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

Program 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. Supporting citizenship involves providing an environment where civic participation and the expression of identity are fostered through tools for promoting and celebrating citizenship, and through enhancing the meaning of Canadian citizenship.

The purpose of the Citizenship Program is to administer citizenship legislation and promote the rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizenship. CIC continues to focus on improving program integrity and strengthening the value of Canadian citizenship by strengthening the process of applying for citizenship, including ensuring adequate language proficiency of newcomers. As such, new regulations are expected to be introduced in the fall of 2012 require citizenship applicants to provide objective evidence of their language ability at the time of application.

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. An updated version of Discover Canada was released in March 2011 to strengthen content on common Canadian values such as freedom, democracy, human rights, the rule of law, and the equality of men and women. Additionally, in order to increase accessibility to Discover Canada, CIC developed and implemented mobile application, and e-book versions of the guide in October 2011. 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 2011, 181,184 people became Canadian citizens. In addition, CIC provided approximately 66,463 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 2011, the Program continued administering various promotional activities such as Canada’s Citizenship Week, Canada’s Citizenship Award, reaffirmation ceremonies and citizenship ceremonies, of which 443 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