“It is unconstitutional, un-Canadian,” Somayeh Bahrami said of the implementation of Bill C-24, also know as the “Strengthening Canadian Citizenship Act.”
An MA graduate of the Department of Gender, Sexuality, & Women’s Studies currently pursuing her PhD degree at SFU, Brahami strongly believes that this new bill will not only affect all immigrants wishing to call Canada their home, but all Canadian citizens.
According to Citizenship and Immigration, Bill C-24 — which was passed as a law in the summer of 2014 and came into effect last week — will implement new amendments on the acquirement of citizenship for new Canadians. It will make citizenship tests and residency requirements more difficult to attain.
The bill also aims to make it easier for the government to revoke the citizenship of individuals that they suspect of terrorism or fraud. Citizenship could be revoked if it is believed to have been obtained by “false representation, fraud, or by knowingly concealing material circumstances.” It could be revoked from dual citizens for having been convicted of treason or terrorism in another country, or for having served in armed forces that have been in conflict with Canada.
Bahrami explained that the amendments also categorize Canadians as “first” and “second-class” citizens depending on their origin and if they happen to be a citizen of another country. This will affect the “second-class” citizens in that the government will have full control over their citizenship and can exercise power to revoke it for different matters.
“The government did not even integrate the [concerns of the citizens] about this bill,” Bahrami said.
“Bill C-24 has redefined narratives of citizenship and what it means to be Canadian, and what can be seen as an ‘exemplary’ Canadian,” she said. “No matter how long you live here, or if you call Canada home, you are still not Canadian enough, because you are a citizen of another country. Or, you could be eligible for another citizenship without you knowing.”
Bahrami believes that the new amendments validate the negative rhetoric about immigrants and Canadians of dual citizenship, propagating the stereotype that they apply for Canadian citizenship for their own convenience and do not contribute to the Canadian society.
One of the concerning clauses of the new bill is that it could revoke one’s citizenship if they are convicted of terrorism charges in another country. “Terrorism is subjective in definition,” argued Bahrami. “The definition of ‘terrorist’ in one country could mean a recognized right in another.
“What is the possibility of an individual who happens to be a dual citizen of Canada would turn out to be a terrorist?” She asked. “There is an agreement on punishing whoever does any criminal activity, [. . .] but it is not right to punish them by revoking their citizenship.”
She believes that it is the responsibility of academia to reach out to the student body and be sure they are informed, are knowledgeable, and on board with what is going on. “We are all in this together,” Brahami insisted. “This bill affects us all in both the short and long term. [. . .] It is impacting the whole narrative of citizenship and identity.
“It is not just about citizenship — it is our basic human right of mobility, of being able to hold different citizenships, to be able to be seen as good individuals who would want to contribute the Canadian society, and to be viewed as equal Canadians,” she concluded.
“…having served in armed forces that have been in conflict with Canada.”
There goes half of Woodbridge.
The new law is good. We don’t need dangerous troublemakers wasting our justice system’s time and resources. Go find a country willing to tolerate nonsense. I’d like to see this law expanded to include murder and other convictions.
In Australia upto 3 years of time as international student or foreign worker counted. In Canada nothing? Is it a joke. Harper brought in way too many unskilled Filipino foreign workers now making these laws to make other legitimate students and workers life difficult. The biggest corporate but lickers are these tori harpigs.
NOT only criminals !!!
I’m working outside of Canada for a long term and now considered a second class Canadian.
Is Canada going to revoke my citizenship just like a criminal for taking advantage of a life time opportunity? ( While a Canadian born person could reside abroad and no problem)
Very racist Harper!