moved for leave to introduce Bill C-249, an act to amend the Citizenship Act (right to citizenship).
Madam Speaker, today I wish to table a bill to amend the Citizenship Act.
The intent of the bill is to clarify the automatic issuance of Canadian citizenship specifically to those born in Canada to parents who have made a claim for refugee or landed status and are awaiting a decision. The bill specifies that a child should retain the citizenship status of the parents until a decision is rendered on the case.
It is my belief that our citizenship laws should recognize that citizenship is not simply an automatic right, it is a privilege.
The intent of this bill is a direct response from input by the citizens of my riding of Port Moody-Coquitlam.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed.)