Harper and Rae pile on as Mulcair’s dual citizenship raises eyebrows

WLDB

Senate Member
Jun 24, 2011
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We are a little paranoid of a global elite that feel comfortable everywhere. In part because it is false.

Great. You`ve admitted its paranoia which means there is nothing to fear. Just a little irrational tick you folks have.


When you travel and have trouble with your passport, try to find an embassy called "Global" to assist you. Ain't none of course. No such thing as "Global Citizen" on planet Earth yet.

No but there are plenty of dual citizens who have a few embassies to chose from. Or perhaps one if they only have the one passport.

Its like trying to tell Canadians Mexico is in North America, technically correct perhaps, very inclusive, but most do not agree with this idea.

That doesn`t make those people any less wrong.
 

The Old Medic

Council Member
May 16, 2010
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Dump, you don't have a clue about the subject you are talking about.

I hold dual citizenship in both Canada and in the United States of America. I COULD fight to regain my British Citizenship, if i chose to do so, as when I was born, there was no such thing as "Canadian Citizenship", we were all "British Subjects".

I happen to descend from Anglo-Canadians that have been in the Country since 1764, when the first in my direct family line came to Canada from Yorkshire. Then, in 1783, I had several American Colonists, who had remained Loyalists to the British Crown, come to Canada. Between 1785-1800, I had several Scots who came to Canada as employees of the Hudson's Bay Company, who married Native women and had rather large families, who intermarried, and became "Half-Breeds" or as they are known today, "Métis".

The last of my direct Canadian ancestors were also Scots, expelled during the latter stages of the "Highland Clearances", who came to Nova Scotia between 1802-1815. Of course, my native Ancestors were here to welcome the first Europeans to come to North America, and their habitation of the area now known as Canada goes back thousands of years.

I challenge anyone to attempt to deny my right to Canadian Citizenship. I suspect that most of those what would do not have anything even remotely like that degree of ancestry and history in Canada.

I also descend from 3 Mayflower colonists, and on my American side of the family, ALL of the lines were in the colonies before 1650 (as were most of my "Loyalist" family lines). I have a number of people that fought for the American side during the American Revolution, and I have one person who's military service on BOTH sides is very well documented.

I just love to see folks denounce dual citizenship. I suspect that all too many of them are jealous, because they CAN'T claim dual citizenship anywhere.

It is no bar to honorable service in Parliament (in any other legislative body). Only a real zenophobe would have a problem with this.

Oh yes, for the idiot that said that "Tories" would never do this, they are wrong, wrong, wrong. In fact, there have been a number of Tories MP's that have held dual, or even triple citizenship.
 

Goober

Hall of Fame Member
Jan 23, 2009
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If a leader lost an election because they carried a dual citizenship, I think most people would cry about how stupid we are rather than how unfair it was.

Why - We demand loyalty to the Country,no if, and, buts or maybes - As a dual citzen they have dual loyalty. Somthin about that is hard to catch?????:smile:

Ya gotta admit, coming from Harpo the Lego Man, this dual citizenship hysteria is pretty damn funny!

Cliffy - You seeemd to have left the Liberals out on this one. That bias is showing again.
 

Cliffy

Standing Member
Nov 19, 2008
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Why - We demand loyalty to the Country,no if, and, buts or maybes - As a dual citzen they have dual loyalty. Somthin about that is hard to catch?????:smile:



Cliffy - You seeemd to have left the Liberals out on this one. That bias is showing again.
The last time I mentioned Rae and Harpo in the same sentence, some bozo asked when did Rae join the Cons. Besides, Rae doesn't have honourary citizenship in Lego Land.
 

WLDB

Senate Member
Jun 24, 2011
6,182
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36
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Why - We demand loyalty to the Country,no if, and, buts or maybes - As a dual citzen they have dual loyalty. Somthin about that is hard to catch?????:smile:

To my knowlegde this issue wasnt once brought up by anyone against John Turner in the 80s. Sure, they had other things to go after at the time but still. I`d never doubt his loyalty.
 

Praxius

Mass'Debater
Dec 18, 2007
10,677
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Halifax, NS & Melbourne, VIC
Why - We demand loyalty to the Country,no if, and, buts or maybes - As a dual citzen they have dual loyalty. Somthin about that is hard to catch?????:smile:

It's not difficult to hold loyalty to two different nations you lived in and called home, especially when the countries in question are mutual allies. (France, Australia, US, UK, etc.)

And you can't demand a damn thing in regards to loyalty.... I've known plenty of people over the years who were born & raised in Canada, whom have a lot to complain about, hate the government, hate plenty of things about their way of life, have no interest in joining the military or work in the government, don't contribute to society or their communities and express zero loyalty to the country they live in..... do you plan to boot them out of the country?

