CIMM - Citizenship and Passport - June 2, 2021

Key messages

• Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department has been modernizing the citizenship and passport applications by moving towards virtual and online services. 
• This includes virtual citizenship ceremonies to administer the Oath of Citizenship, moving the citizenship knowledge test online, launching the initial phase of an electronic grant application (e-application), a self-serve application status tracker, and advancing an online passport intake solution.
• As of April 30, 2021, 14,600 clients have become citizens since the beginning of the year, and almost 45,000 clients have taken the online citizenship test since November 2020.
• The Department will continue to refine our modernized processes and expand their reach to additional applicants.
• The Department continues to support the advancement of legislation to amend the Oath of Citizenship, and to update the citizenship study guide and knowledge test.

Supplementary messages

Citizenship Application Status Tracker

• On May 10th, a new online tool was launched to enable clients to check the status of their grant application as it moves through the application process to the citizenship ceremony.
• This new tool provides better service to our clients, and is expected to reduce the number of enquiries to the Client Service Centre (CSC) from citizenship applicants about the status of their grant application. All clients who have received an acknowledgement of receipt can now access the new tool. By the end of June, all existing clients will have been notified that they may check their status using this new tool.

Backlog and Processing Times

• Due to interruptions in processing, the grant inventory has grown from around 211,000 pre-pandemic to over 374,100 as of April 30, 2021.
• There are an additional estimated 34,700 grants pending file creation at the Case Processing Centre-Sydney mailroom.
• Processing times have grown to 20 months as of the end of April 2021.
• To mitigate backlog growth, the Department has implemented several measures, including launching the online test, virtual ceremonies, and further initiatives to streamline processes. The grant e-application was also launched to facilitate inventory management, including remote processing and work-sharing.
• The online citizenship test has allowed over 45,000 aspiring Canadians to continue on their path to citizenship despite the challenges presented by the pandemic. We have made progress processing more applications and moving people through the system faster.
• IRCC is now able to invite approximately 5,000 clients per week to complete the online citizenship test, which is in line with pre-COVID testing rates. The Department has steadily increased the number of test invitations sent to applicants in order to facilitate rendering a decision on their application, and ultimately reduce the overall inventory.

Citizenship events

• Before the pandemic, citizenship tests and ceremonies were in-person group events held in offices throughout the country.
• Through a web-accessible conferencing platform, over 48,000 applicants took the Oath of Citizenship (the Oath) and became new citizens between April 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020. This year so far, over 14,600 applicants have become citizens through virtual ceremonies as of April 30, 2021.
• On November 26, 2020, the Department began inviting a limited number of clients who were ready to take the citizenship knowledge test online.
• An important aspect of holding online events is the verification of applicants’ identities to maintain the integrity of the program. Measures are in place to confirm each applicant’s identity by capturing a photo of their ID, their face and by taking static photos (non-biometric) during the test. 
• On November 30, 2020, the Department also launched the initial phase of the citizenship grant electronic application (e-application). The Department is working on adding new functionalities to the tool and to expand it to more applicants in the coming months.

Online passport application

• To minimize risks, the first stage is a small-scale controlled pilot open to a select group of passport renewal applicants. Focusing on this known client group allows the Department to test, adapt and improve the solution before expanding to a wider audience.
• Application processing will continue to be done in the Departmental passport issuance system where all existing checks and verifications using advanced systems capabilities are conducted on a client’s eligibility, identity and entitlement to a Canadian passport.
• The privacy of Canadians and the security of their personal information is a top priority. We are taking the time needed to develop a solution that Canadians will be able to use safely and securely.

Oath of Citizenship

• The proposed amendment to the Oath demonstrates the Government’s commitment to advancing the calls to action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
• The proposed amendment in Bill C-8 expands the wording of the Oath in order to meaningfully respond to Call to Action #94 to include a reference to the Aboriginal and treaty rights of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.

