S-262Bill not proceeded with

Law change: Citizenship oath gets updated

Citizenship oath update

Introduced May 8, 2023·Last discussed May 30, 2024

Summary

This proposed law wanted to change the words new citizens say when they become Canadian. Right now, new citizens promise to be loyal to the King of Canada. This proposed law would give them a choice. They could promise loyalty to Canada instead. This change would affect anyone who becomes a Canadian citizen in the future. It would give them more options when taking the oath. They could choose the wording that feels right to them. This matters because the citizenship oath is a big part of becoming Canadian. It's a public promise of loyalty. Some people might feel more comfortable promising loyalty to Canada directly. Others might prefer to keep the promise to the King. This proposed law would let people choose.

Where This Lands on Key Issues

Where this proposed law falls on the policy spectrums that Canadians care about

Political & Electoral ReformMinor democratic reforms

Offering a choice between loyalty to Canada and loyalty to the King could be seen as a minor shift away from modern Canadian identity and towards a more traditional, monarchical one. While not a major overhaul, it introduces a change to a fundamental civic ritual.

Identity & Human RightsRespect all identities equally

While seemingly a minor change, offering a choice between loyalty to Canada and loyalty to the King could be interpreted as a subtle nod towards traditional values and a potential dilution of a unified Canadian identity. This could be seen as a slight move away from proactive equity and inclusion measures.

This bill

Bill Quality

Solid

This proposed law updates the Oath of Citizenship to reflect the current monarch, King Charles III. It also offers an alternative oath that removes the reference to the monarch, which could be more inclusive for some new citizens.

Things to Watch For

The regulations that dictate how the oath is administered are not specified, which could lead to inconsistent application.
The impact of offering two different oaths on national unity and identity is not addressed.
It is unclear how this change will affect the citizenship ceremony process or resources required.

Progress

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