Copy of presentation given May 10 at Conference Board of Canada Immigration Summit 2017.

1. Citizenship & Multiculturalism
Building an Inclusive Canada
Andrew Griffith
Conference Board Immigration Summit
May 2017

2. Agenda
• Context and framework
• From British subjects to Canadian citizens
• Recent and planned changes
• Naturalization data
• Challenges
2

3. Canadian Model of Integration
Canadian History, Identity and
Values
Multiculturalism
Selection
Immigration
(Permanent Residents)
Foreign Workers
(Temporary Residents)
Short-term
Integration
Language
Orientation
Employment
Requirements
Ceremonies and
Awareness
Citizenship
3

4. Immigration-Based
Culture of Accommodation
• Canada built by successive waves of
immigration
• Accommodation (imperfect) among Indigenous,
French, and British
• Immigrant to citizen expectation
• Context for later later group arrivals and
multiculturalism
4

5. “Integration of Postwar Immigrants”
Canada Year Book 1959
• In keeping with the democratic belief in the dignity and freedom of the
individual, it is felt that integration should be voluntary and should not be
pressed. It is assumed that integration is more moderate in its demands on
the immigrant and less painful for him than assimilation would be. Assimilation
usually means the complete absorption of the newcomer by the dominant
culture. In the process, cultural and social differences are worn off and a more-
or-less homogeneous society emerges. Integration, on the other hand,
recognizes and respects the cultural contributions that may be made by
people of diverse ethnic backgrounds who, nevertheless, are devoted to
the welfare of the same country.
• The ultimate responsibility for integration rests with the Canadian people
for, without their acceptance of the newcomers into community life, there can
be no integration. One of the main objectives of the Citizenship Branch*
therefore has been to encourage understanding and co-operation between old
and new Canadians and between the various ethnic groups in the population.
5

6. Citizenship-related Policies
• 1960s — Discrimination removed from immigrant
selection (1962); points system introduced (1967)
• 1971 — Multiculturalism Policy
• 1982 — Charter of Rights and Freedoms
• 1988 — Multiculturalism Act
• 1995 — Employment Equity Act
6

7. Citizenship — General
• Birthright or ‘blood’ citizenship
• Residency: length, physical or legal presence
• Language and knowledge requirements
• Values
• Dual nationality
• Retention and subsequent generations
• Revocation
7

8. Evolving Citizenship
8
Aspect Pre-1947 1947 Act 1977 Act 2014 Act C-24 2017 Bill C-6
Birthright Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Residence
(years)
5 after 1919
(shorter earlier)
5 3 4 3
Language Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Knowledge Yes Yes Yes Yes
Test Ages 18-64 (18-54 2005) 14-64 18-54
Dual nationality No No Yes Yes Yes
Values “good
character”
“good
character”
Intent to reside Yes Yes No Yes No
Retention Declaration
before age 22
Declaration
before age 25
Declaration before
age 28
First generation
limit
Revocation
(fraud)
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Revocation
(terrorism)
Yes Yes No Yes No

9. Multiculturalism Policy and Act
1971, 1988
• To assist cultural groups to retain and foster their
identity
• To assist cultural groups to overcome barriers to
their full participation in Canadian society
• To promote creative exchanges among all
Canadian cultural groups
• To assist immigrants in acquiring at least one of
the official languages
9

10. Immigrants and Citizens
1915-2016
75,000
150,000
225,000
300,000
1915 1920 1925 1930 1935 1940 1945 1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015
New Citizens Immigrants
British Subject Canadian Citizen
10

11. Changes 2010
Administrative and Operational
• Emphasis on history,
military, responsibilities
• More difficult test (from
60 to 75 percent)
• Language “pre-
assessment”
• Anti-fraud
11

12. 2014 Citizenship Act
Residency and Testing
• Longer residency (4 out of 6) and physical
presence
• From “honour system” to residency questionnaire
• “Intent to reside”
• Knowledge and language required 14-65
• Eliminate pre-permanent residency time 50
percent credit
12

