Came across this old article with a very funny video. Posting it just in case any of the particulars apply to anyone here who may be Canadian and not know it.
“The Canadian government doesn’t know the precise number or location of individuals affected by the legislation. But it believes most are U.S. citizens, a spokeswoman for Canada’s immigration office said. U.S. Department of Homeland Security records show 240,000 Canadians were naturalized in the U.S. from 1948 to 1977; the new law fixes problems that occurred during those years.”
The article states that eligible individuals are automatically Canadian but have to apply for it in order to obtain proof. Also described are several situations where people felt they were unfairly denied their Canadian citizenship. I have never come across anything suggesting that those with Canadian eligibility have had trouble getting their status established.
“Some such cases languished in litigation for years. Others surfaced in 2007, when new U.S. rules requiring passports for travel between Canada and the U.S. uncovered significant numbers of people who thought they were Canadian, but weren’t.”
Canada Issues a Wake-Up Call: You May Be a Citizen
Any chance this could be good news for anyone here?
Well, now, the new citizenship doesn’t come with obligations. That is why the naturalized citizen who takes an oath is more zealous in some cases. I actually had to pledge to the Queen of Canada, and this is something that I take seriously.
Just wake up one day and you’re a citizen, and hang an Italian flag in your front yard (like one of my neighbors). Perhaps some greater level of allegiance should be necessary than just simply waking up one day and having citizenship.
Canadian citizenship seems to be a benefit without any side effects. The video doesn’t say, “Now start filing your taxes and register all your foreign bank accounts with our Ministry of Finance, lest we fine you 300% of your financial wealth.
*Petros, the post is meant to contrast the opposite-when so many Canadians “woke up” and found out, to their dismay, that they were Americans.
I don’t think the folks involved are guilty of anything; they simply didn’t know they would have to register, that’s all. They were already Canadian. Certainly less ominous that not knowing one has to file 1040’s, FUBAR, 8398 and the rest of it.