I hope everyone had a great Canada Day holiday. However, I wish I could say the same for myself.
On June 4, Bill C-24 was enacted into law by the federal government and it may have implications for other immigrants born outside of Canada and/or holding dual Citizenship.
I emigrated to Canada in May, 1974. I was looking forward to becoming a Canadian Citizen. In order to achieve this goal, as all new immigrants have to do, I had to study all things Canadian, including how many provinces there were, the names of past prime ministers, etc.
When I attended the citizenship ceremony, I felt very proud to become a Canadian. I worked hard, paid my taxes, contributing to my community and to Canada, did volunteer work for emergency social services, and Citizens on Patrol etc. I did not get into any trouble with the police or other authorities.
I have lived and worked half my life in Canada (I am 84 this year) and have loved being a Canadian, but with the passing of Bill C-24 into law in June, simply because I was born outside of Canada and have dual citizenship, as are very many other people, I have now become a second-class citizen.
This has made me feel deeply disappointed, sad and disgusted. Bill C-24 is a divisive bill and will bring, for the first time, class distinction to the people of Canada and for the first time in my life, I now understand how it feels to be a down graded, second-class person. It is not a good feeling.
I always understood that Canada has thrived on the backs of immigrants from the world over.
Greta TaylorBowser