Bill C-24

62-63 ELIZABETH II

——————

CHAPTER 22

An Act to amend the Citizenship Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts

[Assented to 19th June, 2014]

Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:

SHORT TITLE

1. This Act may be cited as the Strengthening Canadian Citizenship Act.

CITIZENSHIP ACT

2. (1) The portion of subparagraph 3(1)(f)(ii) of the French version of the Citizenship Act before clause (A) is replaced by the following:

(2) Subsection 3(1) of the Act is amended by striking out “or” at the end of subparagraph (i)(iii) and by adding the following after paragraph (j):

(k) the person, before January 1, 1947, was born or naturalized in Canada but ceased to be a British subject, and did not become a citizen on that day;

(l) the person, before April 1, 1949, was born or naturalized in Newfoundland and Labrador but ceased to be a British subject, and did not become a citizen on or before that day;

(m) the person, on January 1, 1947, was a British subject neither born nor naturalized in Canada and was ordinarily resident in Canada, and did not become a citizen on that day;

(n) the person, on April 1, 1949, was a British subject neither born nor naturalized in Newfoundland and Labrador and was ordinarily resident there, and did not become a citizen on or before that day;

(o) the person was born outside Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador before January 1, 1947 to a parent who is a citizen under paragraph (k) or (m), and the person did not become a citizen on that day;

(p) the person was born outside Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador before April 1, 1949 to a parent who is a citizen under paragraph (l) or (n), and the person did not become a citizen on or before that day;

(q) the person was born outside Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador before January 1, 1947 to a parent who became a citizen on that day under the Canadian Citizenship Act, S.C. 1946, c. 15, and the person did not become a citizen on that day; or

(r) the person was born outside Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador before April 1, 1949 to a parent who became a citizen on that day under section 44A of the Canadian Citizenship Act, S.C. 1946, c. 15, as enacted by S.C. 1949, c. 6, and the person did not become a citizen on or before that day.

(3) Section 3 of the Act is amended by adding the following after subsection (1):

(1.01) For greater certainty, the reference to “Canada” in paragraphs (1)(k), (m) and (o) to (r) is a reference to Canada as it existed immediately before the union of Newfoundland and Labrador with Canada.

(4) Section 3 of the Act is amended by adding the following after subsection (1):

(1.1) A person who would not become a citizen under paragraph (1)(b), (g) or (h) for the sole reason that, on the coming into force of this subsection, his or her parent — referred to in one of those paragraphs — is deceased, is a citizen under paragraph (1)(b), (g) or (h) if that parent, but for his or her death, would have been a citizen under paragraph (1)(f), (i) or (j).

(5) Section 3 of the Act is amended by adding the following after subsection (1.1):

(1.2) A person who would not become a citizen under paragraph (1)(b), (g), (h), (o) or (p) for the sole reason that, on the coming into force of this subsection, his or her parent — referred to in one of those paragraphs — is deceased, is a citizen under that paragraph if that parent, but for his or her death, would have been a citizen under any of paragraphs (1)(k) to (n).

(1.3) A person who would not become a citizen under paragraph (1)(q) for the sole reason that his or her parent died before January 1, 1947 and did not become a citizen on that day under the Canadian Citizenship Act, S.C. 1946, c. 15, is, nonetheless, a citizen under that paragraph if his or her parent would have been a citizen if that Act had come into force immediately before their death and the date referred to in the provisions of that Act that set out the requirements to be met to become a citizen had been the day of that coming into force rather than January 1, 1947.

(1.4) A person who would not become a citizen under paragraph (1)(r) for the sole reason that his or her parent died before April 1, 1949 and did not become a citizen on that day under section 44A of the Canadian Citizenship Act, S.C. 1946, c. 15, as enacted by S.C. 1949, c. 6, is, nonetheless, a citizen under that paragraph if his or her parent would have been a citizen if that Act had come into force immediately before their death and the date referred to in the provisions of that Act that set out the requirements to be met to become a citizen had been the day of that coming into force rather than April 1, 1949.

(6) Section 3 of the Act is amended by adding the following after subsection (2):

(2.1) Paragraphs (1)(k), (m), (o) and (q) do not apply to a person if

(a) before January 1, 1947, the person made a declaration of alienage, had his or her status as a British subject revoked or ceased to be a British subject as a consequence of the revocation of another person’s status as a British subject; or

(b) the person became a citizen by way of grant on or after January 1, 1947 and subsequently

(i) renounced his or her citizenship under any of the provisions set out in clauses (1)(f)(i)(A) to (F), or

(ii) had his or her citizenship revoked for false representation, fraud or concealment of material circumstances under any of the provisions set out in clauses (1)(f)(ii)(A) to (G).

(2.2) Paragraphs (1)(b), (g) and (h) do not apply to a person — who, but for this subsection, would be a citizen under one of those paragraphs for the sole reason that one or both of his or her parents are persons referred to in any of paragraphs (1)(k), (m), (o) and (q) — if the person became a citizen by way of grant on or after January 1, 1947 and subsequently

(a) renounced his or her citizenship under any of the provisions set out in clauses (1)(f)(i)(A) to (F); or

(b) had his or her citizenship revoked for false representation, fraud or concealment of material circumstances under any of the provisions set out in clauses (1)(f)(ii)(A) to (G).

(2.3) Paragraphs (1)(l), (n), (p) and (r) do not apply to a person if

(a) before April 1, 1949, the person made a declaration of alienage, had his or her status as a British subject revoked or ceased to be a British subject as a consequence of the revocation of another person’s status as a British subject; or

(b) the person became a citizen by way of grant on or after April 1, 1949 and subsequently

(i) renounced his or her citizenship under any of the provisions set out in clauses (1)(f)(i)(A) to (F), or

(ii) had his or her citizenship revoked for false representation, fraud or concealment of material circumstances under any of the provisions set out in clauses (1)(f)(ii)(A) to (G).

(2.4) Paragraphs (1)(b), (g) and (h) do not apply to a person — who, but for this subsection, would be a citizen under one of those paragraphs for the sole reason that one or both of his or her parents are persons referred to in any of paragraphs (1)(l), (n), (p) and (r) — if the person became a citizen by way of grant on or after April 1, 1949 and subsequently

(a) renounced his or her citizenship under any of the provisions set out in clauses (1)(f)(i)(A) to (F); or

(b) had his or her citizenship revoked for false representation, fraud or concealment of material circumstances under any of the provisions set out in clauses (1)(f)(ii)(A) to (G).

(7) The portion of subsection 3(3) of the Act before paragraph (b) is replaced by the following:

(3) Paragraphs (1)(b) and (f) to (j) do not apply to a person born outside Canada

(a) if, at the time of his or her birth, only one of the person’s parents was a citizen and that parent was a citizen under paragraph (1)(b), (c.1), (e), (g) or (h), or both of the person’s parents were citizens under any of those paragraphs; or

(8) The portion of subsection 3(3) of the Act before paragraph (b) is replaced by the following:

(3) Paragraphs (1)(b), (f) to (j), (q) and (r) do not apply to a person born outside Canada

(a) if, at the time of his or her birth, only one of the person’s parents was a citizen and that parent was a citizen under paragraph (1)(b), (c.1), (e), (g), (h), (o), (p), (q) or (r) or both of the person’s parents were citizens under any of those paragraphs;

(a.1) if the person was born before January 1, 1947 and, on that day, only one of the person’s parents was a citizen and that parent was a citizen under paragraph (1)(o) or (q), or both of the person’s parents were citizens under either of those paragraphs;

(a.2) if the person was born before April 1, 1949 and, on that day, only one of the person’s parents was a citizen and that parent was a citizen under paragraph (1)(p) or (r), or both of the person’s parents were citizens under either of those paragraphs; or

(9) The portion of paragraph 3(3)(b) of the French version of the Act before subparagraph (i) is replaced by the following:

(10) Subsection 3(4) of the Act is replaced by the following:

(4) Subsection (3) does not apply to a person who, on the coming into force of that subsection, was a citizen. However, that subsection applies to a person who, on that coming into force, would have been a citizen under paragraph (1)(b) or (g) only by operation of any of paragraphs (7)(d) to (g) in respect of one of his or her parents.

