Immigration Minister Jason Kenney addresses the Conservative Party convention in Ottawa on June 9, 2011.PATRICK DOYLE/Reuters
Stephen Harper's governing Conservatives have rejected a proposal to make it official party policy to strip Canadians of their citizenship should they take up arms against this country or its allies.
A majority of delegates voting at a Tory convention in Ottawa rejected the notion in a show of hands.
It was a sign of how cautious and careful the Conservative rank and file have grown after winning a majority government: a rejection of changing party direction in any way that might imperil their newfound political success.
The "High Treason" policy would have backed automatically voiding the citizenship of Canadians caught fighting soldiers of this country or allied nations.
It would also have supported trying such a Canadian for "high treason" under the Criminal Code, a charge that carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
It was an apparent reference to Omar Khadr, who was caught fighting U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan and is currently imprisoned at Guantanamo Bay.
It's unlikely the Harper government would have ever contemplated turning such a policy into a law, which critics have said would violate the Charter of Rights.
Mr. Harper is not bound to support any policy decisions at conventions but the debates offer a glimpse into the mindset and priorities of his party's most committed supporters.
The resolution, from Immigration Minister Jason. Kenney's Calgary-Southeast riding association, sent the message that while critics might feel the Harper government should have done more to help Mr. Khadr, there are Conservatives who believe Ottawa was too lenient with him.
Steven Chase