Federal Court Decisions

                                                Date: 19980202

                                              Docket: T-493-97

Ottawa, Ontario, the 2nd day of February 1998

Present: the Honourable Mr. Justice Pinard

             IN THE MATTER OF the Citizenship Act,

                     R.S.C., 1985, c. C-29

       AND IN THE MATTER OF an appeal from the decision

                    of a Citizenship Judge

                     AND IN THE MATTER OF

                          CHU XA AU,

                                                    Appellant.

                           JUDGMENT

     The appeal from the March 14, 1997 decision of a Citizenship Judge is allowed, with the result that the appellant cannot be denied Canadian citizenship under paragraph 5(1)(e) of the Citizenship Act, which concerns the requirement of adequate knowledge of Canada and of the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship.

                                                     Yvon Pinard                                

                                                       JUDGE

Certified true translation

M. Iveson

                                                Date: 19980202

                                              Docket: T-493-97

             IN THE MATTER OF the Citizenship Act,

                     R.S.C. 1985, c. C-29

       AND IN THE MATTER OF an appeal from the decision

                    of a Citizenship Judge

                     AND IN THE MATTER OF

                          CHU XA AU,

                                                    Appellant.

                     REASONS FOR JUDGMENT

PINARD J.:

[1] On March 14, 1997, a Citizenship Judge refused the appellant's application for Canadian citizenship on the ground that she did not meet the requirements of paragraph 5(1)(e)[1] of the Citizenship Act (the "Act").

[2] The instant proceedings are de novo in nature. When examined by the amicus curiae in my presence, the appellant demonstrated that she has acquired an adequate knowledge of Canada and of the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship. If she continues to reside in Canada, her knowledge of this country can only continue to improve.

[3] The appeal is therefore allowed.

                                                        Yvon Pinard                            

                                              JUDGE

OTTAWA, ONTARIO

February 2, 1998

Certified true translation

M. Iveson

                    FEDERAL COURT OF CANADA

                        TRIAL DIVISION

           NAMES OF COUNSEL AND SOLICITORS OF RECORD

COURT NO.:               T-493-97

STYLE OF CAUSE:     Citizenship Act

                   v.

                   Chu Xa Au

PLACE OF HEARING:        Montréal, Quebec

DATE OF HEARING:         January 27, 1998

REASONS FOR JUDGMENT BY THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE PINARD

DATED FEBRUARY 2, 1998

APPEARANCES:

Chu Xa Au                     THE APPELLANT, REPRESENTING HERSELF

Jean Caumartin                AMICUS CURIAE

SOLICITOR OF RECORD:

Jean Caumartin                AMICUS CURIAE

Avocat

Montréal, Quebec