Canada and Me - A Topic for Discussion
January-08-10
11:49 AM
Dror Bar-Natan 
Professor, Department of Mathematics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 
E-Mail: drorbn@math.toronto.edu. 
Slow Mail and Map. 
Office: Bahen Centre Room 6178, +1-416-946-5438; Fax: +1-416-978-4107. 
Academic Profile (CV, research and teaching statements). 
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Canada and Me
Canada is a truly wonderful country. In my opinion, one of the best there are, and definitely better than the other two countries in which I have lived for long periods of time, Israel and the United States. Yet in the foreseeable future I doubt I will sign the Canadian Oath of Citizenship, and hence I doubt I will become a Canadian citizen any time soon. The oath reads: 
I affirm that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada, Her Heirs and Successors, and that I will faithfully observe the laws of Canada and fulfil my duties as a Canadian citizen.
The laws are fine; I'm ready to observe them and to fulfil my duties as a Canadian citizen. But allegiance to the Queen? This or any, or a king, or their heirs? No, that's not for me. 
I can imagine a future time when dire needs, or merely the wish to better take part in the civil life of the country I live in, will lead me to change my position, tell a little white lie, and take the oath. But probably not for a while, and possibly never. 
Just to be clear, I regret this greatly. I would much rather be a Canadian citizen. 
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