Okay, I am sure this will stir considerable debate and emotion, but given the revelation that our new Governor General [pending] holds both French and Canadian citizenship [and nobody has ever said she gave up her Haitian status], got me wondering why Canada allows its newly minted citizens to hold dual status?

Yes, I was one of those fortunate to have been born here, and I admire those who [like my great grandparents and millions before and after them] leave their lands of birth to chose to live here in Canada, and to take up citizenship so their children could have a better life. But I also believe that once one opts for this permanent status, one should leave any legal link to the "homeland" behind, and buy into the general ethos of Canadian society [itself a subject of considerable discussion and debate]. True, I was hoping to one day get myself a British passport based on my paternal lineage, but that was squelched under terms the UK had to accept under the EU, so maybe my viewpoint is shadowed by a case of sour grapes.

So should citizenship be an item of convenience, and thus should Canadians also be able to hold citizenship in another country? What are the arguments for Dual Citizenship? Wasn't this at the root of the Arar Affair? Afterall, had he not also been travelling on a Syrian passport, would the Americans have still denied him the ability to transit from JFK to LGA/EWR to continue on to YOW?

And should not the GG be expected to renounce any other citizenship status before taking up this highest post in the country, ceremonial or otherwise?