opinion

The Conservatives are warning that a bill to confer citizenship to people born abroad to foreign-born Canadians will cheapen the value of citizenship. They say it could open the door to ”Canadians of convenience” who want a passport but have little connection to the country.

With support from the Bloc Québécois, the Conservatives added amendments to Bill C-3 that would make it harder for these “Lost Canadians” to qualify for passports. A vote on the revised bill is expected soon.

At first glance, tightening the criteria for having a “substantial connection” to Canada and adding requirements for adult children to pass language, security and citizenship tests seems to make sense. But while some of the Conservative amendments are sound, others are unworkable.

Bill C-3 aims to re

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