Say 'No' to Citizenship changes which will mean 4 years wait to become Canadian

[akheya]

There should be another petition for this as well pleaseee pleasee. This is very very disheartning.

 

[ghatot201]

Disgusting !!

 

[torontosm]

Disgusting !!

What exactly is it that you find so disgusting? The fact that the government actually wants people to live in Canada before granting them citizenship?

 

[ghatot201]

What exactly is it that you find so disgusting? The fact that the government actually wants people to live in Canada before granting them citizenship?

NO

The fact that they choose to ignore the thousands who have been working here on work permits and contributing to the canadian economy!

That my friend is DISGUSTING.

 

[torontosm]

NO

The fact that they choose to ignore the thousands who have been working here on work permits and contributing to the canadian economy!

That my friend is DISGUSTING.

Paying taxes in any country does not give you the right to citizenship. By that logic, I should be a citizen of 8 different countries by now. To take your point even further, every time I go on vacation to a country, I contribute to its economy. Should they hand me a passport on my way out as well?

Every country has the right to determine its own immigration policies, and to amend these policies from time to time. You may not like the changes as they may not suit you, but at the end of the day, the government is responsible for catering to the welfare of its citizens, not its temporary residents.

 

[ghatot201]

You may not like the changes as they may not suit you,

Exactly.. you may like these changes because it suits you too. Am sure you are sitting pretty after applying for your citizenship and you come within these timelines.
Its easy to laugh at people from the other side of the fence.

 

[ghatot201]

What exactly is it that you find so disgusting? The fact that the government actually wants people to live in Canada before granting them citizenship?

Living here as a temp foriegn worker is not living?? are we suspended in the air in limbo?

 

[links18]

Living here as a temp foriegn worker is not living?? are we suspended in the air in limbo?

Don't waste your time debating with that guy. They could make the requirements to become a citizens 100 years of residency and he would say, "The government has the right to do whatever it wants, don't complain, be grateful they allow you to live here at all." Well, of course, they have the right to do whatever they want, but that doesn't make it good policy.

 

[torontosm]

Living here as a temp foriegn worker is not living?? are we suspended in the air in limbo?

Living here as a TEMPORARY foreign worker is not the same as living here as a PERMANENT Resident. Even you can't argue that you thought TFW's and PR's had the same rights and privileges.

 

[torontosm]

Its easy to laugh at people from the other side of the fence.

I'm not laughing at anyone. I just think it's a bit ridiculous how people are complaining about the fact that they have to live in Canada for 4 years to get citizenship (i.e., the title of this thread). If you are truly committed to living here, then why should it matter whether you get your passport in 3 or 4 years?

 

[MasterGeek]

I kinda understand the increase in residency requirements. The developped countries that have the lowest citizenship requirements will be mass targeted by those merely seeking a passport of convenience.

So it's kinda a race between countries to harden their citizenship requirements in order to not be the weak one targeted by passport of convenience seekers.

Now Canada is at the same level of citizenship requirements as Australia. Does this mean future passport of convenience seekes will now choose Australia due to its better weather compared to Canada ?


They should still count pre-PR days !

 

[ghatot201]

I'm not laughing at anyone. I just think it's a bit ridiculous how people are complaining about the fact that they have to live in Canada for 4 years to get citizenship (i.e., the title of this thread). If you are truly committed to living here, then why should it matter whether you get your passport in 3 or 4 years?

I am NOT complaining about the 4 year requirement. Again I say my only concern is with the govt ignoring temp foriegn workers and the time they spent in Canada not being counted towards citizenship.

Living here as a temp is also considered living, maybe better off than PR holders who go on welfare. Temp workers do not have that option, they have to earn their own money or leave the country. So in my opinion temp workers contribute more to the economy than some PR leeches who bleed the system. That fact is not disputed.

 

[kisunja]

Torontosm, there is indeed a difference in living in a country and counting days to citizenship.
In case you do not know, the countries with the toughest citizenship requirements do count temporary time AS SOON AS that person decides to settle in the country AND contributes to it via taxes and local involvement. The examples I have in mind: Germany and Austria.
On paper they have longer qualifying period: 8 and 10 years respectively (Austria debates reducing that time). BUT: once you have a permanent settlement permit, paid taxes, contributed to your local community (the decision about citizenship is made at the municipal level!), and have spent certain time as a permanent resident - all your 8 years will count towards citizenship. And - no retribution for working in the rest in the EU as soon as you pay taxes locally.
IN my opinion, Canada should take a similar approach if they want to attract highly skilled workforce, which is also very mobile.

 

[lolita22]

Does the 4 year rule apply to those who have been residing here before getting PR? I've been here for 7 years in total and I just received my PR end of last year so I find it very unfair to put all immigrants under one umbrella.

 

[ghatot201]

Does the 4 year rule apply to those who have been residing here before getting PR? I've been here for 7 years in total and I just received my PR end of last year so I find it very unfair to put all immigrants under one umbrella.

Yes it applies to you too. It sucks. I am in the same boat too. Have been here for 3 years now.