Election Insanity
Last night, the local news ran a story about a couple who were seriously considering moving to Canada if the election didn’t go the “right” way (not sure if there is a right way). Canada wasn’t the only place they were considering; they were apparently doing a lot of research, and Canada and Costa Rica were amongst the top candidates (good to know that Canada ranks right up there with Costa Rica). There’s only one problem: they apparently were under the mistaken impression that they could simply apply for Canadian citizenship.
Uh. Waitaminute.
Speaking as an Australian-born immigrant to Canada with an American wife who recently gained her Permanent Residence status in Canada, all I can say is: huh? I don’t know what these guys were smoking! The only way to become a citizen in Canada is to first gain Permanent Residence status, and then apply for citizenship after having lived in Canada for at least three years.
Rewind that for second: permanent residence status required, three years residence required.
Seriously, you’d think Canada was handing out citizenship like candy. Don’t get me wrong – we’re friendly, but we’re not that friendly. We didn’t make it that easy during Vietnam, and hell, that was a draft for a war. And don’t try the whole “political refugee” angle either; if it didn’t work for that guy wanted for marijuana possession, it won’t work for people who don’t like how the election turns out.
What you say about the process taking time is true. There would be nothing, however, to prevent an American from applying to immigrate. Whether they did this as a result of the election outcome, to pursue a job, or because they want to live in the boreal forest would be irrelevant.
Writing as I am after the US election I did hear that there was a 600% increase in inquiries about immigration to Canada from the US following Bush’s win. I can only assume this was a transient phenomenom that has since abated.