Conservative bill gives Harper power to strip Canadians of Citizenship.

[kirant]

This brings up an interesting question for me: Do the terrorism offenses need to be charges Canada recognizes? I mean, what happens if John Smith gets convicted in another country of terrorism for putting up pictures of Nicolas Cage? It's a crime that isn't recognized in Canada, but he fits the model...so is he, by technical reasoning, possible to strip of citizenship? The article's wording implies he would be.

Of course, eligibility and recognition of the crime in Canada would go a long way. The big aspect here I think is "could". There is no requirement that the government of Canada do it because they were charged and convicted.

I suspect that even debating such a topic in the House of Commons, without widespread support of Canadian citizens to do something about it, would be political suicide for any party to put forth. I mean, Khadr is a divisive topic if he were to be put on trial through this bill and he's probably the most extreme example we've seen in ages.

I suspect practical application of the bill would be pretty much on the side of "useless" or "obvious applications" since parties are (typically) smart enough to avoid any moderate examples. Actual power may be fairly suspect if it works the way I think it does...but practical power seems pretty much limited to either do it because most people want you to, or just don't even attempt it since it'll cost your party the next election.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

Originally Posted by kirant

This brings up an interesting question for me: Do the terrorism offenses need to be charges Canada recognizes? I mean, what happens if John Smith gets convicted in another country of terrorism for putting up pictures of Nicolas Cage? It's a crime that isn't recognized in Canada, but he fits the model...so is he, by technical reasoning, possible to strip of citizenship? The article's wording implies he would be.

Of course, eligibility and recognition of the crime in Canada would go a long way. The big aspect here I think is "could". There is no requirement that the government of Canada do it because they were charged and convicted.

I suspect that even debating such a topic in the House of Commons, without widespread support of Canadian citizens to do something about it, would be political suicide for any party to put forth. I mean, Khadr is a divisive topic if he were to be put on trial through this bill and he's probably the most extreme example we've seen in ages.

I suspect practical application of the bill would be pretty much on the side of "useless" or "obvious applications" since parties are (typically) smart enough to avoid any moderate examples. Actual power may be fairly suspect if it works the way I think it does...but practical power seems pretty much limited to either do it because most people want you to, or just don't even attempt it since it'll cost your party the next election.

Well seeing how Khadr was tortured until he confessed, and at most he would have been a child solider; if we're going to reject his citizenship then all you need is a conviction regardless of the circumstances.

[Zulu29]

Just so I'm clear on this, I'm a dual citizen, was born in Canada and have never set foot in the other country I'm a citizen of. If I committed a crime that the state considered serious enough, I could be stripped of my Canadian citizenship and be deported to a country that I've never been to before? Seems pretty harsh.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Zulu29

Just so I'm clear on this, I'm a dual citizen, was born in Canada and have never set foot in the other country I'm a citizen of. If I committed a crime that the state considered serious enough, I could be stripped of my Canadian citizenship and be deported to a country that I've never been to before? Seems pretty harsh.

Seems excessively punitive. It's cruel and unusual.

It's also incredibly xenophobic by nature.

[Tinordi]

What problem is this solution solving besides filling the mouth breathers' convention hall with more air?

[Zulu29]

I think you'd have a pretty solid lawsuit against the government if you were born in Canada, had never set foot in the other country you were a citizen of and they were trying to boot you out.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Zulu29

Just so I'm clear on this, I'm a dual citizen, was born in Canada and have never set foot in the other country I'm a citizen of. If I committed a crime that the state considered serious enough, I could be stripped of my Canadian citizenship and be deported to a country that I've never been to before? Seems pretty harsh.

How do you get citizenship if you have never been there and why?

[Tinordi]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

How do you get citizenship if you have never been there and why?

Naturalization

[Zulu29]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

How do you get citizenship if you have never been there and why?

I inherited citizenship from the other country upon birth as my parents are from there. Just the rules of that country.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

Naturalization

Please explain

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Zulu29

I inherited citizenship from the other country upon birth as my parents are from there. Just the rules of that country.

I have never heard of that. Do you mind telling what country that is?

[AcGold]

seems self-explanatory to me

[Zulu29]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

I have never heard of that. Do you mind telling what country that is?

Yep, Ireland. So when you're the child of a person born in Ireland, you are automatically given citizenship, my birth had to be registered with the Irish government(so they knew I was a real person) and I was issued a foreign birth record granting me citizenship.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Zulu29

Yep, Ireland. So when you're the child of a person born in Ireland, you are automatically given citizenship, my birth had to be registered with the Irish government(so they knew I was a real person) and I was issued a foreign birth record granting me citizenship.

Huh, I had no idea. I wonder if it is the same for England, I would love my kids to have EU citizenship.

Thanks I will be looking into this.

[burn_this_city]

Well there's one way to get rid of all the Irish.

[Wormius]

Same applies to Italy.

[Zulu29]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Huh, I had no idea. I wonder if it is the same for England, I would love my kids to have EU citizenship.

Thanks I will be looking into this.

I'm fairly certain it is the same. A buddy of mine has his British citizenship because his dad is from there. I think he just had to send in his fathers birth certificate, his birth certificate and his parents marriage certificate. I think once you get it you can pass it to your children as well. Definitely a nice perk to pass onto your kids, opens a lot of doors.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

Originally Posted by Zulu29

Just so I'm clear on this, I'm a dual citizen, was born in Canada and have never set foot in the other country I'm a citizen of. If I committed a crime that the state considered serious enough, I could be stripped of my Canadian citizenship and be deported to a country that I've never been to before? Seems pretty harsh.

That is indeed correct.

I think I read somewhere that Khadr has never been to Egypt but that's where he'd be deported to.

If you volunteered to help a developing country and they said you were a terrorist because you came from one of the Devil's Western countries and were sentenced to 5 years in prison then Stephen Harper would have the discretion via the cabinet to revoke your citizenship and deport you to the country your parents were from despite you have never having stepped foot on that country's soil.

Essentially you'd have to challenge that ruling as a violation of your Charter rights, which would be difficult for you to do from the prision in another country. Even after you get out, how do you get into Canada as a non-Canadian convicted terrorist to make your case and face your accuser, the Harper Government (I'd normally say Government of Canada but the official name changed)?

Got to love the lack of due process in this. It's wonderfully democratic!

[Zulu29]

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

Well there's one way to get rid of all the Irish.

Ha! Good luck with that!

[Doodlebug]

What would happen if say the Egyptians refused to take him in? I realize his father was born there, so he might be eligible for Egyptian citizenship, but unless he currently has it, maybe they refuse to grant it.