Strategic Outcomes and Program Activity Architecture (in effect April 1, 2011)

Program Activity 3.2 – Citizenship for Newcomers and All Canadians

Program Description
The purpose of the Citizenship Program is to administer citizenship legislation and promote the rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizenship. CIC administers the acquisition of Canadian citizenship by developing, implementing, and applying legislation, regulations and policies that protect the integrity of Canadian Citizenship and allow eligible applicants to be granted citizenship or be provided with proof of citizenship. In addition, the program promotes citizenship, to both newcomers and the Canadian-born, through various events, materials and projects. Promotional activities focus on enhancing knowledge of Canada’s history, institutions, and values, as well as fostering an understanding of the rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizenship.

The acquisition of citizenship is a significant step in the integration process of newcomers. Granting citizenship to eligible applicants provides established newcomers with the full range of rights and privileges of Canadian citizenship, and encourages them to fulfil the responsibilities of citizenship. The acquisition of citizenship also helps newcomers foster a stronger sense of belonging to Canada and share a common bond as part of the Canadian family. CIC focuses efforts on enhancing the meaning of Canadian citizenship, protecting its value, promoting civic participation and encouraging the expression of Canadian citizenship in order to foster a sense of belonging for both newcomers and established Canadians alike.

CIC continues to implement its Citizenship Action Plan, which consists of a set of coordinated initiatives that aim to improve the integrity of the Citizenship Program and strengthen the value and meaning of Canadian citizenship by promoting civic memory, civic participation and sense of belonging to Canada. CIC revised the citizenship test study guide Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship, which was originally introduced in November 2009. Updated in March 2011, the enhanced version strengthens content on common Canadian values such as freedom, democracy, human rights, the rule of law, and the equality of men and women. In 2010, CIC also introduced a new citizenship knowledge test and amended the Citizenship Regulations to achieve greater flexibility to test applicants consistently on a range of knowledge of the characteristics of Canada, and of the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship.

In January 2010, the Department launched a Citizenship Fraud Action Plan to respond to abuse, particularly organized residence fraud in the citizenship program. Key stakeholders were consulted and new tools and procedures to assist in the detection of residence fraud have been implemented. The Department works closely with partners and continues to explore ways to enhance program integrity in the Citizenship Program.

CIC continually strives to improve the processing of citizenship grant and proof applications. In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of permanent residents applying for citizenship. This is due to factors such as the imposition by the United States of visa and border screening mechanisms affecting many of Canada’s permanent residents, and policy changes in some countries allowing their citizens to hold multiple nationalities. In addition, the need to have a valid Permanent Residence card to travel has also resulted in an increase in the number of individuals applying for citizenship.

In 2010, 143,535 people became Canadian citizens. In addition, CIC provided approximately 69,752 Canadians with proof of their citizenship.

More information on citizenship acquisition

Promotional Activities

Citizenship promotion activities are important tools for the continued integration of newcomers and new citizens into Canadian society. In 2010, the program continued administering various promotional activities such as Canada’s Citizenship Week, Canada’s Citizenship Award, reaffirmation ceremonies and citizenship ceremonies, of which 425 were enhanced ceremonies organized with hosts and partners in the community. Citizenship promotional materials are being distributed to all new Canadian citizens at every citizenship ceremony.

More information on citizenship promotion activities