(11) Section 3 of the Act is amended by adding the following after subsection (4):

(4.1) Subsection (3) does not apply to a person who, on the coming into force of this subsection, was a citizen. However, that subsection applies to a person who, on that coming into force, would have been a citizen under paragraph (1)(b) or (g) only by operation of paragraph (7)(i), (k) or (m) in respect of one of his or her parents.

(12) Subsection 3(5) of the Act is replaced by the following:

(5) Subsection (3) does not apply to a person

(a) born to a parent who, at the time of the person’s birth, was employed outside Canada in or with the Canadian Armed Forces, the federal public administration or the public service of a province, otherwise than as a locally engaged person;

(b) born to a parent one or both of whose parents, at the time of that parent’s birth, were employed outside Canada in or with the Canadian Armed Forces, the federal public administration or the public service of a province, otherwise than as a locally engaged person; or

(c) born to a parent one or both of whose adoptive parents, at the time of that parent’s adoption, were employed outside Canada in or with the Canadian Armed Forces, the federal public administration or the public service of a province, otherwise than as a locally engaged person.

(13) Section 3 of the Act is amended by adding the following after subsection (5):

(5.1) A person who is born outside Canada to a parent referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) and who is either a citizen under prior legislation or the former Act — other than under any provision referred to in subparagraphs (3)(b)(i) to (viii) — or was granted citizenship under paragraph 5(2)(a) of this Act, as it read before April 17, 2009, or under subsection 5(1), (2) or (4) or 11(1) of this Act is deemed, as of the coming into force of this subsection, never to have been a citizen by way of grant:

(a) a parent one or both of whose parents, at the time of that parent’s birth, were employed outside Canada in or with the Canadian Armed Forces, the federal public administration or the public service of a province, otherwise than as a locally engaged person; or

(b) a parent one or both of whose adoptive parents, at the time of that parent’s adoption, were employed outside Canada in or with the Canadian Armed Forces, the federal public administration or the public service of a province, otherwise than as a locally engaged person.

(5.2) Subsection (5.1) does not apply to a person born outside Canada after February 14, 1977 who, before April 17, 2009, ceased to be a citizen because he or she failed to make an application to retain his or her citizenship under section 8, as it read before April 17, 2009, or made an application but the application was not approved.

(14) Section 3 of the Act is amended by adding the following after subsection (6):

(6.1) A person who was born outside Canada after February 14, 1977 and who, before the coming into force of this subsection, was granted citizenship under section 5 is deemed never to have been a citizen by way of grant if

(a) he or she was born to a parent who was born in Canada and who is a citizen under paragraph (1)(f) or (i); or

(b) he or she was born to a parent who was born outside Canada to parents neither of whom was a citizen at the time of that parent’s birth, and who is a citizen under paragraph (1)(f) or (i).

(15) Section 3 of the Act is amended by adding the following after subsection (6.1):

(6.2) A person referred to in any of paragraphs (1)(k) to (r) — or a person referred to in paragraph (1)(b) or (g) who is a citizen under that paragraph for the sole reason that one or both of his or her parents are persons referred to in any of paragraphs (1)(k) to (n) — who became a citizen by way of grant before the coming into force of this subsection is deemed, except for the purposes of paragraph (2.1)(b), subsection (2.2), paragraph (2.3)(b), subsection (2.4) and subparagraphs 27(j.1)(ii) and (iii), never to have been a citizen by way of grant.

(6.3) A person who is referred to in paragraph (1)(k), (l), (m) or (n) and also in paragraph (1)(o), (p), (q) or (r) is deemed to be a citizen only under that paragraph (o), (p), (q) or (r).

(16) Subsection 3(7) of the Act is amended by striking out “and” at the end of paragraph (f), by adding “and’’ at the end of paragraph (g) and by adding the following after paragraph (g):

(h) a person referred to in paragraph (1)(b) who is a citizen under that paragraph for the sole reason that one or both of his or her parents are referred to in paragraph (1)(f) or (i) is deemed to be a citizen under paragraph (1)(b) from the time that he or she was born.

(17) Subsection 3(7) of the Act is amended by striking out “and” at the end of paragraph (g) and by adding the following after paragraph (h):

(i) a person referred to in paragraph (1)(b) who is a citizen under that paragraph for the sole reason that one or both of his or her parents are referred to in any of paragraphs (1)(k) to (n) is deemed to be a citizen under paragraph (1)(b) from the time that he or she was born;

(j) a person referred to in paragraph (1)(k) or (m) is deemed to be a citizen under that paragraph as of January 1, 1947;

(k) a person referred to in paragraph (1)(o) or (q) is deemed to be a citizen under that paragraph as of January 1, 1947;

(l) a person referred to in paragraph (1)(l) or (n) is deemed to be a citizen under that paragraph as of April 1, 1949; and

(m) a person referred to in paragraph (1)(p) or (r) is deemed to be a citizen under that paragraph as of April 1, 1949.

(18) The portion of subsection 3(8) of the Act before paragraph (b) is replaced by the following:

(8) For any period before the day on which subsection (7) first takes effect with respect to a person,

(a) subsection (7) does not have the effect of conferring any rights, powers or privileges — or imposing any obligations, duties or liabilities — under any Act of Parliament other than this Act or any other law on the person or on any other person who may have any of those rights, powers, privileges, obligations, duties and liabilities as a result of the first person becoming a citizen; and

(19) Section 3 of the Act is amended by adding the following after subsection (8):

(9) In subsections (2.1) to (2.4) and (6.2), “by way of grant” means by way of grant under this Act or under prior legislation, by way of acquisition under this Act or by way of resumption under prior legislation.

3. (1) Paragraphs 5(1)(c) to (e) of the Act are replaced by the following:

(c) is a permanent resident within the meaning of subsection 2(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, has, subject to the regulations, no unfulfilled conditions under that Act relating to his or her status as a permanent resident and has, since becoming a permanent resident,

(i) been physically present in Canada for at least 1,460 days during the six years immediately before the date of his or her application,

(ii) been physically present in Canada for at least 183 days during each of four calendar years that are fully or partially within the six years immediately before the date of his or her application, and

(iii) met any applicable requirement under the Income Tax Act to file a return of income in respect of four taxation years that are fully or partially within the six years immediately before the date of his or her application;

(c.1) intends, if granted citizenship,

(i) to continue to reside in Canada,

(ii) to enter into, or continue in, employment outside Canada in or with the Canadian Armed Forces, the federal public administration or the public service of a province, otherwise than as a locally engaged person, or

(iii) to reside with his or her spouse or common-law partner or parent, who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and is employed outside Canada in or with the Canadian Armed Forces, the federal public administration or the public service of a province, otherwise than as a locally engaged person;

(d) if under 65 years of age at the date of his or her application, has an adequate knowledge of one of the official languages of Canada;

(e) if under 65 years of age at the date of his or her application, demonstrates in one of the official languages of Canada that he or she has an adequate knowledge of Canada and of the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship; and

(2) Subsection 5(1.1) of the Act is replaced by the following:

(1.01) Any day during which an applicant for citizenship resided with the applicant’s spouse or common-law partner who at the time was a Canadian citizen and was employed outside Canada in or with the Canadian Armed Forces, the federal public administration or the public service of a province, otherwise than as a locally engaged person, shall be treated as equivalent to one day of physical presence in Canada for the purposes of paragraphs (1)(c) and 11(1)(d).

