Retaining Canadian Citizenship

[jolinar of malkshor]

Now that passports are required to enter the USA via air, some people who thought they were Canadian, are not. Because they were born outside of Canada and did not register with Canadian officials, they are not considered Canadian. Now....if they have lived in Canada all their life, they should be granted immediate citizenship....as it is the right thing to do. However, this brings out a few lines within the Citizenship Act and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act about second generation citizens born abroad.

Do you think it is fair that these people are required to register their citizenship with Canada and live here for a year to retain their citizenship?

I do.


http://www.immigration.ca/news-jan07-shame.asp

[OilersBaby]

Yes, I think they should definately have to live there for a year to retain their citizenship. They didn't register with Canadian officials.....they shouldnt be given immediate citizenship and then allowed to just keep it unconditionally even if they move out.

As I live in the US, Im not familiar with the way Canada is handling this. Does this mean that "illegal immigrants" are going to be granted immediate citizenship? Or is this simply those who were granted status but didnt bother doing the paperwork?

[jolinar of malkshor]

Originally Posted by OilersBaby

Yes, I think they should definately have to live there for a year to retain their citizenship. They didn't register with Canadian officials.....they shouldnt be given immediate citizenship and then allowed to just keep it unconditionally even if they move out.

As I live in the US, Im not familiar with the way Canada is handling this. Does this mean that "illegal immigrants" are going to be granted immediate citizenship? Or is this simply those who were granted status but didnt bother doing the paperwork?

I think the people that have lived in Canada all their life will be given citizenship. As for the people that have never lived here.....to bad.

[mykalberta]

I think if they can prove they have lived in Canada for more than the normal 5 years then they should be expressed through citizenship (so long as they pay the normal fees - those should not be waved).

Canadians who live abroad should not be granted passports for the normal 87$ - I am thinking that should be increase to the $2500ish mark to subsidise those who do actually live here (that way if another Lebanon happens its paid for and not with my tax dollars).

Also those who live abroad full time but have Canadian citizenship, their offspring should not be granted automatic citizenship unless they can pass what normal new citizend have to.

MYK

[nfotiu]

There's something I've been curious about, anyone know the answer?

I am Canadian with an American wife, living in the US. We have a 10 month old son. Does he have any rights to Canadian citizenship? Is there anything we have to do to exercise them if we wanted to move back to Canada one day?

[redforever]

Originally Posted by nfotiu

There's something I've been curious about, anyone know the answer?

I am Canadian with an American wife, living in the US. We have a 10 month old son. Does he have any rights to Canadian citizenship? Is there anything we have to do to exercise them if we wanted to move back to Canada one day?

Prior to 1978 children born to a Canadian father outside of Canada
had to be registered with the Canadian Government to obtain Canadian
citizenship, but since the Citizenship Act in 1979 that requirement
was dropped - children born outside of Canada to a Canadian father
are automatically Canadians. Note that the same is not true if the
mother is Canadian but the father is not .

The bottom line - your kids are American by accident of birth, and
Canadian by virtue of their father's birth. What does it mean? They
enjoy all the benefits of citizenship of the USA, and if they decide
that they want to move to Canada they simply move up there -
they don't have to apply for a visa or swim the river.

[jolinar of malkshor]

Originally Posted by redforever

Prior to 1978 children born to a Canadian father outside of Canada
had to be registered with the Canadian Government to obtain Canadian
citizenship, but since the Citizenship Act in 1979 that requirement
was dropped - children born outside of Canada to a Canadian father
are automatically Canadians. Note that the same is not true if the
mother is Canadian but the father is not .

The bottom line - your kids are American by accident of birth, and
Canadian by virtue of their father's birth. What does it mean? They
enjoy all the benefits of citizenship of the USA, and if they decide
that they want to move to Canada they simply move up there -
they don't have to apply for a visa or swim the river.

You are correct....other than it is prior to 1977 not 1978. But good advise.

[nfotiu]

Originally Posted by redforever

Prior to 1978 children born to a Canadian father outside of Canada
had to be registered with the Canadian Government to obtain Canadian
citizenship, but since the Citizenship Act in 1979 that requirement
was dropped - children born outside of Canada to a Canadian father
are automatically Canadians. Note that the same is not true if the
mother is Canadian but the father is not .

The bottom line - your kids are American by accident of birth, and
Canadian by virtue of their father's birth. What does it mean? They
enjoy all the benefits of citizenship of the USA, and if they decide
that they want to move to Canada they simply move up there -
they don't have to apply for a visa or swim the river.

Thanks for the answer. I didn't know that was the case. That's a pretty good situation to be in, if he ever wanted to go live with his Canadian relatives for a while or dodge a draft.

[SaskaBushFire]

OMG no they are going to take the Reghers!!

[La Flames Fan]

Here's something I was thinking about today....It's required for U.S. citizens to re-enter the U.S. with a passport too, but what if a born and bred U.S. citizen doesn't? Do they just not let them in? What the hell happens?

I can't imagine a U.S. citizen being denied entry into THEIR OWN country!

[OilersBaby]

Originally Posted by redforever

Prior to 1978 children born to a Canadian father outside of Canada
had to be registered with the Canadian Government to obtain Canadian
citizenship, but since the Citizenship Act in 1979 that requirement
was dropped - children born outside of Canada to a Canadian father
are automatically Canadians. Note that the same is not true if the
mother is Canadian but the father is not .

The bottom line - your kids are American by accident of birth, and
Canadian by virtue of their father's birth. What does it mean? They
enjoy all the benefits of citizenship of the USA, and if they decide
that they want to move to Canada they simply move up there -
they don't have to apply for a visa or swim the river.

So if I'm Canadian (well, Im dual) and my husband is American, and we have a kid in California, he doesnt get to be Canadian because I, the mother, would be Canadian and not he, the father?

[jolinar of malkshor]

Originally Posted by OilersBaby

So if I'm Canadian (well, Im dual) and my husband is American, and we have a kid in California, he doesnt get to be Canadian because I, the mother, would be Canadian and not he, the father?

No...your child will still be canadian. As long as one parent is a Canadian citizen.

It would be a good idea to register their birth with the Canadian consulate.

[jolinar of malkshor]

Originally Posted by La Flames Fan

Here's something I was thinking about today....It's required for U.S. citizens to re-enter the U.S. with a passport too, but what if a born and bred U.S. citizen doesn't? Do they just not let them in? What the hell happens?

I can't imagine a U.S. citizen being denied entry into THEIR OWN country!

They will not be denied entry. Nothing has really changed for US citizens. If they do not have a passport...they will be sent into for further questioning to verify they are US citizens.

They are considering to fine people for not having their passport, but they still have to let them in.