Recently, Ezra Levant dropped The Dion Bomb (sorry Mr. Phaneuf). He revealed that Liberal leader Stephane Dion holds both Canadian and French citizenships.

While the calls rang out for Dion to renounce his French citizenship, Stephane announced he would keep his French citizenship, saying "I am proud of who I am, and I am fully loyal to my country. I think I have proven it, and no one will question it."

Well Mr. Dion, not only do Canadians "question it", but France even has a law on the books for just this situation. From The Borque Report:

Meanwhile, the Government of France may have a bone to pick with one of its citizens. "Steph" Dion, now Leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition here in Canada, would seem to no longer be entitled to French citizenship. That, according to French Law (Art.23-8), which states that a citizen loses French nationality when "filling an employment in a foreign army or public service or in an international organization of which France is not a member, or more generally providing his assistance to it, did not relinquish his employment or stop his assistance notwithstanding the order of the Government."

So it turns out Dion is defending a citizenship he doesn't have, and Canadians are griping about a situation that the French foresaw long ago.

It's long over due that we have a debate in this country about the role of dual citizenship. During the summer war in Lebanon, it became very clear that many Canadian citizens are such in name only. The recent capture of a Russian spy in Montreal highlighted how easy it can be in Canada to obtain fraudulent government documents. And of course, Canada's new "Two-Nations One-Country" approach to Quebec raises more questions about what, if anything, the Canadian Identity is.

Stephen Harpers views on nationality are about as clear as mud these days. Stephane Dion's thoughts are becoming clearer. Dion made the following statement a few years ago:

"Multiple identities should be seen as an asset, not a threat," said Mr. Dion, in an interview before he joined Paul Martin's Cabinet as environment minister.

"Identity is something that you add, not what you extract. There is nothing wrong with multiple identities. The hearts of people are big enough to accept different identities. Canadian citizenship will give me my rights. Identity is the way I feel about the country."

Which I'm sure, was exactly the sentiment of many Lebanese-Canadian citizens getting onto Canadian boats during they're little summer dust-up.

Labels: Liberal Party, Stephane Dion