(1.02) Any day during which an applicant for citizenship was a permanent resident within the meaning of subsection 2(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and was employed outside Canada in or with the Canadian Armed Forces, the federal public administration or the public service of a province, otherwise than as a locally engaged person, shall be treated as equivalent to one day of physical presence in Canada for the purposes of paragraphs (1)(c) and 11(1)(d).

(1.03) Any day during which an applicant for citizenship was the spouse or common-law partner, or child, of a permanent resident referred to in subsection (1.02) and resided with that permanent resident shall be treated as equivalent to one day of physical presence in Canada for the purposes of paragraphs (1)(c) and 11(1)(d).

(1.1) For the purposes of paragraphs (1)(c.1) and 11(1)(d.1), the person’s intention must be continuous from the date of his or her application until they have taken the oath of citizenship.

(3) Section 5 of the Act is amended by adding the following before subsection (2):

(1.2) Paragraph (1)(c) does not apply to a permanent resident within the meaning of subsection 2(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act who, within the period referred to in that paragraph, completed a number of years of service in the Canadian Armed Forces that is equal to the length of residence required under that paragraph less one year. However, that paragraph does apply to the permanent resident if he or she was released other than honourably from the Canadian Armed Forces.

(1.3) Paragraph (1)(c) does not apply to a person who is or was attached or seconded to the Canadian Armed Forces and who, within the period referred to in that paragraph, completed a number of years of service with the Canadian Armed Forces that is equal to the length of residence required under that paragraph less one year.

(4) Subsections 5(1.2) and (1.3) of the Act are replaced by the following:

(1.2) Paragraph (1)(c) does not apply to a permanent resident within the meaning of subsection 2(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act who has, subject to the regulations, no unfulfilled conditions under that Act relating to his or her status as a permanent resident and who

(a) during the six years immediately before the date of his or her application, completed three years of service in the Canadian Armed Forces; and

(b) has met any applicable requirement under the Income Tax Act to file a return of income in respect of three taxation years that are fully or partially within the six years immediately before the date of his or her application.

However, paragraph (1)(c) does apply to the permanent resident if he or she was released other than honourably from the Canadian Armed Forces.

(1.3) Paragraph (1)(c) does not apply to a person who is or was attached or seconded to the Canadian Armed Forces and who, within the six years immediately before the date of his or her application, completed three years of service with the Canadian Armed Forces.

(5) Subsection 5(2) of the Act is replaced by the following:

(2) The Minister shall grant citizenship to any person who is a permanent resident within the meaning of subsection 2(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and is the minor child of a citizen, if

(a) an application for citizenship is made to the Minister by a person authorized by regulation to make the application on behalf of the minor child;

(b) the person has, subject to the regulations, no unfulfilled conditions under that Act relating to his or her status as a permanent resident;

(c) in the case of a person who is 14 years of age or over at the date of the application, he or she has an adequate knowledge of one of the official languages of Canada; and

(d) in the case of a person who is 14 years of age or over at the date of the application, he or she demonstrates in one of the official languages of Canada that he or she has an adequate knowledge of Canada and of the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship.

(6) The portion of subsection 5(3) of the Act before paragraph (c) is replaced by the following:

(3) The Minister may, in his or her discretion, after having reviewed a person’s particular circumstances, waive on compassionate grounds,

(a) in the case of any person, the requirements of paragraph (1)(d) or (e) or (2)(c) or (d);

(b) in the case of a minor,

(i) the requirement respecting age set out in paragraph (1)(b),

(ii) the requirement respecting length of physical presence in Canada set out in paragraph (1)(c),

(iii) the requirement respecting intent set out in paragraph (1)(c.1), or

(iv) the requirement respecting the taking of the oath of citizenship;

(b.1) in the case of any person who is incapable of forming the intent referred to in paragraph (1)(c.1) or 11(1)(e) because of a mental disability, the requirement respecting that intent; and

(7) Subsection 5(4) of the Act is replaced by the following:

(4) Despite any other provision of this Act, the Minister may, in his or her discretion, grant citizenship to any person to alleviate cases of special and unusual hardship or to reward services of an exceptional value to Canada.

(8) Paragraph 5(5)(d) of the Act is replaced by the following:

(d) has been physically present in Canada for at least 1,095 days during the four years immediately before the date of his or her application;

4. (1) The portion of subsection 5.1(1) of the Act before paragraph (a) is replaced by the following:

5.1 (1) Subject to subsections (3) and (4), the Minister shall, on application, grant citizenship to a person who was adopted by a citizen on or after January 1, 1947 while the person was a minor child if the adoption

(2) The portion of subsection 5.1(1) of the Act before paragraph (a) is replaced by the following:

5.1 (1) Subject to subsections (3) and (4), the Minister shall, on application, grant citizenship to a person who, while a minor child, was adopted by a citizen on or after January 1, 1947, was adopted before that day by a person who became a citizen on that day, or was adopted before April 1, 1949 by a person who became a citizen on that later day further to the union of Newfoundland and Labrador with Canada, if the adoption

(3) Subsection 5.1(1) of the Act is amended by striking out “and” at the end of paragraph (c) and by adding the following after paragraph (c):

(c.1) did not occur in a manner that circumvented the legal requirements for international adoptions; and

(4) The portion of subsection 5.1(2) of the Act before paragraph (a) is replaced by the following:

(2) Subject to subsections (3) and (4), the Minister shall, on application, grant citizenship to a person who was adopted by a citizen on or after January 1, 1947 while the person was at least 18 years of age if

(5) The portion of subsection 5.1(2) of the Act before paragraph (a) is replaced by the following:

(2) Subject to subsections (3) and (4), the Minister shall, on application, grant citizenship to a person who, while at least 18 years of age, was adopted by a citizen on or after January 1, 1947, was adopted before that day by a person who became a citizen on that day, or was adopted before April 1, 1949 by a person who became a citizen on that later day further to the union of Newfoundland and Labrador with Canada, if

(6) Paragraph 5.1(2)(b) of the Act is replaced by the following:

(b) the adoption meets the requirements set out in paragraphs (1)(c) to (d).

