161 replies to this topic

[Moonlight Graham]

I'm sure this isn't news to some of you, but...

I was startled to read in the newspaper today that Green Party leader Elizabeth May was born in 1954 in Connecticut, NY and that she first moved to Canada & settled in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia in 1972.

Therefore, May spent the first 18 years (possibly 17, not sure of exact dates) of her life as an American citizen living in the U.S. She only got her citizenship a few years later in 1978, at the age of 24 (or 23, agin not sure of exact dates).

This is just completely unacceptable to me for a leader of a (arguably) significant Canadian federal poltical party who is running to be Prime Minister of Canada. I'm currently quite undecided in this election of which of the major parties i want to vote for & the Greens were definately on my radar, but i can now cross one party off the list (oh, and the Bloc hehe).

What do u think? Is she unfit to be PM because of her specific immigration history?

[M.Dancer]

What do u think? Is she unfit to be PM because of her specific immigration history?

No and not something we need worry about.

[bush_cheney2004]

I'm sure this isn't news to some of you, but...

I was startled to read in the newspaper today that Green Party leader Elizabeth May was born in 1954 in Connecticut, NY and that she first moved to Canada & settled in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia in 1972.

Egads! She is a bloomin' Yankee. How did this happen, and why is it so goddamn funny?

Not to worry though...May can't even get a spot on televised debates, let alone free rent in Ottawa.

[Bryan]

I'm torn.

On one hand, I think the US restriction on natural born citizens is too harsh. I see no rational reason why Arnold Schwarzenegger for instance should not be able to run for president.

On the other, we have to be sure that our leaders will not betray our interests in favor of what their previous country might want. An American born PM is a serious risk, no matter how you slice it. No one os going to make any accusations to this effect to Elizabeth May, but if Harper was the one who was in of similar heritage, he'd be crucified for it.

[Topaz]

I'm sure this isn't news to some of you, but...

I was startled to read in the newspaper today that Green Party leader Elizabeth May was born in 1954 in Connecticut, NY and that she first moved to Canada & settled in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia in 1972.

Therefore, May spent the first 18 years (possibly 17, not sure of exact dates) of her life as an American citizen living in the U.S. She only got her citizenship a few years later in 1978, at the age of 24 (or 23, agin not sure of exact dates).

This is just completely unacceptable to me for a leader of a (arguably) significant Canadian federal poltical party who is running to be Prime Minister of Canada. I'm currently quite undecided in this election of which of the major parties i want to vote for & the Greens were definately on my radar, but i can now cross one party off the list (oh, and the Bloc hehe).

What do u think? Is she unfit to be PM because of her specific immigration history?

I knew about her because when she became leader I went and check on her bio. I was wondering how she could run and be born a US citizen also. Its a wonder the media hasn't asked her the same question.

[CANADIEN]

I'm sure this isn't news to some of you, but...

I was startled to read in the newspaper today that Green Party leader Elizabeth May was born in 1954 in Connecticut, NY and that she first moved to Canada & settled in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia in 1972.

Therefore, May spent the first 18 years (possibly 17, not sure of exact dates) of her life as an American citizen living in the U.S. She only got her citizenship a few years later in 1978, at the age of 24 (or 23, agin not sure of exact dates).

This is just completely unacceptable to me for a leader of a (arguably) significant Canadian federal poltical party who is running to be Prime Minister of Canada. I'm currently quite undecided in this election of which of the major parties i want to vote for & the Greens were definately on my radar, but i can now cross one party off the list (oh, and the Bloc hehe).

What do u think? Is she unfit to be PM because of her specific immigration history?

Absolutely not.

First, she chose to live in Canadda, and to become a Canadian citizen. So she was born elsewhere... So what? Unless one can provide any information that would lead people to believe she would choose another country's interest vefore Canada's, I view that detail insignificant......

Second, I am sure that some will point to the American Constitution. Fine, by the U.S.A. of 1787 is not the Canada of 2008. The young United States was small, poor, and the possibility of foreign powers trying to control it directly or indirectly was real. That risks is a lot less these days.

[CANADIEN]

I knew about her because when she became leader I went and check on her bio. I was wondering how she could run and be born a US citizen also. Its a wonder the media hasn't asked her the same question.

