Still-Simmering Debate
Well, is Canadian citizenship something to be valued and cherished, or is it a handy spot to hang one's hat from time to time, depending on mood, world situation, the value of the Canadian dollar, and the functioning of the social welfare and health-care system? Those who feel themselves to be truly Canadian, who would not trade their place as Canadian citizens for any other situations on offer, might agree there's no trade off.
But then it was brought home to Canadians just a year ago, during the Israel-Hezbollah war in Lebanon, just how many people consider Canada a safe haven in times of duress, a kind of insurance packet against unfortunate circumstances. Of course we've had other like situations where people from Hong Kong, wracked with uncertainty as a result of Britain's handing off of that thriving island metropolis back to China, flooded into Canada to take up Canadian citizenship.
In that instance dual citizenship has stood them well, many also establishing dual residencies. And many more returning to Hong Kong permanently, Canadian citizenship still in hand, once it became clear that the status quo, at least for the short term, under a newly-capitalist-conscious China would remain in place. Canada's generosity has led to its citizenship being devalued, being considered a safe port in times of stress, and little more.
Surprisingly enough, many Canadians of Lebanese descent are themselves critical of those Lebanese-Canadian dual-citizenship holders having returned to Lebanon once the crisis passed. The cost to the Canadian government or the Canadian taxpayer, of $100-million to rescue 15,000 Lebanese-Canadians, many of whom were not on vacation in Lebanon, but long-term residents there, paying no taxes to Canada stuck in the craw of these Canadians.
All the more so that a reputed 4,000 to 7,000 Lebanese saw fit to return to Lebanon. "If you are on vacation and you are a taxpayer, you are entitled to get all the help that your government could afford" according to Elias Bejjani, chairman of the Lebanese-Canadian Co-ordinating Council. As for those who accepted the taxpayer-paid rescue, and promptly returned to take up residence in Lebanon again, they should have been billed for the rescue, according to Mr. Bejjani.
Omar Alghbra, Liberal immigration critic is of the opinion that government should undertake a study of how citizenship is acquired; whether indeed some individuals exploit citizenship to gain access to Canada's social safety net and additional benefits. Trouble is, the waters get rather muddied when all dual-citizenship holders' intents are held up to scrutiny because of the exploitative behaviour of a minority.
On the other hand, if Canada saw fit to abolish dual-citizenship and recognize sole Canadian citizenship - which is the right of the country to determine as to whether it is in the best interests of Canadians - the problem would be readily solved.
When taxpayers urge their country to come to the assistance of Canadian citizens at times of need, we would also like to be assured that there is a real and legitimate need to rescue Canadian citizens.
But then it was brought home to Canadians just a year ago, during the Israel-Hezbollah war in Lebanon, just how many people consider Canada a safe haven in times of duress, a kind of insurance packet against unfortunate circumstances. Of course we've had other like situations where people from Hong Kong, wracked with uncertainty as a result of Britain's handing off of that thriving island metropolis back to China, flooded into Canada to take up Canadian citizenship.
In that instance dual citizenship has stood them well, many also establishing dual residencies. And many more returning to Hong Kong permanently, Canadian citizenship still in hand, once it became clear that the status quo, at least for the short term, under a newly-capitalist-conscious China would remain in place. Canada's generosity has led to its citizenship being devalued, being considered a safe port in times of stress, and little more.
Surprisingly enough, many Canadians of Lebanese descent are themselves critical of those Lebanese-Canadian dual-citizenship holders having returned to Lebanon once the crisis passed. The cost to the Canadian government or the Canadian taxpayer, of $100-million to rescue 15,000 Lebanese-Canadians, many of whom were not on vacation in Lebanon, but long-term residents there, paying no taxes to Canada stuck in the craw of these Canadians.
All the more so that a reputed 4,000 to 7,000 Lebanese saw fit to return to Lebanon. "If you are on vacation and you are a taxpayer, you are entitled to get all the help that your government could afford" according to Elias Bejjani, chairman of the Lebanese-Canadian Co-ordinating Council. As for those who accepted the taxpayer-paid rescue, and promptly returned to take up residence in Lebanon again, they should have been billed for the rescue, according to Mr. Bejjani.
Omar Alghbra, Liberal immigration critic is of the opinion that government should undertake a study of how citizenship is acquired; whether indeed some individuals exploit citizenship to gain access to Canada's social safety net and additional benefits. Trouble is, the waters get rather muddied when all dual-citizenship holders' intents are held up to scrutiny because of the exploitative behaviour of a minority.
On the other hand, if Canada saw fit to abolish dual-citizenship and recognize sole Canadian citizenship - which is the right of the country to determine as to whether it is in the best interests of Canadians - the problem would be readily solved.
When taxpayers urge their country to come to the assistance of Canadian citizens at times of need, we would also like to be assured that there is a real and legitimate need to rescue Canadian citizens.
Labels: Crisis Politics, Realities
posted by Pieface | 6:57 PM
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