13. 2014 Citizenship Act
Integrity
• Physical presence, not just legal residency
• Knowledge requirement met in English or French, not
through an interpreter
• Bar granting citizenship to those with foreign criminal
charges and convictions
• Regulations for citizenship consultants
• Increased fines and penalties for fraud
• Requirement for adult applicants to file Canadian income
taxes
13

14. 2014 Citizenship Act
Efficiency and Business Processes
• Ministerial authority to revoke citizenship for fraud,
misrepresentation (previously, GiC)
• Ministerial authority on discretionary grants of citizenship
(previously, GiC)
• Ability to cancel incomplete applications
• Single-step processing (previously three-step), ceremonial role
for citizenship judges
• Electronic means to verify citizenship.
• “Soft” commitment one year processing
14

15. 2014 Citizenship Act
Fairness
• “Lost Canadians” fix
• Fees based on full cost recovery — from $100 to
$530, plus language testing (~ $200)
• Revocation for Fraud: Ministerial discretion
• Revocation for “Terror or Treason” for dual nationals
• Other
• Fast-track mechanism for Permanent Residents serving in the
Canadian Forces
15

16. Liberal Changes 2017 (C-6)
Adjustments, not full repeal
• Principle: “A Canadian is a Canadian is a Canadian”
• Repeal revocation for dual nationals for terror or treason
• Remove barriers
• Restore the previous age limits for knowledge and language
testing to 18-54 (~ 10 percent of applicants)
• Repeal the “intent to reside”
• Restore pre-permanent residency time 50 percent credit
• Maintain physical presence but reduce time required to 3 out of
5 years
• New citizenship study guide (replace Discover Canada)
16

17. 2017 C-6 Citizenship Act
Integrity, Due Process
• Maintain C-24 integrity measures plus:
• No longer counting time spent under a conditional sentence
order towards meeting physical presence
• Retroactive application of prohibition of applicants from taking
oath if never met/no longer meet requirements
• Authority to seize fraudulent documents of those used
fraudulently
• Restoration of procedural protections for those
accused of fraud or misrepresentation
• Amendment in Senate
17

18. Other planned changes
• C-33 Elections Act amendment proposes
unlimited voting rights for expatriates
• Ministerial mandate letter includes TRC
recommendation for new oath:
• “I swear (or affirm) that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance
to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada, her heirs
and successors, and that I will faithfully observe the laws of
Canada, including treaties with Indigenous peoples, and fulfil
my duties as a Canadian citizen.”
18

19. Multiculturalism Changes
• Program weakened following transfer to IRCC and
return to PCH
• Broader government diversity and inclusion agenda
seen in appointments and hiring processes
• Current priorities
• work toward the elimination of discrimination, racism and
prejudice;
• provide opportunities for youth community engagement; and
• bring people together through art, culture and/or sport.
19

20. What the data shows
20

21. Citizenship Take-up
Foreign-born by Place of Birth, NHS 2011
Europe
Eastern & SE Asia
Southern Asia
Latin America
West Asia & ME
Caribbean
United States
Africa
Oceania
0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
31%
40%
40%
22%
30%
25%
31%
31%
18%
56%
46%
42%
70%
54%
64%
63%
64%
67%
Canadian Only Dual Nationals Non-Citizens
Number
2,226,100
1,826,205
927,775
676,855
484,985
368,465
316,465
314,890
63,630
21

22. New Citizens 2007-16
Top 10 by Place of Birth, “Other” 832,000 or 48.5 percent
India
Philippines
China
Pakistan
Iran
USA
England
Korea
Colombia
Sri Lanka
55,000 110,000 165,000 220,000
31,981
41,360
43,240
45,240
47,752
51,925
81,340
163,416
171,908
205,433
22

23. New Citizens 2012-16
Province of Residence
Ontario
Quebec
BC
Alberta
Manitoba
Saskatchewan
Atlantic
North
Other
12.5% 25% 37.5% 50%
0.3%
0.1%
1.6%
2.1%
4.0%
13.2%
15.5%
18.9%
44.3%
23

