BECOMING A CANADIAN CITIZEN

A Canadian citizen understands and promotes Canadian values: Peace, safety Law & order Freedom, democracy Multiculturalism, mutual respect Volunteerism, Community Development

Rights & Responsibilities Charter of Rights and Freedoms (speech, religion, life & liberty...) Vote Be a candidate Canadian passport A voice in the future of Canada! Obey the law Responsible for self & family Vote Serve on a jury Help others, respect Protect heritage & environment

1. Application 2.No criminal prohibitions 3.Residence 4.Language 5.Knowledge of Canada Requirements for Citizenship:

Strengthening the Citizenship Act: Bill C-24

A comparative before and after view of the major changes to the Citizenship Act

STREAMLINE DECISION MAKING – August 1, 2014 – Citizenship grant is a three-step decision-making process – Changes citizenship grant to a single- step process that reduces duplication and improves processing times. Before After

COMPLETE APPLICATIONS – August 1, 2014 – Limited authority to define what constitutes a complete application – Establishes authority to define what constitutes a complete application and what evidence applicants must provide Before After

FAST TRACK FOR CANADIAN FORCES MEMBERS – August 1, 2014 – No fast-track mechanism for citizenship for members of the military to honour their service to the Canadian Armed Forces and address deployment challenges – Creates a fast-track mechanism for citizenship for PRs serving with—and individuals on exchange with— the Canadian Armed Forces to honour their service to Canada Before After

MINISTER DECIDES DISCRETIONARY GRANTS – August 1, 2014 – Governor-in-Council final decision maker on discretionary grants of citizenship – Gives CIC Minister the authority to decide on discretionary grants of citizenship Before After

RESIDENCE – Summer 2015 – Residence for three out of four years (1,095 days); – No requirement that resident be physically present; – Time as a non- permanent resident (non-PR) may be counted toward residence for citizenship; – No intent to reside provision – Requires physical presence for four years (1,460 days) out of the six years; – 183 days minimum of physical presence per year in four out of six years; – Eliminates use of time spent in Canada as a non-permanent resident (non-PR); – Introduces “intent to reside” provision Before After

LANGUAGE AND KNOWLEGDE – Summer 2015 – Adult applicants aged 18–54 must meet language requirements and pass knowledge test; upper age limit of 54 currently established by policy, not in legislation; – Applicants can meet knowledge requirement with assistance of an interpreter – Requires applicants aged 14–64 to meet language requirements and pass knowledge test; – Applicants must meet knowledge requirement in English or French Before After

BAR FOR FOREIGN CRIMINALITY – Summer 2015 – Bars giving citizenship to people with domestic criminal charges and convictions – Expands bar on getting citizenship to people with foreign criminal charges and convictions Before After

FRAUD – Summer 2015 – Consultants not required to be registered or regulated in order to represent individuals in citizenship manner; – Few tools to deter fraud and ensure program integrity; – Fines and penalties for fraud are a maximum of $1,000 and/or one year in prison – Defines who is an authorized representative and provides authority to develop regulations to designate a regulatory body whose members would be authorized to act as consultants in citizenship matters; – Authority to refuse applicant for fraud; fines and penalties for fraud are a maximum $100,000 and/or five years in prison Before After

INCOME TAXES – Summer 2015 – No requirement to file Canadian income taxes to be eligible for a grant of citizenship – Requires adult applicants to file Canadian income taxes, as required under the Income Tax Act, to be eligible for citizenship Before After

REVOKING DUAL CITIZENS – Summer 2015 – No authority to revoke citizenship for acts against Canada’s national interest – Establishes the authority to revoke Canadian citizenship from dual citizens and deny it to PRs who were members of an armed force or an organized armed group engaged in armed conflict with Canada – Authority to revoke Canadian citizenship and deny it to PRs who are convicted of terrorism, high treason, treason, or spying offences, depending on the sentence received Before After

O Canada! Our home and native land! True patriot love in all thy sons command. With glowing hearts we see thee rise, The True North strong and free! From far and wide O Canada, we stand on guard for thee. God keep our land glorious and free! O Canada we stand on guard for thee. O CANADA