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Guest Speaker : Ms. July Tran �iBridge Language School)

Every year about 150,000 immigrants become new Canadian citizens. Canadian citizenship is such a prized possession it is hard to believe it is only five decades old. Before 1947, Canadians were British subjects.

Canadians are proud of their citizenship and citizenship ceremonies reflect that pride. Canadians value the rights attached to citizenship and accept its responsibilities. If you have lived in Canada for at least three years as a permanent resident, you may be ready to take on those rights and responsibilities and become a Canadian citizen.

If you were born in Canada, you are a Canadian citizen.
If you were born outside Canada after February 15, 1977, and had one Canadian parent, you can apply for proof of Canadian citizenship. You may be Canadian if born before that time to a Canadian parent and can apply to establish your claim to Canadian citizenship.

How to Become a Canadian Citizen What are the requirements? If you are an adult, you must:

• be 18 years of age or more
• be a permanent resident of Canada
• have lived in Canada for at least three of the four years before applying
• be able to communicate in English or French
• demonstrate knowledge about Canada and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship

• be a permanent resident of Canada (three year residency requirement not necessary)

• you are under a deportation order
• you have been charged with or convicted of an indictable criminal offence in the past few years
• you are or have recently been in prison or on probation
• you are under investigation for war crimes
• your citizenship has been revoked in the past 4 years.