Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to speak in support of Bill C-63, an act respecting Canadian citizenship.
I begin by congratulating the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration on this initiative in her ongoing commitment to improving legislation for which she is responsible.
In 1968 I left behind my homeland and my family in a small village in Croatia in search of a better life. I found that life in Canada. I found a job. I met my wife with whom I have four wonderful children. Today I sit in the House of Commons representing the people of Cambridge, Kitchener, Ayr and North Dumfries.
I still remember that day in Waterloo, September 12, 1973, the day I received my Canadian citizenship. It was one of the proudest days of my life. From that moment on I joined the Canadian family. I became eligible to vote. I became eligible to stand for elected office. I became eligible to carry the most respected passport in the world.
Almost 26 years after becoming a Canadian citizen I often find myself at citizenship ceremonies in my capacity as a member of parliament. I can tell the House that welcoming new Canadians into our Canadian family is a part of my job which I enjoy. It is the look of pride and commitment on the faces of my constituents that reminds me of my swearing-in ceremony.
I took and continue to take my responsibilities as a Canadian citizen very seriously. I got involved in my community, I joined a political party, I ran for office and I always obeyed the laws of this country. I know the people I meet at citizenship ceremonies in Cambridge and Kitchener will take their responsibilities as seriously as I have taken mine.
We have a bill before us today that represents the first major reform with respect to citizenship in more than 20 years. The most significant amendment, in my opinion, is one that changes the oaths of citizenship to better reflect Canadian values and express clearer loyalty to Canada.
The most important element of the new oath is that it puts loyalty and allegiance to Canada above everything else. The oath also contains the promise to respect our country's rights and freedoms, to defend our democratic values, to faithfully observe our laws and fulfill our duties and obligations as Canadian citizens. These words have greater meaning to new Canadians on whom the original oath to the Queen is often lost and is somewhat confused.
Bill C-63 proposes several other significant improvements to existing legislation. It gives citizenship at birth to all persons born in Canada except the children of foreign diplomats and it gives children born abroad to Canadian parents automatic Canadian citizenship. Second generation children born abroad will also receive citizenship at birth but will lose it if by age 28 they have not resided in Canada. Third generation children born abroad will no longer have any claim to Canadian citizenship. Children adopted abroad can no longer be treated as immigrants and will not have to meet medical or permanent residency requirements before being granted citizenship.
There are also changes to the residency requirements for citizenship. Now a prospective citizen will require at least three years of physical presence within Canada in the five years before applying for citizenship. I think that is the right way to go.
Those who obtain citizenship through the use of false identity or who withhold information about criminal activities abroad could lose their citizenship as a result of new ministerial powers contained in this legislation. The minister also refuses to grant Canadian citizenship where granting would offend ordinary Canadians. I firmly support these two amendments.
Everyone who comes to Canada as I did over 30 years ago must realize that citizenship in this country is not something that you automatically get after living here for a few years. Citizenship must be earned. To earn it one must obey the laws of Canada, respect Canada and contribute to Canadian society in a positive way.
If someone comes here and lies about who they are or what they did before they got here and then disrespect our laws, they do not deserve to become citizens. In fact, one has to question whether they should be allowed to remain in Canada at all.
Some members know I introduced a private member's bill several years ago which would speed up the deportation of non-citizens convicted of serious crimes in Canada. I introduced the bill in response to two tragic murders in the Toronto area, Georgina Leimonis, a young woman who was murdered at a Just Desserts cafe, and Metro Toronto police constable Todd Baylis. The accused murderers in both of these cases were non-citizens who had lived in Canada for some time and had lengthy criminal records.
People like them should not be allowed to stay in Canada. They should serve time for their crimes and then put on a plane out of here. We do not want them in Canada, nor should we ever consider giving them the privilege of Canadian citizenship. That is why I applaud this initiative which would allow the minister to refuse citizenship to anyone who is less than deserving.
With reference to my bill on deportation, Bill C-321, it was in committee when parliament was dissolved for the 1997 election and has yet to be drawn this session. I do have faith it will become law. The minister and her staff have been extremely supportive of this initiative and I expect that the necessary changes will be made in the near future.
Unlike many of you, I was not born in Canada. I chose Canada. I chose to become a Canadian citizen. I have lived in other countries and I have travelled to many countries. I can tell the House that the United Nation is right, Canada is the best country in the world in which to live.
Many Canadians who have not seen other parts of the world take for granted how truly lucky we are to live in this country. But those Canadians who are fortunate enough to travel abroad or who have come from another land know that Canadian citizenship and a Canadian passport give us instant respect at a border crossing or customs checkpoint and particularly with average people around the world.
Everyone we meet abroad loves Canadians. They all have friends or relatives who have moved here and all hope to visit some day. They recognize that although we speak the same language as our American neighbours, we are different. Our country is a mosaic and not a melting pot. When one becomes a citizen of Canada, one is not asked to give up one's roots, language, culture or history. One can still keep them and preserve them and share them with the rest of us. One is simply asked to embrace the language and history of the new country and to obey its laws. This is a very small price to pay for the privilege of being able to say “I am a Canadian”.
I chose this country. I am proud of this country. I am proud to serve this country and I would encourage all new Canadians to embrace the best country in the world.
In closing I leave the House with a few words from Judge Robert Somerville, the citizenship judge for Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo. By the way, he is not a Liberal and I do not care what party or colours he follows, he is a very good citizenship judge. In speaking to new Canadians he said “We have achieved a way of life and standards of living that are rare in the world. The honour and dignity of Canadian citizenship are yours. Please treasure it and be proud of it”.