This is one of the most bizarre stories I have seen in some time. In an odd sort of way, it is quite similar to the kind of treatment expat dual US/CDN citizens have experienced via the “FATCA Hunt” and the IGA. And similar to the accidentals/non-meaningfuls, this time, Canada is failing to protect one of it’s native-born sons. YogaGirl kindly shared this story . (all emphases below are mine).
This is not quite an example of C-24 because Paul Watson is still a citizen of Canada but by taking away his passport, he cannot enter. In a sense, taking away his passport is similar to taking away his citizenship. He cannot enter the country nor can he enjoy any of the rights and protections of the Charter.
“Without a Canadian passport I am not allowed to enter Canada because dual citizens may not enter the country with the passport of their alternative citizenship.”
No crime, no warrant. No trial. No justification. What sort of government does this resemble?
“I don’t have a Canadian passport.
Why?
Because Stephen Harper took it away from me.
Is it because I’m wanted for a crime in Canada or did I commit a crime in Canada?
No.
There is no Canadian warrant for me in Canada.
Stephen Harper took away my Canadian passport because Japan asked him to take it away.
Why?
Because we opposed illegal Japanese whaling in the Southern Ocean, a whaling operation that has been condemned as illegal by the International Court of Justice.
Stephen Harper decided that supporting illegal Japanese whaling was more important than defending the rights of one of his own citizens”.
Any Canadian who doubts the fact that Canada is becoming totalitarian under Harper is under serious delusions. PMSH isn’t even using C-24 or C-51 in the way those bills claim to operate yet a citizen is being stripped of his rights and protections. Conservatives will label Capt Watson as a “radical” or (ecological) “terrorist” which will prevent mainstream Canadians from recognizing the treacherous actions taken by the Canadian government. By presuming Capt Watson is “dangerous,” Canadians will not see the reality of what is happening, in the same way that Homelanders cannot see that we are not tax cheats or traitors. This will allow Harper to keep going down this road. Very dangerous territory.
Perhaps someone should do a comparison of Bill C-51 and the Patriot Act? People should be looking carefully at how the two might be used cooperatively against citizens of both countries. It may be worth remembering how the border is being compromised (police of both countries operating on each others’ soil, with the Americans wanting to apply US law when in Canada) as well as the build-up of Canadian super-prisons even though crime is way down. Said not to incite fear but to face facts.How can one not be reminded of Naomi Wolf’s Blueprint for Shutting Down an Open Society?
“My position is quite simple.
In supporting and voting for Bill C-51 and making it law, both Stephen Harper and Justin Trudeau have betrayed all past generations of Canadians..Bill C-51 makes the Patriot Act looks fascistically shallow by comparison….
C-51 has negated the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
We now have freedom of speech until we open our mouth. Harper now has a right to revoke citizenship without explanation something that he already effectively did with me.”
Again, these words could have been written by any American who finds his/herself trying to come to terms with the fact that the U.S. is no longer the place they grew up in. I actually find it incredibly more sad, to hear a CANADIAN say exactly the same. I guess I am used to this behaviour by the U.S. but figured Canada had a long way to go before engaging, to the same extent, in the betrayal of it’s people as well as it’s founding principles.
“You see Harper can keep me as a Canadian out of Canada but he can’t take Canada away from me. I swam with beavers as a child. I’ve trudged in snow shows at 49 below in the Peace River Valley to protect wolves. I led eight campaigns to the ice floes to defend harp seals…..
In other words, I’m just as much a Canadian as that sanctimonious petro-ass kissing corrupt, scofflaw, smug, on-the-take, holier than thou, climate change denying embarrassment of a Prime Minister who needs to be kicked out of Ottawa on his dictatorial pseudo-Tory ass come October.
It’s not only time for a change it’s essential that there be a change and it’s time for us to return Canada to what we once were – a freedom loving, peace loving, beautifully wild nation – and what we need to be, a nation rich with First Nation heritage, true conservatives as in nature conservationists, instead of pseudo-conservative eco-terrorist right wing radicals, hell bent on selling the nation out to corporate marauders.”
