Un passeport québécois sans renoncer à sa feuille d’érable | Le Devoir

2014/03/14 Leave a comment

Citizenship angle of Quebec sovereignist debates. Double nationality means existing citizens could keep their Canadian citizenship (and passport) but their children born in an independent Quebec would not be able to pass on their children if born outside Canada.

So in medium-term, PQ can reassure (but begs the question, what kind of independence).

Un passeport québécois sans renoncer à sa feuille d’érable | Le Devoir.

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Reasonable Accommodation and the Niqab – Quebec Ruling

2014/03/14 Leave a comment

Good example where an administrative tribunal made the right call in refusing an accommodation, in this case, for a medical examination required to justify an ongoing disability claim.

http://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/201403/06/01-4745405-voile-chez-le-medecin-la-csst-a-gain-de-cause.php

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Radicalization

2014/03/14 Leave a comment

Some good pieces on radicalization, starting with a RCMP initiative to curb radicalization among at risk youth:

RCMP set to tackle extremism at home with program to curb radicalization of Canadian youth

Secondly, an overview of the case of Damian Clairmont, a Muslim convert from Calgary, who became radicalized and was killed in Syria:

Not His War: How a Catholic Canadian Became an Islamic Extremist

Filed under Multiculturalism, Radicalization, Religion Tagged with ,

Hockey Night in Canada lineup demonstrates commitment to diversity (satire)

2014/03/13 Leave a comment

A very funny way to make a serious point:

Moore said the revamped HNIC will appeal to a new demographic, such as white men with brown hair and white men with darker brown hair.

“I think one of the beauties of Hockey Night in Canada is that is does get a broader audience, and we want to broaden that even more,” said Moore.

“This is not the same country it was 25 to 30 years ago,” Moore added, standing next to a group who represented a wide range of tie and suit fabric options.

A reporter — Simon Houpt of the Globe and Mail — did manage to ask, in the most deadpan way possible, about the lack of diversity.

“I love how diverse a panel we see up there on stage right now, are you intending to hire even more women to be on stage any time?” asked Houpt.

Moore seemed caught off guard and replied that more hiring announcements are in the works and the “full complement” would be in place by April. These hires would presumably “complement” the “dream team” trotted out on stage today.

Thumbs up for maintaining the status quo!

Hockey Night in Canada lineup demonstrates commitment to diversity | canada.com.

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International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance Ends: Andrew Bennett New Canadian Head of Delegation

2014/03/13 1 Comment

Interesting choice of new head of Canadian delegation to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance: Andrew Bennett, Canada’s Ambassador for Religious Freedom.

Responsibility for multiculturalism-related files now spans three Ministers:  Baird of DFATD, Alexander of CIC, and Kenney, who has overall political responsibility. Holocaust awareness and remembrance is about more than religious freedom. Countries like the US and UK separate religious freedom and Holocaust/antisemitism responsibilities. Represents a further dilution of the multiculturalism policy role of CIC, whether driven by the political or bureaucratic levels, and whether or not it represents distrust of officials.

News Release — Canadian Chair Year of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance Ends: Holocaust Awareness and the Fight Against Anti-Semitism Continue.

Filed under Antisemitism, Holocaust, Multiculturalism Tagged with , ,

Godwin’s Law

2014/03/13 Leave a comment

An old post, but continues unfortunately to be relevant, by Bernie Farber on the abuse of Hitler comparisons (Godwin’s Law):

http://m.huffpost.com/ca/entry/1875579

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Boer War memorial a ‘sensitive’ affair, bureaucrats warned Tories

2014/03/13 Leave a comment

Good example of fearless advice, and a reminder of how governments “use and abuse” history, to use Margaret MacMillan’s phrase:

“I never want to see this again, this is the 10th time I have commented on this,” an assistant deputy minister acidly responded to a list of invited officials.

The same senior bureaucrat was asked to sign off on Blaney’s prepared speech for the event and responded with a fundamental observation: “Speech doesn’t tell what the war was about, we are missing a learning opportunity.”

Boer War memorial a ‘sensitive’ affair, bureaucrats warned Tories – The Globe and Mail.

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FIFA Accepts the Turban and Hijab

2014/03/13 Leave a comment

Premier Marois and Charter advocates to take note: Quebec Soccer Federation reverses controversial turban ban.

http://www.ledevoir.com/sports/soccer/401521/le-voile-et-le-turban-officiellement-autorises-dans-le-football

Filed under Multiculturalism

Quebec Values Charter and Elections

2014/03/12 Leave a comment

More catching up, starting with the polling numbers:

http://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/dossiers/charte-de-la-laicite/201403/03/01-4744020-lappui-a-la-charte-est-maintenant-majoritaire.php

Continuing with running on the Charter, confirming identity politics rather than substance:

http://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/politique/politique-quebecoise/201403/04/01-4744656-marois-veut-une-majorite-pour-adopter-la-charte.php

No surprise that allophones and anglophones see the Charter primarily targeting Muslim women:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/most-anglos-allophones-say-secular-values-charter-targets-muslim-women-1.2558409?cmp=rss

A rare declaration of principle from the a senior staffer in Jean-Francois Lisée’s office:

http://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/politique/politique-quebecoise/201403/04/01-4744694-lisee-perd-sa-directrice-de-cabinet-adjointe-a-cause-de-la-charte.php

A wide range of commentary on the elections, and have selected only a few. From the Globe, Antonia Maioni’s fatalistic prediction, The PQ’s appeal is locked in, a more nuanced assessment by Chantal Hébert, Quebec election not a foregone conclusion, and Daniel Weinstock’s longer-term perspective, Québec at a Crossroads

Following the announcement of Pierre Karl Peladeau, the owner of Quebecor, Quebec’s media conglomerate, that he will run as a PQ candidate, lot’s of commentary and speculation what this means in the short and long-term. Summary by Chris Selley in the National Post provides a good sense of reactions, Full Pundit: Will Péladeaumania cure Marois malaise? Makes it clear sovereignty is on the agenda despite Maurois’s calculated ambiguity.

Lastly, a reminder that the election call meant the end of Parliamentary hearings on the proposed Charter, including this good brief from the Montreal Holocaust Centre, which has done good work in engaging the diverse communities in Montreal on Holocaust and intolerance issues:

http://www.montrealgazette.com/touch/story.html?id=9593693

Filed under Charte des valeurs québécoise, Interculturalisme, Multiculturalism Tagged with , , , ,

Citizenship – Varia

2014/03/12 Leave a comment

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

Filed under C-24, Citizenship, Citizenship Act, Revocation Tagged with , , , ,

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