CIMM – Citizenship Ceremonies – October 24, 2023

Key Facts and Figures

• Increased immigration levels, paper-based processing, and constraints during COVID-19 contributed to an increase in inventories of citizenship applications, leading to processing times well beyond the published service standard of 12 months; with an all time high of 26 months processing time in July 2022.
• The Department launched a number of digital and online initiatives aimed at modernizing the Citizenship Program and reducing inventories and wait times to improve client service. This introduction of digital services, with temporary funding for additional hiring, allowed the Department to welcome a record of 375,567 new citizens in 2022. In comparison in 2019, through only in-person ceremonies, the Department welcomed 250,555 new citizens.
• In particular, video oath ceremonies continue to allow for greater volumes of people to complete the Oath of Citizenship. On average each month since the beginning of 2023, IRCC has held over 52 in-person ceremonies with an average of 75 clients invited, and over 224 video Oath ceremonies with an average of 135 clients invited.
• Recognizing that more can be done to further improve client service and processing times, the former Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship announced in January 2022 that IRCC would pursue changes to allow for self-administration of the Oath of Citizenship.
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Key Messages

• In an effort to modernize Canada’s Citizenship Program to improve client service, increase processing efficiencies, and enhance program integrity, following regulatory amendments, IRCC is proposing to offer citizenship applicants the option to either swear/affirm the Oath of Citizenship at a citizenship ceremony, (in-person or virtual as scheduled by the Department), or to self-administer the Oath of Citizenship through a secure online solution without the presence of an authorized official.
• Those who choose to self-administer the Oath could save up to 3 months of processing times for their application and would still have the option to attend a public in-person citizenship ceremony at a later date to re-swear or reaffirm their oath of citizenship.
• In addition to time and cost savings, providing applicants with this option would allow for increased flexibility and inclusivity for those who may face socio-economic or other barriers in attending a ceremony, whether in-person or virtually.
• IRCC acknowledges the importance and meaningfulness of citizenship ceremonies and will not be eliminating them. We are committed to keeping ceremonies available, both in-person and video, for those who wish to swear/affirm the Oath of Citizenship in this way.

Supplementary Information

• Under the Citizenship Act, taking the Oath is the final legal requirement to becoming a citizen for all grant applicants 14 years of age and over, with limited exceptions. It has been a requirement since the first Canadian Citizenship Act of 1947.
• Requirements for the administration of the Oath of Citizenship are set out in the Citizenship Regulations. They currently stipulate that the Oath must be taken before an authorized individual, and, in most cases, at a citizenship ceremony.
• On February 25, 2023, IRCC pre-published proposed amendments to the Citizenship Regulations that would allow for the self-administration of the Oath in the Canada Gazette for a 30 day public consultation period.
• The Department received 440 submissions of written feedback during the consultation period. Approximately 61% (268) of the comments received were not supportive, 36% (159) were supportive and 3% (13) were neutral.
• Some of the main concerns expressed were that ceremonies are an important part of Canadian tradition and are meaningful to new citizens. Those in support noted that the added option for the Oath would offer benefits for both time and cost savings for citizenship candidates, especially for those who may have difficulty attending in-person.
• Providing clients with the option to take the Oath of Citizenship in a manner that works best for them promotes flexibility and inclusivity for those who may face socio-economic or geographic barriers. Ceremonies are primarily scheduled on weekdays and during working hours (with some occasionally scheduled on Saturdays). Many clients have to take time off work or school to attend citizenship ceremonies, even when conducted by video. Others may have childcare responsibilities or may not have the means to travel to an in-person ceremony, especially if they live in a rural or remote area.
• The availability of the option to self-administer the Oath is expected to shorten the wait time for those at the final stage of their citizenship process to allow clients to apply for their Canadian passports earlier.

If pressed

• Video oath ceremonies were implemented in April 2020 due to the public health restrictions during the pandemic. While in-person ceremonies are now taking place, video oath ceremonies will continue to be the primary method of service delivery to ensure efficient, timely and flexible client service.
• As standard practice, individuals are invited to either an in-person or video oath ceremony according to volumes of applications and locations of applicants; however, if a client has a need or a preference for one type of ceremony over another, they can request the alternative format from the Department.