Manual for Draft-Age Immigrants to Canada

Mark Satin

• Publisher: A List
• Year: 2017
• Print ISBN: 9781487002893
• eBook ISBN: 9781487002909
• Topic: Social Sciences
• Subtopic: Military & Maritime History
• Index: Social Sciences

In print for the first time since 1971, Manual for Draft-Age Immigrants to Canada has once again become relevant in a time of major political upheaval in the United States of America.

First published in 1968 by House of Anansi Press, the Manual for Draft-Age Immigrants to Canada was a handbook for Americans who refused to serve as draftees in the Vietnam War and were considering immigrating to Canada. Conceived as a practical guide with information on the process, the Manual also features information on aspects of Canadian society, touching on topics like history, politics, culture, geography and climate, jobs, housing, and universities.

The Manual went through several editions from 1968–71. Today, as Americans are taking up the discussion of immigration to Canada once again, it is an invaluable record of a moment in our recent history.

PART ONE

Applying

Rather than have war, I would give up everything. I would give up my country.

— Hynmahtu Yalat-keht (“Chief Joseph”)

TWO / LANDED IMMIGRANT STATUS

immigrant status is your goal.

Americans who want to live in Canada must apply for landed immigrant status. A landed immigrant is anyone who has been lawfully admitted to Canada for permanent residence.

A landed immigrant can work, attend school, and in general carry on as any Canadian, except that he cannot vote in Canadian elections, cannot obtain a Canadian passport, and can be deported for a variety of well-defined offenses (see Chapter 15 and Appendix A).

A landed immigrant who has lived in Canada for any five out of any eight years is said to have acquired “domicile” and is eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship. Applying for citizenship is not a requirement but Canadian domicile is lost by a person “voluntarily residing out of Canada with the intention of making his permanent home out of Canada and not for a mere special or temporary purpose.”

A landed immigrant is able to travel to other countries (see Chapter 18) or attend school or work elsewhere — temporarily — without losing his immigrant status. Time that an immigrant spends in residence outside Canada will not count towards domicile but will not jeopardize his immigrant status either. No time will be counted towards domicile that the immigrant spends in jail or in a mental hospital. Of course, it is best to lead a productive life as a landed immigrant, and going on welfare is grounds for deportation.

A landed immigrant is not expected to make periodic reports to the Canadian authorities; there is no “alien registration” as in the U.S. However, if you intend to leave the country for an extended period you might file a letter with Immigration assuring that you intend to return to Canada to reside permanently.

An immigrant’s taxes should go to the government of the country in which the taxable income was earned.

American citizenship is not affected by landed immigrant status and the immigrant can return at any time. Even if a warrant has been issued for his arrest, Executive Order 11325 (1/30/67) will permit some disillusioned draft resisters to choose between jail and army service, at the discretion of the Director of Selective Service and the Attorney General.

An American who obtains landed immigrant status as a de­pendant of his parents will not lose his status if his parents return to the U.S.

Unless he renounces his citizenship an immigrant will remain a citizen of the U.S. until he obtains Canadian citizenship. It is not necessary for the immigrant to renounce until he becomes a Canadian citizen — and then it is a brief and automatic process. Obtaining Canadian citizenship is not difficult; see Chapter 19.

THREE / VISITOR STATUS

. . . but you can come in as a visitor . . .

Almost any American can enter Canada easily as a visitor. People leaving the U.S. are questioned by Canadian immigration officials only, not by Americans. On the Canadian side an official will ask “Where were you born, where are you going, and for how long?” He may ask further questions, but the volume of visitors at most border crossings makes extensive interrogation impossible.

There are five factors here: physical appearance, money, dura­tion of visit, plans, and means of transportation. Visitors with long hair, untidy dress, or peace buttons are detained more often than others. You should have enough money to cover however long you intend to stay. Most of the officials estimate that visitors need $10 a day. Further, even if the visitor does have money, the officers may suspect that he intends to stay permanently if he is vague or says he intends to stay more than a few days. Car is definitely the best means of transportation. Generally, train and bus are also acceptable, or, on the west coast, car, train, or ferry. Hitch-hiking and motorcycles are out. A round-trip ticket is good to have. Sometimes a visitor who is questioned more carefully will be given a card saying he can remain in Canada for a specific time period, not more than six months. Most visitors will not be issued a card. Names are seldom asked and almost never recorded. All visitors are expected to leave Canada within six months.

Generally a visitor will be asked to speak with a customs official who may want to make a cursory inspection of his luggage. Occasionally customs will go through the baggage — and vehicle — with extreme care. If the visitor has a car he will be issued a car permit good for not more than six months. If the visitor’s car is loaded with househo...

Table of contents

• Openers
• INTRODUCTION
• TABLE OF CONTENTS
• PREFACE
• PART ONE / APPLYING