This graphic shows Canada's current citizenship revocation system as compared to a streamlined revocation process that is proposed under the Strengthening Canadian Citizenship Act.
Citizenship could be revoked if:
A person obtained, retained or resumed citizenship by false representation, fraud or by knowingly concealing material circumstances (for example, information that could have impacted his or her eligibility for citizenship or permanent residence).
And could be revoked from dual citizens if the person:
- served as member of an armed force or organized armed group engaged in an armed conflict with Canada;
- was convicted of treason, high treason, spying offences and sentenced to imprisonment for life; or
- was convicted of a terrorism offence or an equivalent foreign terrorism conviction and sentenced to five years or more imprisonment.
Under the old, three-year process:
- Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) Minister indicates intent to revoke citizenship.
- Federal Court (FC) finds that citizenship was obtained fraudulently or applicant chooses not to go to FC.
- Governor in Council decides whether to revoke citizenship.
Under the new, less costly, more efficient process:
The vast majority of cases (those related to residence fraud, concealing criminal inadmissibility or identity fraud) are decided by the CIC Minister. More exceptional cases, such as those involving war crimes and crimes against humanity as well as cases regarding security, human or international rights violations and organized criminality, would instead be decided by the FC.