Citizenship Guide

• The Department continues to work on updates to the citizenship study guide and knowledge test, in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action #93 to be more inclusive of the perspectives and history of the Indigenous peoples of Canada.
• To better reflect Canada’s diversity in the guide and test, the Department consulted over 90 stakeholders from national Indigenous organizations, academia, settlement service providers, interest groups and communities.
• A suite of learning materials will also be provided to better support Canadians and prospective Canadians to access required citizenship knowledge. Educational tools including workbooks, web-based practice tests, games, and learning resources have been designed with second language learners, teachers, and settlement providers in mind.
• At this time, a launch date for the revised guide and test has not yet been determined.

House motion to provide a discretionary grant of citizenship to Raif Badawi

• The Government of Canada is very concerned by the case of Raif Badawi in Saudi Arabia. His well-being is foremost in our minds.
• I am working with my colleague, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, on the motion made in the House.
• I cannot speak to any specifics related to individual cases to respect the privacy, security and safety of those individuals.

Private Member’s Bill C-223 (Adequate knowledge of French language in Quebec)

• The Government places tremendous value on Canada's linguistic duality and remains committed to supporting the vitality and promotion of the French language in Quebec and across this great country.
• At the same time, the Government continually seeks to reduce barriers and promote equitable access to Canadian citizenship across the country, which is key to full participation in Canada’s economy and society.

New Democratic Party Member of Parliament Jenny Kwan on fee-free extension of passports

• Orders-in-council have been pursued in the past to assist passport clients affected by very specific circumstances (e.g., emergency situations, in most cases - Fort McMurray wildfires).
• However, these measures have all focused on waiving fees for replacement documents with the same expiry date, as opposed to extending passport validity for free, or even issuing new passports with added validity for free.
• In compliance with the international standards for travel documents, Canada cannot extend passport validity. This requirement is set by the International Civil Aviation Organization, a specialized agency of the United Nations.
• The integrity and reputation of the Canadian passport, and its interoperability with international border systems, would be put at risk should Canada contravene these standards

New Democratic Party Member of Parliament Jenny Kwan on waiving passport renewal fees

• IRCC’s Passport Program operates on a cost recovery basis, meaning it is funded entirely by fees charged for passports and other travel documents services. Fees are collected under a revolving fund, which allows for the accumulation of revenues from year-to-year to offset future shortfalls, and to enable reinvestment to modernize the Program.
• Any change to fees, particularly any broad fee waivers, requires a careful consideration of the Program’s ongoing sustainability on the basis of future expenditures and fee revenues. Should the Program not maintain sufficient funds to sustain its operations, the quality of services provided to Canadians will be affected, and could lead to the need to seek appropriations (i.e. funding from taxpayers) or to raise fees to cover Program costs. 
• The Department continues to monitor the financial status of the Program and, in doing so, it remains committed to maintaining the sustainability of the program over the long-term and providing Canadians with efficient, high quality and cost-effective passport services.

Surplus in passport program revolving fund (responsive only)

• Due to COVID-19, the Passport Program has seen impacts on service delivery domestically and abroad, which has in turn impacted fee revenues.
• IRCC continues to monitor and assess the financial status of the program, with the aim of maintaining the continued sustainability of the program over the long-term while providing efficient and quality passport services to clients.

Supporting facts and figures

• From January to April, 2021, over 14,600 applicants became new citizens. In 2020, there were 109,800 new citizens.
• As of April 30, 2021, there were approximately 409,000 applications in the citizenship grant inventory and over 49,000 applications for proof of citizenship (certificates).

Background

Knowledge test

• As of April 30, 2021, the inventory of test-ready clients was around 109,800.
• On November 26, 2020, the Department put in place an online platform for taking citizenship tests. Since the online citizenship test launched, almost 45,000 applicants have taken the test as of April 30, 2021.
• The Department continues to invite clients who are eligible to take the online citizenship test on a first-in, first-served basis with priority being given to urgent clients.
• An important aspect of holding online tests is the verification of applicants’ identities and proctoring, which are important to maintaining the integrity of the knowledge test, especially in an online environment. Measures are in place to confirm each applicant’s identity by capturing a photo of their ID, their face and by taking static photos during the test to ensure its integrity.
• Recently, IRCC ramped up invitations to the test, which are now being sent to 5,000 clients per week.

