ng with a new2009 federal study guide entitled with Discover Canada) had led to higher failure rates, especially those applicants from non-English speaking countries (Abu-Laban). Furthermore, Abu-Laban states that there is evidence that suggest the knowledge of Canada requirement already clearly favors certain group over others (Abu-Laban). This is unfair for the other applicants and further suggests the unnecessary of the test. Fourthly, the act increased severely the cost of citizenship application by tripling the application fee (Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers). As a result, the price for applying a Canadian citizenship after the act will cost 4 times higher that it was in 2006. Fees are now a burden for the immigrants who are weaker …show more content…
financially and this causes problems for a large number of applicants. Fourthly, the act discards the right of appeal to the Federal Court for refused citizenship applicants (Canadian Bars Association).
The act replaces the Federal Court appeal with a system of judicial review, which it will remain hard to overturn rejection decisions for the Federal Court and “continuing a theme of greater bureaucratic control over citizenship decision-making and less judicial oversight over the process” (Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers). Lastly, another aim for bill C-24 is to prevent terrorist attacks in Canada and prevent terrorists from getting into Canada. Canada is stricter in accepting refugees the border is more securer. The increase in detention may be attributed to the manner in which refugees are now “securitized” and being portrayed as a terrorist or a security threat to Canada (Pratt). As media and policy discussions do not separate from post terrorists attacks like 9/11 in which the imagined terrorists are always Muslim or Arab (Payton). This view of Canadians causes inequalities and discrimination to the Muslim and Arab people and they are less likely to be granted citizenships and the regulations on accepting them as refugees would be …show more content…
stricter. The Strengthening Canadian Citizenship Act will develop second-class citizens with less rights comparing to other Canadians, making their citizenship more insecure and suffer from the threat of being revoked from their citizenship.
Firstly, the act makes it possible for government officials to remove a dual citizen’s citizenship if they assume that the person never intended to reside in Canada, which could happen when the Canadian decides to work or study abroad, or to marry and move in with someone outside of Canada (Canadian Bars Association). However, first class Canadians who do not have other citizenships can work, study, or marry freely anywhere and anytime without worrying that spending time outside of Canada might put their citizenship at risk. Meurrens suggests that second-class citizens will fear accepting a job offer, studying and travelling abroad because of the new regulations of the citizenship act (Meurrens). Bill C-24 violates the Charter of Rights section 6 that citizens are allowed to enter, remain in, or leave Canada, and mobility rights of citizens (Amnesty International Canada). Secondly, the law allows government officials to revoke citizenship from a dual citizen based on criminal convictions happened outside of Canada, regardless whether the administration or judicial system under which the Canadian was condemned is undemocratic or lacks the rule of law (Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers). In addition, the rule of revoking citizenships from dual
citizens who has membership in “an armed force of a country or as a member of an organized armed group and that country or group was engaged in an armed conflict with Canada” is problematic because the government should be clear about the nature of the group the person is associated with before making judgments, and “armed conflict with Canada” is undefined and it is unclear that when and to what extent would it apply. It is also confused whether membership includes people who are compelled and those who are not on active duty (Canadian Bars Association). Lastly, the law brings back the ancient punishment of exile or banishment (Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers). Banishment is abandoned centuries ago and it is one of the most serious punishments, while bill C-24 allows governments officials to strip citizenship from dual citizens only based on some convictions in Canada although the citizen will bear criminal punishment already. This takes away the right to stay in Canada for the dual citizen and it violates the Charter of Human Rights. (Forcese). According to Statistics Canada, there were about 557,000 dual citizens in Canada and the number increased to 863,000 in 2014 (“Ottawa”). Under the new act, it appears to impose exile as an additional form of punishment, which is unfair and discriminatory for dual citizens. “The use of banishment as a punishment and its retrospective application are unacceptable and likely unconstitutional” (Canadian Bars Association).
The primary purpose of the DCO legislation introduced in Bill C-31 is deterrence; by combating the influx of refugees who are abusing the immigration system by residing in Canada when they are in no immediate danger in their native homeland, it is hoped that the number of false refugee claims will be drastically red...
