Conservative bill gives Harper power to strip Canadians of Citizenship.

[driveway]

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2...se_walkom.html

The federal government’s new citizenship bill is a Trojan horse.
It is presented as an attempt to reduce fraud and rationalize the process of becoming a Canadian citizen, both of which are sensible aims.

But it would also give Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s Conservative government unprecedented authority to strip Canadians — including thousands born in this country — of their citizenship.

Bill C-24 would let the government unilaterally strip citizenship from any Canadian — naturalized or native-born — who has been convicted in any country of a terrorist offence and sentenced to at least five years in jail.

Decisions in these matters would be made by cabinet alone rather than a court.

Emphasis added. The bill seems specifically structured to be able to strip Omar Khadr of his citizenship.

[GGG]

I am not opposed with stripping citizenship of criminals who are duel nationals.
However, I don't like that control rests with the government on these issues. I think that the government should set the criteria for stripping citizen ship, then have to apply to the courts who would judge if the criteria has been met. This way the group wanting a person to be deported wouldn't be in charge of also deciding if that person meets the criteria.

There also needs to be a way for Canadians to formally denouce a 2nd countries citizenship if we are starting to give additional protections to those who are only Canadian Citizens.

[FlamesAddiction]

I think it is against international law to make someone stateless, so if someone was stripped of citizenship, it would have to mean that they would have to have viable citizenship somewhere else. I actually don't see a big problem with that. Britain, Japan, France, Italy, Switzerland, and New Zealand all have similar laws in effect. Dual citizenship is not a right, nor is Canada obligated to allow it for everyone.

Having said that, if someone renounced their other citizenship first, then there is nothing they could do.

[malcolmk14]

Misleading anti-Harper title? Check.

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by malcolmk14

Misleading anti-Harper title? Check.

Not that I disagree with your point, isn't it kind of assumed that if the cabinet can decide these things, it pretty much gets decided by the PM?

[darklord700]

Why don't we just ban dual citizenship? If you acquire a Canadian citizenshp by ways of naturalization, you must to renounce your original one. Problem solved.

[Makarov]

Originally Posted by darklord700

Why don't we just ban dual citizenship? If you acquire a Canadian citizenshp by ways of naturalization, you must to renounce your original one. Problem solved.

I don't think that is the problem that the Harper government is trying to solve.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

I have no issues with dual citizenship, but the fact that this bill will allow the cabinet to strip someone of their citizenship is worrisome.

I would think that it would essentially eliminate the sentence of 5 years+ for terrorism as it would be 5 years+ in addition to the (potential) loss of your citizenship.

If our justice system is structured for rehabilitation I can't imagine a worse thing to do than to deny someone the government programs of rehabilitation due to them not being a citizen.

Additionally, does someone have to be found guilty in a Canadian court? If not, I have even more problems with this. If so, I don't think it would apply to Khadr as he wasn't found guilty in a Canadian court.

[normtwofinger]

Originally Posted by darklord700

Why don't we just ban dual citizenship? If you acquire a Canadian citizenshp by ways of naturalization, you must to renounce your original one. Problem solved.

As an expat (not dual citizen, but will have the option in several years), I disagree. I want the option available to return to Canada. I shouldn't have to suffer due to some criminals and terrorists.

[driveway]

Originally Posted by GGG

I am not opposed with stripping citizenship of criminals who are duel nationals.

it would have to mean that they would have to have viable citizenship somewhere else. I actually don't see a big problem with that.

One issue, as spelled out in the article, is that there are a number of nations who essentially assume you are a citizen. For example, all children of an Egyptian male, regardless of where they are born, are considered by Egypt to be Egyptian citizens.

[Wormius]

I assume the other country that the person is a citizen of would be aware of a conviction, no? Just what happens should they decide that they don't want the guy back, and strip his citizenship before the guy is released from prison / set to be deported?

[puckluck2]

What an idiotic law. He was born in Canada so why should he be deported?

[AcGold]

Progressive fascism my friends. Everyone's rights slowly degraded to save us from the boogeyman

[GP_Matt]

I hate the idea of stripping citizenship. Why do we need a system that punishes a person differently based on where they were born or where they hold citizenship.

So, if I commit a terrorist act I go to jail, but if my father is Egyptian then I am stripped of my citizenship when I get out of jail.

Looking at Omar, his father was Egyptian so that makes Omar an Egyptian citizen by default. So a Canadian born person who commits a crime in Afghanistan is now Egypt's problem even though he has never been to Egypt.

[Brannigans Law]

It never shocks me what fear mongering and a conservative government can accomplish.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by fotze

Cause his name is funny sounding.

Also, untrustworthy permanent tan.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

I'm wondering if this bill would pass a section 7 Charter challenge?

I'm thinking that it may not.

[Fire]

According to the Toronto Star article, this bill could affect thousands of people born in Canada. Not that I don't believe the un-bias reporting of that newspaper, but I have hard time believing that thousands of Canadians have been charged with terrorist activities and have been placed in jail for over 5 years.

Sounds like typical fear mongering from the anti-Harper crowd.

[killer_carlson]

This will be a very interesting debate.

Fundamental rights as a citizen vs setting limits on irresponsible usage of those rights

[GGG]

Essentailly this is how Calgary got rid of Jackie Tran.

He wasn't born here but was brought over by his mother when he was 3. He lived is whole life here but him or his mother did not fill out the paperwork to become a citizen. So he was deported based on minor charges rather than convict him on significant charges within Canada.