(7) The portion of subsection 5.1(3) of the Act before paragraph (a) is replaced by the following:

(3) Subject to subsection (4), the Minister shall, on application, grant citizenship to a person in respect of whose adoption — by a citizen who is subject to Quebec law governing adoptions — a decision was made abroad on or after January 1, 1947 if

(8) The portion of subsection 5.1(3) of the Act before paragraph (a) is replaced by the following:

(3) Subject to subsection (4), the Minister shall, on application, grant citizenship to a person in respect of whose adoption, by a citizen who is subject to Quebec law governing adoptions, a decision was made abroad on or after January 1, 1947 — or to a person in respect of whose adoption, by a person who became a citizen on that day and who is subject to Quebec law governing adoptions, a decision was made abroad before that day — if

(9) Section 5.1 of the Act is amended by adding the following after subsection (3):

(4) No person who is adopted may be granted citizenship under any of subsections (1) to (3)

(a) if, at the time of his or her adoption, only one of the adoptive parents was a citizen and that parent was a citizen under paragraph 3(1)(b), (c.1), (e), (g) or (h), or both of the adoptive parents were citizens under any of those paragraphs; or

(b) if, at any time, only one of the adoptive parents was a citizen and that parent was a citizen under any of the provisions referred to in subparagraphs 3(3)(b)(i) to (viii), or both of the adoptive parents were citizens under any of those provisions.

(5) Subsection (4) does not apply to a person who was

(a) adopted by a parent who, at the time of the person’s adoption, was employed outside Canada in or with the Canadian Armed Forces, the federal public administration or the public service of a province, otherwise than as a locally engaged person;

(b) adopted by a parent one or both of whose parents, at the time of that parent’s birth, were employed outside Canada in or with the Canadian Armed Forces, the federal public administration or the public service of a province, otherwise than as a locally engaged person; or

(c) adopted by a parent one or both of whose adoptive parents, at the time of that parent’s adoption, were employed outside Canada in or with the Canadian Armed Forces, the federal public administration or the public service of a province, otherwise than as a locally engaged person.

(10) Paragraph 5.1(4)(a) of the Act is replaced by the following:

(a) if, at the time of his or her adoption, only one of the adoptive parents was a citizen and that parent was a citizen under paragraph 3(1)(b), (c.1), (e), (g), (h), (o), (p), (q) or (r), or both of the adoptive parents were citizens under any of those paragraphs;

(a.1) if the person was adopted before January 1, 1947 and, on that day, only one of the adoptive parents was a citizen and that parent was a citizen under paragraph 3(1)(o) or (q), or both of the adoptive parents were citizens under either of those paragraphs;

(a.2) if the person was adopted before April 1, 1949 and, on that day, only one of the adoptive parents was a citizen and that parent was a citizen under paragraph 3(1)(p) or (r), or both of the adoptive parents were citizens under either of those paragraphs; or

(11) Section 5.1 of the Act is amended by adding the following after subsection (5):

(6) Paragraphs 5.1(4)(a) and (a.1) do not apply to a person who is adopted before April 1, 1949 if

(a) only one adoptive parent was a citizen at the time of the adoption, in the case of paragraph (a), or was a citizen on January 1, 1947, in the case of paragraph (a.1); and

(b) the other adoptive parent became a citizen on April 1, 1949 further to the union of Newfoundland and Labrador with Canada, other than under paragraph 3(1)(p) or (r).

5. The Act is amended by adding the following after section 5.1:

5.2 A person born outside Canada who was adopted by a parent referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) and who is either a citizen under prior legislation or the former Act — other than under any provision referred to in any of subparagraphs 3(3)(b)(i) to (viii) — or was granted citizenship under paragraph 5(2)(a) of this Act, as it read before April 17, 2009, or under subsection 5(1), (2), or (4) or 11(1) of this Act is deemed, as of the coming into force of this section, to have been granted citizenship under section 5.1:

(a) a parent one or both of whose parents, at the time of that parent’s birth, were employed outside Canada in or with the Canadian Armed Forces, the federal public administration or the public service of a province, otherwise than as a locally engaged person; or

(b) a parent one or both of whose adoptive parents, at the time of that parent’s adoption, were employed outside Canada in or with the Canadian Armed Forces, the federal public administration or the public service of a province, otherwise than as a locally engaged person.

6. Section 7 of the Act is replaced by the following:

7. A person who is a citizen shall not cease to be a citizen except in accordance with this Part or regulations made under paragraph 27(1)(j.1).

7. (1) The portion of subsection 9(1) of the Act before paragraph (a) is replaced by the following:

9. (1) Subject to subsection (2.1), a citizen may, on application, renounce his citizenship if he

(2) Section 9 of the Act is amended by adding the following after subsection (2):

(2.1) No application for renunciation may be made if the Minister has provided the applicant with a notice referred to in subsection 10(3) or has commenced an action under subsection 10.1(1) or (2) for a declaration in respect of the applicant until the Minister provides the applicant with his or her decision under subsection 10(5) or a final judgment has been rendered in that action, as the case may be.

(2.2) If an application for renunciation is made and the Minister subsequently provides the applicant with a notice referred to in subsection 10(3) or commences an action under subsection 10.1(1) or (2) for a declaration in respect of the applicant, the processing of that application is suspended until the Minister provides the applicant with his or her decision under subsection 10(5) or a final judgment has been rendered in that action, as the case may be.

(3) Subsection 9(3) of the Act is replaced by the following:

(3) If an application under subsection (1) is approved by the Minister, the Minister shall issue a certificate of renunciation to the applicant and the applicant ceases to be a citizen after the expiration of the day on which the certificate is issued or any later day that the certificate may specify.

8. Section 10 of the Act is replaced by the following:

10. (1) Subject to subsection 10.1(1), the Minister may revoke a person’s citizenship or renunciation of citizenship if the Minister is satisfied on a balance of probabilities that the person has obtained, retained, renounced or resumed his or her citizenship by false representation or fraud or by knowingly concealing material circumstances.

(2) The Minister may revoke a person’s citizenship if the person, before or after the coming into force of this subsection and while the person was a citizen,

(a) was convicted under section 47 of the Criminal Code of treason and sentenced to imprisonment for life or was convicted of high treason under that section;

(b) was convicted of a terrorism offence as defined in section 2 of the Criminal Code — or an offence outside Canada that, if committed in Canada, would constitute a terrorism offence as defined in that section — and sentenced to at least five years of imprisonment;

(c) was convicted of an offence under any of sections 73 to 76 of the National Defence Act and sentenced to imprisonment for life because the person acted traitorously;

(d) was convicted of an offence under section 78 of the National Defence Act and sentenced to imprisonment for life;

(e) was convicted of an offence under section 130 of the National Defence Act in respect of an act or omission that is punishable under section 47 of the Criminal Code and sentenced to imprisonment for life;

(f) was convicted under the National Defence Act of a terrorism offence as defined in subsection 2(1) of that Act and sentenced to at least five years of imprisonment;

(g) was convicted of an offence described in section 16 or 17 of the Security of Information Act and sentenced to imprisonment for life; or

(h) was convicted of an offence under section 130 of the National Defence Act in respect of an act or omission that is punishable under section 16 or 17 of the Security of Information Act and sentenced to imprisonment for life.

(3) Before revoking a person’s citizenship or renunciation of citizenship, the Minister shall provide the person with a written notice that specifies

(a) the person’s right to make written representations;

(b) the period within which the person may make his or her representations and the form and manner in which they must be made; and

(c) the grounds on which the Minister is relying to make his or her decision.

(4) A hearing may be held if the Minister, on the basis of prescribed factors, is of the opinion that a hearing is required.

(5) The Minister shall provide his or her decision to the person in writing.

10.1 (1) If the Minister has reasonable grounds to believe that a person obtained, retained, renounced or resumed his or her citizenship by false representation or fraud or by knowingly concealing material circumstances, with respect to a fact described in section 34, 35 or 37 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act other than a fact that is also described in paragraph 36(1)(a) or (b) or (2)(a) or (b) of that Act, the person’s citizenship or renunciation of citizenship may be revoked only if the Minister seeks a declaration, in an action that the Minister commences, that the person has obtained, retained, renounced or resumed his or her citizenship by false representation or fraud or by knowingly concealing material circumstances and the Court makes such a declaration.