...a’s immigration policy becoming fairer. From 1991-1997, 607 Rwandan refugees were allowed into Canada. From 1992-1997, close to 13,000 thousand Bosnian refugees were allowed into Canada. The acceptance of these refugees from Bosnia and Rwanda show how much Canada’s immigration policy has changed since 1914, when many immigrants and refugees trying to enter Canada were rejected.
MacDonnell, Vanessa A. "The Protective Function And Section 7 Of The Canadian Charter Of Rights And Freedoms." Review Of Constitutional Studies 17.1 (2012): 53-85. Academic Search Complete. Web. 16 Nov. 2013.
Definition/explanation : The issue is the controversy in letting Syrian refugees into Canada. There are pros and cons to letting Syrians into Canada, which means a lot of people are divided on whether to let them into Canada or not.
The author is a Canadian citizen with Chinese roots. To find a better living condition her grandfather abandoned his family, his country and ancestry and moved to Canada. Despite the inhospitable attitude of Canada towards the immigrants at those days, people from various parts of the world endured the difficult times with determination seeing the ray of hope at the other end. However, this perseverance presented the citizenship status for the progeny and a chance to live in the great land of Canada. Chong reinforces, “I belong to a community of values” (Chong, D. 2015. p. 5). Today, Canadian citizenship is valued worldwide and is a coveted title, because the people around the globe views Canadians as sophisticated and amiable.
The Indian Residential schools and the assimilating of First Nations people are more than a dark spot in Canada’s history. It was a time of racist leaders, bigoted white men who saw no point in working towards a lasting relationship with ingenious people. Recognition of these past mistakes, denunciation, and prevention steps must be taking intensively. They must be held to the same standard that we hold our current government to today. Without that standard, there is no moving forward. There is no bright future for Canada if we allow these injustices to be swept aside, leaving room for similar mistakes to be made again. We must apply our standards whatever century it was, is, or will be to rebuild trust between peoples, to never allow the abuse to be repeated, and to become the great nation we dream ourselves to be,
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms was signed into law by Queen Elizabeth II April 17, 1982. Often referred to as the Charter, it affirms the rights and freedoms of Canadians in the Constitution of Canada. The Charter encompasses fundamental freedoms, democratic rights, mobility rights, legal rights, language rights and equality rights. The primary function of the Charter is to act as a regulatory check between Federal, Provincial and Territorial governments and the Canadian people. Being a successor of the Canadian Bill of Rights that was a federal statute, amendable by Parliament, the Charter is a more detailed and explicit constitutional document that has empowered the judiciary to render regulations and statutes at both the federal and provincial levels of government unconstitutional. Although the rights and freedoms of Canadians are guaranteed, Sections one and seven of the Charter permit the federal and provincial governments to limit the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Canadians. Section one of the Charter designated ‘Rights and freedoms in Canada’ states “The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees the rights and freedoms set out in it subject only to such reasonable limits prescribed by law as can be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society.” This section is frequently referred to and better known as the reasonable limits clause. The second rights and freedoms limiting section of the Charter, known as the ‘notwithstanding clause’ is Section thirty-three entitled ‘Exception where express declaration’ declares
Canada has continuously served as a home to immigrants and refugees from decade to decade harbouring people from a variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds. The first set of immigrants to settle in the country came from Britain, the United States and from other nationalities mostly including immigrants from Europe who were either desperate to escape from religious or political turmoil or were simply attracted to Canada’s economic promise. Soon after the Canadian confederation in 1867, immigrants from Irish and Chinese backgrounds who occupied most of the country were used as workers and the demand for labourers to develop the country increased rapidly as more Chinese descents were imported to build the Canadian Pacific Railway. Although, Canada opened its doors to immigrants, but the country also intended to gain human resources for work in the farms, in the forests, factories and mines but not everyone was equally welcomed in Canada.
Every year, over 250,000 people make Canada their new home. Attracted by its education system, economy and universal healthcare system, there are few other places in the world like it. All Canadians are guaranteed equality before the law and equality of opportunity, regardless of where they are from. However, some might argue that Canadian policy has not been put into practice as well as it should be. Is the concept of true equality a far-fetched idea? It seems that Canada has taken great measures to promote the integration of immigrants socially, but can the same be said for their integration economically? Politically? To judge whether or not Canada has been successful at promoting the integration of immigrants in these realms, a deeper understanding of Canadian policy must be considered.
