ARCHIVED – Annual Report to Parliament on Immigration, 2008

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Section 6
Canadian Citizenship

The Citizenship Act, under which CIC grants citizenship to eligible newcomers, affirms that all Canadians have the same rights, privileges and responsibilities whether they are citizens by birth or naturalization. As well as administering citizenship legislation, CIC is also responsible for promoting the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. Obtaining citizenship is a significant step in the integration process for newcomers because it signifies full participation in Canadian life. In 2007, CIC celebrated the 60th anniversary of Canadian citizenship, and Canadian citizenship was granted to 200,414 individuals.

The business of citizenship is changing in Canada and around the world. CIC recognizes the evolution of citizenship issues, their interdependence with other sectors within CIC and across government, and the need to build capacity to better understand the drivers for change and translate them into concrete policy direction.

To strengthen the evidence base for addressing a broad range of citizenship-related issues, including rights, responsibilities, identity and values, CIC conducted public opinion research studies on civic practice and barriers to civic participation, and motivations for naturalization. The Department also undertook several knowledge transfer and development activities with Metropolis, a network for comparative research and public policy development on migration, diversity and immigrant integration in cities in Canada and around the world. The Institute of Canadian Citizenship (ICC), with support from CIC, undertook round tables with new and established Canadians in 2007–2008, to discuss the value of citizenship and active citizenship. CIC supported the ICC in securing the necessary approvals and initial funding. CIC will continue to foster an ongoing relationship with the ICC as a key partner in citizenship policy and program development.

During this reporting period, the Government tabled two bills to amend the Citizenship Act. Bill C-14, An Act to Amend the Citizenship Act (adoption) minimizes the difference between children born to Canadians and those adopted by Canadians. It received Royal Assent in June 2007, and came into force on December 23, 2007, with supporting regulations, policies and procedures. Bill C-37, An Act to Amend the Citizenship Act, was introduced to address the situation of people who lost or never had Canadian citizenship because of outdated provisions in existing and former legislation. It received Royal Assent in April 2008, and will come into effect no later than April 17, 2009.

Following the Minister’s announcement in January 2007 to address the legislative gaps filled by Bill C-37, and in anticipation of its passage, CIC implemented operational policy and procedures, and, in 2007, processed 105 applications for a discretionary grant of citizenship for individuals who had been residing most of their lives in Canada and had a reasonable but mistaken belief they were Canadian citizens.

CIC strives to make improvements to the processing of citizenship grant and proof applications. However, the ability to process applications is linked to the amount of resources allocated to these activities. In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of long-term permanent residents who have decided to apply for citizenship because of such factors as the need for a PR Card, the imposition by the United States of visa and border screening mechanisms for many of Canada’s permanent residents, and policy changes in some countries allowing their citizens to hold multiple nationalities.

In 2007–2008, CIC continued to identify and implement sustainable solutions to improve service to citizenship clients as a means of addressing the ongoing high demand for citizenship services, which exceeds the Department’s production capacity under current funding levels. Two-year funding received in 2005–2006 and 2006–2007 helped address high inventories and reduce processing times. However, since funding ended in March 2007, processing times and inventory levels have begun to rise. Over the next three years, intake of applications for grants of citizenship from clients wishing to become citizens as well as applications for proof of citizenship from existing citizens will continue to be high. Applications for grants are projected to exceed 240,000 per year. Over the same period, proof applications are projected to be in the range of 60,000 to 65,000 per year. As the number of applications received increases, the processing times and inventory levels for proofs may increase.

In March 2007, CIC conducted an evaluation of its processes with a view to improving the processing of citizenship applications and client service. Building on this initiative, a pilot project was started in January 2008, in which testing and verification of client documents would occur simultaneously and early in the citizenship adult grant process to minimize incomplete applications and to advise applicants of their eligibility so that delays could be avoided later in the process. The pilot will be evaluated for potential efficiencies, improvements to client service and reduction of processing times.

Promotional Activities

Citizenship promotion activities are an important instrument for the continued integration of newcomers and new citizens into Canadian society. The launch of the 60th anniversary of citizenship was held in the Grand Hall of the Supreme Court of Canada on February 15, 2007, and activities were undertaken throughout the fiscal year. Canada Day ceremonies across the country focused on the 60th theme, including a ceremony on the grounds of Rideau Hall on July 1 involving the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration and the Governor General, as well as a Sunset Ceremony held in partnership with the RCMP. Canada’s Citizenship Week is an annual event held the third week of October to provide an opportunity for all Canadians to reflect on the value of citizenship, the meaning of being Canadian, and the rights, privileges and responsibilities of citizenship. During this time, at a CBC event in Toronto, approximately 400 new citizens took the oath of citizenship. Special ceremonies featuring the close of the 60th anniversary theme were held during Veteran’s Week in November 2007.

The 60th anniversary served as a means of engaging new partners in the citizenship program, including Parks Canada and the Canadian War Museum. Promotional products were developed for the year including lapel pins, pencils, banners, programs and videos. Much of the work done for the 60th celebrations will be used to further the enhanced ceremonies initiative, especially as it relates to building partnerships, creating products and raising awareness of the program. In 2007–2008, there were 2,897 citizenship ceremonies held, and the majority took place in the regions of Ontario (1,549), British Columbia (403), Quebec (398) and Prairies/Northwest Territories (317).

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