Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department has been modernizing the citizenship and passports 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), a self-serve application status tracker, and advancing an online passport intake solution.
As of April 30, 2021, 14,600 clients have become citizens since the beginning of the year, and almost 45,000 clients have taken the online citizenship test since November 2020.
The Department will continue to refine our modernized processes and expand their reach to additional applicants.
Supplementary messages
Citizenship Application Status Tracker
On May 10th, a new online tool was launched to enable clients to check the status of their grant application as it moves through the application process to the citizenship ceremony.
This new tool provides better service to our clients, and is expected to reduce the number of enquiries to the Client Service Centre (CSC) from citizenship applicants about the status of their grant application. All clients who have received an acknowledgement of receipt can now access the new tool. By the end of June, all existing clients will have been notified that they may check their status using this new tool.
Backlog and Processing Times
Due to interruptions in processing, the grant inventory has grown from around 211,000 pre-pandemic to over 374,100 as of April 30, 2021.
There are an additional estimated 34,700 grants pending file creation at the Case Processing Centre-Sydney mailroom.
Processing times have grown to 20 months as of the end of April 2021.
To mitigate backlog growth, the Department has implemented several measures, including launching the online test, virtual ceremonies, and further initiatives to streamline processes. The grant e-application was also launched to facilitate inventory management, including remote processing and work-sharing.
The online citizenship test has allowed over 45,000 aspiring Canadians to continue on their path to citizenship despite the challenges presented by the pandemic. We have made progress processing more applications and moving people through the system faster.
IRCC is now able to invite approximately 5,000 clients per week to complete the online citizenship test, which is in line with pre-COVID testing rates. The Department has steadily increased the number of test invitations sent to applicants in order to facilitate rendering a decision on their application, and ultimately reduce the overall inventory.
Citizenship events
Before the pandemic, citizenship tests and ceremonies were in-person group events held in offices throughout the country.
Through a web-accessible conferencing platform, over 48,000 applicants took the Oath of Citizenship (the Oath) and became new citizens between April 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020. This year so far, over 14,600 applicants have become citizens through virtual ceremonies as of April 30, 2021.
On November 26, 2020, the Department began inviting a limited number of clients who were ready to take the citizenship knowledge test online.
An important aspect of holding online events is the verification of applicants’ identities to maintain the integrity of the program. Measures are in place to confirm each applicant’s identity by capturing a photo of their ID, their face and by taking static photos (non-biometric) during the test.
On November 30, 2020, the Department also launched the initial phase of the citizenship grant electronic application (e-application). The Department is working on adding new functionalities to the tool and to expand it to more applicants in the coming months.
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.
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 clients affected by very specific circumstances (e.g., emergency situations, in most cases - Fort McMurray wildfires).
However, these measures have all focused on waiving fees for replacement documents with the same expiry date, and not issuing new documents with added validity.
These measures did not address extending the validity period of existing passports. In compliance with the international standards for travel documents, Canada cannot extend passport validity. This requirement is set by the International Civil Aviation Organization, a specialized agency of the United Nations.
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
New Democratic Party Member of Parliament Jenny Kwan on waiving passport renewal fees
IRCC’s Passport Program operates on a cost recovery basis, meaning it is funded entirely by fees charged for passports and other travel documents services. Fees are collected under a revolving fund, which allows for the accumulation of revenues from year-to-year to offset future shortfalls, and to enable reinvestment to modernize the Program.
Any change to fees, particularly any broad fee waivers, requires a careful consideration of the Program’s ongoing sustainability on the basis of future expenditures and fee revenues. Should the Program not maintain sufficient funds to sustain its operations, the quality of services provided to Canadians will be affected, and could lead to the need to seek appropriations (i.e. funding from taxpayers) or to raise fees to cover Program costs.
The Department continues to monitor the financial status of the Program and, in doing so, it remains committed to maintaining the sustainability of the program over the long-term and providing Canadians with efficient, high quality and cost-effective passport services.
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.
IRCC continues to monitor and assess the financial status of the program, with the aim of maintaining the continued sustainability of the program over the long-term while providing efficient and quality passport services to clients.
Supporting facts and figures
From January to April, 2021, over 14,600 applicants became new citizens. In 2020, there were 109,800 new citizens.
As of April 30, 2021, there were approximately 409,000 applications in the citizenship grant inventory and over 49,000 applications for proof of citizenship (certificates).
Background
Knowledge test
As of April 30, 2021, the inventory of test-ready clients was around 109,800.
On November 26, 2020, the Department put in place an online platform for taking citizenship tests. Since the online citizenship test launched, almost 45,000 applicants have taken the test as of April 30, 2021.
The Department continues 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.
Recently, IRCC ramped up invitations to the test, which are now being sent to 5,000 clients per week.
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. As of April 30, 2021, almost 7,000 applications have been submitted through the portal.
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.
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 knowledge of Canada and of the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship in either official language.
Private Member’s Bill C-223 proposed to amend those provisions of the Citizenship Act to require citizenship applicants residing in Quebec to demonstrate an adequate knowledge of the French language and write the knowledge test on Canada and 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 did 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.
