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Discover Canada the Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship STUDY GUIDE Discover Canada The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship C&I-1049-E-09-09 The Oath of Citizenship Le serment de citoyenneté I swear (or affirm) Je jure (ou j’affirme solennellement) That I will be faithful Que je serai fidèle And bear true allegiance Et porterai sincère allégeance To Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second à Sa Majesté la Reine Elizabeth Deux Queen of Canada Reine du Canada Her Heirs and Successors À ses héritiers et successeurs And that I will faithfully observe Que j’observerai fidèlement les lois du Canada The laws of Canada Et que je remplirai loyalement mes obligations And fulfil my duties as a Canadian citizen. de citoyen canadien. Help us serve you better! Tell us what you think of this publication at www.cic.gc.ca/feedback. © Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada, 2009 This document is available in multiple formats upon request. Catalogue No. Ci1-11/2009E ISBN 978-1-100-12739-2 Message to Our Readers Welcome! It took courage to move to a new country. Your decision to apply for citizenship is another big step. You are becoming part of a great tradition that was built by generations of pioneers before you. Once you have met all of the legal requirements, we hope to welcome you as a new citizen with all the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. Canada has welcomed generations of newcomers Immigrants between the ages of 18 and 54 must to our shores to help us build a free, law-abiding, have adequate knowledge of English or French in and prosperous society. For 400 years, settlers order to become Canadian citizens. You must also and immigrants have contributed to the diversity learn about voting procedures, Canada’s history, and richness of our country, which is built on a symbols, democratic institutions, geography, and proud history and a strong identity. the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. Canada is a constitutional monarchy, a Canadian citizens enjoy many rights, but parliamentary democracy, and a federal state. Canadians also have responsibilities. They must Canadians are bound together by a shared obey Canada’s laws and respect the rights and commitment to the rule of law and to the freedoms of others. institutions of parliamentary government. This guide will help you prepare to become a Canadians take pride in their identity and have Canadian citizen. Good luck! made sacrifices to defend their way of life. By coming to Canada and taking this important step For information about Citizenship and Immigration toward Canadian citizenship, you are helping to Canada, visit our website at www.cic.gc.ca. write the continuing story of Canada. Discover Canada Your Canadian Citizenship Study Guide Contents Applying for Citizenship . 6 Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship . 8 Who We Are . 10 Canada’s History . 14 Modern Canada . 24 How Canadians Govern Themselves . 28 Federal Elections . 30 Voting Procedures during an Election Period . 32 The Justice System . 36 Canadian Symbols . 38 Canada’s Economy . 42 Canada’s Regions . 44 The Atlantic Provinces . 46 Ontario and Quebec . 47 The Prairie Provinces . 48 The West Coast . 49 The Northern Territories . 50 For More Information . 52 Discover Canada 6 Your Canadian Citizenship Study Guide Applying for Citizenship When you apply for citizenship, officials will check your status, verify that you are not prohibited from applying, and ensure that you meet the requirements. Your application may take several months. Please ensure that the Call Centre always has your correct address while your application is being processed. See page 52 for telephone numbers. Citizens take the oath HOW TO USE THIS BOOKLET TO ABOUT THE CITIZENSHIP TEST PREPARE FOR THE CITIZENSHIP TEST The citizenship test is usually a written test, but it This booklet will help you prepare for the could be an interview. You will be tested on two citizenship test. You should: basic requirements for citizenship: 1) adequate • Study this guide; knowledge of English or French, and 2) knowledge of Canada and of the rights and • Ask a friend or family member to help you responsibilities of citizenship. People between practise answering questions about Canada; the ages of 18 and 54 must write the citizenship • Call a local school or school board, a college, test. Anyone under the age of 18 or over the age a community centre or a local organization of 54 does not need to write the test. that provides services to immigrants and ask for information on citizenship classes; You must also answer enough questions correctly • Take English or French language classes, to achieve a passing mark. The questions are which the Government of Canada offers free of chosen from the following topics: charge. • The rights and responsibilities of citizenship; • Canada’s government, history, symbols, and geography; • Voting procedures and how to register yourself as a voter. AFTER THE TEST At the ceremony, you will: • Take the Oath of Citizenship; If you pass the test and meet all the other • Sign the oath form; and requirements, you will receive a Notice to Appear to Take the Oath of Citizenship. This document • Receive your Canadian Citizenship Certificate. tells you the date, time and place of your citizenship ceremony. If you do not pass the test, you will receive a notification indicating the next steps. You are encouraged to bring your family and friends to celebrate this occasion. Discover Canada 7 8 Your Canadian Citizenship Study Guide Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship Canadian citizens have rights and responsibilities. These come to us from our history, are secured by Canadian law, and reflect our shared traditions, identity, and values. Canadian law has several sources, including laws passed by Parliament and the provincial legislatures, English common law, the civil code of France, and the unwritten constitution that we have inherited from Great Britain. Together, these secure for Canadians an 800- and Freedoms, which begins with the words, year-old tradition of ordered liberty, which dates “Whereas Canada is founded upon principles back to the signing of Magna Carta in 1215 in that recognize the supremacy of God and the rule England (also known as the Great Charter of of law.” This phrase underlines the importance of Freedoms), including: religious traditions to Canadian society and the • Freedom of conscience and religion; dignity and worth of the human person. • Freedom of thought, belief, opinion, and The Charter attempts to summarize fundamental expression, including freedom of speech and freedoms while also setting out additional rights. of the press; The most important of these include: • Freedom of peaceful assembly; and • Mobility Rights – Canadians can live and work • Freedom of association. anywhere they choose in Canada, enter and leave the country freely, and apply for a Habeas corpus, the right to challenge unlawful passport. detention by the state, comes from English • Aboriginal Peoples’ Rights – The rights common law. guaranteed in the Charter will not adversely affect any treaty or other rights or freedoms of The Constitution of Canada was amended in Aboriginal peoples. 1982 to entrench the Canadian Charter of Rights • Official Language Rights and Minority Language Educational Rights – French and English have equal status in Parliament and throughout the Government. • Multiculturalism – A fundamental characteristic Queen Elizabeth II of the Canadian heritage and identity. proclaiming the Canadians celebrate the gift of one another’s amended Constitution, presence and work hard to respect pluralism Ottawa, 1982 and live in harmony. The Equality of Women and Men In Canada, men and women are equal under the law. Canada’s openness and generosity do not extend to barbaric cultural practices that tolerate spousal abuse, “honour killings,” female genital mutilation, or other gender-based violence. Those guilty of these crimes are severely punished under Canada’s criminal laws. Citizenship Responsibilities • Voting in elections – The right to vote comes with a responsibility to vote in federal, In Canada, rights come with responsibilities. provincial or territorial, and local elections. These include: • Helping others in the community – Millions of • Obeying the law – One of Canada’s founding volunteers freely donate their time to help principles is the rule of law. Individuals and others without pay – helping people in need, governments are regulated by laws and not by assisting at your child’s school, volunteering arbitrary actions. No person or group is above at a food bank or other charity, or encouraging the law. newcomers to integrate. Volunteering is an • Taking responsibility for oneself and one’s excellent way to gain useful skills and develop family – Getting a job, taking care of one’s friends and contacts. family and working hard in keeping with one’s • Protecting and enjoying our heritage and abilities, are important Canadian values. Work environment – Every citizen has a role to play contributes to personal dignity and self -respect, in avoiding waste and pollution while and to Canada’s prosperity. protecting Canada’s natural, cultural, and • Serving on a jury – When called to do so, you are architectural heritage for future generations. legally required to serve. Serving on a jury is a privilege that makes the justice system work, as it depends on impartial juries made up of citizens. Defending Canada There is no compulsory military service in Canada. However, serving in the regular Canadian Forces (navy, army, and air force) is a noble way to contribute to Canada and an excellent career choice (www.forces.ca). You can serve in your local part-time navy, militia, or air reserves and gain valuable experience, skills, and contacts. Young people can learn discipline, responsibility, and skills by getting involved in the cadets (www.cadets.ca). You may also serve in the Coast Guard or emergency services in your community such as a police force or fire department.
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