An employee with the Canadian Expat Association has leaked a series of emails and documents showing plans for the organization to begin opening up Canadian pubs, restaurants and eventually hotels around the globe to serve their members and other Canadians living abroad. The plans indicate that the first five of a series of establishments will open in London, Los Angeles, New York, Shanghai and Singapore. Operations are scheduled to begin as early as September of this year.
When asked, in an email from a Canadian embassy official in London, the CEA employee who wished to remain anonymous stated, "The objective is to provide paid members with significant discounts and even employment opportunities." Singapore immigration officers have expressed concern that offering employment to individuals based on citizenship of another country rather than skill may be a violation of Singapore employment laws.
The Canadian Expat Association hopes to capitalize on a community estimated to be at almost 3 million large around the world. The United States holds the largest portion at nearly 1.5 million Canadians.
The Canadian Embassies in London and New York did not reply to our requests for a response.