50,000????????

[dj1470]

50,000 Canadian citizens are in Lebanon right now?

Really? 50,000? That is like the population of a larger Canadian city.

Why are there 50,000 Canadians in Lebanon? Yes, I know that people travel to visit relatives but 50,000? Are there even that many in the USA, China, or Jamaica, among others travelling right now? Seems like a lot of people in that same country. They can't be there for the love of it (I believe it's been more or less a shithole for the last 30 years or so) for vacation so it has to be to visit family, but 50,000???

If someone had of told me that Canada was evacuating it's citizens from Lebanon I would have thought, "OK good maybe 1000 at the most".

Now Harper and the government are getting criticism for not evacuating them quicker. WTF??? You've got to be kidding! Imagine trying to move the population of, lets say, Guelph, Peterborough, or St. Catherines halfway around the world on a moments notice. Not an easy task I would think - might take a few days at the earliest.

By the way, where do all these Canadian-Lebanese live here in Canada? I wouldn't have thought there would be 50,000 in the entire country let alone on vacation abroad.

 

[scroll99]

FOREIGNERS IN LEBANON

Canada: 40,000
Philippines: 30,000
Australia: 25,000
US: 25,000
UK: 22,000 (inc. 10,000 with dual nationality)
France: 20,000

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/5192990.stm

 

[MarkJfr]

There are 41,000 Americans + Green Card Holders in Lebanon. Many more forginers.

Lebanon is a trourist country.

 

[red]

some are expats, living permanently in lebanon- they are still citizens though

 

[slowandeasy]

50,000 Canadian citizens are in Lebanon right now?

Really? 50,000? That is like the population of a larger Canadian city.

They can't be there for the love of it (I believe it's been more or less a shithole for the last 30 years or so) for vacation so it has to be to visit family, but 50,000???

If someone had of told me that Canada was evacuating it's citizens from Lebanon I would have thought, "OK good maybe 1000 at the most".


By the way, where do all these Canadian-Lebanese live here in Canada? I wouldn't have thought there would be 50,000 in the entire country let alone on vacation abroad.

You stole my thunder!!!!!

My thought was that there is a hell of a lot of Lebanase/Canadians who came to Canada got their papers and went back to live in Lebanon... OR.... who came to Canada worked here and are now collecting Canada Pension checks in Lebanon

Do any of these people pay taxes in Canada or contribute to our economy in any way????

My guess would have been that there are a couple of hundred Canadians working in Lebanon, maybe a thousand or two on vacation, and the rest are Canadians who have chosen to live in Lebanon who are only Canadians by convenience...

I don't want to sound callous, but why should we take the responsibility to evacuate these people???? At our expense?????

I have met many of these types of people that live in all different countries... many are using Canada as an escape option in case their country goes to shit..... I have also met many Canadians who live in Cayman islands for tax benefit purposes, but come back to Canada to have their children or serious medical procedures..... I find this to be quite distasteful

 

[xdog]

Approximately 10% live in Canada. Remainder are dual citizens. I'm sure they visit Canada when they need health care and etc.


x^

 

[dj1470]

My thought was that there is a hell of a lot of Lebanase/Canadians who came to Canada got their papers and went back to live in Lebanon... OR.... who came to Canada worked here and are now collecting Canada Pension checks in Lebanon

My guess would have been that there are a couple of hundred Canadians working in Lebanon, maybe a thousand or two on vacation, and the rest are Canadians who have chosen to live in Lebanon who are only Canadians by convenience...

Now you stole my thunder!!! This was also my thought. I wonder how many other "citizens" live around the world (Pakistan, India, China, Taiwan, just as examples) under Canadian citizenship and are Canadians only by convienence.

So now we (you know the regular Canadians not cosmopolitan travellers and citizens when it suits them) get to deal with approximately 30,000 or so "refugees" from Lebanon who will, I hope, live with relatives in our country but probably won't and will expect the government in Ottawa to care for them. If you wanted to live in Lebanon then live in Lebanon or wherever. For better or worse it's your choice. If you want to be Canadian then live in Canada - I have no problem with that.

 

[LancsLad]

A lot live there permanently and contribute nothing to Canada but because they have a passport they expect us to foot the bill to get them out of there. Fucking typical.

 

[pro419]

Lebanon have mega tourist season this year

As good news start coming from lebanon in recent years, being stable and safe again after years of civil wars, many canadian of lebanese origin decided to visit this year. lets not forget that lebanese came to canada in huge numbers back in the eighties due to civil war, after 20 years many of individuals who could establish themselves in canada chose to build families, homes and businesses in canada. They even employ canadians. if we do the math, canadians from lebanese origin multiplies in numbers over the years in canada in particular in quebec, montreal due to french language that is very commonly spoken in lebanon. For that reason we find many canadians of lebanese origin visiting lebanon this year.

As stated that many canadian from lebanese origin live in lebanon after they became canadian citizins and collect benefits from canada, thats is overstated statment. yes there are some living in lebanon, these people are not asking to be evacuated because they have no place to go to in canada, but those who registered with the canadian embassy in lebanon are counted to be in the range of 25000 who have life in canada and have homes and businesses and pay taxes like every one else in canada. They deserve the help because they are canadians who live and work in canada, respect and love canada like any proud canadan.

