Dear Editor:
The proposed legislation to limit remittance fees to five per cent is very important and must be supported by the Liberal government, as it will benefit poor people around the globe and cost Canadian citizens nothing.
My sister and I are like many immigrants living in Canada who help support their families by sending small amounts of money whenever we can, but we are frustrated that big money transfer corporations are charging us so much when we do.
Not long ago, we wanted to send $100 to our sister, aunt and cousin in Colombia but were shocked when charged $38! We still sent the money because our sister is a single mother, and our aunt and cousin are having troubles with steady work because of Colombia’s economy. The money we send is so important for our family to buy necessities like diapers, food, baby clothes, or to pay hydro, gas and water bills. Life in Colombia is very expensive and the cost for goods is similar to Canada, but wages are paid in pesos and, unless they receive help from their families, people must go without.
It hurts us when we hear the stories about what our family is going through, and we wish that we could send more. However, we are both on fixed incomes here in Canada and we do the best we can. If this bill was passed, we could send more money home and our family would have a better life.
Carolina and Diana Fernandez, Burnaby
