Bill C-6 Recieves Royal Assent

Bill C-6 has been granted royal Assent.  Its passage was announced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Minister Ahmed Hussen.  The changes are designed to provide greater flexibility in meeting requirements for those who wish to obtain Canadian citizenship.

These changes  repealed certain provisions of the former government’s Bill C-24, important changes to physical presence and the age required to meet language and knowledge requirements for permanent residents who are applying for citizenship.  “One of the strongest pillars for successful integration into Canadian life is achieving Canadian citizenship and becoming part of the Canadian family,” Hussen said. They will come into effect on October 11, 2017. The new requirements will give more flexibility to both younger and older eligible immigrants to obtain citizenship. They will also help individuals who have already begun building lives in Canada achieve citizenship faster.

Citizenship applicants who meet the new requirements must wait until October 11, 2017, before applying for citizenship. This is the date when the changes come into effect, and when the new citizenship application forms and guides will be available.