24. Citizenship Applications & Citizens
2000-16 IRCC Operational Data
75,000
150,000
225,000
300,000
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Applications Applications 3-Year Moving Average New Citizens
PR Trendline
PR Trendline
24

25. Citizenship Take-Up
6 Years Since Landing vs All Years Since Landing 2015
20%
40%
60%
80%
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
47%
55%
61%
64%
69%
72%74%77%
79%80%
47%44%
50%
56%
6 Years Since Landing (2014 data) All Years Since Landing
25

26. Impact 2010 Changes
Citizenship Test Percentage Decline by Country of Birth
2010-15 Compared to 2005-9
Caribbean
Southern & East African
South Asian
West Asian & Mid-East
Latin American
East & Southeast Asian
Central & West African
South European
North African
East European
Oceania
West European
French
British
North American
North European
-16% -12% -7% -3% 2%
-0.9%
-1.1%
-1.5%
-1.8%
-2.1%
-5.2%
-6.5%
-8.3%
-9.2%
-9.3%
-9.5%
-10%
-12.7%
-12.7%
-14.5%
-14.7%
Overall Pass Rates
2005-9 96.3%
2010-13 82.7%
2014-15 90.0%
26

27. Language Assessment
Type of Assessment 2013-15
Diploma in Eng/Fr
Private testing
LINC, Prov Certificate
Other
Special needs
No evidence
18% 35% 53% 70%
0%
0.2%
0.4%
16.5%
20.4%
62.4%
2013 2014 2015 Total
Diploma 58,910 78,007 54,491 191,408
Private 15,278 28,722 18,601 62,601
LINC, Prov 12,330 22,069 16,129 50,528
27

28. Impact by Immigrant Class
Percentage Change New Citizens
2010-15 Compared to 2005-9
-23%
-15%
-8%
0%
8%
Economic Family Class Protected Persons Other
-17%
-24.9%
-19.6%
0.9%
28

29. Fees — Major barrier
• User fees exemption to reduce scrutiny
• $100 to $300 (Feb 2014) to $530 (Jan 2015)
• Language pre-assessment costs (~ $200) for 20
percent of applicants
• Dramatic decline in applications — 50 %
29

30. Adult Processing Fee Revenues
IRCC assumes no decline — 182,400 adult applications
(Canada Gazette)
25$ M
50$ M
75$ M
100$ M
Pre-2014 $100 2014 $300 2015 $530 2016 $530
$48,864,410
$96,672,000
$54,720,000
$18,240,000
30

31. Competitiveness
31
Country Residency Fee CAD Rate MIPEX
UK 5 years $2,024 66% 60
Netherlands 5 years $1,190 78% 66
USA 5 years $950 60% 61
Canada 3 of 5 years $630 92% 67
New Zealand 5 years $441 78% 71
Germany 8 years $355 61% 72
Australia 3 of 4 years $285 83% 69
France 5 years $76 62% 61
MIPEX 2015 Indicator is ‘Access to Nationality’
Naturalization Rate OECD 2015 Integration Report (10 years plus, NZ 2012 Report)
Fees as of Feb 2017

32. Observations & Policy
Questions
32

33. Concluding Observations
• Balance between facilitation and
meaningfulness
• Conservative integrity improvements maintained
• Canadian citizenship competitive
• But immigrant to citizen model at risk
33

34. Policy Questions
Citizenship
• Balance between presence and mobility? Between
meaningfulness and instrumental citizenship?
• Does naturalization matter?
• Should fees be based on cost recovery or mix of
private and public interest considerations?
• What percent of immigrants expected to naturalize
within what period of time?
• What voting rights should non-residents have?
34

35. Policy Questions
Citizenship, Integration and Multiculturalism
• Gender-based analysis be expanded to include
all employment equity groups?
• Governments collect race-based data for major
citizen services?
• New Ethnic Diversity Survey or alternate?
• More informative annual Multiculturalism Report?
35

36. Andrew Griffith
Email: agriffith232@gmail.com
Twitter: @andrew_griffith
LinkedIn: andrewlgriffith
Facebook: Andrew Griffith C&M
Blog: www.multiculturalmeanderings.wordpress.com
Books: lulu.com