How To Become A Canadian Citizen

[arwalden]

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/citizen/howto-e.html

This brochure explains:

Who can become a Canadian citizen
Who cannot become a Canadian citizen
How you can apply to become a Canadian citizen
Other information you may need to know

WHO CAN APPLY TO BECOME A CANADIAN CITIZEN?

You must be 18 years of age or older to apply to become a Canadian citizen.
You must be a Permanent Resident.
You must be in Canada legally as a “permanent resident.”

You must have lived here for at least three years
You must have lived in Canada for at least three years out of the four years right before the day you apply. For example, if you are applying for citizenship on 1 June 1997, we will count back to 1 June 1993. The time you spent in Canada BEFORE you became a resident will be counted as half time only if it happened within these four years. All the time you lived in Canada after you became a permanent resident counts as full time. If you came to Canada on a visa (for example on a student or work visa) before becoming a permanent resident, you may call the Call Centre (see below for the number) to find out when you can apply for citizenship.


You must know English or French
English and French are the official languages of Canada. You must know enough of either language so that you can understand other people and they can understand you. This means you need to be able to speak and understand spoken English or French or be able to read and write in simple English or French.


You must learn about Canada
You must know about the rights and responsibilities that Canadians have, such as the right to vote. You must also know some things about Canada’s history and geography, and about our political system. When we receive your application, we will send you an acknowledgement letter as well as a copy of the free publication A Look at Canada. You should be able to answer questions about all the information in A Look at Canada when you go for your citizenship test.


Applying for children
Children do not need to have lived in Canada for three years. If you are the parent of a child who is under 18 years of age, you may apply for your child as soon as the child receives permanent resident status. To apply for your child, you must already be a Canadian citizen or be applying to become a citizen.

Children do not write the citizenship test.

[MikeG]

1. I'm going to stay and fight, arwalden.

[truhavoc]

2. I will joke and say that I'm moving to Canada but I am not serious

We have to stay here and fight for what is right, and my friend we are right! I am tired of rolling over and taking it from these people. I'm tired of letting a redneck agenda rule my country. I am tired of sitting on my ass and not getting up and doing something about these problems! I am trying to formulate my plans on how to better our country, not abandon it when it needs me the most. Us liberals are the true american patriots and we need to stand up and take our country back!

[arwalden]

6. Uncle!! I'm Exhausted... Have A Good Fight.

There's nothing more I can do here. The zealot Christians have won.

Best of luck to you though!

-- Allen

[greyfox]

14. NO!!!

It is NOT we Christians who have "won" at all. Many of us DETEST this mess and this idiot savant resident!

[arwalden]

17. What I Said Was... The *Zealot* Christians Have Won

Welcome to the TRUE AMERICA... The Christian Taliban... Brought to you by Fred Phelps, Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, Jimmy Swaggart.

Apparently any reasonable or fair minded Christians just don't care enough to vote anymore... or they speak one game and then secretly vote another when it comes to queer hating and anti-fag initiatives (and they still consider themselves to be "good dems" because the voted for Kerry.)

Fundamental Christianity and its extremist followers will be the downfall of this country. And it couldn't happen to a more deserving crowd... too bad the rest of us have to suffer with them.

[greyfox]

19. I am so sorry

and ashamed that you feel that way; but I will respect it.

[arwalden]

21. Shame? For Whom Are You Feeling Shame? -- For Me? Yourself?

... or for the myopic Christians who fan the flames of bigotry?

I think I've just been insulted by you... but I'm not sure. Maybe not. Can you clarify what you meant, please?

That's one of the frustrating things about brief messages that are quickly jotted down on fast-moving discussion forums... the actual words are easily misunderstood.

-- Allen

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

23. He is Christian

and a liberal and he is, I think, feeling ashamed of fellow Christians who are bigots and hateful.

I don't feel ashamed, I don't even feel like they are Christians, but that's just me.

The only bad thing is I have felt very turned off by organized religion. I am considering visiting a UU church because they are VERY liberal and I think I might like that, but most organized religion gets a ICK reaction from me now. And it's been that way for a few years.

