In The News

Ottawa has passed citizenship changes that critics say strike the right balance between removing barriers for immigrants to become full Canadians and protecting the integrity of the system.

“Citizenship is the foundation of all rights in Canada. You just can’t take it away without access to due process,” said Omidvar, an independent senator representing Ontario. “We would like to swing the pendulum back to the centre.”

Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen says he's open to the idea of adding a new appeal process in cases where people are being stripped of their citizenship. He says he would carefully consider any amendments the Senate proposes to Bill C-6, echoing comments made last fall by his predecessor, John McCallum.

A Senate amendment more likely to pass would ensure judicial hearings for people whose citizenship is being revoked for fraud or misrepresentation — for example, if they lie about who they are, their residency or past criminal activity.