So I ask, what is or defines a Canadian?

[Tilter]

No...All YOU suggested was that we use "logic" and basically only take (English first) immigrants from the UK...And then you went your standard elitist rant about how evry other culture is beneath you...

Spectacular..Nothing xenophobic or dripping with self important cultural superiority about any of that.I also note you went to Spain and not France for the next phase of your personal quest to reEurocentrify our immgration system...Of course we all know your,shall we say,antipathy to all things French...

All part of your (self serving) intellectual excercise...

You're not an evil person...You're just a self important buffoon who thinks he's the brightest guy in the room and has complete and total disdain for anyone who questions that...

Nevermind the fact that you obviously have a very insular and culturally supremacist view of things...The only thing that makes you different from an abhorrent character like Lictor is that at least Lictor has the minerals to admit it!!!

You're just a blowhard coward dressing that up as an intellectual excercise...

But keep swinging for the fences,kiddo...You'll get some wood on the ball someday!

Well, so much for not calling each other names :lol:

[Argus]

Spare us all the self righteous sanctimony,Argus...

I'm not self-righteous. I'm amused! Watching you fumbling and flailing about in a desperate bid to not answer the very simple question posed is (at least tepidly) amusing!

You're not breaking any new ground here...You are not engaging in any intellectual or logical excercise.You are just trying to justify and satisfy your insular and xenophobic ideas...

Let's recap. I said that logically, we ought to be taking immigrants from Europe first. They would find it far easier to adjust here, and statistics show they do better economically. Also, Europe is in an economic mess right now so it's likely to have a bumper crop of skilled, educated would-be immigrants.

That is a rather clear and simple statement. Now if you disagree the adult thing to do is to state why that's wrong. You've never even tried. All you've done is throw insults and cast aspersions on my character. That is the absolute epitome of ignorance and it is why people like you are a plague on any discussion group. You're either too stupid or too intellectually lazy to actually engage in discussion about the merits of the opinions others have, so instead you just insult the imagined motivations of people who have those opinions.

Again,at least Lictor had/has the minerals to admit what he is...It's a dispicable position but at least he knows what he is...

You can't admit this about yourself...

Riiiight. I don't know it but you, never having met me, know it. Do you have any idea how pathetic that sounds?

Almost as sad as a dullard like you trying to come up with a political argument more sophisticated than "You're a poo poo head!".

[Argus]

So instead of having standards you will have quotas? Instead of inviting a well qualified immigrant from Ukraine we will invite an under qualified immigrant from Britain because he speaks english? How do you judge which nationality is and should be let in the country first? How many points would you put on nationality?

Did I say or even suggest anything about a lack of standards? What I said was that according to statistics immigrants from certain countries do far better here than immigrants from other countries. Therefore, we ought to target those countries first. And by the way, the ability to communicate is the most important skill a new immigrant can have, because without it, his education and professional abilities are often of little value.

[Argus]

Spot on...

Cultural supremacists and xenophobes,like Argus, never get this simple fact...

Perhaps you get all the simple stuff better because the more complicated stuff 'simply' goes over your simple mind.

[Argus]

Argus is exactly as I've described him.He's an admitted elitist and now an admitted cultural supremacist...Not exactly a spectacular combination...

Could be worse. I could be a fool like you.

[Signals.Cpl]

A) I think it's time for a divorce from Quebec.

I seldom see First Nations as a community or 'nation' contributing positively to Canada as Canadians. Some individual Natives certainly are openly proud Canadians and have fought as Canadians for Canada. I am certainly open to have that observation shown to be erroneous.

C) Those that leave to fight for their former countries are to me split in their loyalties just as are those with dual citizenship that hold office. However, those that fight against us or our allies (NATO) are to me traitors that should be tried as such.

D.) Those Canadians of convenience should have their citizenship revoked if they remain out of our country and pay no taxes for a 'given' specified time. say 3 years for arguments sake..

Now Those are positions, fish or cut bait.

C) Those with dual citizenship who hold office might be beneficial in some cases as long as its not too high up on the food chain. Once you reach a certain level then decision has to be made I agree with that. As for the rest of that point I am with you 100%

D) Use the same method of taxation as the Americans, you are Canadian you pay taxes regardless wether you live in Canada or Australia or Zimbabwe. If Canada is to pay for their evacuation should the need arise might as well pay taxes to the country.

