Looks like the Tories are going to review Canadian dual citizenship and it's rights/obligations.
Why does this not give me a warm and fuzzy feeling???
Ottawa reviewing rules of dual citizenship: Solberg
Tuesday, November 7, 2006 | 1:56 PM ET - CBC News
Ottawa is reviewing the rules governing dual citizenship and whether Canadians living abroad should qualify for social programs when they return, Citizenship and Immigration Minister Monte Solberg confirmed Tuesday.
The review comes in the aftermath of the mass evacuation of 15,000 Canadians from Lebanon last summer during the Israeli-Hezbollah conflict. Many of those Canadians hold dual citizenship and some have since returned to Lebanon.
The move cost the government tens of millions of dollars. Speaking to a House committee on immigration, Solberg said it raised questions about the rights of citizens who hold dual citizenship and don't live in the country.
"If we're in a situation where somebody's absent, isn't paying taxes but is going to be using our social programs down the road, I think Canadians would feel that that is unfair," Solberg said.
Benefits and obligations
He said the response from Canadians after the Lebanon evacuation is that citizenship conveys both benefits and obligations.
"Canadians want to know that citizenship means something, that we are not just a port in the storm," he said.
An estimated 90 countries now permit dual citizenship, including the United States and most of Europe.
Canada changed its laws 30 years ago to allow Canadians to hold passports from another country.
Since then two parliamentary committees have recommended the practice be reviewed.
"Canadians are concerned about the issue of dual citizenship which is why the government has a responsibility to review the current system," Solberg said.
According to the latest figures from Statistics Canada, more than half a million Canadians are dual citizens.
"Rutt-Row!!"
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1 comment:
Do yourself a favour and don't worry about this. A change in dual citizenship laws would lead to a sea-change in immigration policy that Canada cannot afford, not to mention put millions of new Canadians in jeopardy. It's another pander to the wingnuts. It raises its ugly head every year or so.
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