U.S. bills would allow older Canadians to stay for eight months in a year

Two U.S. bills propose to allow certain Canadians — aged 50-55 years and older — to visit for up to eight months, rather than six. Thousands of Canadians head south during winter each year, with some carefully counting each allotted day to avoid trouble with U.S. immigration officials and Canadian health-care programs.

The two proposed American bills, introduced this year, overlap, one by Congressman Mike Quigley and other by prominent Democratic Senator Charles Schumer as part of immigration changes. Schumer’s bill applies to Canadians 55 and older, while the other bill applies to those age 50 and older. Both allow for a spouse to stay under the same rules..and would require vacationers to maintain a residence in Canada.

StarPhoenix: The Canadian Snowbird Association says it has been pushing for the change for years. A previous bill died in committee…The Senate version of the bill could be voted on this summer. CSA said it has talked to more than 100 members of the U.S. Congress — Democrats and Republicans alike — and has found wide support for the proposal.