In a sudden about-face, the Canadian government is telling some people who recently applied for citizenship under new laws that their applications are under review and they need to turn over their citizenship certificates.
Legal Expert Condemns Process
This bill was not carefully considered in its effects or in the processes that would be required to implement the rules, says legal expert. The move has been described as reckless and irresponsible by critics.
Personal Impact
BBC News reports that Shawn Davis Mooney, who recently relocated permanently from California to Victoria, B.C., with his husband, was alarmed when he received his letter. “It has devastated me beyond imagination,” he said. He submitted 114 pages of documents showing a great-great-grandparent was born in New Brunswick and was granted a citizenship certificate in February.
Government Letters Demand Surrender
Letters shared on social media and signed by Peggy Sun, Registrar of Canadian Citizenship, say in part: “I am writing pursuant to subsection 26(1) of the Citizenship Regulations. This provision authorizes me to require the surrender of a certificate of citizenship where I have reasonable grounds to believe that the holder of the certificate may not be entitled to it (i.e. may not be a Canadian citizen).”
The letters add: “The purpose of this letter is to inform you that I have information in my possession that indicates that you may not be entitled to hold a Canadian certificate of citizenship.”
Documentation Concerns
They say documentation submitted in support of proof of citizenship “is not from the original source authorities responsible for creating or maintaining historical records.” The letters tell recipients to return their citizenship certificate if they have one, concluding: “Should the final decision be that you are entitled to the certificate of citizenship, then it will be returned to you.”
Government Response
A spokesperson for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) told National Post in an email that the department was aware that a limited number of people who obtained a certificate under Bill C-3 have been notified that their file is under review.
“The purpose of the review is to determine, through an individualized process, whether the certificate was properly issued based on the evidence required by law,” the spokesperson said. “This is a necessary and important safeguard, and all affected individuals will have an opportunity to provide additional documentary evidence in support of their case.”
The spokesperson added: “With each application, trained officers review all the evidence before them before approving a citizenship certificate.”
