New immigrants must embrace Canadian values and if they don’t live up to expectations, they will be removed from Canada, a new report suggests.
Before becoming citizens, immigrants should be required to take an oath that they are not only fully committed to Canadian values but will also give their complete allegiance and loyalty to Canada.
New Canadians who behave in a manner that seriously conflicts with Canada’s principles - for example by supporting or engaging in terrorism - should lose their citizenship.
These recommendations were made by former diplomat Martin Collacott, now a senior fellow at the Fraser Institute, in a study of counter-terrorism released recently.
Collacott, who once served as Canada’s ambassador to Asia and the Middle East, argues that the government’s failure to ensure immigrants are fully committed to living according to Canada’s liberal democratic values explains why some put overseas causes ahead of Canadian interests.
He says that Canada’s multiculturalism policy is partly to blame because it encourages immigrants to place the "loyalties and enmities" of their homelands before their duty to Canada.
Special attention must be given to working with the Muslim community since radical Islamic terrorists are currently the greatest danger to Canada’s security, Collacott also says.
"We asked New Canadians what they think of the suggestions made in the Fraser Institute report."Immigrant mentor, Port Coquitlam
How do you define "Canadian values?" Canada is a country with a diverse ethnic mix and therefore Canadian values should be a reflection of its multi-cultural society. What might be morally acceptable to one segment of our society might be repugnant to another. Issues like polygamous relationships, religion, and even choice of professions vary. This proposal needs a lot of careful study because of the impact it’s going to have on the future citizens of Canada. In fact, this proposal would be better served if it becomes a requirement for Canadian citizenship rather than Canadian immigration.
Media Practitioner, Vancouver
I would question what Canadian values mean. In the first place, who should define these values? What if these Canadian values go against the religious and cultural beliefs of immigrants? And don’t Canadians pride their country as multicultural because of its diversity? Shouldn’t multiculturalism or the respect for each other’s diversity be considered as a Canadian value in itself? Wouldn’t this proposal go against the idea of multiculturalism?
Student, Vancouver
They must first define what these Canadian values are. This is to make their intentions clear as well as make such a demand reasonable for all. Each one of us has different values and cultural backgrounds. How do you therefore standardize values? No one is capable to judging something that not easily determinable. Who determines what is acceptable or not? Besides when does one say that another has crossed the line?
Office worker, Vancouver
If you commit a crime, you should be punished under whatever law is applicable. But this should not lead to losing your citizenship. Once you’re already a Canadian citizen, you should remain Canadian unless you yourself voluntarily renounce your citizenship. Values are too general a term. Does the proposal mean that all people should, say embrace Christian values because Canada is a Christian country? Christianity and Islam carry the same teachings and embrace the same values.
