Canada's Bill C-6 has received Royal Assent and is now law, effective June 19, 2017. The new law simplifies and streamlines the process for immigrants to become Canadian citizens and assures all Canadian citizens are treated equally. Bill C-6 is an amendment to Canada’s Citizenship Act and will benefit thousands of immigrants in Canada.
A Canadian is a Canadian is a Canadian
~ Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Bill C-6 provisions that take effect immediately include:
- All citizens will be treated equally, whether they are born in Canada or are immigrants who became Canadian citizens.
- Dual citizens convicted of treason are treated like any other Canadian who breaks the law.
- Makes the process for qualified immigrants to become Canadian citizens quicker and simpler.
- Citizenship applicants are no longer required to intend to continue to live in Canada once granted citizenship.
- The age minimum to apply for Canadian citizenship has been removed; minors are allowed to apply for citizenship via their legal custodian or the court system.
Other provisions of Bill C-6 take effect later in 2017 or in 2018, including:
- Citizenship applicants must be physically present in Canada for three out of five years before applying for citizenship.
- Applicants must file Canadian income taxes.
- Canada citizenship applicants aged between 18 and 54 years must meet the language and knowledge requirements for citizenship.
Two-tiered citizenship has no place in Canada. Bill C-6 has passed, ensuring that a Canadian is a Canadian is a Canadian.
~ Ahmed Hussen, Canada’s Minister of Immigration
