CIMM - Citizenship and Passport - Mar 8, 2021

Key messages

• Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department has been modernizing the citizenship and passport applications by moving towards virtual and online services.
• This includes virtual citizenship ceremonies to administer the Oath of Citizenship, moving the citizenship knowledge test online, launching the initial phase of an electronic grant application (e-application) and advancing efforts to pilot an online passport intake solution in summer 2021.
• The Department will continue to refine our modernized processes and expand their reach to additional applicants.
• The Department continues to support the advancement of legislation to amend the Oath of Citizenship, and to update the citizenship study guide and knowledge test.

Supplementary messages

Citizenship events

• Before the pandemic, citizenship tests and ceremonies were held in-person in group events in offices throughout the country.
• Through a web-accessible conferencing platform, nearly 51,000 applicants took the Oath of Citizenship (the Oath) and became new citizens between April 1, 2020 and January 31, 2021.
• On November 26, 2020, the Department began inviting a limited number of clients who were ready to take the citizenship knowledge test online. Invitations will continue to be sent out as system performance is tested. Since the online citizenship test launched in November 2020, over 8,500 applicants have taken the test up to January 31, 2021.
• On November 30, 2020, the Department also launched the initial phase of the citizenship grant electronic application (e-application), which will continue to be tested and made available to more citizenship applicants.

Online passport application

• To minimize risks, the first stage is a small-scale controlled pilot open to a select group of passport renewal applicants. Focusing on this known client group allows the Department to test, adapt and improve the solution before expanding to a wider audience.
• Application processing will continue to be done in the departmental passport issuance system where all existing checks and verifications using advanced systems capabilities are conducted on a client’s eligibility, identity and entitlement to a Canadian passport.
• The privacy of Canadians and the security of their personal information is a top priority. We are taking the time needed to develop a solution that Canadians will be able to use safely and securely.

Oath of Citizenship

• The proposed amendment to the Oath demonstrates the Government’s commitment to advancing the calls to action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
• The proposed amendment in Bill C-8 expands the wording of the Oath to address the spirit of Call to Action #94 to include reference to Indigenous treaties and rights.

Citizenship Guide

• The Department continues to work on updates to the citizenship study guide and knowledge test, in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action #93 to be more inclusive of the perspectives and history of the Indigenous peoples of Canada.
• To better reflect Canada’s diversity in the guide and test, the Department consulted over 90 stakeholders from national Indigenous organizations, academia, settlement service providers, interest groups and communities.
• A suite of learning materials will also be provided to better support Canadians and prospective Canadians to access required citizenship knowledge. Educational tools include workbooks, web-based practice tests, games, and learning resources have been designed with second language learners, teachers, and settlement providers in mind, as well as several web-based practice tests, games, and learning resources.
• At this time, a launch date for the revised guide and test has not yet been determined.

House motion to provide a discretionary grant of citizenship to Raif Badawi

• The Government of Canada is very concerned by the case of Raif Badawi in Saudi Arabia. His well-being is foremost in our minds.
• I am working with my colleague, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, regarding the motion made in the House.
• I cannot speak to any specifics related to individual cases to respect the privacy, security and safety of those individuals.

Private Member’s Bill C-223 (Adequate knowledge of French language in Quebec)

• The Government places tremendous value on Canada's linguistic duality and remains committed to supporting the vitality and promotion of the French language in Quebec and across this great country.
• At the same time, the Government continually seeks to reduce barriers and promote equitable access to Canadian citizenship across the country, which is key to full participation in Canada’s economy and society.

New Democratic Party Member of Parliament Jenny Kwan on fee-free extension of passports

• Orders-in-council have been pursued in the past to assist passport clients affected by very specific circumstances (emergency situations, in most cases - Fort McMurray wildfires, for example).

  However, these measures have all focused on waiving fees for replacement documents with the same expiry date, as opposed to extending passport validity for free, or even issuing new passports with added validity for free.

• Extending passport validity is not permissible under the international standards for travel documents set by the International Civil Aviation Organization, a specialized agency of the United Nations. Canada has to comply with standards adopted by International Civil Aviation Organization, which dictate that the validity periods of passports/ePassports cannot be extended.
• The integrity and reputation of the Canadian passport, and its interoperability with international border systems, would be put at risk should Canada contravene these standards.

Surplus in Passport Program Revolving Fund (Responsive only)

• Due to COVID-19, the Passport Program has seen impacts on service delivery domestically and abroad, which has in turn impacted fee revenues.
• Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) continues to monitor and assess the financial status of the program. The objective is to maintain the continued sustainability of the program over the long-term while maintaining efficient and quality passport services to clients. Any changes to fees would require a thorough review and regulatory amendments. Any changes would be communicated to Canadians.

Vaccine Passports (Responsive only)

• Much like Canada, our international partners will be keen to open their borders to non-essential travel when the time is right.
• When travel does begin to resume, travelers may have to carry and present documentation that proves that they have taken recommended public health measures addressing health risks related to COVID-19.
• We are engaged in international discussions and are monitoring initiatives on this issue. We will continue to coordinate with our federal partners to ensure that Canada’s eventual approach to these issues is informed by science and meets the requirements of international borders.