E-applications

• On November 30, 2020, the Department launched the initial phase of the citizenship grant electronic application (e-application). This tool is being tested and refined over the next few months. As of April 30, 2021, almost 7,000 applications have been submitted through the portal.
• Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, IRCC had begun a citizenship modernization initiative to improve client service delivery. Electronic citizenship applications, or e-apps, are a part of this initiative.
• Over the next few months, it is expected that the citizenship e-app will become available to more clients, including adults over 55 years of age, minors under 18 years of age, and family groups.

Oath of Citizenship

• Bill C-8, introduced on October 22, 2020, brings forward changes to the Oath of Citizenship in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action #94 to include reference to Indigenous treaties and rights.
• On February 5, 2021, the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs completed its study of Bill C-8 and referred it back to the House with no amendments for Third Reading. 

Citizenship Guide

• The Government continues to work on the guide, associated study materials, and the new citizenship test.
• Updates to the guide are in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commissions call to better reflect the perspectives and history of Indigenous peoples of Canada (Call to Action #93).
• To better reflect Canada’s diversity in the citizenship study guide, IRCC engaged with a wide range of stakeholders, including, Indigenous peoples, minority populations, women, Francophones, the LBGTQ2+ community, persons with disabilities, and academia.
• At this time, a launch date for the revised guide has not yet been determined.

House motion to provide a discretionary grant of citizenship to Raif Badawi

• On January 27, 2021, by unanimous consent, the House of Commons resolved:
  “That this House call upon the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship to grant citizenship to Raif Badawi by exercising his discretion under section 5 of the Citizenship Act, which authorizes him to grant citizenship to any person to alleviate cases of special and unusual hardship.”
• [Redacted]
• On January 28, Mr. Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe (Lac-Saint-Jean, BQ), referencing the unanimous resolution, called on the Minister to immediately grant citizenship to Mr. Badawi, and for the Minister of Foreign Affairs to “…renew talks with Saudi Arabia to get citizen Badawi released.” [Redacted]
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• On March 2, 2021, it was reported (Presse Canadienne and National Post) that the Saudi government is launching a new investigation against Mr. Badawi for allegedly “influencing public opinion” and “damaging the reputation of the Kingdom”.
• [Redacted]
• The Citizenship Act allows the Minister to use his or her discretion to grant citizenship to any person to alleviate cases of statelessness, or of special and unusual hardship, or to reward services of an exceptional value to Canada.
• [Redacted]

Private Member’s Bill C-223 (Adequate knowledge of French language in Quebec)

• The current Citizenship Act requires that applicants between the age of 18 and 54 demonstrate an adequate knowledge of either one of Canada’s official languages and demonstrate knowledge of Canada and of the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship in either official language.
• Private Member’s Bill C-223 proposed to amend those provisions of the Citizenship Act to require citizenship applicants residing in Quebec to demonstrate an adequate knowledge of the French language and write the knowledge test on Canada and the responsibilities and privileges of Canadian citizenship, in French.
• Bill C-223 also seeks to implement nationwide changes by raising the age range for applicants who are required to demonstrate language and knowledge capabilities to “18 years of age or more but less than 65 years of age” from the current 18 to 54 age requirement.
• Bill C-223 was debated in the House of Commons at second reading on November 19, 2020, and February 18, 2021. The second reading motion was defeated following a vote held on February 24, 2021. Members of the Bloc Québécois and most members of the Conservative Party of Canada voted in favour of the motion. Members of the Liberal Party of Canada and the New Democratic Party voted against the motion. The Bill did not proceed.

Passport Program Revolving Fund

• Canada’s Passport Program operates under a revolving fund that is generated by the fees for passport services charged to the public. The revolving fund allows for the accumulation and carryover of surplus revenues from year-to-year to offset future shortfalls. The revolving fund is reported in the Government’s estimates and in Public Accounts.
• In 2013, with the introduction of the 10-year ePassport, the Passport Program transitioned from a 5-year to a 10-year business cycle, meaning its costs and revenues must balance out over 10 years.
• At that time, passport fees were revised to a level which was estimated to balance the revolving fund over the new 10-year business cycle. The fee-setting exercise also considered the need to ensure the program is modern, secure, and continues to provide a high standard of service while maintaining sustainability over the 10-year cycle.