Vatandaşlık Yasası Bilgilendirme Toplantısı
16 Haziran, 2014’de kabul edilen C-24 kanunu kapsamında, Kanada vatandaşlığı ile ilgili birçok değişiklikler yapıldı. Bu önemli değişikliklerin biz Kanada-Türk Toplumu için ne anlama geldiği konusunda bilgi edinmek için Turkish Society Canada 14 Ekim 2014, Salı akşamı, North York Civic Centre’da bir bilgilendirme etkinliği düzenledi. Kanada vatandaşı olmaya hak kazanmış bireylerimizi ve Kanada vatandaşı olmak için yeni başvuru yapacak olan toplum üyelerimizi yakından ilgilendiren bu etkinlikte, vatandaşlık işlemlerinden sorumlu Yargıç Lilian Ruth Klein, vatandaşlık ve yeni kanun hakkında katılımcılara bilgi verdi ve soruları yanıtladı.
Yargıç Klein, yasanın onaylanmasına rağmen, maddelerin her biri için ilgili yönetmeliklerin hazırlanması, maddenin uygulama şekillerinin belirlenmesi vakit aldığından, tüm yasanın yürürlüğe girmesinin vakit alabileceğini, bu nedenle halen başvuru yapanların ve yürürlük tarihine kadar başvuru yapacakların eski kanuna göre değerlendirileceğini belirtti.
Aşağıda Yargıç Klein’in aktardığı bilgilerden önemli satırbaşlarını bulabilirsiniz:
Who is entitled to become a Canadian Citizen?
By Birth: Anyone who is born in Canada
By Naturalization: People who are born outside of Canada and become permanent residents (immigrants)
How can you get your citizenship?
– You have to reside in Canada for the required number of days preceding your application date, as set out in the Citizenship Act
– You have to fill out an application fully & accurately
– Pay a set fee
– Security and Criminal Check
– Pass a language test and knowledge test
The Knowledge test covers:
– The rights and responsibilities of a Canadian citizen;
– The Oath, the Constitution, and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms;
– Canada’s government and political system;
– Canada’s social, economic, legal, military, cultural and political history;
– Canada’s geography
What is a Citizenship Judge ?
– Citizenship Judges are part of the Citizenship Commission.
– The Commission is an independent administrative Tribunal within the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
– Citizenship Judges are appointed by the Governor in Council (the Cabinet) on the recommendation of the Minister.
Role of the Citizenship Judge:
– To assess applicants to ensure they meet the residence requirements of the Citizenship Act and Regulations.
– To administer the Oath of Citizenship and stress the rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizenship
– To promote citizenship by working with school boards, service clubs, multicultural groups and other community organizations.
– The decisions of Citizenship Judges can be appealed to the Federal Court of Canada by an applicant, or by the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration.
Changes to the Citizenship Program:
Why were they necessary?
– It is expected that by 2015–2016, this change will bring the average processing time for citizenship applications down to under a year
– Reinforcing the Value of Canadian Citizenship
– Cracking Down on Citizenship Fraud
– Protecting and Promoting Canada’s Interests and Values
A Comparative View between old Act and new Act:
Old: Residence for three out of four years (1,095 days)
New: Requires physical presence for four years out of 6 years (1,460 days)
Old: No intention to reside
New: Introduces “intent to reside” provision
Old: Adult Applicants (18-54) must meet language & knowledge requirements
New: Adult Applicants (14-64) must meet language & knowledge requirements
Old: Applicant can meet knowledge with assistance of an interpreter
New: Applicant must meet knowledge requirement in English or French without an interpreter
Old: No requirement to file Income Tax
New: Requires adult applicant to file applicant to file required under the Income Tax Act
Old: Fines and penalties for fraud are a maximum of $ 1,000 and /or one year in prison
New: Fines and penalties for fraud are a maximum of $ 100,000 and /or five years in prison
Old: Bars getting citizenship from people with from people with charges & convictions
New: Expand bar on getting citizenship to people with foreign criminal charges & convictions
Old: Time as a non-PR may be counted towards residence for citizenship
New: Eliminates use of time spent in Canada as a non-PR
Old: No authority to revoke citizenship for acts against Canada’s national interest
New: Authority to revoke citizenship from dual citizens who were members of an armed force or an organization engaged in armed conflict with Canada
New: Citizenship can be revoked from dual citizens who are convicted of terrorism, treason, & spying offences
Old: Adult $200 application fee
New: Adult $400 application fee