Recently the United States government made the Do Not Call Registry available nationally. Once an individual registers their US cellular or home phone number with the service, they can expect a reduction in telemarketing calls after three months. If restricted telemarketers do call you after three months have elapsed, you may lodge a complaint with the registry which can cause the offending telemarketer to face a fine of up to $11,000. USD. The registration stays in effect for five years and is managed by the Federal Trade Commission, America's consumer protection agency. Unfortunately, some businesses will enjoy the privilege of being exempt from the registry. These include long distance carriers, financial institutions, airlines, political organizations, charities and telephone surveyors. Another loophole exists for companies that you have purchased a product or service from in the last 18 months as this defines an "ongoing relationship."

There is a Canadian counterpart to this registry that is operated by the Canadian Marketing Association (CMA). Individuals can register with the CMA and their names and addresses will be removed from phone and mailing lists of CMA members. These member organizations are obligated to review and update their contact lists every 4 months.

You can contact these organizations and register in a number of different manners.

Questions about visiting the U.S.? You may be able to find some answers about tax implications, residency status, border wait times, what you can take to and bring back from the U.S., and much more on the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA) Web site "Going Down South," located at
www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca/tax/nonresidents/south-e.html.

Another useful document published by the CCRA is "Canadian Residents Going Down South." Call 1-800-267-1267 or visit
www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca/E/pub/tg/p151/p151-02e.pdf to get your copy.

On page 7 of the most recent magazine of our Association, there is a feature re: US Changes Visa Requirements for Landed Immigrants of Canada. I find the story ambiguous. Does this mean that all Canadians going to Florida for 5 months need a passport AND non-immigrant visa? That is the way it reads. I would think a passport would be sufficient.

Geoffrey G. Bell

Our fault and definitely ambiguous! The first letters of "Landed Immigrant and Permanent Resident" should have been capitalized. A Canadian passport is certainly sufficient for travel to the US.

"Permanent Resident of Canada" (also known as "Landed Immigrant") is a residency status for which a non-Canadian must apply. After Permanent Residents have lived in Canada for three years they are eligible to apply for citizenship, although this is not a requirement. You can not have both a Permanent Resident status and a Canadian Citizen status.

If you are a Canadian Citizen (whether you were born here or not), the Permanent Resident Card and the new rules regarding the U.S. visa do NOT apply to you.