I don't mean any disrespect, and neither am I saying that the above is NOT VALID AND TRUE. I simply want to state, that for the last 80 years, the yanks have been using the exact ploy, as above, to collect information, and keep track of Americans working abroad, in order to follow up with the IRS, as to who has been filing their tax returns every year, and who is not.

I know plenty of Americans who don't bother register with their embassies while working overseas. Reason? As above. Who would willingly want the IRS on their backs?

And once again, I am not stating that what Daniel is suggesting, is a bad idea, or in any way questioning Mr. Ouellette integrity. Those who wish to do so, as suggested above - please feel free.

It does feel as if there is a hidden catch to it. Can anyone elaborate on the full story? Mr Ouellette, is the information submitted to the government and used for any other purposes than what you wrote?

As I said before, Mr Ouellette's intentions may be noble, and the points he highlighted as to why he is collecting information, may be totally valid.

The Americans are very cautious about these warning letters. I know of some Americans who got nailed by the IRS, simply because they provided simple information, as requested above. The information they provided, was used to "flush them out" of the woodwork, as "Americans working abroad," but are yet to declare their world wide income and failure to file tax returns while abroad. All they (American Embassy) did was, whoever chose to provide information, was matched against an IRS database, and presto, the next time they walked into their embassy, it was time to pay the piper. A letter was waiting for them, Signed - Uncle Sam.

My other question is, why can't we simply register online, with the embassy directly. If that's what we really wish to do. Why would he want to collect and keep our information?

Thank you kindly for your comments.

It is good to get this out and in the open now.

Giving one's personal information is a touchy issue. There are citizens who feel uncomfortable about registering online even though the government has repeatedly stated that the information will be kept confidential and only used to keep citizens informed about emergencies. This is old news.

The new news is we have come up with an alternative to solve this problem. The information will be kept by one citizen on one computer.

For all those who feel uncomfortable about registering online a solution has been found! The information for "those" Canadians in Tainan will be kept confidentially by me, myself and I. I am doing my best to help my fellow citizens and I dare to care! I will not stand by and do nothing to solve the problem because as you all know, "Shit happens!" When it does happen, it is likely that the person who refused to cooperate, will be the very first person to point the finger and say, "Where on earth were you when I needed help?"

Have I made myself clear enough here?
I care. "WE", the volunteers who have been chosen to bare this great responsibilty, care to make a difference and we WILL be prepared to notify others with detailed instructions prior to an actual emergency. We will be there telling you where to go and what to do in a worst case senerio. We WILL let fellow citizens know that someone in Tainan is taking action to help prepare for the worst in every possible way.

We certainly do NOT need any more resistance from citizens about giving up peronal info. especially since now we have a solution. If the contact info. will be held by one citizen and one citizen only, isn't that a relief to those who have been so reluctant all these years? We need cooperation to make this work. We are not playing games here. We are talking about being prepared for life threating situations and the cooperation and consideration would be very appreciated from everyone.

The time for action is now. Not tomorrow and not a few years down the road. Now. I may be getting very emotional about this but perhaps that is evidence that I truely care and I am taking this very seriously. Shouldn't I? And we could very well use all the support we can get to get our plan up and going. Don't you agree?

The group of volunteer emergency coordinators for Tainan have spent long hours discussing important issues regarding the safety of our citizens. Your thanks and cooperation would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for hearing me out.
Regards,
Daniel

Daniel Ouellette
email: quebectw@yahoo.com
cell: 0917-586-382
home: 06-366-8678

Thanks Daniel. Will you help Americans out too?

What is a "Warden"?

Warden = emergency coordinator

A warden has been selected for each country.
A list of wardens will be made available soon so everyone may contact his/her warden with his/her personal contact info.

You may also find out who your warden is by contacting the AIT.

Thank you for your questions and comments.
It helps to stir the pot and get the stew cooking.

Sincerely,
Daniel

Daniel Ouellette
email: quebectw@yahoo.com
cell: 0917-586-382
home: 06-366-8678

No comment. I know how shabbily the Canadian Consulate operates, in 11 different countries, including Taiwan.

Those idiots (the Trade Office, not Mr. Ouellette) were supposed to call me when my new passport was ready (after renewal), as I urgently needed it to possibly do a visa run. Do you think they BOTHERED TO CALL? Never! I called them 4 days in a row, only to be told, it was there since last week. If the morons can't even make a simple phone call to their citizens on such important matters like your passport, Daniel is suggesting they ACTUALLY care about Canadians abroad? What? They now plan to save the world? GET REAL please, and don't get emotional. Nobody gives a damn about what kind of initiatives the Canadian Government is running abroad. I suggest, tell them to feed the starved at home first, for there are plenty in Ontario. And once again, I have nothing against Mr. Ouellette, for his ideas might be noble. BUT, I still ain't buying.

As to suggesting how you guys plan to help us save our lives?