She is a Canadian citizen too. There is no law against it. Besides, we have had at least one recent PM born in another country - John Turner. Say what you want about his tenure, but his performance was surely not related to where he was bron.

We could also add to the list most of the early PMs, including Macdonald, but as Canada was then a British colony, that's not quite the same.

[Moonlight Graham]

She is a Canadian citizen too. There is no law against it. Besides, we have had at least one recent PM born in another country - John Turner. Say what you want about his tenure, but his performance was surely not related to where he was bron.

We could also add to the list most of the early PMs, including Macdonald, but as Canada was then a British colony, that's not quite the same.

Why was there such a huge stink made about Michelle Jean's dual-citizenship when she became GG, but i haven't heard of this about May until now? I suppose its the fact that May isn't realistic candidate to become PM...yet. I'm sure if the Greens won a significant # of seats in Ottawa the issue would become a firestorm.

[CANADIEN]

Why was there such a huge stink made about Michelle Jean's dual-citizenship when she became GG, but i haven't heard of this about May until now? I suppose its the fact that May isn't realistic candidate to become PM...yet. I'm sure if the Greens won a significant # of seats in Ottawa the issue would become a firestorm.

Ask those who made it an issue then. I for one wasn't overly concerned about the fact th GG also held her husband's citizenship.

[PoliticalCitizen]

I'm sure this isn't news to some of you, but...

I was startled to read in the newspaper today that Green Party leader Elizabeth May was born in 1954 in Connecticut, NY and that she first moved to Canada & settled in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia in 1972.

Therefore, May spent the first 18 years (possibly 17, not sure of exact dates) of her life as an American citizen living in the U.S. She only got her citizenship a few years later in 1978, at the age of 24 (or 23, agin not sure of exact dates).

This is just completely unacceptable to me for a leader of a (arguably) significant Canadian federal poltical party who is running to be Prime Minister of Canada. I'm currently quite undecided in this election of which of the major parties i want to vote for & the Greens were definately on my radar, but i can now cross one party off the list (oh, and the Bloc hehe).

What do u think? Is she unfit to be PM because of her specific immigration history?

He-hey, that means I can run for President... errr, Prime Minister too !!!

[Moonlight Graham]

No and not something we need worry about.

You don't see a possible conflict of interest here? Somebody born & raised in another country controlling ours? I wouldn't care if she moved to Canada when she was 2 or 3 years old, but 18? I can't believe how many people have said they don't mind.

What if she was born in a country other than the U.S.? Like Saudi Arabia? China?

Boggles my mind you people.

[bush_cheney2004]

....What if she was born in a country other than the U.S.? Like Saudi Arabia? China?

That would be much better.....she'd be Prime Minister by now! Have her call Obama's people and he can fix her up with the right documents.

[bk59]

You don't see a possible conflict of interest here? Somebody born & raised in another country controlling ours? I wouldn't care if she moved to Canada when she was 2 or 3 years old, but 18? I can't believe how many people have said they don't mind.

What if she was born in a country other than the U.S.? Like Saudi Arabia? China?

Boggles my mind you people.

We have a federal party dedicated to breaking up the country. In the absence of any actual indication that May favours the US over Canada this is a non-issue.

[Wild Bill]

You don't see a possible conflict of interest here? Somebody born & raised in another country controlling ours? I wouldn't care if she moved to Canada when she was 2 or 3 years old, but 18? I can't believe how many people have said they don't mind.

What if she was born in a country other than the U.S.? Like Saudi Arabia? China?

Boggles my mind you people.

I see a conflict! I think some folks are not seeing the whole picture.

It has nothing to do with May being a "nice" person. It has everything to do with having a common heritage!

How can someone who grew to adulthood in a different country have a "gut" feel for being a Canadian?

Only those who believe that Canada HAS NO culture might think that this is a non-factor.

And that, sadly, is part of why this country has some deep problems.

[Smallc]

I think that Canada has a culture and I see no problem with this. There is no reason that a person can;t come here and grow to love this country just as much or even more than a natural born Canadian (which seems to be the case a great deal of the time. They know more about the country than many who are from here and they understand and love it more). Canada is a nation of immigrants. I have no problem with her place of birth.