More than 360,000 immigrants to Canada swore the citizenship oath at ceremonies last year. The data comes as Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) proposes to replace the 76-year tradition with a check box on a federal website.
In 2022, a total of 367,405 people took the citizenship oath, and 3,712 ceremonies were held, according to an Inquiry of Ministry obtained by Blacklock’s Reporter. The data was requested by Conservative MP Tom Kmiec, asking, “With regard to citizenship ceremonies completed in 2022, how many individuals became Canadian citizens at ceremonies?”
Amendments to the Citizenship Regulations would give the government “broad discretion to allow clients to take the Oath by other means and not necessarily before an authorized individual,” according to a Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement from the IRCC obtained by Blacklock’s Reporter. Foreigners who completed their tests and paid a $630 fee would be permitted to take a check-box oath on a department website….