New immigration rules create two-tier Canadians: critics

by Barry Artiste | January 17, 2009 at 05:24 pm

454 views | 34 Recommendations | 9 comments

Barry Artiste Op/Ed

We have all seen Media reports recently and in the past where Canada runs to the rescue to get Canadians living permanently or semi permanently in War torn or unstable countries where these new Canadians were born. These Rescues amounting to millions of dollars per rescue is seen by many as a ruse, whereby New Canadians use Canada as a Country of Convenience, offering New Canadians Dual Citizenship, unlike other nations who state, you must pick and choose.

Canada now has woken up finally to the fact, a fact many have known for decades that many here who secure Canadian Citizenship contribute nothing to this Country, when they use Canada as a safety net in case of world crisis. Honk Kong is one place where many came here in the hundred thousands before the takeover by the Communist Chinese, and with good reason, but once they found out the Communist Chinese knew a good thing and allowed Hong Kong to remains as it always has as an Eastern Financial Capital for Asia Pacific, many Hong Kong Canadians left Canada to live in Hong Kong, the many who do have no intention of coming back, but will not refuse the retirement, medical and health benefits Canadian Citizenship brings. Sort of getting Scammed here now arent we? Pay no taxes, live elsewhere, contribute nothing, have kids in foriegn lands and automatically your kids are Canadian, and the vicious circle of taking Canada for a Sucker continues, until now. No more free ride, Gaza or Israel is getting bombed? Well you may be on your own, as well as you foriegn born children, you will have to leave behind.

Yep, the Free Ride and Gravy Train is finally coming to a close. What's Next? One can be certain Dual Citizenship will one day be a thing of the past, Now how Unconvenient!

OTTAWA -- New rules intended to protect the value of Canadian citizenship will create a two-tiered system with children born or adopted overseas relegated to an "inferior" class of citizenship, critics say.

Proposed federal regulations unveiled in mid-December seek to prevent children born to or adopted by Canadians outside the country from passing citizenship on to their children if they also are born abroad.

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Barbara McPherson

at 17:46 on January 17th, 2009

I fully support the idea that you must choose. This business of dual citizenship waters down the commitment to Canada. If children born abroad of immigrants granted citizenship in Canada want to claim Canadian citizenship there should be a residency requirement of at least ten continuous years before the age of 30. Of course vacations are ok, but outside residency during those years should disqualify them from automatically receiving citizenship. The millions spent evacuating citizens of convenience can be better spent at home.

Barry Artiste

at 17:55 on January 17th, 2009

You are preaching to the Choir Barbara, thanks for visiting.

Amy Judd

at 18:32 on January 17th, 2009

As someone with dual citizenship, I am not sure what to say or how to defend myself here.

I don't agree with however, giving someone's children citizenship when they are born in another country just because their parents have a Canadian passport.

The UK cracked down huge a while ago on this exact thing and I think their immigration policy is better for it.

Barry Artiste

at 20:37 on January 17th, 2009

Thanks for the visit and the insight Amy

travel_photography

at 23:20 on January 17th, 2009

Not that easy - we immigrated to Canada. I'm originally German, I lived their for 38 years, had to go to the army, paid taxes etc. I would very much like a dual citizenship. If I have to give up my german, where shall I go if I loose my english language because of a stroke for example? What happens if something happens to my parents? I only would be allowed for a certain time in Europe.

I think every case here is very different. Yes, if you come here for a ride... We never received a penny here in Canada by the way.

Paschen

at 23:40 on January 17th, 2009

i would never give up any of my Citizen ship for any nation since History does teach us that Nationalism is a real dangerous illness and danger, at least the day the country I may live in goes nuts or fascist I can get my Family out to a safer place, I would strongly recommend to all that can, hold as many passports as you possibly can and never fall into the trap of Nationalism nor blind Patriotism, it does blind one and at times makes one a borrow and puppet of the radicals and extremist. Canada was a nice place and is slowly slipping into the US lead paranoia and is blinded by fear not able to see clear any longer.

LotusFlower

at 00:57 on January 18th, 2009

I have dual thoughts.

Nationalism can be a dangerous thing in just the way Paschen mentions but being proud to make a contribution to the country and community one lives in is key to being a good citizen as well as key to starting to be a good world citizen too.

I see many rich people still maintaining citizenship of one country whilst living in another - usually to avoid paying tax or some such other ruse.

On the other hand I see people escaping from misery and war to other countries where they make their home and contribute much and I can understand them wanting to feel part of their birthland from which they were forced to leave as well as wanting to be recognised in thier new land.

Complex stuff.

Paschen

at 05:44 on January 18th, 2009

I do agree with that LotusFlower. well said.

Barry Artiste

at 05:28 on January 18th, 2009

Thanks everyone for your comments, certainly there are exceptions to every rule, I guess the Canadian Government has their work cut out for them implementing this.
I think the Governments issue is can we afford to have those we have to rescue, pay health benefits, old age security etc when they do not live here. You can see it is a scam of sorts. Friends of mine have Dual citizenship allowing them to work in the EU, I am envious to say to the least. Like Paschen says Nationalism can be dangerous, but it works both ways, one cannot be a citizen of the world and expect countries you do not live in nor contribute to (Taxes etc) to bail you out when in trouble, when the country you choose to live in will not. As for Andrew, I wish you would stop doing stuff like this, start your own post. By the way, I am no Bush lover, but the Bushes have a lot of Mexican roots in their family through intermarriage, children etc.