Changes in canadian citizenship since the 1940's
Citizenship act of 1977
Why was this important?
- this act was the recognition of canadians as more than just british subjects but as citizens of their own both at home and abroad
- This act was created as an amendment for the last act
- This came around because many were unhappy that british subjects streamlined the process
- before 1977 the government attempted to preserve the ethnic culture and background
- citizenship was treated as a privilege opposed to a right
- the previous citizenship act did not allow for dual citizens
Questions
Before 1947
- Do you think it is fair that children who move to Canada do not have to write the citizenship test when they are older?
- Do you think it's fair that an immigrant applying for citizenship have to answer questions about Canada that most canadians wouldn't know?
- Before 1947 people living in Canada were still considered british subjects
- british immigrants did not have to go through any sort of immigration laws
Events Leading to Canadian Citizenship
- Canada left World War 2 With a sense of national Pride
- The war also confirmed Canada's place in the world
- That is why the war is the main cause of canadian citizenship
Key People in the citizenship act of 1947
Canadian Citizenship act of 1947
- liberal cabinet minister Paul Martin Sr was the main person in the pursuit for canadian citizenship.
- He begun to pursue this idea after visiting a war cemetery in Dieppe
- On January 1st 1947 Canada's first citizenship act was put into effect.
- Everyone already living in Canada was automatically given a canadian citizenship
- immigrants to Canada had to live in Canada for five years before applying to become a citizen.
- british immigrants only had to wait one year.
- if you acquired a citizenship from another country you lost your canadian citizenship.
- if the responsible parent lost their canadian citizenship so did their children resulting in many 'lost canadians'