When will the new Citizenship rules be implemented?

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Since the announcement by the Liberal government in regards to the changes in the Citizenship rules, many have been waiting for the changes to be implemented.

Some of the highlights of these changes are:

  • Repealing citizenship revocation and intent to reside provision
  • 3 out of 5 years residency requirement (from 4 out of 6)
  • Allowing time before Permanent Residency to be counted
  • Return the language requirement age back to 18-54

Bill C-6 was introduced on June 17th, 2016 by the Immigration Minister, however, in order for the changes to be implemented, they must first be passed by the senate. It was the government’s intention to do this by July 1st, 2016, however, it was not enough time and  we hit the (extra long) summer holidays for our government.

So when will their holidays be done?

The senate is to return to work on September 19th, 2016 and we expect this bill to be finalized and implemented soon after.

Breaking: The date for the controvercial citizenship rules change has been announced: June 11th

jason-alexander-citizenship-rule-changes

Immigration Miniser, Chris Alexander announces that June 11th the remaining citizenship rules will come into effect.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has announced the date the citizenship rule changes will come into effect.

One of the most contentious changes will be:

Adult applicants must declare their intent to reside in Canada once they become citizens and meet their personal income tax obligations in order to be eligible for citizenship.

The wording is loose and some think the rule changes may also apply to after one becomes a citizen.

This raises questions:

  • Can you be deemed not eligible for citizenship if you’re not showing enough intention and bond with Canada?
  • What are the standards and meaning of intention?
  • Are you breaking the rules that you signed up for and have your citizenship revoked if you don’t meet the standard?

It will be interesting to see if debates and the coming election in autumn will make this controversial and vague rule change more clear.

Here is a clip with CIC Minister Chris Alexander in the Senate committee meeting on June 12 2014 trying to respond to the concern of the wording:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMoa1vbxRWk