Speaking as an immigrant to this great country.......
My family came here 40 years ago this year from the UK. My 4 brothers and sisters will tell you that it was the best decision my father and mother ever made, especially for we kids. Having been back to the UK and the city of my birth to visit relatives etc, I can tell you that under no circumstance would I want to live there.
In 1974 I took out Canadian Citizenship so I could join the Militia (as it was then called), and in 1977 I returned to the UK and served 4 years in the RAF. It was a great time, and I certainly learned to appreciate Canada a hell of a lot more.
BUT, for my 4 years in the RAF I served as a Canadian Citizen, not British. I even wore "Canada" flashes on my best blues
In 1981 I transferred to the CF as a Traffic Tech, along with a pile of drunken RN Submariners who were needed to man the old O Boats.
I'm very proud of the fact that I have served both of my countries. I wouldn't have had it any other way.
However, in 2001 I returned to the UK for a holiday and entered the country on a Canadian passport, which clearly showed my place and country of birth. I was harassed for over 30 minutes about why I didn't have a UK passport. The customs guy didn't get any happier when I told him that I had never held a UK passport.
My Father, although very proud to be British, was the first in our family to take out Canadian Citizenship. I remember asking him why. His answer is one that I think a lot of our recent immigrants should listen to. He said that "if this country was good enough to accept me, then it is my duty to accept this county".
In 2002 I sent the UK Commonwealth and Foreign Office a registered letter totally renouncing my UK citizenship. I have a framed copy of that letter on my office wall.
Some people may disagree with me, but I firmly believe that if you emigrate to any country, not just Canada, then dual citizenship should not be an option. I do not understand these people that emigrate to Canada and hold on to what they left behind. They, like my family, obviously left their country of origin to find a better life, and my friends trust me, you ain't going to find a better place than Canada to live.
Me? I'm Canadian
and when I die, I have instructions that my grave marker is to have a maple leaf on it.
Bill
Kingston