[Moonlight Graham]

D.) Those Canadians of convenience should have their citizenship revoked if they remain out of our country and pay no taxes for a 'given' specified time. say 3 years for arguments sake..

So if I work in the US for 3 years I'm no longer a citizen? That's not going to work. Just ban dual citizenship, be forced to choose one country and be done with it.

[Guest American Woman]

D) Use the same method of taxation as the Americans, you are Canadian you pay taxes regardless wether you live in Canada or Australia or Zimbabwe. If Canada is to pay for their evacuation should the need arise might as well pay taxes to the country.

I agree with this completely. As long as someone is privy to the benefits of citizenship, it makes no sense at all that they don't have to pay into the tax base. Such a policy encourages people to take advantage of Canada - they have the best of both worlds, at the expense of the Canadian taxpaying resident.

[Signals.Cpl]

Did I say or even suggest anything about a lack of standards? What I said was that according to statistics immigrants from certain countries do far better here than immigrants from other countries. Therefore, we ought to target those countries first. And by the way, the ability to communicate is the most important skill a new immigrant can have, because without it, his education and professional abilities are often of little value.

Speaking one of the Official languages is part of the standard.

What my issue is that you seem to feel that if all else is equal a person from England is a better candidate then a person from India.

My argument is that a high standard should be required without nationality being a factor in the consideration. The more important aspect would be the ability to remove persons who have shown that they are ill-suited for life in Canada. By this I mean if someone regardless of their nationality comes to Canada 6 months after landing applies for welfare and then lives on welfare for the next 2-3 years they should be denied citizenship and promptly informed that they should "get their act together or leave the country". With the aging population Canada needs immigrants willing to work rather then more mouths to feed with dwindling resources. Most immigrants come to Canada for a better life, but that means that they should be willing to pull their weight. There should always be the consideration that you came to Canada for the better life so you should pay Canada back with hard work and dedication.

[Guest Peeves]

So if I work in the US for 3 years I'm no longer a citizen? That's not going to work. Just ban dual citizenship, be forced to choose one country and be done with it.

If you aren't paying taxes to Canada, and don't return within that 3 years, (a slight inconvenience at worst), then piss off mate, you're contributing nothing as a Canadian. BTW for clarification. I would mean that to apply to immigrants or refugees of course.

[Jack Weber]

I'm not self-righteous. I'm amused! Watching you fumbling and flailing about in a desperate bid to not answer the very simple question posed is (at least tepidly) amusing!

Let's recap. I said that logically, we ought to be taking immigrants from Europe first. They would find it far easier to adjust here, and statistics show they do better economically. Also, Europe is in an economic mess right now so it's likely to have a bumper crop of skilled, educated would-be immigrants.

That is a rather clear and simple statement. Now if you disagree the adult thing to do is to state why that's wrong. You've never even tried. All you've done is throw insults and cast aspersions on my character. That is the absolute epitome of ignorance and it is why people like you are a plague on any discussion group. You're either too stupid or too intellectually lazy to actually engage in discussion about the merits of the opinions others have, so instead you just insult the imagined motivations of people who have those opinions.

Riiiight. I don't know it but you, never having met me, know it. Do you have any idea how pathetic that sounds?

Almost as sad as a dullard like you trying to come up with a political argument more sophisticated than "You're a poo poo head!".

Still claiming the intellectual "high ground" are we???

A swing and a miss,Whiffy...

[TheNewCanadianDominion]

I was born in Calgary, Alberta. I am Canadian.

You are born in India. You are Indian.

[Michael Hardner]

I was born in Calgary, Alberta. I am Canadian.

You are born in India. You are Indian.

That's an unusual way to look at it. Citizenship is a legal matter, and nothing more.

[Guest Peeves]

That's an unusual way to look at it. Citizenship is a legal matter, and nothing more.

well, while true in the legal aspect, a citizen may also be more diversely defined as ethnically, culturally, or traditionally a '___________" citizen of __________ wherever. Or Hold dual citizenship legally.

i.e.

An Canadian Israeli-Arab

An Israeli Canadian Jew.