Pro419

 

[FAST]

What you guys said.
They are only Canadian citizens when they want me to pay for something.
They have their Canadian benefits sent to them by relatives here.

Pissed

 

[Blake659]

We are slow getting them out.......

BECAUSE THE LIBERALS DESCIMATED OUR MILITARY..THATS WHY!!!

And if you go to a war torn area of the world..why should I..the TAX payer..pay to get you out???

FUCK MAN..Its like the ICE FISHERMAN STRANDED ON ICE...THEY SHOULD PAY THEIR OWN WAY!!!!

 

[Dev0]

BECAUSE THE LIBERALS DESCIMATED OUR MILITARY..THATS WHY!!!

And if you go to a war torn area of the world..why should I..the TAX payer..pay to get you out???

FUCK MAN..Its like the ICE FISHERMAN STRANDED ON ICE...THEY SHOULD PAY THEIR OWN WAY!!!!

After we get our Canadian citizens out of Lebanon, we should add up the transportation costs and send the bill to Israel.

 

[dj1470]

After we get our Canadian citizens out of Lebanon, we should add up the transportation costs and send the bill to Israel.

Why?

The bill should be footed by those who want out. Pay your own way.

If any country should foot the bill it should be Lebanon itself. One tends to get what one deserves. The Lebanese harbour, house, feed, and protect Hezbollah. Hezbollah started all this latest bullshit. If the Lebanese want Israel to leave them alone get rid of Hezbollah. Simple.

 

[Papi Chulo]

Canada should be charging a fee to citizens who need "rescued" from Lebanon.. as the Americans are doing.

 

[LancsLad]

Canada should be charging a fee to citizens who need "rescued" from Lebanon.. as the Americans are doing.

Agreed, but it is a well established tradition in this country to find someone else to pay for what you need. Typical cradle to grave socialism.

 

[Dev0]

If any country should foot the bill it should be Lebanon itself. One tends to get what one deserves. The Lebanese harbour, house, feed, and protect Hezbollah. Hezbollah started all this latest bullshit. If the Lebanese want Israel to leave them alone get rid of . Simple.

In Canada we have terrorist organizations, street gangs, and other various criminal organizations that the government for the most part, allows to operate without much intervention. When the innocent young girl in Toronto got killed last Christmas, are we getting what we deserve? According to your logic we are! We need to clean up our own back yard before we start condemning other countries for their internal strife.

The majority of the Lebanese people do not support Hezbollah (at least before Israel attacked them). The kidnapping of the Israeli soldiers was a feeble-convenient excuse to attack Lebanon who posed no substantial threat to Israel's national security. As a Canadian taxpayer, I don't want any of my tax dollars wasted on this tiresome conflict that will never be resolved. Unfortunately it is only a matter of time until these fools start a conflict that will escalate to the end of us all. I sincerely hope that my prediction never comes to fruition.

 

[LancsLad]

If thats the way this pans out then I really better get into training, work on the cardio and stamina because before I meet my Maker I've got to see Dani first.

 

[Argocock]

There's big Lebanese communities in Montreal, Ottawa and Windsor. But 50,000 sure sounds like a lot. I wouldn't even think there's 50,000 Canadians in Italy, Portugal or China, and those have got to be the largest immigrant groups we have. There's got to be something fishy going on. The number just sounds too big.

 

[slowandeasy]

Now you stole my thunder!!! This was also my thought. I wonder how many other "citizens" live around the world (Pakistan, India, China, Taiwan, just as examples) under Canadian citizenship and are Canadians only by convienence.

Lol..... Sorry about stealing your thunder....I agree with you, being a Canadian Citizen to me means much more than just being able to have a convenient "escape route" for people when shit happens in their "home country"...

You forgot a few countries that might have the biggest "Canadian" population
Italy, Portugal, England... geez... Conrad Black gave up Canada in the blink of an eye....

 

[slowandeasy]

There's big Lebanese communities in Montreal, Ottawa and Windsor. But 50,000 sure sounds like a lot. I wouldn't even think there's 50,000 Canadians in Italy, Portugal or China, and those have got to be the largest immigrant groups we have. There's got to be something fishy going on. The number just sounds too big.

I agree that this sounds very high... unless there have been some very large projects going on in Lebanon that drew alot of Canadians over there....

Some posters have mentioned that Lebanon had finally seemed to turn the corner, and alot of Lebanese Canadians had decided to take a trip "home". Its a real shame, that this is happening... but I don't think its' coincidence.

IMHO... this has been happening alot in the Middle East.... as soon as a country seems to be getting it's shit together, the "Hezbollas" in their country do something to fuck it up... It is past time that the Arabs in the middle east see this and stop allowing it to happen to them... then hide behind the fact that most Arabs do not agree with the likes of Hezbolla or other militant groups, but no one seems to do anything about it...

This is similar to the boy who was killed in Flemingdon this past week.... Many people saw one boy being surrounded and beaten by 15 others..... but no one reported it to the police..... yet they complain that their neighborhood is going to shit... People interviewed claimed that they feared reprisal from the boys killers, so they did not report the beating..... Jeezus Christ... it makes me sick...

It's obvious that Israel used the kidnapping of soldiers for it's actions... but its' past time that something is done...