Until Canadians start to fight back, Harper will continue destroying this incredible country. We have our hands rather full fighting the IGA and CBT but there is one simple way to support our fellow “freedom-fighter.”
Please help by signing this petition and sharing on FB, Twitter, etc. Time to start building a network in Canada. And don’t forget to vote ABC. More on this story.
From my wife @YanaRusinovich Watson. "Please Sign this Petition for my Husband Captain Paul Watson” Pls RT! https://t.co/UAVL7aEvow
— Captain Paul Watson (@CaptPaulWatson) May 9, 2015
Tweet and photo from this article
So when is the next election in Canada? Perhaps Mr Harper should not get too comfortable in the executive chair in preparation for another term in office.
@Tricia Moon the link takes me to a petition in a different language that does not appear to be about the issue of His Canadian passport being removed
Very interesting, Tricia! Paul Watson is feeling about Canada what many of us are feeling about the U.S. in regard to being exiled from his native land.
I liked the conclusions of your own second paragraph introducing Mr. Watson’s facebook post: “This is not quite an example of C-24 because Paul Watson is still a citizen of Canada but by taking away his passport, he cannot enter. In a sense, taking away his passport is similar to taking away his citizenship. He cannot enter the country nor can he enjoy any of the rights and protections of the Charter.”
Those of us who were unfortunate enough to get sucked into applying for and receiving U.S. passports may have them coming up for renewal. To do so would be to put oneself further in harm’s way. Thus those de facto U.S. citizens living outside the United States who do not choose to renew their US travel documentation become, in every meaningful sense, ex-U.S. citizens as they have given up their access to the only right of citizenship that held any meaning for them.
No you are not in Canada anymore. You are part of the new world order that is behind FATCA.
Just watch : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beFQV0I44QE
No wonder China is creating the BIIA bank to compete with the IMF and is part of the BRICS countries who are ditching the US dollar as world currency
@RLee
If you look underneath the Spanish, you will see the English content. I realize the petition is not directly about the passport. But the origin of the issue is related to the case in Costa Rica. This is why the last link was added when I realized the petition is not what I thought it was…
I guess pot terrorist Marc Emery is lucky he wasn’t set to be released from US prison in a post C-51 world. “I will say this – I deplore and loathe Stephen Harper. I think he’s an evil man,” Emery said, going on to describe Harper as a “tyrant,” a “Machiavellian manipulator,” and a “cold, icy character” with no friends.”
I wonder how he feels about Justin Trudeau and the Liberals now.
http://blogs.windsorstar.com/news/marijuana-advocates-gather-in-windsor-for-homecoming-of-prince-of-pot-marc-emery
For the moment dual Canadian/US aren’t having problems going into the US on their Canadian passports (and for the record, I feel that people should be allowed to travel on the passports of the country they reside in), but if that should change, duals would be forced to carry two passports, which is frowned on and opens a person up to hassle at crossing (and being abandoned by the Canadian gov’t should you need assistance like many have been in recent memory because if you enter the US on their passport, the Canadian gov’t will insist that America has jurisdiction over you – period).
I wonder why Watson isn’t challenging this in court because it does violate the Charter but it’s a clear indication that under our current gov’t, dual citizens are second class and under intense pressure to be Canadian only if they want to have the same rights as others.
“You won’t recognize Canada when I’m through with it.” (Stephen Harper, 2006)
That is one promise he kept.
Thanks Muzzled.
I am a little confused by what you mean here:
Are you referring to people who relinquished a long time ago? I understand many were bullied into getting passports but it they are already not USCs, why would anyone expect/want to renew a US passport?
@Bubblebustin
We can only hope that everyone will realize the seriousness of Harper’s breaches and choose to vote for the parties who have been the most vocal against C-24, C-31, C-51 etc. I will be devastated if the general CDN reaction is to ignore/be passive about this………
@YogaGirl
Interesting question about why he isn’t challenging this in court..when I was dual, I always used the passport of which ever country I was entering. Of course, that would not be an option for a renounced US dual. I like your point about jurisdiction.
