The government’s recent changes to the Citizenship Act will make the process for becoming citizens faster as it will reduce the current wait times to less than one year. Since 2006, Canada has welcomed over 1,300,000 individuals who are now proud to call Canada home.

Chris Alexander, Canada’s Citizenship and Immigration Minister had this to say:

“On behalf of the Government of Canada, I would like to congratulate our newest citizens and welcome them to the Canadian family on this special day. Canada Day is a day to reflect upon what it means to be Canadian and to reaffirm our commitment to upholding Canadian values, which have their roots in democracy, freedom, human rights and the rule of law. It is a day to recognize both the rights and responsibilities of each and every Canadian. Congratulations and Happy Canada Day!”

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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.

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