Legion Supports Granting Citizenship to "Lost Canadians"

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Jan. 29, 2014) - The Royal Canadian Legion Dominion President, Gordon Moore, is encouraged by Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander's statement that changes to the Citizenship Act are forthcoming. In particular, complicated circumstances that have barred War Brides and children of War Brides from obtaining Canadian citizenship will be fixed under new legislation.

"Our Veterans who served in one of our country's most important conflicts should be rewarded for their service and not be treated as a detriment to the future of their families, says Moore. The Second World War saw many immigrants living in Canada, who had not yet obtained Canadian citizenship, fighting on behalf of our country. When they returned to Canada they were not granted citizenship as they had not qualified under existing rules.

Mr. Moore sent a letter to the Prime Minister on September 4th 2013, to request a timely review of the facts surrounding War Brides as well as the children of War Brides. So far, these calls have gone unheeded although the federal government has suggested earlier this week that it will introduce several changes to Canada's citizenship rules.

"The Legion hopes these policies, that have been a source of great injustice to War Brides and children of War Brides for the past several decades, will be revised under this new legislation and that these "lost Canadians" will be granted Canadian Citizenship and all the rights afforded them as Canadians," says Moore.

About the Legion

Established in 1926, the Legion is the largest Veterans service organization in Canada with more than 320,000 members. Its mission is to serve all Veterans including serving Canadian Armed Forces and Royal Canadian Mounted Police members and their families, to promote Remembrance and to serve our communities and our country.

The Legion's Service Bureau Officers can assist and represent CAF members Veterans, RCMP members and their families regarding disability claims or related issues with Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) and the Veterans Review and Appeal Board (VRAB).

In communities across Canada, it is the Legion that perpetuates Remembrance through the Poppy campaign and Remembrance Day ceremonies, With more than 1,450 branches, The Legion supports programs for seniors, Veterans housing, Long Term Care, youth leadership, education, sports, Cadets, Guides and Scouts. We will Remember Them.

Bruce Poulin
Dominion Command
The Royal Canadian Legion
(613) 591-3335 ext. 241
or cell at (613) 292-8760
bruce.poulin@legion.ca