28. The Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, referring to discussion at the meeting of November 22nd, 1950, said that an interdepartmental committee had been considering possible measures that might be taken, if desired, to deal with Communists and Communist sympathizers so far as citizenship, immigration and travel were concerned. With regard to naturalization, the committee thought that no change in policy was necessary but that in a public statement it be made clear that citizenship would not be granted to Communists or Communist sympathizers. The committee recommended that there be a discretionary power to revoke the citizen­ship of naturalized Canadians for residence of two years (rather than six) in the country of which the naturalized person was formerly a national, and that the provi­sion for revocation on grounds of disaffection or disloyalty be broadened. It was also recommended that revocation of citizenship be possible for all categories of citizens, whether by birth or naturalization, in cases where there had been an oath or affirmation or other formal declaration of allegiance to a foreign state. These recommendations appeared to be desirable. So far as disaffection and disloyalty were concerned, it would not be desirable to leave it entirely to the discretion of the Minister to determine whether a person in Canada had been disloyal or disaffected. It would be desirable to provide, in the case of persons in Canada, that revocation take place only after conviction by a court of law for sedition, espionage, treason or any other offence involving disaffection or disloyalty. This would be broader than the present provision.

With regard to immigration entry and deportation there would be provisions included in amending legislation that would be presented for introduction at the forthcoming session. The policy on immigration entry appeared sufficiently strict at present but the statutory provisions needed amendment. As to deportation, the diffi­culties of carrying it out had to be considered and it appeared that the recommenda­tions of the committee might be somewhat too broad.

29. The Secretary of State for External Affairs pointed out that the committee made a number of recommendations concerning travel to the U.S.S.R. and satellite countries. It would be useful if these could be examined by members of the Cabinet and considered at a later meeting. As to the form of passports, it was recommended that the "prayer for safe conduct" be deleted. This appeared to be desirable.

An explanatory memorandum was circulated.

(Memorandum, Secretary to the Cabinet, Jan. 23 - Cab. Doc. 24-51)†

30. The Cabinet, after discussion, noted the comments of the Minister of Citizen­ship and Immigration and the Secretary of State for External Affairs concerning suggested measures directed at Communists in connection with citizenship, immi­gration and travel, and agreed:

(a) that draft legislation be prepared for amendment of the Canadian Citizenship Act and the Immigration Act along the lines indicated by the Minister of Citizen­ship and Immigration, the legislation to be considered at a subsequent meeting;

(b) that the Department of External Affairs consider what revision of the form of Canadian passports would be desirable to eliminate the "prayer for safe conduct" and to take into account the amendments to be made to the Citizenship Act; and

(c) that consideration be given at a subsequent meeting to proposals relating to travel to the U.S.S.R. and satellite countries.