It might come as a surprise that all those who fought under the Red Ensign in the First and Second World Wars were not Canadian. Before January 1947, persons born in Canada were designated as British subjects domiciled or ordinarily resident in Canada, or “British subject by birth,” according to the passport.
Canada was the first country of the British Commonwealth to establish by an act of Parliament a unique national citizenship.
The inspiration for unique Canadian citizenship came toward the end of the Second World War. Then-secretary of state Paul Martin Sr. had visited the battlefield cemetery at Dieppe where hundreds wearing “Canada” on their shoulder had been killed a few years before.
The Germans had buried their “enemy dead,” likely with the help of prisoners of war. The wooden crosses were marked “British subject.” As it was for those who served, many who perished were the children of immigrants to Canada who came at the turn of 20th century. The names on the grave markers reflected the hyphenated populace of English-Canadian, Ukrainian-Canadian, French-Canadian, Norwegian-Canadian and so on. Martin concluded that, whatever their origin by immigration or birth, the men buried there fought and died for Canada. He felt that they should be recognized as Canadians.
Martin introduced a bill to establish Canadian citizenship, saying: “For the national unity of Canada and for the future and greatness of this country, it is felt to be of utmost importance that all of us, new Canadians or old, have a consciousness of a common purpose and common interests as Canadians; that all of us are able to say with pride and say with meaning: ‘I am a Canadian citizen.’ ”
The first Citizenship Act was enacted on June 27, 1946. On New Year’s Day 1947, millions across the northern half of North America became Canadian citizens. The new act gave all citizens the right of entry into Canada; married women were given full authority over their nationality status and treated as independent from their husbands, rather than being grouped with minors, lunatics and idiots “under a disability.”
The act was not perfect, as it did not include aboriginal people, who were added by amendment in 1956.
The freedoms we enjoy today did not come without a cost. Canadians fought and thousands died for these rights and freedoms.
Their commitment to Canada is not forgotten. The thousands of citizens who gather at cenotaphs and memorials on Remembrance Day demonstrate that. The Canadian way of life is possible because of the sacrifice that was made and continues to be made by tens of thousands of men and women. They fought to establish the conditions that attract millions to seek permanent resident status in Canada. Eighty-five percent of those who are admitted will eventually gain citizenship.
On Remembrance Day, we are reminded that the first duty of free citizens is to be prepared to defend their country. We can be thankful that defending one’s country today does not necessarily require enrolment in the armed forces or law enforcement. We can defend Canada by developing and demonstrating the attributes of good citizenship.
That includes taking responsibility for self and family, voting, accepting jury duty when asked and obeying the law. It also means taking leadership roles to make a neighbourhood, city, province or territory better.
The oath of allegiance sworn by new citizens is equal in status to the oath sworn by members of the Canadian armed forces, peace officers and elected officials. Both include a declaration of allegiance to the sovereign and a promise to obey the law and fulfil the duties of the office and of citizenship.
The oath is not a one-way pledge. The sovereign in the coronation oath has promised to govern Canada in accordance with Canadian law and custom. It is therefore guaranteed that the Crown, the Canadian state, will protect our rights and freedoms.
Thus, the circle is closed. Guided by an elected citizenry, citizens protect the state, and the citizens are the state.
Canada is a remarkable country that was built by the aboriginal people and those who came later from all over the world. The concepts of service and duty are not old-fashioned. Their enduring value built this nation.
Lest we forget, freedom has never been free — it’s Remembrance Day today and voting day on Nov. 15.
Gerald Pash, a former broadcaster and retired reserve force lieutenant-commander, now serves as a citizenship judge.
