Rocco Galati launches lawsuit over Citizenship Act changes

Toronto lawyer Rocco Galati is suing Gov.Gen.David Johnston, Immigration Minister Chris Alexanderand Justice Minister Peter MacKayover changes to Canada's Citizenship Act.

In documents filed Wednesday morning in Federal Court, Galatiasks the court to invalidate key provisions included in a new law that gives the government the power to revoke the citizenship of Canadian-born citizens convicted of "terrorism, high treason, or spying offences" or "who take up arms against Canada" if they hold dual citizenship.

The provisions passed into law last Thursday when Bill C-24, the government's Strengthening Canadian Citizenship Act, received royal assent.

• Mobile users, read the court document here
• ANALYSIS |Chris Hall: The slippery slope of revoking citizenship

Galati has already successfully challenged Prime Minister Stephen Harpers appointment of Marc Nadon to the Supreme Court of Canada.

In the court documents filed Wednesday, Galati argues it was beyond the Governor General's "constitutional authority" to pass Bill C-24.

The bill itself, Galati argues, goes well beyondParliament's own reach.

The Toronto lawyer had asked parliamentarians and theGovernor General to refer key provisions of Bill C-24 to the Supreme Court for a legal opinion.

In a phone interview with CBC News on Wednesday,Galatisaid he received a reply from the GovernorGeneral's office on June 16 simply acknowledging the content ofhis original letter.

Nevertheless, Bill C-24 passed into law three days later.

"It is unconstitutional," Galati said.

Marie-ve Ltourneau, aspokeswoman for the Governor General, said they could not comment as the matter is now before the courts.

The office forMacKay,who also serves as the attorney general, referred all comment to the minister of immigration.

A spokeswoman for Alexander would not comment directly on the lawsuit, saying only that "Canadians gave us a strong mandate to protect and strengthen the value of Canadian citizenship."

Galatifiled the legal challenge on behalf of a group of lawyers including ManuelAzevedoand theConstitutional Rights Centre.