[greyfox]

28. I am ashamed

that people claiming to be Christ-honoring people have made you feel the way you do. I FEEL that pain and it shames ME, not you.

[arwalden]

29. Thanks!

Thanks for explaining. Thanks for your kind words. Sorry for misunderstanding you.

-- Allen

[fugue]

3. Canada doesn't want me

I'm nearly forty, and I have a neurological disability. That I have a job that can come with me didn't impress them.

I'm stuck here in a rising fascist theocracy. It's a nightmare I can't believe.

[Paradise]

4. It appears the first step is to become a 'permanent resident', correct?

Therefore, what one really needs to know is how to become a 'permanent resident', isn't it?

[Zookeeper]

5. I am considering moving for the sake of my kids.

I'm a fighter, but want the best life for my children and know now that our country will continue its decline. The vision of us stuck in an economic depression surrounded by the Christian Taliban no longer seems far-fetched.

[Paradise]

7. You've spoken my feelings, as well! n/t

[terrya]

8. I have to say this is tempting.

I talked to Doug this morning. He suggested dual citizenship.

[arwalden]

9. Could Someone Simply Marry A Canadian For "Instant Citizenship"?

Or does it take longer? If this shortcut is allowed, are there any restrictions on same sex marriages?

-- Allen

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

10. I can't lie and say we haven't looked into it, because we have

you rack up a certain number of points or something and they judge you by how skilled and/or educated you are. I would do fine, Mr. Moonbeam wouldn't do so well. And his job is a good one here, good paying, but doesn't transfer well.

But who knows. I'm really up in the air right now. I would want to take my three or four really close liberal friends with me and I don't think that's possible.

Sigh.

I can't fault anyone who leaves, though. I really can't.

[Reverend_Smitty]

11. C'mon people...

If ever there was a time that your country needed you, the time is now...don't let the fascists co-op our country, our flag, our god. This election is not over by a long shot, we will not roll over this time, we will not leave the black caucus swaying in the breeze again...we will not let them steal another election. I will march on Washington if I have to but I will never give up and let the fascists take over!

[terrya]

12. I'm running on pure emotion today. Not being rational about things.

I know, no excuses.

[terrya]

13. I'm running on pure emotion today. Not being rational about things.

I know, no excuses.

[arwalden]

15. Apparently You Missed Seeing How WELL The Anti-Gay Initiatives Did...

... apparently there are more fag-haters than we previously realized. It's not hard to do the math and to realize that many in our own party despise us as well.

Yeah. Right. Like I'm gonna fight for a country where upwards of 75% think it's okay to enact laws that purposely discriminate and limit the rights of queers.

No fuckin' way!

[Reverend_Smitty]

22. Fuck those bigots...

they will have to answer to their god one day...I'm fighting for the other 25% percent...they may be the minority but it is the job of the progressives to never give up to homophobes and racists. It's the 25% that needs to rise up and speak the unpopular truth...it's the 25% that needs to fight harder for equality

So don't fight for the 75% fight for the 25%

[scarlet_owl]

16. I can't afford to move, so I guess I'll stay and

fight the good fight. This country needs as many liberals as it can get.

[redqueen]

18. Thanks, Allen!

I'll wait until the votes are counted, first... but I'm bookmarking that page.

[Lady Freedom]

20. The scary part is...

That sounds like a great idea! :think:

[Huckebein the Raven]

24. Short term solution for me is to move to a blue state

because I'm stuck in hell right now. I wish I could move to Canada but I believe I couldn't get in right now.

[Dukkha]

25. What about Mexico?

I like the idea of heading down there for a little while, working at a Club Med kicking it in the sun. Kind of a tactical retreat to collect myself then return to fight.

[chaska]

26. I was planning to go anyway, or at least planned 2 look into it seriously.

Expected to leave the country in good hands. Sheesh!

[Lorien]

27. What about living as an expat in Canada?

I'm self employed, and I can still vote from there. Win-win for Canada; I come with a job that brings in US dollars that I'll only be spending in Canada.