In a February 13, 2005 Toronto Sun article (page 20, Comment Section) titled " Sgro took a last kick at the can " Peter Worthington states, " One of Judy Sgro's last acts before resigning as immigration minister last minister last month was to recommend to cabinet that a bunch of aging Ukranian-Canadians be stripped of their citizenship and deported. In doing so she apparently ignored the federal Court of Appeal's unanimous decision that the revocation of citizenship of Kitchener's Helmut Oberlander, without appeal or legal representation, violated the Constitution and potentially made naturalized Canadian second class. "

Worthington goes on to mention that "some 25 ethnic organizations held an informal meeting in Toronto to discuss what to do do about the feds’ proposed new Citizenship Act, which will allow the minister the power to order such revocations and deportations without the right of an explanation or an appeal."

Andrew Telegdi, Liberal MP for Kitchener-Waterloo is fighting these moves, according to Worthington. " He is also the elected chairman of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration who will tour Canada for opinions on the proposed law." There are, however, no meetings scheduled at this date.

Telegdi, Worthington and many others believe that certain basic principles should apply to citizenship:

• All Canadians, be they citizens by birth or choice should have the same rights and obligations.

• Citizenship should not be revoked by politicians - only by the courts.

• Citizenship should be revocable only after guilt "beyond a reasonable doubt" has been established.

• All rights of appeal that are available under the Canadian legal system must also be available in cases involving revocation.

• Legal representation should be available to every accused.

Worthington also reminded us that among those favouring this draconian legislation are Justice Minister Irwin Cotler, (a former Nazi hunter), and Deputy PM Anne McLellan.

A final point made by Worthington: "Before he died, famous Nazi hunter Simon Wiesenthal publicly announced that all major Nazi war criminals had been convicted or had died, and that any who were still alive would have been too young at the time to heve had much power. If it is good enough for Wiesenthal it is good enough for Canada. "

On an issue this important we should all contact our MP, whatever their party, and tell them, respectfully, our opinion, making reference to some of the points in the above bullets.

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