Media Centre Press Releases: For Immediate Release August 2, 2007   Government Report Refutes Attack on Dual Citizenship The claim that Canadians who hold more than one nationality are less loyal to Canada amounts to "unfounded hyperbole", according to a recently reported internal government document. “Internal government documents have now been cited in the media suggesting that the dual citizenship debate has been framed in terms that prejudge the value of Canada's dual citizenship policy,” said Citizenship and Immigration Critic Omar Alghabra. “The Liberal Party of Canada believes that dual citizenship benefits Canada; however, this is in stark contrast to the musings of senior conservative ministers late last year.” In November of 2006, Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay told the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee that the government is considering imposing a tax on Canadian dual citizens living abroad. Such a policy would force Canadians working abroad to pay income tax to both the Government of Canada and to the government of their country of residence. Later that same month, then Immigration Minister Monte Solberg spoke to the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration and insinuated that the Conservative Government was reviewing the idea of denying dual citizens access to social programs if they had spent a long period of time outside Canada. “The Liberal Party of Canada does not support the creation of two tiers of citizenship or any action which seeks to undermine the right to citizenship or benefits thereof,” said Mr. Alghabra. “Furthermore, new Canadians should not be forced to abandon their connection to their country of origin in order to enjoy the same rights and responsibilities afforded to Canadian-born citizens.” The way in which the Conservative Party has framed this debate is an unacceptable example of divisive politics. “The Liberal Party of Canada asserts that a Canadian citizen is a Canadian citizen,” said Mr. Alghabra.   _____________________________________________________ Op-ed by Omar Alghabra, Liberal Opposition Critic for Citizenship and Immigration   Government Report Refutes Attack on Dual Citizenship   The claim that Canadians who hold more than one nationality are less loyal to Canada amounts to "unfounded hyperbole", according to a recently reported internal government document. In other words, the government document is saying that to make such an argument is an unfounded exaggeration. Further, the internal paper goes on to say the public discussion has been distorted in a way that prejudges the value of Canada's dual citizenship policy and refutes the idea that Canadians living abroad are a liability to Canada. This is certainly the position of the Liberal Party of Canada; however, this document’s findings are in stark contrast to the musings of senior conservative ministers late last year. In November of 2006 Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay told the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee that the government is considering imposing a tax on Canadian dual citizens living abroad. Such a policy would force Canadians working abroad to pay income tax to both the Government of Canada and to the government of their country of residence. Later that same month, then Immigration Minister Monte Solberg spoke to the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration and insinuated that the Conservative Government was reviewing the idea of denying dual citizens access to social programs if they had spent a long period of time outside Canada. The Liberal Party of Canada does not support the creation of two tiers of citizenship or any action which seeks to undermine the right to citizenship or benefits thereof. There are Canadians all over the world living with dual citizenship. To suddenly impose some arbitrary tax on Canadians living abroad would violate tax treaties we have signed with dozens of countries that allow for the free movement of people and capital. Imposing an income tax on dual-citizen Canadian nationals living abroad may also seriously reduce Canada’s domestic tax base by opening up foreign dual-nationals in Canada to possible double taxation by their other country of citizenship. Further, Canadians should not be forced to abandon their connection to their country of origin in order to enjoy the same rights and responsibilities afforded to Canadian-born citizens. The way in which the Conservative Party has framed this debate is an unacceptable example of divisive politics. The Liberal Party of Canada asserts that a Canadian citizen is a Canadian citizen.