Students take on citizenship case
A group of university students in Squamish is hoping their school work will help change the life of a woman whose Canadian citizenship was stripped under a little-known policy.
Leanne Roderick, an instructor at Quest University, wanted the 20 students in her democracy and justice class to meet someone who was really wrestling with representative democracy in Canada, so she introduced them to Byrdie Funk.
Funk was born in Mexico to Canadian parents and moved to Canada when she was two months old. She learned earlier this year that her nationality had been revoked because of an obscure piece of legislation requiring people born abroad to Canadian parents between 1977-81 to apply to retain their citizenship before the age of 28.
After Funk spoke to the class, Roderick assigned them with to develop a policy brief advising government on how politicians could help so-called lost Canadians. Several students forwarded their work to MPs and cabinet ministers, encouraging them to get involved in Funk’s case.
Several students said they were disappointed they didn’t get responses to their briefs.
Funk said being the subject of the assignment was a bit overwhelming.
“It feels really great to have people support you and even advocate for you,” she said.
Funk said there are politicians working on her case, and it’s validating to have other people say that her case constitutes an injustice.