The Canadian Justice system has failed its mandate of creating a just and peaceful society for all in regards to treatment of immigrants. Our current system of operations of indefinite immigrant detention is in desperate need of revitalization for as it stands it is one of the weakest and most unnecessarily components of our legislature. As proven through differing worldwide policies a limitation can be applied effectively and national security may still be maintained. Clear limits to the practice of detention are in place in both the European Union and in the United States. In the EU, detention is capped at six months with the possibility of extending to 18 months in certain cases. In the U.S., the period of presumptive release is six months,
During the month of October, Canada’s political scene was very busy due to the 2015 federal election held on the 19th. Throughout the previous months, the public held great interest towards the campaigns of each party as well as their platforms in order to choose the party that the public wanted as the new government of Canada. In the campaigns, a major topic that was included in every party’s plan was the Syrian refugee crisis that is currently an issue in many countries around the globe. This crisis has taken the media by storm and is a concern for many citizens in Canada. As a country known to be peaceful and generous, many people would assume that Canada would be one of the first to step in and help those in need but that is not the case. The general population does not know that the current laws in place make becoming a refugee in Canada a long and unfair process. Acquiring refugee status in Canada, protecting Canada’s Immigration System Act, health care for refugees and the current stance of Canada in regards to the refugee crisis are all factors that the general public must be more aware about. The current laws regarding refugees of Canada must change.
The point system which was first introduced in 1967 had played a vital role for the change in immigration policies and also for the changes in Canadian's thoughts for other races. Instead of judging people on their race and cultural background like before (e.g. the Chinese Exclusive Act), the point system judged people on their qualifications such as; language skills, work skills, and level of education. Both people with a family or a single independent individual could apply for the point system. The introduction of the point system was also an attempt to remove all discrimination and prejudice in the immigration department of Canada and the government tried such an attempt because after WWII, Canada was a part of the United Nations (UN) and was involved in Peacekeeping of the world. The point system didn't stay the same, for it was modified few times after it was put into place. The first time it was modified was in 1978, it focused on individuals more, there was more requirement of educational and occupational qualifications placed on the individual than people with families. It was again reviewed ...
In addition to Canadian peacekeeping missions, the establishment of freedom and charter of right further lead to changes in Canadians society and legal court. The main purpose of the charter of rights is to “Protect minorities from preliminary majorities”(The Canadian Encyclopedia). By ensuring protections and releasing the pressure of minorities, the economic, social, and political opportunities between different ethical citizens are enhanced. After the charter was proposed, an amending formula states it requires “at least 50%” consents of Canadian citizens instead of a request from a specific group(The Canadian Encyclopedia). Canadian governments also surveyed 300 Canadians about their ideology of the previous legal system in order to construct
A component of Canada’s Constitution is the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. This supreme law of Canada holds our common values as a nation. Queen Elizabeth and Prime Minister, Pierre Trudeau, signed the Constitution Act in 1982, this act includes the British North America Act and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.Governments stating new laws are guided by this charter. When applying these laws, courts are then guided by the same charter. It is important that we recognize the peace and clarity that the Charter of Rights and Freedoms brought upon our country. Before the Charter existed, there was limited solutions to unfair laws passed by an elected government, this led to a lack of protection for minority rights or fundamental freedoms.
The year is 1914, and war has broken out across the globe. Canada is currently against Germany. The Canadian government is taking Canadian citizens that are of German or Ukrainian descent and shoving them into internment camps which cut them off from the rest of their world. Internment is the detention or confinement of a person during a time of war. In Canada, such persons were denied certain legal rights, notably habeas corpus, though in certain cases they had the right to appeal their custody. Habeas corpus is a legal action in which detainees may seek relief from unlawful punishment. There is a term that is going around that is referring to the detainees as “enemy aliens”. Over 8000 Germans and Ukrainians are considered enemy aliens at this time, more are being hunted down and taken from their homes. Due to unclean living, disease has begun to spread among the camps affecting detainees with tuberculosis and pneumonia.