Jamaicans in Canada urged to apply for citizenship

[Blackstar*]

<span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: 'Arial Black'">Jamaicans in Canada urged to apply for citizenship</span></span>

Published on Thursday, February 25, 2010

TORONTO, Canada (JIS) -- Jamaica's Consul General to Toronto, George Ramocan, has launched a citizenship initiative to encourage Jamaicans to apply for Canadian citizenship as soon as they qualify.

The Consul General informed Ontario's new Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, Eric Hoskins, of the initiative during a call on the Minister, on February 18.

Noting that some Jamaicans are misinformed, the Consul General said that a number of Jamaican nationals who are permanent residents of Canada, have not pursued Canadian citizenship because they believe they will no longer be Jamaican citizens.

Ramocan, who assumed duties as Consul General three months ago, told Minister Hoskins that Jamaicans who remain permanent residents of Canada and do not take out citizenship are denied privileges accorded to Canadians, such as the right to vote and access to some federal jobs.

&quot;The Canadian citizenship initiative will see a team of Jamaican/Canadians going out and speaking to our nationals to try and convince them of the importance of regularising themselves as citizens of Canada, so they can become more participative, enjoy the privileges, and contribute in more meaningful ways as citizens of this wonderful country that they are a part of,&quot; said Consul General Ramocan.

Calling the initiative a fantastic one, Minister Hoskins, who took over the portfolio of Immigration and Citizenship in January 2010, said that as the Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) for St Paul's, he has also come across a number of his constituents &quot;who have resided here for 20, 30 and 35 years, and they still haven't become Canadian citizens, because they have the same fear that somehow it will impact on their country of origin and the relationship with it.&quot;

A medical doctor by profession and humanitarian at heart, Hoskins has worked in several war-torn countries and in the 1980s did a stint in Jamaica at the Foundation for International Self-Help (FISH) clinic on Gordon Town Road, in Kingston.

He has promised his assistance to the Consul General, as the team, headed by community leader, Paul Barnett, conducts community hall meetings, forums and visits churches in a bid to convince Jamaicans to become Canadian citizens.

Permanent residents of Canada are qualified to apply for Canadian citizenship after living in the country for three years.

Source

[Blackstar*]

Re: Jamaicans in Canada urged to apply for citizenship

Why would the Jcan government urge JA's citizens to apply for citizenship in other countries?

[SistahD]

Re: Jamaicans in Canada urged to apply for citizenship

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BlackStar</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Why would the Jcan government urge JA's citizens to apply for citizenship in other countries? </div></div>


<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Jamaicans who remain permanent residents of Canada and do not take out citizenship are denied privileges accorded to Canadians, such as the right to vote and access to some federal jobs. </div></div>



With citizenship, they can also collect various pensions and other benefits they would otherwise not be entitled to. They lose nothing by gaining a dual citizenship.

I know lots of people who brought their mother/father here ... they worked for (I think it is 5 years roughly) get perm res, then citizenship, entitled to medical benefits and pensions etc... retire and go back home where they can collect their Canadian pensions, tax breaks etc and in some cases return for medical needs.


Over and above, (if memory serves me) the futures of any children they may have had during that time CAN be greatly affected IF the parent has not received citizenship. (ie if the parent gets deported -so can the child)



This is not a new concept the Consulate/Embassy has been pushing -only a renewed NUDGE since when Raymond Wolfe was here.

[remo]

Re: Jamaicans in Canada urged to apply for citizenship

You mean their is 1 Jamaican in Canada who doesn't know there is dual Canadian /Jamaican citizenship...I find that hard to believe
In all my years in Canada I have never met anyone ignorant of this fact.....

[Blackstar*]

Re: Jamaicans in Canada urged to apply for citizenship

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SistahD</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BlackStar</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Why would the Jcan government urge JA's citizens to apply for citizenship in other countries? </div></div>
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Jamaicans who remain permanent residents of Canada and do not take out citizenship are denied privileges accorded to Canadians, such as the right to vote and access to some federal jobs. </div></div>
<span style="font-style: italic">With citizenship, they can also collect various pensions and other benefits they would otherwise not be entitled to. They lose nothing by gaining a dual citizenship.

I know lots of people who brought their mother/father here ... they worked for (I think it is 5 years roughly) get perm res, then citizenship, entitled to medical benefits and pensions etc... retire and go back home where they can collect their Canadian pensions, tax breaks etc and in some cases return for medical needs.

Over and above, (if memory serves me) the futures of any children they may have had during that time CAN be greatly affected IF the parent has not received citizenship. (ie if the parent gets deported -so can the child)

This is not a new concept the Consulate/Embassy has been pushing -only a renewed NUDGE since when Raymond Wolfe was here. </span> </div></div>
Thanks, SistahD. The answer was staring me in the face.

