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November 13, 2009

Canada to new citizens: Welcome, here are the new rules

Topics: Political News and commentaries

It seems the United States could learn a few things from its northern neighbor about what to demand from immigrants seeking citizenship.

Via The National Post:

Today's release of a new citizenship guide marks a shift in what it means to become Canadian, emphasizing more than ever the responsibilities bestowed upon the quarter-million newcomers who migrate to Canada each year.

The 62-page document, of which the National Post obtained excerpts, is a significant departure from the version crafted by the Liberals in 1997, and explicitly asserts certain citizenship obligations. According to a senior government official, responsibilities outlined in the guide include getting a job, obeying the law and serving on a jury when called.

[...] "There's some very explicit language vis-a-vis the openness of Canadian society, the belief in gender equality and the absolute prohibition against spousal abuse, honour killings, female genital mutilation and gender-based violence," Mr. Griffiths said, referring to a draft of the document. "This is a guide to what Canada is."

[...] Mr. MacLeod said the new version is consistent with Canada's new-found confidence in asserting its militarism and influence abroad, pointing to the decision to feature a female peacekeeper on the 2001 edition of the $10 bill.

"Since the late 1990s, with a bit of distance from the 1995 referendum, there have been those who have encouraged a more muscular image of Canadian history," he said.

[...] "Citizenship is a two-way street," she said. "There are rights, but there are also responsibilities to know the country and help build it."

Read it all.

It's all about what the U.S. government seems willing to ignore when welcoming aliens to our shores: Responsibility and assimilation.

Posted by Abdul at November 13, 2009 7:33 AM

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