Dear Editor:
Re: “Birth tourism takes on national focus,” online.
Finally, federal and provincial politicians are waking up to the issue of birth tourism. However, our city representatives seem particularly quiet on this front. I think it is time for us to make it illegal for anyone to become a citizen through this practice unless at least one of their parents is a citizen or has permanent resident status.
Jus soli is an old and outdated form of obtaining citizenship in a modern age. Why should anyone be given citizenship simply because they were born here and whose parents have no intention of staying or contributing to our country? Some residents in Richmond have had to give birth in hospitals outside the city due to birth tourists. I fear that because the businesses catering to these visitors are unregulated, the young women could be taken advantage of on various levels. Since they do not speak English, whom would they report any problems to? Also, Canadians do not like queue-jumpers, and this way of gaining citizenship seems unfair, especially to those who have endured the often years-long process of becoming Canadian.
This is not about division or hate. It is about doing what is just and right for all Canadians.
Kris von Schalburg
RICHMOND