@Blaze
That phrase is etched into my memory stream. It is impossible to not hear it every time one of these grievous actions of the Harper govt come forward.
Interesting video from Council of Canadians. As I understand it, CofC along with a student group, is suing the govt regarding the Fair Election Act (with Rocco Galati). Though some of us have tried to connect with CofC many times in the past, it seems to me that all groups opposed to Harper’s unconstitutional nonsense, might see the value in at least connecting as a social network……….
Disturbing story…
@MuzzledNoMore
“Paul Watson is feeling about Canada what many of us are feeling about the U.S. in regard to being exiled from his native land.”
Well as I’ve said a number of times on this blog over the last 2 years or so, it is what I’m feeling as an expatriate Canadian as well–or at least where I fear things are headed. Harper hasn’t taken away my Canadian passport, but–among other things–he’s trying to take away my right to vote despite court rulings against Harper reaffirming my right (and all expats’ right) to vote as an expat. It remains to be seen whether I’ll be able to vote in October–it is another matter along with Ginny and Gwen’s lawsuit in which there may be high legal drama this summer.
@Tricia Moon
Thank you for finding and posting this! Do you have any more colour on what happened? The link to a Facebook page that you provided gives Paul Watson’s views on a number of topics–much of which I agree with–but only a little bit on the passport issue. Reading between the lines of Watson’s Wikipedia article (as this specific issue isn’t mentioned there either), I’d guess that Japan accused Watson of a crime and Canada (Harper) revoked his passport on that basis.
Whether he’s guilty of a Japanese crime or not–I don’t have enough info to judge–this action by Canada is clearly wrong. Denying a Canadian their Canadian liberties based solely on a foreign accusation without due process of law seems very wrong. There are proper methods for seeking someone’s extradition but this doesn’t seem to have been followed.
I’m not clear, though, on why he can’t enter Canada using alternative proof of citizenship such as a Canadian birth certificate or citizenship card. This is still legal when entering by land. I’m not sure if it is legal when entering by sea, though–for example if he were to try to take the ferry from Friday Harbor to Sidney. Incidentally Friday Harbor was once the subject of a Canada-US sovereignty dispute and was awarded to the US by decision of the German Kaiser. Should Angela Merkel be appointed to arbitrate the present lawsuit 🙂 ?
@ Tricia
Another good group is stopharper.ca.
@EmBee
Right now the opinion polls seem to showing a very tight three way race between the NDP, the CONS and the Liberals.
This is good news and bad news as far as I’m concerned. The good news is that about 2/3 of Canadians oppose Harper which means there is a very, very, very good chance that Harper will be out at the election or at least reduced to a weak minority position.
But the bad news is that it also means that about 2/3 of Canadians are supporting parties (CONS and Liberals) who supported C-51–and that is a very, very, very bad omen for Canada’s future.
@Tricia Moon
I actually find it incredibly more sad, to hear a CANADIAN say exactly the same. I guess I am used to this behaviour by the U.S. but figured Canada had a long way to go before engaging, to the same extent, in the betrayal of it’s people as well as it’s founding principles.
Well I’ve been warning people on here for awhile now that Canada’s behavior towards its expats (examples: Paul Watson, me, many others) is going down exactly the same path as the US is going. Of course, Canada has no equivalent to FATCA or CBT as yet but IMHO that is only because only the US has the power on the world stage to force–or try to force–such things through internationally. But Canada is heading in the same direction and–if FATCA isn’t stopped–I could see Canada doing something very similar once the next stage–GATCA–kicks in.
So yeah Canada hasn’t reached the point of abusing its expats to the same extent as the US yet but that is only because Canada lacks the international power to do so. Canada is heading in the same direction though and the moral character (or lack thereof) of Canada’s government is very similar to that of the US.