(2) If the Minister has reasonable grounds to believe that a person, before or after the coming into force of this subsection and while the person was a citizen, served as a member of an armed force of a country or as a member of an organized armed group and that country or group was engaged in an armed conflict with Canada, the person’s citizenship may be revoked only if the Minister — after giving notice to the person — seeks a declaration, in an action that the Minister commences, that the person so served, before or after the coming into force of this subsection and while they were a citizen, and the Court makes such a declaration.

(3) Each of the following has the effect of revoking a person’s citizenship or renunciation of citizenship:

(a) a declaration made under subsection (1);

(b) a declaration made under subsection (2).

(4) For the purposes of subsection (1), the Minister need prove only that the person has obtained, retained, renounced or resumed his or her citizenship by false representation or fraud or by knowingly concealing material circumstances.

10.2 For the purposes of subsections 10(1) and 10.1(1), a person has obtained or resumed his or her citizenship by false representation or fraud or by knowingly concealing material circumstances if the person became a permanent resident, within the meaning of subsection 2(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, by false representation or fraud or by knowingly concealing material circumstances and, because of having acquired that status, the person subsequently obtained or resumed citizenship.

10.3 A person whose citizenship is revoked under subsection 10(2) or paragraph 10.1(3)(b) becomes a foreign national within the meaning of subsection 2(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

10.4 (1) Subsections 10(2) and 10.1(2) do not operate so as to authorize any decision, action or declaration that conflicts with any international human rights instrument regarding statelessness to which Canada is signatory.

(2) If an instrument referred to in subsection (1) prohibits the deprivation of citizenship that would render a person stateless, a person who claims that subsection 10(2) or 10.1(2) would operate in the manner described in subsection (1) must prove, on a balance of probabilities, that the person is not a citizen of any country of which the Minister has reasonable grounds to believe the person is a citizen.

10.5 (1) On the request of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, the Minister shall, in the originating document that commences an action under subsection 10.1(1), seek a declaration that the person who is the subject of the action is inadmissible on security grounds, on grounds of violating human or international rights or on grounds of organized criminality under, respectively, subsection 34(1), paragraph 35(1)(a) or (b) or subsection 37(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

(2) When a declaration is sought under subsection (1), the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness becomes a party to the action commenced under subsection 10.1(1).

(3) A declaration that the person is inadmissible on one of the grounds referred to in subsection (1) is a removal order against the person under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act that comes into force when it is made, without the necessity of holding or continuing an examination or an admissibility hearing under that Act. The removal order is a deportation order as provided for in regulations made under that Act.

(4) If a declaration is sought under subsection (1), the Court shall first hear and decide all matters related to the declaration sought under subsection 10.1(1). If the Court denies the declaration sought under subsection 10.1(1), it shall also deny the declaration sought under subsection (1).

(5) If a declaration sought under subsection (1) is not denied under subsection (4), the Court

(a) shall assess the facts — whether acts or omissions — alleged in support of the declaration on the basis of reasonable grounds to believe that they have occurred, are occurring or may occur;

(b) shall take into account the evidence already admitted by it and consider as conclusive any finding of fact already made by it in support of the declaration sought under subsection 10.1(1); and

(c) with respect to any additional evidence, is not bound by any legal or technical rules of evidence and may receive and base its decision on any evidence adduced in the proceedings that it considers credible or trustworthy in the circumstances.

(6) The Court shall issue a single judgment in respect of the declarations sought under subsections (1) and 10.1(1).

10.6 Despite paragraph 27(1)(c) of the Federal Courts Act, no appeal may be made from an interlocutory judgment made with respect to a declaration referred to in subsection 10.1(1) or (2) or 10.5(1).

10.7 An appeal to the Federal Court of Appeal may be made from a judgment under section 10.1 or 10.5 only if, in rendering judgment, the judge certifies that a serious question of general importance is involved and states the question.

9. (1) Paragraph 11(1)(b) of the Act is replaced by the following:

(b) is not the subject of an order made under section 10, as it read immediately before the coming into force of section 8 of the Strengthening Canadian Citizenship Act, a decision made under section 10, a declaration made under section 10.1 or an order made under section 18 of the former Act;

(b.1) is not the subject of a declaration made under section 20;

(2) Subsection 11(1) of the Act is amended by striking out “and” at the end of paragraph (c) and by replacing paragraph (d) with the following:

(d) has become a permanent resident within the meaning of subsection 2(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, has, subject to the regulations, no unfulfilled conditions under that Act relating to his or her status as a permanent resident and has, since having ceased to be a citizen and become a permanent resident,

(i) been physically present in Canada for at least 365 days during the two years immediately before the date of the application, and

(ii) met any applicable requirement under the Income Tax Act to file a return of income in respect of the taxation year immediately before the year in which the application is made; and

(e) intends, if granted citizenship,

(i) to continue to reside in Canada,

(ii) to enter into, or continue in, employment outside Canada in or with the Canadian Armed Forces, the federal public administration or the public service of a province, otherwise than as a locally engaged person, or

(iii) to reside with his or her spouse or common-law partner or parent, who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and is employed outside Canada in or with the Canadian Armed Forces, the federal public administration or the public service of a province, otherwise than as a locally engaged person.

(3) Section 11 of the Act is amended by adding the following after subsection (1):

(1.1) Paragraph (1)(d) does not apply to a permanent resident within the meaning of subsection 2(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act who, within the year immediately preceding the date of the application, completed six months of service in the Canadian Armed Forces. However, that paragraph does apply to the permanent resident if he or she was released other than honourably from the Canadian Armed Forces.

(1.2) Paragraph (1)(d) does not apply to a person who is or was attached or seconded to the Canadian Armed Forces and who, within the year immediately preceding the date of the application, completed six months of service with the Canadian Armed Forces.

(4) Subsections 11(1.1) and (1.2) of the Act are replaced by the following:

(1.1) Paragraph (1)(d) does not apply to a permanent resident within the meaning of subsection 2(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act who has, subject to the regulations, no unfulfilled conditions under that Act relating to his or her status as a permanent resident and who

(a) during the two years immediately before the date of the application, completed six months of service in the Canadian Armed Forces; and

(b) has met any applicable requirement under the Income Tax Act to file a return of income in respect of the taxation year immediately before the year in which the application is made.

However, paragraph (1)(d) does apply to the permanent resident if he or she was released other than honourably from the Canadian Armed Forces.

(1.2) Paragraph (1)(d) does not apply to a person who is or was attached or seconded to the Canadian Armed Forces and who, during the two years immediately before the date of the application, completed six months of service with the Canadian Armed Forces.

10. Part IV of the Act is replaced by the following:

PART IV

EVIDENCE OF CITIZENSHIP

12. (1) The Minister shall — on application by a person — determine, including by way of an electronic system, whether they are a citizen and, if they are,

(a) subject to any regulations made under paragraph 27(1)(i), issue a certificate of citizenship to them; or

(b) subject to any regulations made under paragraph 27(1)(i) or (i.1), provide them with some other means to establish their citizenship.

(2) After a person acquires citizenship as a result of an application under section 5 or 5.1 or subsection 11(1), the Minister shall

(a) issue a certificate of citizenship to the person; or

(b) provide the person with some other means to establish their citizenship.

