Strategic Outcomes and Program Activity Architecture
Program Activity 6 – Citizenship Program
Program Description
The Citizenship Program administers citizenship legislation and promotes 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 a 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.
In conjunction with the Citizenship Program, the Multiculturalism Program plays a key role in encouraging integration and increasing social cohesion. The Program aims to foster inter-cultural and inter-faith understanding; promote civic pride and memory; respect for core Canadian values; and equality of opportunity.
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 encourages them to fulfill the responsibilities of citizenship. Citizenship acquisition also fosters a greater sense of belonging to Canada and allows newcomers to share a broader sense of community with all Canadians. Much has changed since the first Canadian Citizenship Act of 1947 established the modern concept of a Canadian citizen. The current Citizenship Act, under which CIC grants citizenship to eligible newcomers, affirms that all Canadians have the same rights, privileges, and responsibilities whether citizens by birth or naturalization.
In April 2009 CIC implemented amendments to the Citizenship Act introduced the previous year. The amendments restored citizenship to many persons who lost it under previous legislation, recognized other persons as citizens for the first time, and introduced a limit to citizenship by descent to one generation born outside of Canada. To support effective implementation and client service, CIC developed supporting regulations, information systems changes, application kits and forms, training materials, communication products, and policy and program manual updates. Additionally, CIC undertook proactive, web-based outreach to connect with stakeholders and members of the groups affected by the new law.
Furthermore, in January 2010 a departmental lead was identified to address fraud in the citizenship program on a priority basis. A departmental citizenship fraud action plan was drafted to assess and address program integrity through communications to staff and partners, adjustment to procedures, and the consideration of legislative changes.
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 long–term permanent residents applying for citizenship because of such factors as the need for a Permanent Resident Card, 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 2009, approximately 156,250 people became Canadian citizens. In addition, CIC provided approximately 74,450 Canadians with proof of their citizenship.
For more information on citizenship acquisition.
The Multiculturalism Program’s objectives were updated in 2009 to focus on building an integrated, socially cohesive society by fostering intercultural understanding, citizenship, civic memory and pride and core democratic values, and by promoting equal opportunity for individuals of all origins.
The Multiculturalism Program provides financial assistance (grants and contributions) to not-for-profit organizations and individuals through project funding. Projects address issues affecting ethno-cultural communities with the goal of fostering increased participation in society.
CIC also works with other federal institutions on the implementation of the multiculturalism policy, as is reported in the Annual Report on the Operation of the Canadian Multiculturalism Act. In addition, the Program conveys and supports Canada’s approach to building an integrated, socially-cohesive society in international fora.
Through the Historical Recognition Program, CIC recognizes and commemorates the experiences of ethno-cultural communities affected by historical wartime measures and/or historical immigration restrictions or prohibitions that were applied in Canada, and to educate Canadians in this regard.
For more information on the Multiculturalism Program.
Promotional Activities
Citizenship promotion activities are important tools for the continued integration of newcomers and new citizens into Canadian society. In 2009, the program continued administering various promotional activities such as Celebrate Citizenship Week, the Canada’s Citizenship Award (formally called the Citation for Citizenship), reaffirmation ceremonies and citizenship ceremonies, of which 429 were special ceremonies in communities. New citizenship promotional materials were also developed and are now being distributed to all new Canadians at citizenship ceremonies.
For more information on citizenship promotion activities.
The public education and outreach activities of the Multiculturalism Program include initiatives that raise awareness and inform public dialogue about multiculturalism. In collaboration with public and private partners in the educational sector as well as community groups, the Program produces and disseminates educational materials and organizes events geared toward strengthening cross-cultural understanding.
For more information on multiculturalism promotion activities.