Citizenship – Varia

Catching up on citizenship issues while I was away.

Good piece by Nicholas Yeoung of the Star sharing some anecdotal reactions to the proposed changes to the Citizenship Act:

http://read.thestar.com/?origref=http%3A%2F%2Ft.co%2FcyqfDhUNZj#!/article/53147e0bec0691be4e000037

More on the British revocation provisions regarding those convicted of or suspect of terrorist activities. In contrast to the proposed approach by the Canadian government, the UK Minister has the authority, not the courts, and the UK does not intend to respect the international convention on statelessness:

How a British Citizen Was Stripped of His Citizenship, Then Sent to a Manhattan Prison | The Nation

Some op-eds on perceived remaining issues related to changes in the government’s approach to citizenship, starting with the first generation limit and a somewhat plaintive complaint about the impact on his daughter, born, living and growing up in the USA, who will not be able to pass on her Canadian citizenship to her children. Part of the risk of expatriate life, and if it is that important to her family, there are a number of paths available (but none are cost-free, ranging from the family spending time in Canada, to the daughter marrying a Canadian or giving birth in Canada).

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-debate/my-daughters-second-class-citizenship/article17124132/

A more serious issue is to what extent is the government required to provide consular assistance, given the increased range of situations Canadians find themselves:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-debate/if-canadian-citizenship-becomes-more-exclusive-it-must-become-more-meaningful/article17133298/

No surprise that an ATIP request shows that the proposed shorter waiting time for people serving in the Canadian military is more symbolic than real, with only a minimal number of potential applicants:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/globe-politics-insider/tories-citizenship-fast-track-for-soldiers-would-have-little-effect-figures-show/article17348121/

The usual monthly update on citizenship processing stats, showing improvement given Budget 2013 money. The test is whether the government will continue to publish these stats should the trend turn, or commit to service standards and quarterly reports, rather than press releases when it serves their interest.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/releases/2014/2014-02-28.asp

And pity the abandoned Chinese millionaires:

http://feedly.com/e/uTyR2SKo