Proposed Bill Could Strip Terrorists of Canadian Citizenship

Canadian Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney stated that his government would like the power to strip citizenship from Canadians who commit terrorism or acts of war. This statement was made one day after a dual Canadian and Lebanese citizen was indicated as a participant in a bus bombing in Bulgaria last year.

Support has been shown for a bill currently being debated in Canadian Parliament, which would revoke citizenship from individuals who “engage in acts of war” against Canada. Minister Kenney explained that the government would like to amend the bill to target dual citizens, and to include terrorism as well.

“I think where we might want to make a distinction is among those dual citizens who have completely rejected any sense of loyalty to Canada and gone out and committed [...] acts of war against Canada,” he said recently.

Countries such as the United States and Australia already have similar laws in effect.