The New Canadian Citizenship Bill C-6 2017

The New Canadian Citizenship Bill C-6 is otherwise known now as “An Act to amend the Citizenship Act and to make consequential amendments to another Act.”

The Bill C-6 aims to roll back much of the previous Conservative government’s Bill C-24, including the power to strip citizenship away from dual citizens.

The Liberals’ was hoping to have the new bill approved into law by Canada Day 2016. The Senate began debating Bill C-6 in June 2016.  They delivered the bill last May 03, 2017 with important amendments.  It must now return to the House of Commons for further debate and approval by MPs.

Now, here is the Summary of Bill C-6 for current debate 2017 in the House of Commons:

• Applicants between the ages of 18 and 60 must meet basic knowledge and language requirements. Applicable criteria will be defined under future regulations. (Senate Additional Amendment)
• Gives Canadians the right to a hearing before citizenship can be revoked in cases of fraud in the application process. (Senate Additional Amendment)
• Allow minors the right to apply for citizenship without parents. Currently, if the parents are rejected, the minor child would as well. (Senate Additional Amendment)
• Applicants must be permanent residents of and physically reside in Canada for at least 1,095 days (three years) during the five years before the date of their application. (instead of 4 years out of 6 years)
• Eliminating the 183 days of physical presence requirement
• Repeals a requirement that adult applicants must declare their intent to reside in Canada once they are granted Canadian citizenship.
• Restores consideration of time spent in Canada as a non-permanent resident (non-PR) for most applicants to a maximum of one year of credited time.
• Reduces the period to three years for adult applicants to file Canadian income taxes, if required under the Income Tax Act, to be eligible for citizenship.
• Repeals authority to revoke Canadian citizenship from dual citizens who served as members of an armed force of a country or an organized armed group engaged in armed conflict with Canada.
• Repeals authority to revoke Canadian citizenship from dual citizens who are convicted of terrorism, high treason, treason, or spying offenses, depending on the sentence received.
• Authorizes Minister to seize documents used in fraudulent citizenship applications.

When the House of Commons passes this bill with or without further changes, it will have to again return to the Senate for endorsement before becoming a law. Canada Day 2017 is fast approaching and residents are still hoping that its approval will be Canada’s 150^th birthday gift to citizens.

Furthermore, here is the approval update of the bill:

 

 

 

Sources:

http://www.parl.ca/LegisInfo