Citizenship: Being A Citizen of Canada

1. Citizenship: Being A Citizen of Canada Citizenship:Being A Citizen of Canada

2. Citizenship: Being A Citizen of Canada Citizenship • Canadian citizenship grants many rights and privileges • the definition of a citizen in Canada has changed over the years

3. Citizenship: Being A Citizen of Canada History of the Citizen in Canada: • Before 1947: we were still considered British subjects despite 80 years since Confederation • Women were not legally considered ‘competent persons’ (persons who could hold political office) legally until 1929, though they’d been voting for more than ten years at that point. Though Canadian courts determined women were legally persons (people), women weren’t being given the full political rights of other (I.e. white male) persons until the Famous Five fought The Persons Case, which they won in 1929. Jan. 1, 1947:Canadian Citizenship Act • People born in Canada, or outside Canada whose fathers held Canadian citizenship (mostly for war brides) were considered citizens. February 15, 1997: the Canadian Citizenship Act was revised

4. Citizenship: Being A Citizen of Canada Canadian Citizenship Act of 1997 (revised) A citizen is: • A person born within Canadian borders (or the child of Canadian diplomats serving Canada in another country). • Person born outside Canada after Feb. 15/77 with one Canadian parent citizenship is by descent • If you aren’t living in Canada, you will lose this when you turn 28 if you do not apply for permanent citizenship

5. Citizenship: Being A Citizen of Canada Becoming a Canadian Citizen • Every year, over 150,000 people take the Oath and become citizens • You are first classed as a permanent resident → with many, but not all, rights of citizenship

6. Citizenship: Being A Citizen of Canada Becoming a Canadian Citizen • If you are only a permanent resident, you must then undergo a process called ‘naturalization,’ for which you must: • oBe a permanent resident of Canada for 3 of last 4 years • oBe 18 years of age • oHave knowledge of Canada including geography, politics, law, and the right/responsibilities of citizenship • Speak/read/write English OR French

7. Citizenship: Being A Citizen of Canada Becoming a Canadian Citizen To complete your citizenship, you must: • Complete an application and meet all requirements • Pass the citizenship test (only ages 18-54) • Take the Oath of Citizenship • Pay money for fees

8. Citizenship: Being A Citizen of Canada Becoming a Canadian Citizen You CANNOT become a citizen if: oyou are (or were in the last 4 years) in prison, on parole or probation oconvicted of an offence under the Citizenship Act (i.e. fraud) • you are being investigated for war crimes or crimes against humanity

9. Citizenship: Being A Citizen of Canada Rights and Privileges of Citizenship ·protection under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms (also applies to permanent residents) ·right to vote in municipal, provincial, and federal elections ·permanent residents may vote in municipal elections ONLY ·right to be a candidate in an election • right to leave the country and return at any time

10. Citizenship: Being A Citizen of Canada The Oath of Citizenship: “I affirm that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada, Her Heirs and Successors, and that I will faithfully observe the laws of Canada and fulfill my duties as a Canadian Citizen.”

11. Citizenship: Being A Citizen of Canada Your Views • Some people think our immigration policy is too hard, and that we want to increase our population more rapidly than it allows. • Other people think our immigration policy is too lenient, and feel that immigrants compete with born-citizens for jobs, and bring problems from their countries with them. • And what do you think?