Supporting facts and figures

• Over 108,900 applicants became new citizens between January 1 and December 30, 2020. In 2019, there were over 249,700 new citizens.
• As of January 31, 2021, there were approximately 310,000 applications in the citizenship grant inventory and over 23,000 applications for proof of citizenship (certificates).

Background

Knowledge test

• As of January 31, 2021, the inventory of test-ready clients was around 102,200.
• On November 26, 2020, the Department put in place an online platform for taking citizenship tests. Since the online citizenship test launched on November 26, 2020, over 8,500 applicants have taken the test up to January 31, 2021.
• Over the next few months, as the system is tested, the Department will continue to invite clients who are eligible to take the online citizenship test on a first-in, first-served basis with priority being given to urgent clients.
• An important aspect of holding online tests is the verification of applicants’ identities and proctoring, which are important to maintaining the integrity of the knowledge test, especially in an online environment. Measures are in place to confirm each applicant’s identity by capturing a photo of their ID, their face and by taking static photos during the test to ensure its integrity.
• In February 2021, IRCC ramped up invitations to the test, from 2,000 to 3,000 a week. IRCC is aiming to continue sending out 3,000 invitations a week in March, and ramping up to 5,000 a week before the summer.

E-applications

• On November 30, 2020, the Department launched the initial phase of the citizenship grant electronic application (e-application). This tool is being tested and refined over the next few months.
• Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, IRCC had begun a citizenship modernization initiative to improve client service delivery. Electronic citizenship applications, or e-apps, are a part of this initiative.
• Over the next few months, it is expected that the citizenship e-app will become available to more clients, including adults over 55 years of age, minors under 18 years of age, and family groups.

Oath of Citizenship

• Bill C-8, introduced on October 22, 2020, brings forward changes to the Oath of Citizenship in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action #94 to include reference to Indigenous treaties and rights.
• On February 4, 2021, the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs completed its study of Bill C-8 and referred it back to the House with no amendments for Third Reading.

Citizenship Guide

• The Government continues to work on the guide, associated study materials, and the new citizenship test.
• Updates to the guide are in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commissions call to better reflect the perspectives and history of Indigenous peoples of Canada (Call to Action #93).
• To better reflect Canada’s diversity in the citizenship study guide, IRCC engaged with a wide range of stakeholders, including, Indigenous peoples, minority populations, women, Francophones, the LBGTQ2+ community, persons with disabilities, and academia.
• At this time, a launch date for the revised guide has not yet been determined.

House motion to provide a discretionary grant of citizenship to Raif Badawi

• On January 27, 2021, by unanimous consent, the House of Commons resolved:

  “That this House call upon the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship to grant citizenship to Raif Badawi by exercising his discretion under section 5 of the Citizenship Act, which authorizes him to grant citizenship to any person to alleviate cases of special and unusual hardship.”

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• On January 28, Mr. Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe (Lac-Saint-Jean, BQ), referencing the unanimous resolution, called on the Minister to immediately grant citizenship to Mr. Badawi, and for the Minister of Foreign Affairs to “…renew talks with Saudi Arabia to get citizen Badawi released.” [Redacted]
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• On March 2, 2021, it was reported (Presse Canadienne and National Post) that the Saudi government is launching a new investigation against Mr. Badawi for allegedly “influencing public opinion” and “damaging the reputation of the Kingdom.
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• The Citizenship Act allows the Minister to use his or her discretion to grant citizenship to any person to alleviate cases of statelessness, or of special and unusual hardship, or to reward services of an exceptional value to Canada.
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Private Member’s Bill C-223 (Adequate knowledge of French language in Quebec)

• The current Citizenship Act requires that applicants between the age of 18 and 54 demonstrate an adequate knowledge of either one of Canada’s official languages and demonstrate this knowledge in either official language.
• Private Member’s Bill C-223 proposes to amend those provisions of the Citizenship Act to require citizenship applicants residing in Quebec to demonstrate knowledge of the French language and write the knowledge test on the responsibilities and privileges of Canadian citizenship, in French.
• Bill C-223 also seeks to implement nationwide changes by raising the age range for applicants who are required to demonstrate language and knowledge capabilities to “18 years of age or more but less than 65 years of age” from the current 18 to 54 age requirement.
• Bill C-223 was debated in the House of Commons at second reading on November 19, 2020 and February 18, 2021. The second reading motion was defeated following a vote held on February 24, 2021. Members of the Bloc Québécois and most members of the Conservative Party of Canada voted in favour of the motion. Members of the Liberal Party of Canada and the New Democratic Party voted against the motion. The Bill will not proceed.

Passport Program Revolving Fund

• Canada’s Passport Program operates under a revolving fund that is generated by the fees for passport services charged to the public. The revolving fund allows for the accumulation and carryover of surplus revenues from year-to-year to offset future shortfalls. The revolving fund is reported in the Government’s estimates and in Public Accounts.
• In 2013, with the introduction of the 10-year ePassport, the Passport Program transitioned from a 5-year to a 10-year business cycle, meaning its costs and revenues must balance out over 10 years.
• At that time, passport fees were revised to a level which was estimated to balance the revolving fund over the new 10-year business cycle. The fee-setting exercise also considered the need to ensure the program is modern, secure, and continues to provide a high standard of service while maintaining sustainability over the 10-year cycle.
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