11. Section 13 of the Act is replaced by the following:

13. An application is to be accepted for processing under this Act only if all of the following conditions are satisfied:

(a) the application is made in the form and manner and at the place required under this Act;

(b) it includes the information required under this Act;

(c) it is accompanied by any supporting evidence and fees required under this Act.

13.1 The Minister may suspend the processing of an application for as long as is necessary to receive

(a) any information or evidence or the results of any investigation or inquiry for the purpose of ascertaining whether the applicant meets the requirements under this Act relating to the application, whether the applicant should be the subject of an admissibility hearing or a removal order under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act or whether section 20 or 22 applies with respect to the applicant; and

(b) in the case of an applicant who is a permanent resident and who is the subject of an admissibility hearing under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, the determination as to whether a removal order is to be made against the applicant.

13.2 (1) The Minister may treat an application as abandoned

(a) if the applicant fails, without reasonable excuse, when required by the Minister under section 23.1,

(i) in the case where the Minister requires additional information or evidence without requiring an appearance, to provide the additional information or evidence by the date specified, or

(ii) in the case where the Minister requires an appearance for the purpose of providing additional information or evidence, to appear at the time and at the place — or at the time and by the means — specified or to provide the additional information or evidence at his or her appearance; or

(b) in the case of an applicant who must take the oath of citizenship to become a citizen, if the applicant fails, without reasonable excuse, to appear and take the oath at the time and at the place — or at the time and by the means — specified in an invitation from the Minister.

(2) If the Minister treats an application as abandoned, no further action is to be taken with respect to it.

12. (1) Subsection 14(1) of the Act is replaced by the following:

14. (1) If an application is accepted for processing and later referred to a citizenship judge because the Minister is not satisfied that the applicant meets the requirements of the following provisions, the citizenship judge shall determine whether the applicant meets those requirements within 60 days after the day on which the application is referred:

(a) paragraph 5(1)(c), in the case of an application for citizenship under subsection 5(1);

(b) paragraph 5(5)(d), in the case of an application for citizenship under subsection 5(5); and

(c) paragraph 11(1)(d), in the case of an application for resumption of citizenship under subsection 11(1).

(2) Paragraphs 14(1)(a) to (c) of the Act are replaced by the following:

(a) subparagraphs 5(1)(c)(i) and (ii), in the case of an application for citizenship under subsection 5(1);

(b) paragraph 5(5)(d), in the case of an application for citizenship under subsection 5(5); and

(c) subparagraph 11(1)(d)(i), in the case of an application for resumption of citizenship under subsection 11(1).

(3) Subsections 14(1.1) to (6) of the Act are replaced by the following:

(1.1) Despite subsection (1), the citizenship judge is not authorized to make a determination until

(a) the completion of any investigation or inquiry for the purpose of ascertaining whether the applicant should be the subject of an admissibility hearing or a removal order under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act or whether section 20 or 22 applies to the applicant; and

(b) if the applicant is the subject of an admissibility hearing under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, a determination as to whether a removal order is to be made against that applicant.

(1.2) Despite subsection (1), the citizenship judge is not authorized to make a determination if

(a) after the completion of an investigation or inquiry referred to in paragraph (1.1)(a), it is determined that section 20 or 22 applies to the applicant; and

(b) after an admissibility hearing referred to in paragraph (1.1)(b), there has been a determination to make a removal order against the applicant.

(2) Without delay after making a determination under subsection (1) in respect of an application, the citizenship judge shall approve or not approve the application in accordance with his or her determination, notify the Minister accordingly and provide the Minister with the reasons for his or her decision.

(3) If a citizenship judge does not approve an application under subsection (2), the citizenship judge shall without delay notify the applicant of his or her decision, of the reasons for it and of the right to apply for judicial review.

13. Sections 15 to 17 of the Act are replaced by the following:

15. A person who makes an application under this Act must answer truthfully all questions put to him or her that are related to the application.

14. Section 18 of the Act is repealed.

15. (1) The portion of subsection 19(2) of the Act before paragraph (a) is replaced by the following:

(2) The Minister may make a report to the Review Committee if the Minister is of the opinion that a person should not be granted citizenship under section 5 or subsection 11(1) or administered the oath of citizenship or be issued a certificate of renunciation under section 9 because there are reasonable grounds to believe that the person has engaged, is engaging or may engage in activity

(2) The portion of subsection 19(2) of the English version of the Act after paragraph (b) is repealed.

16. (1) Subsection 20(1) of the Act is replaced by the following:

20. (1) Despite anything in this Act, a person shall not be granted citizenship under section 5 or subsection 11(1) or administered the oath of citizenship or be issued a certificate of renunciation under section 9 if, after considering the report made under subsection 19(6) by the Review Committee or the person appointed under subsection 19.1(1), the Governor in Council declares that there are reasonable grounds to believe that the person with respect to whom the report was made has engaged, is engaging or may engage in an activity described in paragraph 19(2)(a) or (b).

(2) Subsection 20(2) of the Act is replaced by the following:

(2) If a person is the subject of a declaration made under subsection (1), any application that has been made by that person under section 5 or 9 or subsection 11(1) is deemed to be refused and any related application for judicial review or appeal is deemed to be dismissed.

(3) Subsection 20(3) of the Act is replaced by the following:

(3) A declaration made under subsection (1) ceases to have effect 10 years after the day on which it is made.

17. The portion of section 21 of the Act before paragraph (a) is replaced by the following:

21. Despite anything in this Act, no period may be counted as a period of physical presence for the purpose of this Act during which a person has been, under any enactment in force in Canada,

18. The Act is amended by adding the following after section 21:

21.1 (1) Every person commits an offence who knowingly, directly or indirectly, represents or advises a person for consideration — or offers to do so — in connection with a proceeding or application under this Act.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to

(a) a lawyer who is a member in good standing of a law society of a province or a notary who is a member in good standing of the Chambre des notaires du Québec;

(b) any other member in good standing of a law society of a province; or

(c) a member in good standing of a body designated under subsection (5).

(3) Subsection (1) does not apply to a student-at-law who offers or provides representation or advice to a person if the student-at-law is acting under the supervision of a person described in paragraph (2)(a) who is representing or advising the person — or offering to do so — in connection with a proceeding or application under this Act.

(4) Subsection (1) does not apply to an entity, including a person acting on its behalf, that offers or provides services to assist persons in connection with an application under this Act if it is acting in accordance with an agreement or arrangement between that entity and Her Majesty in right of Canada that authorizes it to provide those services.

(5) The Minister may, by regulation, designate a body whose members in good standing may represent or advise a person for consideration — or offer to do so — in connection with a proceeding or application under this Act.

(6) The Governor in Council may make regulations requiring the designated body to provide the Minister with any information set out in the regulations, including information relating to its governance and information to assist the Minister to evaluate whether the designated body governs its members in a manner that is in the public interest so that they provide professional and ethical representation and advice.

(7) The Minister may, by regulation, provide for measures respecting any transitional issues raised by the exercise of his or her power under subsection (5), including measures

(a) making any person or member of a class of persons a member for a specified period of a body that is designated under that subsection; and

(b) providing that members or classes of members of a body that has ceased to be a designated body under that subsection continue for a specified period to be authorized to represent or advise a person for consideration — or offer to do so — in connection with a proceeding or application under this Act without contravening subsection (1).

