>>>>When I've visited Canada in the past, on my return to UK I've been able to claim back any GST or provincial taxes that I've paid on any service or purchase (incl. e.g. whale watching trip). It's like Canadians can claim back any VAT they've paid while visiting UK. Might this not be a similar case whereby non-Cans can claim back this "VAT"?
>>>
>>>Claim back where?
>>
>>You claim back in your home country, via a form you get from the Social Security, or some central govt. office - I can't remember which.
>
>Oh, come on! Do you really believe that? That would imply that the (in my case) Dutch government would ask the money back from Canada? Forget it! There's no such procedure.

Well there ARE such procedures, Peter. Now I don't know WHO fills the form and makes the submission, but I know that re-claiming taxes paid on foreign purchases is commonly done throughout the whole world.

Now in this specific case (UT membership) the whole 'refund' scheme is total nonsense and if that's what it takes it's clearly aimed at hoping people are too lazy or ill-informed, thus leaving the $$$ in Canada.