Citoyen Dion
The question of the day is now Dion's dual citizenship. Because Dion's mother is French, Dion inherited French citizenship at birth. The Toronto Star (which backs the NDP) says he should get rid of it. The National Post (which backs the Conservatives) says he should get rid of it. The Globe and Mail (which backs the Liberals) said that questioning his loyalty to Canada was shocking but that he would probably have to get rid of it. They grumbled it like they had a mouthful of glass shards.
So its all pretty typical. I'm not going to add yet another editorial on the subject.
On the merits, though, I started to wonder why it felt right for Michaëlle Jean to give up her citizenship, and yet it feels so wrong to make Dion give up his. I'm betting that mine isn't the only gut that's feeling that way. Really, can a country that puts the Queen of England on its dollar coin be this insensed at our prime minister having ties to the other founding nation of our great country?
So at first, I thought "well - its because the governor general is a symbol of all that is Canadian etc. etc. etc." I quickly realised that that wasn't the reason. It didn't ring true. And then I remembered how this really all happened!
Michaëlle Jean and her husband were shown to be possible separatists shortly after the announcement that she would be governor general. Then while the issue of her loyalty to Canada was already at issue, the information about her dual citizenship came to light. At that point, giving up her french citizenship became a symbolic necessity for her and for the Martin government that appointed her (in an attempt to clone Adrienne Clarkson perhaps?).
So now, because of that scandal the precedent has been set. A potential (highly probable) future prime minister, who has demonstrated his loyalty to Canada more visibly and vigorously than most of us ever get the opportunity to do, may need to give up that citizenship for reasons of "perception" that no one is actually perceiving.
Ain't the Law of Unintended Consequences grand?
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quick addendum: what would you "perceive" as giving rise to a greater "actual" conflict of interest situation: having dual citizenship, or having to suck up to the nation whose citizenship you gave up so that you can get it back later?
6 comments:
I've read this a few times now in the main stream media, where people say Dion was just 'born' a citizen of France because his mother was french - implying he had no choise.
That is inaccurate.
Though his mother was french, Dion still had to apply for citizenship. He had to take an oath to the Republic of France.
He wasn't just 'born' french. He chose to be.
Thanks for the clarification Frank. That's good to know. That having been said. I still think its a non-issue. More importantly, I think if the conservatives say another word about it they will just give Dion traction. The Canadian on the street thinks its nonsense. Conservatives got a jab in but now they should leave it and find a jab of substance. They can remind people of this later but only as part of some pattern of bad judgement or if they can hang Dion on something that smacks of actual, rather than just perceived, conflict of interest. My advice to them would be - good opening salvo. Now hold your powder until you see the whites of his eyes.
I agree Cory.
The Tories should just sit back and watch, and if Dion twists in the wind on this and announces he will be giving up his citizenship, he will look indecisive and foolish. What I think was truly telling though was when asked about giving it up, Dion responded that he would if it hurt his electoral chances. What the hell? I know Liberals traditionaly are bent on winning at all costs, but to come out and actually say it that clear? Amazing!
Frank, of course, is totally wrong. Dion's mother applied for his citizenship for him when he was a minor. Frank is either making up that Dion took an oath or his is believing someone else's lie.
As for Dion saying he would give it up, he stated he would if he thought it was a liabiliy to beating Harper, because he believes that him giving it up - though it would sadden him - is worth the difference in policy outcomes should he win. It's an honest position, and perhaps honourable, too. It's certainly more meritous than the bigots who are willing to question Dion's loyalty based not on his actions but on a fact of birth.
Peter,
With respect to Frank's assertion, like I said, non-issue for me. I don't think it matters if Dion did or didn't apply for French citizenship. As for the rest, We are in 100% agreement. Thanks for commenting.
C.
Yes, I just think we need to expose that not only is the argument silly, but it's more or less based on a pack of lies.
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