(8) For greater certainty, nothing in the measures described in paragraph (7)(a) exempts a person made a member of a body under the measures from the body’s disciplinary rules concerning suspension or revocation of membership for providing — or offering to provide — representation or advice that is not professional or is not ethical.

(9) For greater certainty, in this section “proceeding” does not include a proceeding before a superior court.

19. (1) Paragraph 22(1)(b) of the Act is replaced by the following:

(a.1) while the person is serving a sentence outside Canada for an offence committed outside Canada that, if committed in Canada, would constitute an offence under an enactment in force in Canada;

(a.2) while the person is serving a sentence outside Canada for an offence under any Act of Parliament;

(b) while the person is charged with, on trial for, subject to or a party to an appeal relating to an offence under subsection 21.1(1) or 29.2(1) or (2), or an indictable offence under subsection 29(2) or (3) or any other Act of Parliament, other than an offence that is designated as a contravention under the Contraventions Act;

(b.1) subject to subsection (1.1), while the person is charged with, on trial for, subject to or a party to an appeal relating to an offence committed outside Canada that, if committed in Canada, would constitute an indictable offence under any Act of Parliament;

(2) Subsection 22(1) of the Act is amended by striking out “or” at the end of paragraph (e) and by replacing paragraph (f) with the following:

(e.1) if the person directly or indirectly misrepresents or withholds material circumstances relating to a relevant matter, which induces or could induce an error in the administration of this Act;

(e.2) if, during the five years immediately before the person’s application, the person was prohibited from being granted citizenship or taking the oath of citizenship under paragraph (e.1);

(f) if, during the 10 years immediately before the person’s application, the person ceased to be a citizen under paragraph 10(1)(a), as it read immediately before the coming into force of section 8 of the Strengthening Canadian Citizenship Act, or under subsection 10(1) or paragraph 10.1(3)(a); or

(g) if the person’s citizenship has been revoked under subsection 10(2) or paragraph 10.1(3)(b).

(3) Subsection 22(2) of the Act is replaced by the following:

(1.1) The Minister may, in his or her discretion in the case of any person, waive the application of paragraph (1)(b.1) on compas- sionate grounds.

(2) Despite anything in this Act, but subject to the Criminal Records Act, a person shall not be granted citizenship under subsection 5(1), (2) or (4) or 11(1) or take the oath of citizenship if the person has been convicted of an offence under subsection 21.1(1) or 29.2(1) or (2), or an indictable offence under subsection 29(2) or (3) or any other Act of Parliament, other than an offence that is designated as a contravention under the Contraventions Act,

(a) during the four-year period immediately before the date of the person’s application; or

(b) during the period beginning on the date of the person’s application and ending on the date on which the person would otherwise be granted citizenship or take the oath of citizenship.

(3) Despite anything in this Act, a person shall not be granted citizenship under subsection 5(1), (2) or (4) or 11(1) or take the oath of citizenship if the person has been convicted of an offence outside Canada that, if committed in Canada, would constitute an indictable offence under any Act of Parliament, regardless of whether the person was pardoned or otherwise granted amnesty for the offence, and the conviction occurred during

(a) the four-year period immediately before the date of the person’s application; or

(b) the period beginning on the date of the person’s application and ending on the date that he or she would otherwise be granted citizenship or take the oath of citizenship.

(4) Despite anything in this Act, a person shall not be granted citizenship under subsection 5(1), (2) or (4) or 11(1) or take the oath of citizenship if the person, before or after the coming into force of this subsection and while the person was a permanent resident within the meaning of subsection 2(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act,

(a) was convicted under section 47 of the Criminal Code of treason and sentenced to imprisonment for life or was convicted of high treason under that section;

(b) was convicted of a terrorism offence as defined in section 2 of the Criminal Code — or an offence outside Canada that, if committed in Canada, would constitute a terrorism offence as defined in that section — and sentenced to at least five years of imprisonment;

(c) was convicted of an offence under any of sections 73 to 76 of the National Defence Act and sentenced to imprisonment for life because the person acted traitorously;

(d) was convicted of an offence under section 78 of the National Defence Act and sentenced to imprisonment for life;

(e) was convicted of an offence under section 130 of the National Defence Act in respect of an act or omission that is punishable under section 47 of the Criminal Code and sentenced to imprisonment for life;

(f) was convicted under the National Defence Act of a terrorism offence as defined in subsection 2(1) of that Act and sentenced to at least five years of imprisonment;

(g) was convicted of an offence described in section 16 or 17 of the Security of Information Act and sentenced to imprisonment for life;

(h) was convicted of an offence under section 130 of the National Defence Act in respect of an act or omission that is punishable under section 16 or 17 of the Security of Information Act and sentenced to imprisonment for life; or

(i) served as a member of an armed force of a country or as a member of an organized armed group and that country or group was engaged in an armed conflict with Canada.

(5) If the Minister considers that exceptional circumstances warrant it, he or she may decide that subsection (4) does not apply in respect of a person.

(6) Despite anything in this Act, a person shall not take the oath of citizenship if they never met or they no longer meet the requirements of this Act for the grant of citizenship.

20. The Act is amended by adding the following after section 22:

PART V.1

JUDICIAL REVIEW

22.1 (1) An application for judicial review with respect to any matter under this Act may be made only with leave of the Court.

(2) The following provisions govern an application for leave:

(a) the application must be filed in the Registry of the Court and served on the other party within 30 days after the day on which the applicant is notified of or otherwise becomes aware of the matter;

(b) a judge of the Court may, for special reasons, allow an extended time for filing and serving the application;

(c) a judge of the Court shall dispose of the application without delay and in a summary way and, unless a judge of the Court directs otherwise, without personal appearance; and

(d) no appeal lies from the decision of the Court with respect to the application or with respect to an interlocutory decision.

(3) The Minister may make an application in respect of a decision of a citizenship judge.

22.2 The following provisions govern the judicial review:

(a) the judge who grants leave shall fix the day and place for a hearing;

(b) the hearing shall be held no later than 90 days after the day on which leave is granted and, unless the parties agree otherwise, no earlier than 30 days after that day;

(c) the judge shall dispose of the application without delay and in a summary way; and

(d) an appeal to the Federal Court of Appeal may be made only if, in rendering judgment, the judge certifies that a serious question of general importance is involved and states the question.

22.3 With the approval of the Governor in Council, the rules committee established under section 45.1 of the Federal Courts Act may make rules governing the practice and procedure in relation to applications for leave to commence an application for judicial review, applications for judicial review and appeals. The rules are binding despite any rule or practice that would otherwise apply.

22.4 In the event of an inconsistency between the provisions of this Part and any provision of the Federal Courts Act, this Part prevails to the extent of the inconsistency.

21. Section 23 of the Act is replaced by the following:

23. Anything that is required to be done or that may be done by the Minister or the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness under this Act or the regulations may be done on that Minister’s behalf by any person authorized by that Minister in writing to act on that Minister’s behalf without proof of the authenticity of the authorization.

22. The Act is amended by adding the following after section 23:

23.1 The Minister may require an applicant to provide any additional information or evidence relevant to his or her application, specifying the date by which it is required. For that purpose, the Minister may require the applicant to appear in person or by any means of telecommunication to be examined before the Minister or before a citizenship judge, specifying the time and the place — or the time and the means — for the appearance.

23. Subsection 25(2) of the Act is replaced by the following:

(2) A certificate of citizenship, a document provided under paragraph 12(1)(b) or (2)(b), a certificate of naturalization or a certificate of renunciation may be proved in any legal proceeding by the production of the original certificate or document or of a document that is certified by the Minister as bearing the same information.

