How much is this going to cost?

[August1991]

Children are being blown into pieces and you're worried about your moola. Wow.

Conservative values at work.

Huh?

I have seen reports that US citizens will have to pay $4000 to be evacuated but they can sign promissory notes. That is the usual policy of the Canadian government when a Canadian citizen must be repatriated. The local mission will facilitate contacts with family in Canada to pay for costs or advance money with the understanding that it will be repaid.

Gerry, when it comes down to it, would you rather our government spend money to repatriate tourists (as you call them) who were in the wrong place at the wrong time or would you rather our government spend money to reduce child poverty rates?

We could serve alot of hot lunches with $50 million.

[gc1765]

would you rather our government spend money to repatriate tourists (as you call them) who were in the wrong place at the wrong time or would you rather our government spend money to reduce child poverty rates?

We could serve alot of hot lunches with $50 million.

You may be right, but gerry was talking about conservative values, and let's face it for most conservatives hot lunches and child poverty are not priorities.

[gerryhatrick]

And when things settle down in Lebanon these "Canadians" will hop on a plane and go back HOME.

Most of them are coming home. Given the fact that so many Canadians were vacationing in Lebanon at the moment, it's a safe be that most of them reside here at the moment.

According to the media, 95% of the 50,000 "Canadians" in Lebanon are permanent residents there. Only about 5,000 are tourists.

Really? I haven't seen that media report.

Here's one from the National Post:

Why 40,000 Canadians are in Lebanon

Migrants from civil war often go back every summer

http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/st...11986be&k=61499

It mentions how the 2002 Francophonie Summit put the number of Lebanese immigrants in Canada at 250,000 and how a Montreal travel agent estimates 15,000 Montrealers return to Lebanon on vacation each year.

Many are likely coming back after having been in Canada for many years and then returning to Lebanon to reside, but so what? While they were here they paid taxes and contributed to the economy. If they're able to decide where they want to live then they're no doubt an economic benifit, not the burden you assume Lebanese people must be.

I highly doubt it's 95% and would be very interested to see that media report. I provide one here that pegs it around 50%. And in all likelyhood the 50% of Canadians who are currently residing in Lebanon will not all come back.

Argus, do you have a link for your claims?