If so, What right do you have to do that?

None. They were born and raised Canadian Citizens and have every right to complain, like, dislike or not contribute as much as the next Canadian Citizen.

What about Native Americans who are not too fond of the US/Canadian Governments and hold very little loyalty except to their own communities?

Want to boot them out of the country too?

And what do you mean by "Loyalty"?

What is Loyalty in regards to this topic??

I abide by the laws of the country I live in, I hold a job, I pay my taxes, I vote, I contribute to society and the community when I can..... beyond that, you can not expect me to do anymore, because I simply don't have to.

And in the above, there is no conflict of interest and no divided loyalties, because I can do all of the above in both Canada and Australia.

I pay taxes in Australia, but I no longer pay taxes in Canada, simply because I don't work or live in Canada right now, thus there's nothing for them to tax and nothing for me to get back from the Canadian Government. If and when I move back to Canada, it will be the same but reversed.
 

mentalfloss

Prickly Curmudgeon Smiter
Jun 28, 2010
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This issue is a quintessential example of some confining remnants of social conservatism.

We still have our bumps in the road with gay rights and abortion, but those have been given serious intellectual consideration on the top end of critical debate. This thing with dual-citizenship though.. It will probably take at least another 8-10 years before people finally realize that it is essentially pointless for any one leader to be tied down to a single citizenship.
 
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Goober

Hall of Fame Member
Jan 23, 2009
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wulfie68

Council Member
Mar 29, 2009
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The bottom line is still this:

Some people have reservations (of varying strength but they are reservations none the less) about someone with dual citizenship potentially holding the highest elected office in the land. That is their right and there is nothing wrong with that. Mulcair supporters can nay-say it all they want but the POTENTIAL for conflicts of interests DOES exist, even among allies. And yes, other potential for conflicts of interest for other candidates in other areas, may exist as well, but does that mean that people are wrong for wanting to limit that possible exposure when they can see it?

No one has said (in the gov't or this forum at least) that dual citizenship is wrong or should be made illegal. The closest people have come was in examining how some perceived "citizens of convenience" (and the focus seems to be largely on people in the Middle East) are dealt with. As far as it goes, I may end up becoming a dual citizen myself in the next couple years, with my son also having the potential to do so but I have no intention of seeking elected office in any jurrisdiction, be it Canadian or not (and if I am forced to choose between countries to abide by the laws in either country, well I will cross that bridge when I get to it). As far as I am concerned, Mulcair may be a perfectly honorable man but I still see this issue as a mark against him in running as a party leader and people telling me I am wrong or a biggot can blow it out their @$$.
 

Goober

Hall of Fame Member
Jan 23, 2009
24,691
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This issue is a quintessential example of some confining remnants of social conservatism.

We still have our bumps in the road with gay rights and abortion, but those have been given serious intellectual consideration on the top end of critical debate. This thing with dual-citizenship though.. It will probably take at least another 8-10 years before people finally realize that it is essentially pointless for any one leader to be tied down to a single citizenship.

Yes I long for that day as well. Total and complete sophistication on what is and is not important. Loyalty or the appearance of such an antiquated belief will be one that should be disappear. Clearly it is out of date with many.:roll:
 

mentalfloss

Prickly Curmudgeon Smiter
Jun 28, 2010
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The bottom line is still this:

Some people have reservations (of varying strength but they are reservations none the less) about someone with dual citizenship potentially holding the highest elected office in the land. That is their right and there is nothing wrong with that. Mulcair supporters can nay-say it all they want but the POTENTIAL for conflicts of interests DOES exist, even among allies.

There are two separate issues:

1.) Electability
2.) Rationale

As I already stated, Mulcair is definitely harming his eligibility for being elected by standing firm on this.

Why?

Too many Canadians are stupid enough to believe a dual-citizenship means a loss of sovereignty.

And you are correct. They have the right to be stupid.
 

wulfie68

Council Member
Mar 29, 2009
2,014
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There are two separate issues:

1.) Electability
2.) Rationale

As I already stated, Mulcair is definitely harming his eligibility for being elected by standing firm on this.

Why?

Too many Canadians are stupid enough to believe a dual-citizenship means a loss of sovereignty.

And you are correct. They have the right to be stupid.

You haven't proven any stupidity except your own. You cannot refute that dual citizenship DOES represent a possible conflict of interest for an elected official.
 

mentalfloss

Prickly Curmudgeon Smiter
Jun 28, 2010
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You haven't proven any stupidity except your own. You cannot refute that dual citizenship DOES represent a possible conflict of interest for an elected official.

The onus of proof is on you to show there is a conflict of interest for an official based strictly on having a dual citizenship.

When you can do that, come back to me and we can discuss the culpability of this action further.
 
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