Single-seat majorityThe judges also pointed to the "difficulties of proving or disproving a person's state of mind" and the "regrettable possibility of a want of candor" if ignorance of dual citizenship was recognized as an excuse. Joyce will be able to stand for re-election, having renounced the New Zealand citizenship he unknowingly inherited from his father. Tossed for British citizenshipThe disqualified senators included government minister Fiona Nash, Joyce's deputy in the Nationals party, who inherited British citizenship from her Scottish father. The judges found that they could not be satisfied that Canavan was Italian on the evidence presented to court. The seven lawmakers said they did not know they were dual nationals when they ran for election last year.

Source: CBC News October 27, 2017 04:41 UTC