The problem with “globalism” is that it tends to pressure people to move internationally because they will then have fewer rights in either country. I believe that is by design of the so-called “global elite”.
So, Conrad Black, who was actually convicted of a crime/s by US courts, got an escort back into Canada, and was extended special treatment – (and wasn’t even a Permanent resident ) after he voluntarily renounced his Canadian citizenship with contemptuous public comments, yet Harper treats other Canadian citizens like dirt (see story of Mohamed Fahmy ex . http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/fahmy-shocked-at-ottawas-refusal-to-issue-passport-due-to-travel-ban/article23744050/ and “….The Canadian government had initially refused to issue a new passport to Fahmy, citing his bail conditions…..” http://www.cbc.ca/news/mohamed-fahmy-gets-new-canadian-passport-1.3043432 ?
See the (hardly objective) account by Black’s wife Amiel;
“…ICE officials were furious with this BOP leak and decided to make sure Conrad got out early in the day without press coverage; with no encouragement from us they created a decoy convoy of cars and flashing lights that led the media into downtown Miami while Conrad was in the white Chevy en route to the airport—the joy of unintended consequences. At the Toronto airport after Immigration Canada let my husband in, someone showed our driver an exit that required driving along runways—hopefully unused. And since we don’t possess any car in Toronto that hasn’t been modified for my dogs, we borrowed the grey Chrysler of a domestic employee, which was described by frustrated reporters as “nondescript” and attracted absolutely no attention when we approached our home.
Why did we get a TRP? Well, my husband met the criteria but more importantly, I think he was liked by some public servants. That’s the leg up that being known gave him, and that one could have gone either way….” http://www.macleans.ca/news/canada/getting-conrad-home/
Hi Tricia: To clarify my comment: “Thus those de facto U.S. citizens living outside the United States who do not choose to renew their US travel documentation become, in every meaningful sense, ex-U.S. citizens as they have given up their access to the only right of citizenship that held any meaning for them.”
I am referring to people who became Canadian citizens, a) *without* the intention of relinquishing U.S. citizenship and b) whose oath of loyalty to Canada did *not* include the words “I renounce ….”. There are many valid reasons that the first situation may have occurred and the second situation is true for all those who became Canadian after April 1973.
Someone I know is just this sort of “dual citizen”. This person became a loyal Canadian in her youth but remained close to the U.S. in her heart and regarded herself as American (emotionally, not politically) also although she traveled everywhere on a Canadian passport exclusively.
One day almost 20 years ago she was accused of trying to get into the United States for the purpose of employment and she was denied entry to the land of her birth. The accusation was untrue and after she returned home she inquired as to whether or not the *U.S.* still regarded her as a U.S. citizen. The answer she received from the consulate was that, yes, she was and moreover, as such, was required to carry a U.S. passport. She applied for the document the following week in order to avert further issues with ignorant border guards on power trips. Being allowed to visit her birthplace and her relatives is the only thing she has ever asked of the United States.
This was a document she neither wanted nor thought she should require but she would *not* be denied her human right to visit her native country. She didn’t think to read the “important information” section as it was probably all about contacting consulates in the event of an overseas emergency. She had no intention of using this document for any purpose other than entering the United States (and has never done so) so she would have no need for emergency services.
This person knew nothing whatsoever about CBT until she learned about FATCA in June 2011. And it was not until December of 2012 (or thereabouts) when there was some discussion on this blog about the mention of I.R.S. tax obligations printed in the back of the passport that she opened her own and discovered the dreaded words. Pity there was nothing about it on the application form!
This person has been crossing the Canada/U.S. border on a U.S. passport, as instructed, for the past two decades. There is no way this person will ever be able to resume travel to the U.S. on a Canadian passport without a CLN. This person cannot afford a renunciation or the cost of hiring a qualified professional to file the required tax returns. Unless laws are changed, this person will be permanently exiled from her native land the day her U.S. passport expires.
It is this person and those like her that I am referring to in my comment.