Summary#
This bill changes the Oath or Affirmation of Citizenship. It adds a clear promise to respect the Aboriginal and treaty rights of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. It does this by replacing the Schedule to the Citizenship Act with new oath wording and takes effect the day after Royal Assent (Schedule; Coming-into-Force clause).
- Updates the oath to mention the Constitution’s recognition of Aboriginal and treaty rights (Schedule).
- Applies to people taking the Oath to become Canadian citizens after the law takes effect (Schedule; Coming-into-Force clause).
- Does not change the Constitution or create new rights; it changes the wording of the oath (Preamble; Schedule).
- Does not add programs, penalties, or fees (Bill text).
What it means for you#
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Households
- If you or a family member become a citizen after the law takes effect, you will say the updated oath that includes respect for Aboriginal and treaty rights (Schedule; Coming-into-Force clause).
- Current citizens do not need to retake the oath. No change to your status or rights is made by this bill (Bill text).
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Workers
- Citizenship judges and ceremony officials must use the new wording at ceremonies starting the day after Royal Assent (Schedule; Coming-into-Force clause).
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Indigenous peoples
- New citizens will make a formal promise that includes respect for your Aboriginal and treaty rights as recognized in the Constitution (Preamble; Schedule).
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Businesses
- No direct compliance duties or costs are created (Bill text).
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Local governments
- No new mandates, reporting, or funding flows are created (Bill text).
Expenses#
Estimated net cost: Data unavailable.
- No appropriations, taxes, fees, or fines are created by the bill (Bill text).
- The bill replaces the oath text and sets an effective date. Any administrative costs for updating forms or scripts are not detailed (Data unavailable).
Proponents' View#
- Fulfills Truth and Reconciliation Commission Call to Action 94 by embedding recognition of Aboriginal and treaty rights in the citizenship oath (Preamble; Schedule).
- Raises public awareness among new citizens about constitutionally protected Indigenous rights by naming them in the oath (Schedule).
- Aligns the oath with the Constitution Act, 1982, which “recognizes and affirms” those rights (Preamble; Schedule).
- Can be implemented quickly because it only replaces the Schedule text and takes effect the day after Royal Assent (Schedule; Coming-into-Force clause).
Opponents' View#
- Symbolic change only; it does not alter legal rights or create enforcement mechanisms, since it changes wording but not law or programs (Schedule; Bill text).
- Limited reach; it applies only to future citizenship ceremonies, not to existing citizens (Schedule; Coming-into-Force clause).
- Immediate effective date may require rapid updates to ceremony scripts and materials, creating short-term administrative burdens not costed in the bill (Schedule; Coming-into-Force clause; Data unavailable).
- The oath already commits new citizens to “observe the laws of Canada,” which include the Constitution; adding specific language may be seen as redundant by some (Schedule).