[We/I], the
undersigned,
May [we/I] bring to your attention the unjust and unequal treatment by Canada of
Polish citizen of the European Union. Currently, citizens of Poland, member of
the European Union are required to obtain visas to travel to Canada, while
citizens of Estonia, France and Germany are not.
All European Union member States were required to waive visa necessities for
certain countries, including Canada. On May 1, 2004 Poland complied. To date,
Canada keeps the restriction on 7 out of 10 countries members of EU. However
Canada has not yet waived its requirements on Poland, but waived it for Estonia.
According to 2001 Canadian Census, 817,000 Canadians claim full or partial
Polish ancestry. Polish citizens who immigrated to Canada have shown their
loyalty and love for their new home, from participating in the defense of this
country to the contributions to our social fabric.
Poles have
immigrated to Canada for more than a century trusting in the freedoms and
liberties offered in their new home. They have left behind their families and
their birth place to contribute to our Canadian identity and state.
The well known
names of polish ancestry include Sir Casimir Gzowski, Dan Mazankowski and Janusz
Zurakowski.
Poland has
proven itself a valued member of the European Union and staunch ally of Canada
in NATO promoting peace and security globally. Poland is the sixth largest
member of EU with the population of over 38 million.
Lifting
visitor visa requirements for Poland will increase family visitations and
tourism to Canada, enrich cultural exchanges and promote bilateral trade.
The Polish
passport identification system complies with EU requirements of the secure
biometric passport technology.
Could you,
please as [my/our] MP, take whatever action is necessary to eliminate the
irritant of visa requirements for the Polish citizens of the European Union.
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