An Israeli Canadian 'French' Québécois. Etc.

Je nais sais pas?

A First nation native may claim perhaps to be legally what? Canadian?? Or what combination of citizenship?

[jacee]

So if I work in the US for 3 years I'm no longer a citizen? That's not going to work. Just ban dual citizenship, be forced to choose one country and be done with it.

I think there's some lack of understanding of who the Canadians are who live out of country:

Canadians living abroad are extremely wel educated, linguistically adept and culturally articulate.  This community generally maintains strong ties to Canada yet represents a network of contacts that encompasses the largest corporations and the most powerful people in the world. 

Canadian Expat Association

[Argus]

Still claiming the intellectual "high ground" are we???

A swing and a miss,Whiffy...

At least your cowardly non-answer was shorter this time.

[Argus]

That's an unusual way to look at it. Citizenship is a legal matter, and nothing more.

Balls. There's more to being a Canadian than a piece of paper.

[Michael Hardner]

Balls. There's more to being a Canadian than a piece of paper.

That's a personal opinion but not a fact. The only thing that most people would definitely agree on is that being Canadian is - in the least - a legal classification. Some may profess that you have to have affection for this place, but I don't think that's the case. Quebeckers and Albertans seem to identify with their provinces first, for example.

[eyeball]

I was born in Calgary, Alberta. I am Canadian.

You are born in India. You are Indian.

I was born on Earth. I'm a human being.

[Michael Hardner]

I was born on Earth. I'm a human being.

*fist bump*

I'd love for governments to stop pitting us against each other, and to adopt universal minimum levels of common support. It would be great to move wherever one would like to, and it's a crime that you can't.

[TheNewCanadianDominion]

I was born on Earth. I'm a human being.

wow i sounded like an ass there... i apologize if that post offended anyone. i pretty well ment what this guy said.

[eyeball]

*fist bump*

I'd love for governments to stop pitting us against each other, and to adopt universal minimum levels of common support. It would be great to move wherever one would like to, and it's a crime that you can't.

If people were allowed to utilize the natural resources that are surrounding us where I live people wouldn't have to move.

Our population is now down about 25%. Won't be long until it's hollowed out to the point it collapses. It's a crime alright.

I wonder if Mars will be any better?

Edited May 17, 2012 by eyeball

[-TSS-]

People fall time and time again into this trap of trying to downplay ethnicity by these "we are all humans" idealistic rhetoric but when the push comes to shove nations stand their own ground and keep others at bay. Just see what is happening in the EU which is supposed to be an expiriment of uniting the quarrelsome nations of Europe.

[Argus]

That's a personal opinion but not a fact. The only thing that most people would definitely agree on is that being Canadian is - in the least - a legal classification. Some may profess that you have to have affection for this place, but I don't think that's the case. Quebeckers and Albertans seem to identify with their provinces first, for example.

Quebecers might but I've seen no evidence Albertans or anyone else does.

And if you rationalize it down to "If you're a member then you're a member" you're basically saying that there is nothing distinctive, special or unique about being a member of any particular nation. Ie, that a Canadian is exactly the same as a Nigerian, who is exactly the same as a Pakistani, who is exactly the same as a Korean, etc. etc. That is demonstrably false as all these groups have wildly different cultural traits, aspirations and value systems which often clash violently. People are not merely numbers in an accounting book. Taking them from one column and placing them into another is not that easy.

[Argus]

*fist bump*

I'd love for governments to stop pitting us against each other, and to adopt universal minimum levels of common support. It would be great to move wherever one would like to, and it's a crime that you can't.

Ah, the mindless, thoughtless emotional aspirations of the Left.

Yes, it would be so nice if millions of Iranians could move to Canada, and vote in a Sharia state. It would be so delightful if millions of uneducated, illiterate third world goat herders could move to Canada and crowd around the welfare offices! Think of the colourful restaurants we'd have, eh, Michael!?

Look, if you fat, contented boomer lefties are so all fired desperate to experience the joys of other cultures why don't you move to Cairo or something and enjoy it in person rather than trying to inflict it on the rest of us? We're content with dull, ordinary, peaceable, law-abiding, hard working Canadians, and if we want to experience something ethnic we'll order Chinese food or go visit an Irish pub.