Understanding the types of Canadian citizenship ceremonies is crucial for newcomers coming to Canada. The experience of a Citizenship ceremony holds the utmost significance for them. Approximately 80 percent of qualified permanent residents in Canada sought to gain Canadian citizenship in 2021. They even marked their presence at the citizenship ceremony to make their new status official.
Citizenship ceremonies are memorable experiences that occur nearly every day in Canada. These ceremonies are vital rituals to honor a person’s dedication to their new country and the home country’s commitment to them as a response.
As a result of the citizenship ceremonies taking place consistently, along with the launch of digital provisions, new Canadians have the choice to participate in various types of citizenship ceremonies.
Understanding the types of Canadian citizenship ceremonies
The citizenship ceremonies are precisely of four types, and they are as follows:
- Standard Ceremonies;
- Private Ceremonies;
- Enhanced Ceremonies; and
- Reaffirmation Ceremonies
Standard Citizenship Ceremonies
A Standard Citizenship Ceremony physically occurs in a ceremony room at IRCC’s office or at some other location if the local office is inadequate or not available. There is also an option to take the oath through a digital standard ceremony. This is possible through video conference software. A standard in-person ceremony can be conducted with additional elements. This implies that the children might also receive an invitation to sing the national anthem in front of the room. Moreover, they could also get an invitation considering their future leadership role within the country. After the citizenship oath, new citizens must get a chance to congratulate each other.
Incorporating one or more extra elements doesn’t classify this category as “enhanced.”
The following additional elements might be included:
- Children’s participation;
- Indigenous guest speakers;
- Canadian Armed Forces or Royal Canadian Mounted Police;
- Media Representatives;
- The unique speech points for the governing official include veterans and elected federal, provincial, and local leaders.
Enhanced Citizenship Ceremonies
When a standard ceremony takes place along with the below elements, it takes the form of an enhanced ceremony:
- Single or multiple host companies or external partners, including non-profit organizations, such as the Institute for Canadian Citizenship, service organizations or educational institutions, the Lions Club of Toronto, or government levels, such as Parks Canada.
- Unique guests mark their presence, such as a host company’s president, a school principal, and performers like singers, dancers, and poetry readers. It also includes indigenous performers like drummers, singers, and dancers. Indigenous speakers differ from the performers because they offer welcoming speeches or prayers.
- Higher authorities, including the Canadian Prime Minister, the Governor General, IRCC’s minister, the territories commissioner, a lieutenant governor, veterans, and a designated speaker. However, this excludes RCMP members, CAF members, and Indigenous speakers.
- Physical ceremonies in the form of a reception.
Private Citizenship Ceremonies
Private Citizenship Ceremonies are not open to the public and typically operate for a particular family or person. These are held specific circumstances, such as the following:
- Subsection 5(4) of the Citizenship Act for exceptional cases- A special grant.
- Candidates who are critically ill and are not in a condition to travel.
- Other individuals who are facing any urgent or extraordinary circumstances.
Reaffirmation Ceremonies
A Reaffirmation Ceremony is a type of formal event where Canadians showcase their patriotism by reciting the citizenship oath to vocalize their commitment to Canada. Any individual can organize such a ceremony at their workplace or educational institution. The person who often leads the group for the recitation of the citizenship oath doesn’t need official permission from the Registrar of Citizenship to qualify for this position. This individual could also be a judge of citizenship, the Order of Canada’s recipient, a school principal, or a community group’s leader.
Understanding what the Canadian Citizenship Ceremony is all about?
Let us understand in brief the workings of these Canadian citizenship ceremonies. Here’s what happens in these ceremonies:
- Participants will take the Citizenship Oath;
- Acquire a Canadian citizenship certificate;
- They will sign the Affirmation of citizenship form and
- Signing the National Anthem;
A citizenship judge or authority will take complete control of the ceremony and become a leader of the citizenship oath. Typically, several people take the oath of citizenship together. The ceremony’s authority will speak the oath in French and English. Together, the participants will speak the exact words recited by the official. Notably, participants will need to recite the oath in one of the country’s two official languages. However, it would be much better if they recited it in both languages. They will also be asked to sing Canada’s national anthem in its bilingual version.
New Canadians will have two choices: either to swear the oath or affirm it. If they choose to swear the oath, this indicates their religious beliefs. Conversely, those who don’t seek any religious reference can choose to affirm.
Also, if people seek to swear to the oath of the holy book of their choice, they must bring that book to the ceremony.
Once the participants successfully take the Oath of Citizenship, they become Canadian citizens officially.
IRCC will offer a citizenship certificate to prove the status of Canadian citizenship, showcasing the date on which the ceremony occurred.
Our immigration representatives at Make Home Canada have immense knowledge related to Canadian immigration. To clarify your doubts or queries, you may write to us at [email protected]
