“Canadians affected by FATCA have every right to feel betrayed by their adopted country.”
That is one of many superb comments in today’s Toronto Star: U.S. tax deal jeopardizes Canadians’ privacy: Tim Harper
Reviewing this, I think we can safely conclude Tim Harper listened closely to what was said Finance Committee testimony:
Here are some of the other key points:
If one wants another clear-eyed illustration of the power imbalance between Washington and the federal Conservatives, one need look no further than a tax deal signed between the two countries last winter.
It is a deal which imperils the privacy of up to a million Canadians and creates a two-tier level of citizenship in this country, discriminating against citizens based on their ethnic origin.
And:
FATCA is something that should be alarming in an era of NSA spying and telecom information gathering for governments.
On the CRA issue:
Ottawa may see this two-step as a means to guard privacy. Those affected see it as double jeopardy.
On the choices:
What the Conservatives didn’t have to do was essentially embed foreign legislation into their budget bill.
On the constitution:
The Conservatives have likely set themselves up for the courts to again ultimately decide on the constitutionality of this move.
Concluding:
Canadian financial institutions must begin handing over information by July 1, a Canada Day repudiation of our own sovereignty.
Maple Sandbox Historical Archive - 2012 to 2016 
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