The key reforms include but not limited to:

• Shortening the decision-making-process from three steps to one, which will reduce the current backlog by more than 80 percent by 2015-2016;
• The length of time an individual must be physically present in Canada has now increased from 3 out of 4 years to now 4 out of 6 years and physically be present in Canada for a minimum of 183 days per year in at least 4 of the 6 years;
• Applicants age 14-64 will be required to meet language requirements and pass a knowledge test, this is increasing the age from 55 years old;
• The new reform will also implement stronger penalties (fines and/or imprisonment) for fraud and misrepresentation;
• Naturalized Canadian citizens and Permanent residents who are convicted of terrorism or taking up arms against Canada may also have their citizenship revoked if they are also nationals of another country;
• New provisions will also ensure individuals with strong ties to Canada, such as automatically extending citizenship to Lost Canadians who were born before 1947 as well as their children born in the first generation outside of Canada;
• Permanent Residents who are also members of the Canadian Armed Forces will have faster access to obtaining citizenship; and
• Children born to Canadian parents, or adopted by Canadian parents who are serving abroad as servants of the Crown will be able to pass on Canadian citizenship.

The reforms outlined in the bill will go into effect mid 2015.

The post Royal Assent of Bill C-24 first appeared on Bellissimo Law Group.

With the proposed changes of Bill C-24, the Strengthening of the Citizenship Act. It is expected that the average processing time will be reduced to under one year. The government is also anticipating by 2015- 2016 the current backlog will be reduced by more than 80 percent.  With the current number of individuals  attaining Canadian citizenship it seems even without the passing of Bill C-24 changes are already underway.

Canada’s new citizens are welcomed at hundreds of citizenship ceremonies held across the country, from college campuses to Citizenship and Immigration Canada offices to special ceremonies at railway stations and designated heritage sites. For a new Canadian, the citizenship ceremony marks their formal entry into the Canadian family. A citizenship ceremony is a unique part of Canadian civic life. It is one of the few occasions where we formally reflect on the rights, responsibilities, privileges and benefits of being a Canadian citizen.

Since 2006, Canada has enjoyed the highest sustained levels of immigration in Canadian history an average of a quarter million newcomers each year. Accordingly, the demand for citizenship has increased by 30 percent. Canada will continue to see growth in new citizens throughout the year, as the government is always working on making the program more efficient.

The post Officially Canadian, Eh! first appeared on Bellissimo Law Group.