CIMM - Citizenship and Passport

Key Messages

• In the last mandate, we focused on process improvements for obtaining citizenship, including:
  • reducing by a year the time permanent residents must be physically present in Canada before qualifying for citizenship;
  • amending the age range of those required to meet language and knowledge requirements from ages 14-64 to 18-54;
  • counting some of the time applicants spend in Canada as temporary residents or protected persons toward their requirements for citizenship; and
  • removing the age requirement for citizenship so that minors can apply for citizenship without a Canadian parent.
• New legislation to change the wording of the oath of citizenship was introduced in the House of Commons on February 18, 2020.

Supplementary Messages

Citizenship Oath – Bill C-6

• The Government consulted with national Indigenous organizations on amendments to the oath of citizenship and conducted focus testing with the general public across Canada.
• The proposed amendment to the oath of citizenship demonstrates the Government’s commitment to advancing the calls to action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and reflects the commitment to reconciliation and a renewed relationship with Indigenous peoples in Canada based on recognition of rights, respect, co-operation and partnership.
• The new wording of the oath of citizenship allows new Canadians to recognize and respect how Indigenous peoples and their history are an important part of Canada’s fabric and identity.

Revisions to Citizenship Study Guide

• IRCC has undertaken consultations with a wide range of stakeholders, including National Indigenous Organizations and subject matter experts, on how the citizenship study guide could be more representative of all Canadians, including Indigenous peoples, minority populations, and Francophone Canadians.
• A launch date of a revised study guide has not yet been determined. Until a revised guide is officially launched, Discover Canada remains the official study guide for the citizenship test.

Loss of Citizenship for Non-Naturalized Citizens

• Non-naturalized citizens would be those that are born in Canada or citizens by descent. Under the Citizenship Act there is no loss of citizenship provisions for non-naturalized citizens, unless they apply to renounce their Canadian citizenship.
• Naturalized Canadians who have received their citizenship by way of a grant of citizenship however, can have their citizenship revoked, if acquired through misrepresentation or fraud.

Supreme Court Decision re: Vavilov

• The Department is complying with the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision. Mr. Vavilov remains a Canadian citizen.

Citizenship by Descent

• Children born outside Canada to a Canadian parent acquire Canadian citizenship by descent if one of their parents was either born or naturalized in Canada. The limit applies equally to the children of Canadians born abroad, whether the child is naturally born or adopted.

Lost Canadians

• Changes to the law in 2009 and 2015 restored or gave citizenship to most persons who lost or never had it because of outdated legislation.
• Any additional cases coming to the Department’s attention are dealt with on a case-by-case basis.
• If someone believes they are entitled to citizenship under the Citizenship Act, they are encouraged to contact the Department, and their case will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Supporting Facts and Figures

Citizenship Uptake

• Overall naturalization rates in Canada are among the highest in the world. The 2016 census findings demonstrated a slight growth in overall uptake from 85.6% to 85.8% between 2011 and 2016.

Fees