A) Tell us - Taiwan has many typhoons, so pack up and leave. We'll (government) cut a huge check to help you re-settle abroad. Country of our choice of course. I'll choose the color of the Ferrari F-40.

B) Call Tom Cruise off the sets of Mission Impossible (what?) XII?. Make sure he gets paid well enough, AFTER you guys declare national emergencies for evacuation, and perhaps, just perhaps, he might be interested in SAVING THE WHOLE LOT OF US - for a price of course.

I have never heard such Canadian Government hog wash before, in several years of being abroad. Have you NEVER heard of the on-going debate back home? Millions are donated abroad as "humanatarian aid", while the entire country is packed with starving citizens, and deep into a recession?

Go ahead guys, register right ahead. I'll take my chances when the time comes to save myself.

Not necessarily. The term can be used in several contexts.

A) Your local elected MP, is also allocated a "ward", and the people living within a certain region, are "under his ward." They don't call him a "warden." They call him an MP. And the word -"emergency," does not come into the picture at all.

B) A Jail Warden, is ALSO a Warden.

We all have issues.

We all have issues to deal with and life in general can be tough. For that reason, it's good to vent your steam and let us know how you feel. It's good to get it out of your system.

But please stick to the point and realize/understand what we are trying to do here is in everyone's best interest.

Thank you.
Daniel

Daniel Ouellette
email: quebectw@yahoo.com
cell: 0917-586-382
home: 06-366-8678

Right!

Yes, I see, different context...different meaning.
Here the context is clear. We are volunteers putting in our personal time to make a difference for others who may need our help and careful planning the near future.

Let's face it. We are all in this together and if you start thinking about others and what you can do to help out, then you really get "it". You get the point.

The time for emergency preparation is long long overdue. The time to act is now and the foreign community of Tainan WILL be ready for any emergencies to come.

Taking action without hesitation.
Daniel

Daniel Ouellette
email: quebectw@yahoo.com
cell: 0917-586-382
home: 06-366-8678

Stick to the issue? I just did. Didn't the Trade Office authorise you to collect this information? And, you wish all of us to believe, that this same trade office, that cannot even handle a proper issuance of a passport, in an emergency, plans to help all the Canadians in Taiwan? How? Share the information collected with whomever they choose to? Ain't that how that Arar fella ended up in Syria?

Life is tough? A simple phone call by an embassy official to help an emergency situation was tough for her? (no point me naming any names). Whats so non-issue about what I am saying?

A passort renewal was applied for. Where? YOUR Trade office. Why? For a possible visa run. Was told, check back 1 month later. They were informed, it is an EMERGENCY, so please inform me, as soon as it is here. Why did I have to keep calling and begging them to simply check which passports were in? Why the hell did they not make that simple phone call in an EMERGENCY situation. Do you not represent that very same Trade Office in an allied matter?

No need to answer the thread please. I am too old to listen to pipe dreams. I'd rather put my money on Batman saving me, when the time comes. HE GIVES BETTER ODDS.

You missed the point I was making.

When citizens send contact info. to me, doesn't that take the Trade Office out of the picture in a big way?

You see, others like yourself might have issues with the government too. I can understand your frustration. It sounds like you had a really tough time with your passport renewal.

So now this is personal. I am making this personal. I care about you. I am making it my personal responsibilty to care for each and every Canadian citizen in Tainan. Nothing you type, say or do can deny that fact. I will do my best to help you when you need help most.

Thank you for your cooperation and support.
Daniel

Daniel Ouellette
email: quebectw@yahoo.com
cell: 0917-586-382
home: 06-366-8678

Hello,
My name is Alun Arnold. I am the warden for the British Trade office Tainan North and East.
I regularly meet with Daniel and some of the other wardens to discuss how to best deal with any emergencies that might arise.

Daniel, myself and many of the other wardens will be just happy for a name and a phone number. Why? Because unlike a lot of people we do care about you. We are not paid and we put our own time and effort in to ensure that if you are sick we can help you. If you are stuck in hospital or injured, we WILL help you. Not a question of might, but that we will. If an earthquake or tsunami or any other disaster occurs we will be there to help you. To ensure that you have food, water and a way to contact your family.

You don't have to believe Daniel or myself but I know you British people out there don't have to worry about taxes. So I either go online and fill out the form or just drop me a line with any information you want to give.

Thank you for your help and all silly comments that will follow.

Alun Arnold
Saviour of Tainan North and East

alun1103@venus.seed.net.tw

0935 147 441

All right! Another so called farmer of our information. Bugsy, flame on. :-)

But I can vouch for this guy. If there's anything sinister about this guy, it's that you might get asked out for a quick drink and end up somewhere far from home at 3:00 in the morning wondering how a quiet night turned out into something involving gambling, boozing and 3 plates of cheesy fries. Just...take my word for it.

Don't forget the gravy.