Stéphane Dion and Dual-Citizenship
The blogs are abuzz with healthy debate on the implications of Liberal leader Stéphane Dion's dual citizenship with France. While the concerns expressed are well-intentioned, it raises the issue of consistency.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is the Queen of Canada, the Nation's Head of State and a citizen of the United Kingdom. While this may justifiably be a concern for some members of the Québecois and Acadian communities, I highly doubt that the majority of Canadians question Her Majesty's commitment to the continued strength of the Dominion. While I would support legislation to require the British Monarch to be a citizen of each of his or her realms and reside in each for an appropriate percentage of the year (in addition to an active Governor General), the absence of such indicates that the majority of Canadians are comfortable with a foreign citizen holding the Nation's top office.
Some have expressed reservations about the possibility of divided allegiances which may be created through dual-citizenship. The holders of all major public offices should expect close scrutiny of their activities and the complications which may be introduced by their citizenship status are certainly not exempt from thorough examination. In the case of Dion, I would expect Franco-Canadian relations to change at a rate which is commensurate with conditions. Any aberrations on this file should lead to a motion of no confidence and the defeat of a Dion government. However, as long as he stays above board on this issue, this should not be a major impediment to him becoming and staying Prime Minister. These impediments are to be found in his policy viewpoints, which should become clearer during Question Period as well as the next election.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is the Queen of Canada, the Nation's Head of State and a citizen of the United Kingdom. While this may justifiably be a concern for some members of the Québecois and Acadian communities, I highly doubt that the majority of Canadians question Her Majesty's commitment to the continued strength of the Dominion. While I would support legislation to require the British Monarch to be a citizen of each of his or her realms and reside in each for an appropriate percentage of the year (in addition to an active Governor General), the absence of such indicates that the majority of Canadians are comfortable with a foreign citizen holding the Nation's top office.
Some have expressed reservations about the possibility of divided allegiances which may be created through dual-citizenship. The holders of all major public offices should expect close scrutiny of their activities and the complications which may be introduced by their citizenship status are certainly not exempt from thorough examination. In the case of Dion, I would expect Franco-Canadian relations to change at a rate which is commensurate with conditions. Any aberrations on this file should lead to a motion of no confidence and the defeat of a Dion government. However, as long as he stays above board on this issue, this should not be a major impediment to him becoming and staying Prime Minister. These impediments are to be found in his policy viewpoints, which should become clearer during Question Period as well as the next election.
posted by E. J. Neafsey | 15:58
1 Comments:
Our Sovereign Lady is by definitions Our Queen , Our Mother, Prince and Friend. She absolutley as Canadian as any Canadaian. She speaks both our officila languages and has trave;lled more extensively and met more Canadins than most of us.
God Save the Queen of Canada
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