1. Civics Legal Citizenship
Citizenship / Civics
The Challenge of Community Living
Social Tradeoffs are necessary for a functioning community.
Living out the Balance within Different Communities.
Canadian Citizenship in Law
- There are many different Legal Definitions regarding Canadian Citizenship.
Immigrant
Refugee
Permanent Resident to Canada
Citizen
Dual Citizen
Naturalization

2. Civics Legal Citizenship
Immigrating to Canada
- There are 3 Classes of Immigrant in Canadian Law
- Currently Canada takes about 300,000 immigrants per year
Refugees
Family Class Immigrants
Business Class Immigrants
- Can’t Stay Where they are Can’t Go Home (Countryless)
- Canadian citizens can sponsor certain Relatives to come to Canada
Can come to Canada to work if:
- no one in Canada can fill a position ie. High Skill workers
- Recently: Syrian Refugees
- This is Canada’s most popular form of immigration
- Must have a Hearing with
Immigration and Refugee Board
- Bring or start a business in Canada
- Family relationship, medical and criminal background checks are required
- Invest in Canada – money limits apply
- In 2016: 46,270 Refugees
- When People Come to Canada Under these Classes of Immigration, they can become a Permanent Resident to Canada.

3. Civics Legal Citizenship
Permanent Resident to Canada
- A Permanent Resident is not a Canadian Citizen.
- They have immigrated to Canada to live / reside in Canada.
- Temporary visitors; Students and Foreign Workers are not Permanent Residents
- For many immigrants, being a permanent resident is a stepping stone to Canadian Citizenship.
- They must have a Permanent Resident Card – PR Card
Permanent Residents Can/Must
- Get gov’t health and social benefits
- Live, work, study anywhere in Canada
- Pay taxes and respect the law
- Apply for Canadian Citizenship
Permanent Residents Cannot
- Vote or Run for Elected Office
- Hold certain High Security Positions.

4. Civics Legal Citizenship
Becoming a Canadian Citizen
- Generally there are 4 ways Someone Becomes a Canadian Citizen.
A Canadian Citizen By Birth
- With a few exceptions ( ___ ), anyone born in Canada is a Canadian Citizen
A Canadian Citizen By Descent / Parents
- Generally, any person who was born to a parent born or naturalized in Canada is a Canadian citizen by descent.
- As long at the parent has not Renounced their Canadian citizenship.
A Canadian Citizen by Adoption
- A new law in 2007 allows adopted children the right to apply for citizenship immediately after the adoption without having to become a permanent resident.
A Canadian Citizen by Naturalization
- A permanent resident of Canada that completes the Legal Process (Naturalization) of becoming a Canadian Citizen
- There are many steps/requirements to becoming a Naturalized Canadian/A Citizen.
- One step is the Citizenship Test
- The final step in Naturalization is the Citizenship Ceremony and the Oath of Citizenship.

5. Civics Legal Citizenship
Confused About Your Citizenship?
Example Case
Dual or Multiple Citizenship
- Each country has different rules. If another country recognizes you as a citizen – you have dual citizenship.
- There are no forms or certificates. Canadians are allowed to take foreign citizenship and keep their Canadian Citizenship
Renouncing Citizenship
- To Renounce Canadian Citizenship
1. Prove that you are / about to be a citizen of another country
2. Not live in Canada
3. Be at least 18 years old.
- Some countries will not accept dual citizenship
US Senator Ted Cruz
Losing Your Citizenship
- Since 2007 the only way a Canadian can lose their citizenship is to Renounce it.

6. Civics Legal Citizenship
Born or Naturalized Citizen?
- It makes no difference. You are a Citizen of Canada and get all the same rights and responsibilities.
Interesting Question….
- Can “Born” Canadians Meet All the Requirements of Naturalized Citizens?
- Can You Pass the Citizenship Test?