Opposition and Expatriates Challenge Changes to Canadian Citizenship Act

Despite thousands of protests by Canadians at home and around the world, Bill C-37 amending the Canadian Citizenship Act was passed into law in April, thereby denying Canadians who were born abroad the right to pass citizenship onto their children, unless those children are physically born in Canada. The changes also have far-reaching impact on Canadians adopting overseas, and are widely viewed to impact Canadian competitiveness abroad as Canadians refuse to be sent overseas if it means they risk making second-class citizens of their children.

All is not lost, however. Opposition to the bill is being voiced on a special website, http://www.amendc37.ca/, and shadow Immigration Minister from the NDP, Olivia Chow, plans to introduce a Private Member’s Bill challenging the legislation, which is considered by many to be unconstitutional. Ms. Chow writes on her website http://oliviachow.ca/mp/?cat=27:

“Although in his answer two months ago to my questions in the House of Commons, (Citizenship and Immigration) Minister Kenney indicated that he would review Bill C-37—nothing has been done. In fact, Jason Kenney is under the impression that people do not understand what the issue is all about. While Kenney feels that only a few people will be affected, he has no way of knowing all the future repercussions of the second generation cut-off. Here is what we stand for: All Canadian citizens should have equal rights, no matter where they were born.

• We stand for our Canadian ambassadors who work throughout the world. They work in schools, universities, colleges. They work for the United Nations, UNICEF, Doctors without Borders. They work for Canadian banks, engineering firms, and corporations. They are too numerous to mention – and their work reflects Canada’s engagement with the world. Can Jason Kenney explain where is the logic in penalizing the families of expatriated Canadians while diplomats and military personnel remain unaffected?

• We stand for all children who came to Canada to join their forever families. On April 17, many of these children became second-class citizens. Can Jason Kenney explain where is the logic in allowing families to apply for direct citizenship for their born-abroad children only to strip away their rights one year later?

We are ready to take Jason Kenney to task on this issue at the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration. Equality must be restored amongst all citizens. I plan to introduce a motion and a private member’s bill to amend Bill C-37. If you have stories of how this new Citizenship Act impact on your families, please share them with me at chowo1c@parl.gc.ca.”

If you or anyone you know is affected by this change in the Canadian Citizenship laws, please e-mail Olivia Chow and give her your support, and visit http://www.amendc37.ca/. And if you’re not directly affected, please educate yourself about this law, and feel empathy for those caught in the net….it could easily be your problem, or that of your children and grandchildren, in the future.