Key Adjustments within the Canadian Citizenship Act Over the Final 10 Years

Over the previous decade, the Canadian Citizenship Act has undergone important adjustments that reveal how a shift in authorities can reshape nationwide coverage—significantly round inclusivity and accessibility for brand spanking new residents.

Below the Conservative authorities led by Prime Minister Stephen Harper (2006-2015), the Citizenship Act noticed reforms that tightened sure citizenship standards. Nevertheless, with the election of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Liberal Get together in 2015, a brand new method emerged.

Trudeau’s authorities applied Invoice C-6 in 2017, which repealed lots of the former Conservative insurance policies. These adjustments had been designed to make citizenship extra accessible to a various vary of candidates, particularly those that had already begun constructing their lives in Canada.

Beneath is an outline of the important thing adjustments launched by “Invoice C-24” in 2014 and “Invoice C-6” in 2017, highlighting their impression on the citizenship utility course of.

• Earlier than: The applicant should be bodily current in Canada for “4 out of 6 years” earlier than making use of for citizenship.

• At present: Lowered the bodily presence requirement to ‘3 out of 5 years’, Time spent in Canada as a brief resident or protected individual can rely (as much as three hundred and sixty five days).

• Earlier than: Candidates wanted to declare an intention to reside in Canada as soon as granted citizenship.

• At present: The intent to reside provision was repealed, offering flexibility for brand spanking new residents to reside exterior Canada if wanted with out dropping their citizenship.

Revocation of Citizenship

• Earlier than: Allowed the federal government to revoke citizenship from twin residents who had been convicted of terrorism, excessive treason, espionage, or had been a part of an armed drive engaged in battle with Canada.

• At present: Now, twin residents will face the identical authorized penalties as every other Canadian citizen for these crimes, reinforcing the equality of citizenship standing.

Language and Data Necessities

• Earlier than: Candidates aged 14 – 64 needed to meet language (English or French) and information necessities.

• At present: Narrowed the age vary to 18-54 years, decreasing the burden on youthful and older candidates.

Counting Time as a Non permanent Resident

• Earlier than: Time spent in Canada as a brief resident didn’t rely in direction of the bodily presence requirement.

• At present: Allowed every day spent as a brief resident or protected individual to rely as a half-day towards the bodily presence requirement, as much as a most of three hundred and sixty five days.

Minors Making use of for Citizenship

• Earlier than: Minors may solely apply for citizenship with a Canadian father or mother. There was no provision for minors to use independently.

• At present: Minors can now apply for citizenship independently with out a Canadian father or mother, so long as they meet different eligibility standards. This transformation was geared toward growing accessibility for weak minors.

• Earlier than: People serving a conditional sentence (e.g., home arrest) had been eligible to rely this time in direction of bodily presence necessities.

• At present: Prohibited people serving a conditional sentence from being granted citizenship, taking the Oath of Citizenship, or counting this time in direction of bodily presence.

Lodging for Individuals with Disabilities

• Earlier than: No express provision for accommodating candidates with disabilities.

• At present. Invoice C-6 launched a provision requiring affordable lodging for citizenship candidates with disabilities.

• Earlier than: The Minister may waive some necessities for sure instances of hardship or distinctive service.

• At present: Statelessness was added as a further floor for waiver, permitting the Minister to grant citizenship below particular circumstances.

• Invoice C-24 was seen as a extra restrictive piece of laws that emphasised safety and restricted entry to citizenship.

• Invoice C-6 aimed to undo a number of restrictive measures of Invoice C-24, making the trail to citizenship extra accessible and fairer, particularly for non permanent residents, protected individuals, and minors.

Canadian immigration has been a scorching subject in political discussions, and it’s essential to remain knowledgeable, as governments usually alter insurance policies to fulfill public demand or handle present nationwide wants.

Bear in mind, appearing swiftly when insurance policies align in your favor could make a distinction. When you want steering with the citizenship utility course of, we’re right here to assist!

You may as well schedule a session with one among our licensed and skilled immigration consultants for customized help.

Supply: Authorities of Canada