of ballot in person at their local returning advance polls. What is a special ballot? or satellite office. In order to exercise this option, you must bring one piece of photo If you do not receive your Notice of Regis- A special ballot is a method of voting that identification that includes both your name tration Card, you may not be on the voters allows eligible electors to cast a ballot in and residential address and complete the list. If you are qualified to vote but not on person or by mail during the 28-day elec- necessary application. Once the application the list, it is simple to correct. tion period. This means that even if electors has been approved, you will vote by special are unable to go to the polls on Election You may check to see if your name appears ballot. Day, or stop by one of the advance polls in on the preliminary list of electors by: their area, they can still cast a ballot for the The deadline to complete your application zzSubmitting your information online at candidate of their choice. and vote by special ballot, in person, is 6:00 http://www.elections.on.ca p.m. ET and 5:00 p.m. CT on Wednesday There are two ways to vote by special ballot: zz June, 11. Calling Elections Ontario toll-free by mail or in person. at 1-888-668-8683 (office hours are Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.) Voting by mail How to obtain a special ballot application zzWriting Elections Ontario at: Eligible Ontario electors, who wish to vote Elections Ontario by mail, must complete the following You can obtain an application package, 51 Rolark Drive process: which includes the full list of acceptable Toronto, Ontario M1R 3B1 Canada forms of identification for special ballot Step 1: Complete and submit a special voting: Can I still vote if I am not on the ballot application. Attach a photocopy of one piece of ID, with your application, that zzonline at http://www.elections.on.ca list? includes both your name and residential zzat your local returning or satellite office Yes, assuming you are qualified to vote. address in Ontario. Your application must If you are an eligible elector, on Election z be received at Elections Ontario or your lo- z by contacting the special ballot team at Day, you can go to your voting location cal returning office by 6:00 p.m. ET and 5:00 Elections Ontario and show proof of name and residence p.m. CT on Friday, June 6. ƒƒ via phone toll-free at 1-855-523-5932 on one identification document and com- Step 2: Receive a special ballot kit in the ƒƒ via fax at 1-888-483-4448 plete the appropriate form. Then, you will be added to the Voters List. mail, which will include your write-in bal- ƒƒ via email at [email protected] lot, return envelope and detailed voting Alternatively, you can apply for a Certifi- instructions. ƒƒ via mail at Elections Ontario cate to Vote at your local returning office Attention: Special Ballot or advance poll location. You will need to Step 3: Submit the completed special bal- 51 Rolark Drive lot to your local returning office or Elec- provide one piece of identification which Toronto, Ontario M1R 3B1 includes both your name and residence. tions Ontario, using the return envelope, by Canada 8:00 p.m. on Election Day. This option can be exercised up until 8:00 p.m. (local time) on Wednesday June, 11.

CANADIAN SNOWBIRD ASSOCIATION Commitment, Service and Advocacy for Travellers 180 Lesmill Road Office Hours (Eastern Time) General inquiries (English service) Toronto, Ontario, Canada 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday to Friday Telephone (416) 391-9000 M3B 2T5 Fax (416) 441-7007 Toll-Free 1-800-265-3200 www.snowbirds.org General inquiries (French service) E-mail [email protected] Telephone (416) 391-9090 Toll-Free 1-800-265-5132