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'Canadians only' policy for Mississauga
Must be Canadian to serve Mississauga
Give up country of origin, urges mayor
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1145483415751&call_pageid=968332188492&col=968793972154&t=TS_Home
Apr. 20, 2006. 05:31 AM
MIKE FUNSTON
STAFF REPORTER
Mississauga has rejected an appeal by a landed immigrant to allow residents without Canadian citizenship to serve on municipal committees and boards.
The request to general committee yesterday by Rudy Czekalla, who has been in Canada since 1978 but has not obtained citizenship, sparked a patriotic outburst from Mayor Hazel McCallion and several councillors, including three former landed immigrants.
Czekalla appeared as a delegation to comment on a review of the city's policy on appointments to boards and committees by corporate services commissioner Brenda Breault, who recommended the citizenship requirement be retained.
Interestingly, Breault's report noted that current policy doesn't require a criminal record check of citizen appointees. She recommended that be changed and councillors agreed. Final approval is needed by Mississauga Council next week to make it official.
Immigrants are welcomed to Canada and encouraged to become citizens, McCallion said. "That piece of paper (citizenship document) is the most valuable piece of paper in the world."
McCallion asked Czekalla why he hasn't become a Canadian. He replied that his former country (Germany), doesn't allow dual citizenship, unlike many other countries.
"The citizenship of your (former) country is more precious to you than the one you're living in. That really bothers me," McCallion said.
"That (citizenship document) is the most valuable piece of paper in the world."
Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion
Mississauga's policy doesn't contravene the Ontario Human Rights Code or the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and has been formally in place since 1991, according to Breault's report.
Czekalla countered that just because it is past practice and doesn't contravene the law doesn't make it good policy.
"Mississauga is Canada's sixth largest city and one of the most culturally diverse. It only makes sense that public policy reflect the growing cosmopolitan reality," Czekalla said.
He noted that Toronto allows landed immigrants to serve on the committees of adjustment and property standards.
"Participatory government is at the root of this country's democratic system and inclusive participation is at the core of its spirit," Czekalla said.
Councillors Maja Prentice, Katie Mahoney and Pat Saito were all former landed immigrants who became Canadian citizens and support the present policy.
Councillor Nando Iannicca said it's wrong to treat Canada as a "buffet table, taking all the rights and privileges and good things," while maintaining allegiance to another country.
Paula De Coito, who works for a non-profit Mississauga-based agency that specializes in diversity management — helping organizations better reflect their community — said the city should allow landed immigrants to serve on committees and boards.
De Coito said, "That particular regulation is extremely strict, considering the diversity in Peel. We have so many immigrants here."
God bless "hurricane" Hazel. If we only had a mayor like herself in Toronto........ a mayor who displays some common sense and integrity. No wonder she has held office for so long. She should have entered federal politics a long time ago.
Must be Canadian to serve Mississauga
Give up country of origin, urges mayor
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1145483415751&call_pageid=968332188492&col=968793972154&t=TS_Home
Apr. 20, 2006. 05:31 AM
MIKE FUNSTON
STAFF REPORTER
Mississauga has rejected an appeal by a landed immigrant to allow residents without Canadian citizenship to serve on municipal committees and boards.
The request to general committee yesterday by Rudy Czekalla, who has been in Canada since 1978 but has not obtained citizenship, sparked a patriotic outburst from Mayor Hazel McCallion and several councillors, including three former landed immigrants.
Czekalla appeared as a delegation to comment on a review of the city's policy on appointments to boards and committees by corporate services commissioner Brenda Breault, who recommended the citizenship requirement be retained.
Interestingly, Breault's report noted that current policy doesn't require a criminal record check of citizen appointees. She recommended that be changed and councillors agreed. Final approval is needed by Mississauga Council next week to make it official.
Immigrants are welcomed to Canada and encouraged to become citizens, McCallion said. "That piece of paper (citizenship document) is the most valuable piece of paper in the world."
McCallion asked Czekalla why he hasn't become a Canadian. He replied that his former country (Germany), doesn't allow dual citizenship, unlike many other countries.
"The citizenship of your (former) country is more precious to you than the one you're living in. That really bothers me," McCallion said.
"That (citizenship document) is the most valuable piece of paper in the world."
Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion
Mississauga's policy doesn't contravene the Ontario Human Rights Code or the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and has been formally in place since 1991, according to Breault's report.
Czekalla countered that just because it is past practice and doesn't contravene the law doesn't make it good policy.
"Mississauga is Canada's sixth largest city and one of the most culturally diverse. It only makes sense that public policy reflect the growing cosmopolitan reality," Czekalla said.
He noted that Toronto allows landed immigrants to serve on the committees of adjustment and property standards.
"Participatory government is at the root of this country's democratic system and inclusive participation is at the core of its spirit," Czekalla said.
Councillors Maja Prentice, Katie Mahoney and Pat Saito were all former landed immigrants who became Canadian citizens and support the present policy.
Councillor Nando Iannicca said it's wrong to treat Canada as a "buffet table, taking all the rights and privileges and good things," while maintaining allegiance to another country.
Paula De Coito, who works for a non-profit Mississauga-based agency that specializes in diversity management — helping organizations better reflect their community — said the city should allow landed immigrants to serve on committees and boards.
De Coito said, "That particular regulation is extremely strict, considering the diversity in Peel. We have so many immigrants here."
God bless "hurricane" Hazel. If we only had a mayor like herself in Toronto........ a mayor who displays some common sense and integrity. No wonder she has held office for so long. She should have entered federal politics a long time ago.