Reconsidering Canadian Citizenship Policy in an Era of Globalization

Dual Citizens, Non-Resident Canadians and the Cost of Cosmopolitanism

Abstract

Over the last half of the 20th century, forces of globalization have lead to a significant growth in the number of international migrants, and influenced the national governments of emigrant and immigrant countries to implement dual citizenship policies. This paper will argue that global forces have intensified the extraordinary growth of dual citizenship in Canada, changing the social meaning attributed to dual citizenship and placing internal and external pressures on the government to re-evaluate existing citizenship policies and the rights afforded to non-resident Canadians. The first section of this paper will address the theoretical framework of citizenship policy in Canada, as well as its historical foundations. The second section will discuss the forces of globalization, exploring the reasons behind the dramatic increase in dual citizenship. To conclude, the final section will examine the impact of these pressures on Canadian domestic policy as seen through the public debate surrounding the Lebanon evacuation, and the recent revision of policies granting citizenship to third generation nonresident Canadians. The final thoughts section will speak to recommended policy considerations for government.