Dear Editor,
Re: “Feds defend birthright,” News, Feb. 13
I would like to commend Mayor Malcolm Brodie and the Council for passing a motion asking the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship to end automatic citizenship to babies born to non-residents.
Unfortunately, Richmond has become the “epicentre” for birth tourism. It is totally inappropriate and unacceptable that a number of unsavory characters are exploiting Canada’s hospitality and very lenient laws. It has been reported that birth tourism in Canada has increased steadily over the years.
It is about time for the federal government to wake up and bring in strict measures to stop this exploitation and abuse of our compassion and leniency.
Richmond seems to be the most affected community of this misuse/ abuse of our hospitality so far as birth tourism is concerned.
It sends a wrong message to the rest of the world. We are telling the world that if you have money you can buy Canadian citizenship.
A lot of countries in the world have already banned birth tourism. The United States is the latest country to take action in this regard. It is time for Ottawa to stop this practice. In order to get Canadian citizenship for a child born on Canadian soil at least one of his/her parents should be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. It is as simple as that.
Balwant Sanghera
RICHMOND
