The mess over the Lebanese rescue shows how stupid we Canadians are. Stupid for allowing such a thing as dual citizenship. If you want to become a Canadian citizen – already a ridiculously easy process – then you should be prepared to give up any formal allegiance to another country, the country in this case being Lebanon.
There are an estimated 50,000 Lebanese permanently living there with Canadian passports (50,000 - think about it). Most of them came here in the first place to take advantage of our generous social policies and freedoms, staying just long enough to get that coveted Canadian passport, then returning home to Lebanon to live and work.
Now that all hell has broken loose, these so-called Canadians are screaming to be rescued – at our expense, of course.
The Harper government has been roundly criticized by the Liberal opposition for not moving quickly enough (the same Libs who gave us the hyphenated Canadians and easy citizenship policies in the first place). Not to be outdone, the nitwit premier of Ontario, Dalton McGuinty, (who knows how to count votes) has said the province will waive the waiting period requirement for OHIP coverage for those who have been out of the country for more than six months. That means many of these people, many of whom have lived in Lebanon for years, will be able to come back to Ontario and get immediate full OHIP coverage, not to mention housing and whatever other benefits they need.
A press release from McGuinty proudly stated “The Ontario government is mobilizing health care, housing and settlement services to help Canadians returning from Lebanon to re-integrate into life in this province.” Well thanks very much Premier Nitwit. Guess that means any other so-called dual Canadian in a world hot spot who now wants out will get the same treatment, right?
You can bet that most of the duals will be headed back to Lebanon as soon as the situation stabilizes. Until they need to be rescued again, at our expense. Is there any political party out there with the guts to kill this dual citizenship scam?
jim, you are so right in all your comments . we are so far into liberal socialist thinking, that the tax payer can afford to keep giving more, so the lazy and illegal bums can have the same standard of living that the hard working middle class have, we risk having our own children growing up with the same entitlement attitude. i am afraid alot of children will get the notion the tax payers will make sure i am fed, clothed and housed, so why struggle?it is refreshing to read a columnist that is not afraid to push the politically correct button and tell it like it is...michael
Posted by: michael | July 25, 2006 at 05:55 PM
You are a Jackass and Nitwit, I guess you've never had to apply for a Canadian citizenship, it just that easy to get.
Posted by: Stephen | July 25, 2006 at 06:24 PM
You're an ignorant redneck! This country is nothing without immigrants. I guess you don't know nothing about immigration laws and the fact that people pour in millions of dollars just to get into Canada. Needless to say the millions of dollars in investments and labour. They claim taxes and bust their asses and treated with disrespect by ass holes like you. Most immigrants came/come to Canada to escape wars and terror by governments supported by the US. I guess for you it would be ok if an American, or British applied to become a Canadian and kept their existing citizenship!!!!
Posted by: An Immigrant | July 26, 2006 at 08:58 AM
In response to John's Blog, no where in his writing does he make a racist remark. In the letter saying he would allow "American or British" immigrants, the slant is that he's racist, which his Blog above does not support at all. He is merely talking about dual citizenship and how certain individuals take advantage once they receive a Canadian passport, which can't be refuted. I was also astonished to learn there were 50,000 people with Canadian passports in Lebanon. Of course the government had to make plans to rescue them, hence the expense on the Canadian taxpayer. I think the answer, as John points out, is to completely revamp existing immigration laws -- I don't care who is coming here, as long as they want to be here and be a part of Canada's mosaic of culture.
Posted by: rod | July 26, 2006 at 02:58 PM
In response to Stephen and "an immigrant" you obviously did not read the article thoroughly, and instead decided to spew P.C. bull. John is not condemning immigration but dual citizenship. get out your dictionary-it's a totally different issue. If you immigrate here and use our resources, you should be spending a minumim amount of time here. Case closed. If you disagree, go back to where you friggin' come from.
Posted by: Erynn | July 26, 2006 at 04:15 PM
In response to "an immigrant"... I was also an immigrant to Canada in the late 60s and I was glad to denounce my old citizenship from my native land to accept a Canadian citizenship and I'm thankful everyday for having made this decision. To all the people with dual citizenships, they should be given a mandate to accept one or the other.
I am elated to say I'm a proud Canadian.
Posted by: Steve Pavlich | August 08, 2006 at 08:32 PM
I really do see these points as valid. Herein lies the problem with me having dual citizenship, although the likelihood of a conflict kicking off in either Britain or Australia where I would have to get help to get out I think would be unlikely. I think, sadly it is more a of an issue where people hold citizenships from politically volatile/exposed countries like Lebanon.
Posted by: Two Passports | August 15, 2006 at 02:29 PM
Sorry...I listed the wrong blog address. It is http://www.twopassports.blogspot.com
Posted by: Two Passports | August 15, 2006 at 02:31 PM
Much of the Middle East only knows fighting. It has been a way of life for millenia so why would Canada think that we can help resolve their problems? If there was an area of the city where gangs lived, would you consider sending in your children to help resolve the problem? Or would you consider inviting these gangs into your home? Probably not because you know that the problem would just be relocated to your home which in turn would result in risks to the well-being of your loved ones. So why are we using our precious resources to bring this disease into our country? Just like the problems with our justice system, it's time things change so that the priorities are the positive contributors to our country, the people that go out every day to contribute to Canadian society and pay taxes in hopes that they and their children will be safe and have a future worth looking forward to. The politicians are dangerously and irrisponsibly playing with the future of our children. Most Canadians are looking for a leader who has the very uncommon qualities known as integrity and common sense. I pray each day that such a person will appear so that I can put my vote behind him/her.
Posted by: Pat | August 20, 2006 at 01:54 PM
I have lived in Markham/Unionville since 1983. I moved to a new area of Markham just about four years ago. And I must say I can't wait to get the hell out. I'm a dog owner so I'm out there in the streets at least 3 times a day. Trying to cross the road, always using the intersections with stop signs, has become a life threatening activity. I have had so many near misses by cars failing to stop, failing to yeild or just too impatient to wait. I have been hit by a bumper, been flipped the bird, been spat at, been threatened, been cursed at and on and on. All this because a pedestian wants to cross the road on foot. I have never experienced this before and have been a dog owner all my life. I am a visible minority here where I live and many of my friends cite that as a reason. Racial hatred? Here in Markham? Maybe. Some of the motorist did call me "whitey" and "you white guys".
Posted by: Doug | September 19, 2006 at 07:53 PM