Bhupinder S, Liddar
OTTAWA: Everything from dual citizenship, residency and language requirement, and citizenship for adopted children is being reviewed by the House of Commons Committee on Citizenship and Immigration According w the Chair of this committee, Liboral MP Judy Bethel, such changes to the Citizenship Act are “timely because the last Act is 20 years old.”
Bethel added what the changes to the Citizenship Act will not affect only the aspiring Canadian citizens but have also benefited interest among those who wore born here. “The concept of citizenship needs to be looked at by both those of us who are here by birth and by choice,” according to Bethel, For instance, she cited the example of the environment having been brought Up BS an issue to ensure the land of Canada is protected against waste and pollution. The concern that Canada remains anon-violent society has also surfaced in committee hearings.
The Liberal MP from Edmonton East, Judy Bethel, stats that the committee is not dealing with the explosive national unity issue but is busy hearing witnesses in order to prepare a report by the end of June, She encourages all Canadians to either participated in the process through videos conferences being setup in various countries across Canada or submit briefs to the committee for consideration. After the completion of the report the bureaucrats in the Ministry of Cousinship and Immigration will perspired the legislation for introduction in the House of Commons in the Fall, Among some of the issue the committee will make recommendations include questions whether to change the current practice which allows any person born on Canadian territory to automatically become a citizen, A suggested change would make citizenship by birth dependent upon one ‘of the parents being a citizen or a permanent resident.
At present Canadian citizenship may ‘be lost in two ways: dual citizens may voluntarily renounce their Canadian citizenship, and citizenship may be withdrawn from a person who acquired it fraudulently. The committee is studying in what other circumstances might persons lose Canadian citizenship.
Another issue under study is the half-day credit allowed for each day of residence in Canada prior to permanent residence towards citizenship residency requirement of three years. Should this be eliminated, and if not, for whom should it be retained?
Finally, there is the issue of an appeal process, which should be flue but expedient and eliminate frivolous appeals.
Readers wishing to send briefs to the committee should contact their MP or call the Committee Clerk at (613) 992-5023.
Article extracted from this publication >> June 3, 1994