[SistahD]

Re: Jamaicans in Canada urged to apply for citizenship

remo, you would be surprised the number of Jamaicans (and other nationalities) who have not gotten their citizenship... even when the Canadian govt came up with the permanent resident status it still took a long time for many to apply -for whatever reason. While they may 'know' they could have dual, many still have a fear or mistrust of being sent back or something.

[halfwaytree]

Re: Jamaicans in Canada urged to apply for citizenship

This may sound like a stupid question so please excuse
but it has been many years now since I have my Canadian citizenship.

Does the fact that I am now a Canadian citizen with a Jamaican birth certificate mean that I am automatically a dual citizen? If for some reason I want to go back to JA to purchase property, live for part of the year and even set up a business or gain employment there, is it possible or do I have to jump through a huge amount of government red tape.

[Peasie]

Re: Jamaicans in Canada urged to apply for citizenship

Milo, all you need is a good friend wid influence *wink wink*.

[remo]

Re: Jamaicans in Canada urged to apply for citizenship

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SistahD</div><div class="ubbcode-body">remo, you would be surprised the number of Jamaicans (and other nationalities) who have not gotten their citizenship... even when the Canadian govt came up with the permanent resident status it still took a long time for many to apply -for whatever reason. While they may 'know' they could have dual, many still have a fear or mistrust of being sent back or something. </div></div>

Sorry cant agree...My wife has been in Canada since she was 13 and still not a Canadian citizen my boss is Scottish been here since he was 3 months old neither one of them are canadian citizens they know about dual citizenship I think they are both crazy but to say people are afraid about being dipped if they are here legally is just nonsense....
Like I said before I think this guy just wants to get his name in the news...

[barosa]

Re: Jamaicans in Canada urged to apply for citizenship

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Curmudgeon_Milo</div><div class="ubbcode-body">This may sound like a stupid question so please excuse
but it has been many years now since I have my Canadian citizenship.

Does the fact that I am now a Canadian citizen with a Jamaican birth certificate mean that I am automatically a dual citizen? If for some reason I want to go back to JA to purchase property, live for part of the year and even set up a business or gain employment there, is it possible or do I have to jump through a huge amount of government red tape.

</div></div>
Milo, I hope you are not pulling a fast one on the rest of us. It has been quite a while now since certain nationalities with permanent resident status has been accorded the rights of Dual citizenships in Canada and we Jamaicans are among those on the list... I think it came about during the &quot;Piere Trudea Era&quot;. Anyhow, once yu bawn a JA, you are always a &quot;Jamaican citizen&quot; unless you renounce it... That's why it's wise to have your Jamaican Passport if tings &quot;come to bump&quot; an yu haffi get out, plus the fact, dat dem can tek wey yu Canadian Passport under certain regulations...
________________________

&quot;At a time of universal deceit,&quot; wrote George Orwell, &quot;telling the truth is a revolutionary act.&quot;

[jamaica_dreamin]

Re: Jamaicans in Canada urged to apply for citizenship

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Curmudgeon_Milo</div><div class="ubbcode-body">This may sound like a stupid question so please excuse
but it has been many years now since I have my Canadian citizenship.

Does the fact that I am now a Canadian citizen with a Jamaican birth certificate mean that I am automatically a dual citizen? If for some reason I want to go back to JA to purchase property, live for part of the year and even set up a business or gain employment there, is it possible or do I have to jump through a huge amount of government red tape.

</div></div>

I believe that you never lose your Jamaican citizenship (at least as far as Jamaica is concerned)

[jamaica_dreamin]

Re: Jamaicans in Canada urged to apply for citizenship

I work with a Canadian woman who is in her 60's. She has been in the US since she was about 6 years old. She never became a US citizen.

Her US born daughter is considering moving to Toronto. Her husband (not sure where he was born or what citizenship he has) is already living and working in Canada. I know he is Hispanic (but not sure what country).

Can she get Canadian citizenship based on her mother? Her dad is Columbian.

I guess the economy is much better in Canada. But, I could not take the weather there!

[remo]

Re: Jamaicans in Canada urged to apply for citizenship

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">[/quote]
Can she get Canadian citizenship based on her mother? Her dad is Columbian. [quote]</div></div>

Yes she can

[evanovitch]

Re: Jamaicans in Canada urged to apply for citizenship

mi had was fi check fi mek sure but is true...Georgie grow up n tun Consul General..baxide...how can i get in touch wid him..fi real...proud a him to rahtid....proud a him...mi tell u seh dere was a time wen it neva matta whe u stawt from since education was di way up

plus him fada was a straight up laba man from time....wonda how di ress a him sista n all go..was whole heap a dem