24. (1) Paragraph 27(a) of the Act is repealed.

(2) Paragraph 27(b) of the Act is amended by adding the following after subparagraph (ii):

(iii) the provision under paragraph 12(1)(b) or (2)(b) of any means of establishing citizenship other than a certificate of citizenship,

(3) Section 27 of the Act is amended by adding the following after paragraph (c):

(c.1) providing for the circumstances in which an unfulfilled condition referred to in paragraph 5(1)(c), (2)(b) or 11(1)(d) need not be fulfilled;

(4) Subparagraph 27(d)(ii) of the Act is replaced by the following:

(ii) has an adequate knowledge of Canada and of the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship, as demonstrated in one of the official languages of Canada;

(5) Paragraphs 27(i) to (k) of the Act are replaced by the following:

(i) providing for the number of copies of any declaration, certificate, or other document made, issued or provided under this Act or prior legislation that any person is entitled to have;

(i.1) respecting the provision under paragraph 12(1)(b) or (2)(b) of a means of establishing citizenship other than a certificate of citizenship;

(j) providing for the surrender and retention of certificates of citizenship, certificates of naturalization and certificates of renunciation issued or granted under this Act or prior legislation and of documents provided under paragraph 12(1)(b) or (2)(b) if there is reason to believe that their holder may not be entitled to them or has contravened any of the provisions of this Act;

(j.1) providing for the renunciation of citizenship by persons

(i) who are citizens under paragraph 3(1)(f) or (g),

(ii) who are citizens under any of paragraphs 3(1)(k) to (r) and who did not, before the coming into force of this subparagraph, become citizens by way of grant as defined in subsection 3(9), or

(iii) who are citizens under paragraph 3(1)(b) for the sole reason that one or both parents are persons referred to in any of paragraphs 3(1)(k) to (n) and who did not, before the coming into force of this subparagraph, become citizens by way of grant as defined in subsection 3(9);

(j.2) prescribing the factors that the Minister shall consider in forming an opinion as to whether a hearing is required under subsection 10(4);

(k) providing for the surrender and cancellation of certificates and documents referred to in paragraph (j) if their holder is not entitled to them;

(k.1) providing for the collection, retention, use, disclosure and disposal of information for the purposes of this Act;

(k.2) providing for the disclosure of information for the purposes of national security, the defence of Canada or the conduct of international affairs, including the implementation of an agreement or arrangement entered into under section 5 of the Department of Citizenship and Immigration Act;

(k.3) providing for the disclosure of information to verify the citizenship status or identity of any person for the purposes of administering any federal or provincial law or law of another country;

(k.4) providing for the disclosure of information for the purposes of cooperation within the Government of Canada and between the Government of Canada and the government of a province;

(k.5) respecting the disclosure of information relating to the professional or ethical conduct of a person referred to in any of paragraphs 21.1(2)(a) to (c) in connection with a proceeding — other than a proceeding before a superior court — or application under this Act to a body that is responsible for governing or investigating that conduct or to a person who is responsible for investigating that conduct, for the purposes of ensuring that persons referred to in those paragraphs offer and provide professional and ethical representation and advice to persons in connection with such proceedings and applications; and

(6) Section 27 of the Act is renumbered as subsection 27(1) and is amended by adding the following:

(2) Regulations made under paragraphs (1)(k.1) to (k.5) may include conditions under which the collection, retention, use, disposal and disclosure may be made.

25. Subsection 27.1(1) of the Act is replaced by the following:

27.1 (1) The Minister shall cause a copy of each regulation proposed to be made under paragraph 27(1)(d.1) to be laid before each House of Parliament, and each House shall refer the proposed regulation to the appropriate Committee of that House.

26. The Act is amended by adding the following after section 27.1:

27.2 The Minister may make regulations

(a) prescribing the manner in which and the place at which applications are to be made and notices are to be given under this Act and specifying the information and evidence that is to be provided in support of them;

(b) respecting the acceptance for processing of applications made under this Act by a person who has been represented or advised by a third party for consideration;

(c) with regard to the requirements of paragraphs 5(1)(d) and (e) and 5(2)(c) and (d),

(i) respecting the procedures to be followed or evaluation methods or tools to be used in determining whether an applicant meets those requirements or any of the criteria provided for under paragraph 27(1)(d),

(ii) respecting the organizations or institutions that may conduct assessments related to those requirements or criteria, and

(iii) respecting what constitutes evidence that an applicant meets those requirements or criteria; and

(d) requiring an applicant who seeks a waiver by the Minister under subsection 5(3) or 9(2) to request the waiver, specifying the time and manner for making the request and respecting the justification or evidence to be provided in support.

27. The Act is amended by adding the following after section 28:

28.1 (1) Section 14 expires five years after the day on which subsection 22.1(3) comes into force unless, before then, the Minister extends its application for up to five years.

(2) The Minister may, before the expiry of each extended period, extend the application of that section for up to five years.

(3) Subsection 22.1(3) expires 30 days after the day on which section 14 expires.

28. Subsections 29(1) to (3) of the Act are replaced by the following:

29. (1) For the purposes of this section, “document of citizenship” means a certificate of citizenship, a document provided under paragraph 12(1)(b) or (2)(b), a certificate of naturalization or a certificate of renunciation.

(2) A person is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term of not more than five years if that person

(a) obtains or uses a document of citizenship of another person to personate that other person;

(b) knowingly permits a document of citizenship relating to him or her to be used by another person to personate him or her; or

(c) is in possession of a document of citizenship that he or she knows has been unlawfully issued or altered, or counterfeited.

(3) A person is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term of not more than 14 years if that person

(a) without lawful authority issues, provides or alters a document of citizenship;

(b) counterfeits a document of citizenship;

(c) uses, acts on or causes or attempts to cause any person to use or act on a document of citizenship, knowing it to have been unlawfully issued, provided or altered or to have been counterfeited; or

(d) traffics in documents of citizenship or has such documents in his or her possession for the purpose of trafficking.

29. The Act is amended by adding the following after section 29:

29.1 A person who commits an offence under subsection 21.1(1) is liable

(a) on conviction on indictment, to a fine of not more than $100,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than two years, or to both; or

(b) on summary conviction, to a fine of not more than $20,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than six months, or to both.

29.2 (1) Every person commits an offence who knowingly counsels, induces, aids or abets or attempts to counsel, induce, aid or abet any person to directly or indirectly misrepresent or withhold material circumstances relating to a relevant matter, which induces or could induce an error in the administration of this Act.

(2) Every person commits an offence who knowingly

(a) for any of the purposes of this Act, directly or indirectly, makes any false representation, commits fraud or conceals any material circumstances;

(b) communicates directly or indirectly, by any means, false or misleading information or representations with the intent to induce a person to make, or deter a person from making, an application to become a citizen, to obtain a certificate of citizenship or another document establishing citizenship or to renounce citizenship; or

(c) refuses to answer a question put to him or her at an interview or a proceeding held under this Act.

(3) Every person who commits an offence under subsection (1) or (2)

(a) is guilty of an indictable offence and is liable to a fine of not more than $100,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than five years, or to both; or

(b) is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction and is liable to a fine of not more than $50,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than two years, or to both.

30. Section 31 of the Act is replaced by the following:

31. Any proceedings in respect of an offence under this Act or the regulations that is punishable on summary conviction may be instituted at any time within but not later than 10 years after the time when the offence was committed.