Canada Urged to Tighten Citizenship Requirements

Canada's citizenship process is facing renewed scrutiny after the Macdonald-Laurier Institute released a policy paper recommending stronger requirements for people seeking Canadian citizenship.

Published on October 20, 2026, the report argues that citizenship should involve a deeper understanding of Canada's Constitution, democratic institutions and civic responsibilities.

However, the recommendations are not official government changes, and existing Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) requirements remain in place.

New Citizenship Reforms Proposed

The report, titled A Covenant, Not a Grant: Canada's Citizenship Process Asks Too Little in Return, recommends several changes to how permanent residents become Canadian citizens.

Its proposals include revising the Discover Canada study guide, introducing meaningful interviews for every applicant, making in-person citizenship ceremonies standard and updating the citizenship oath.

The institute also recommends requiring applicants to sign a declaration acknowledging their responsibilities and improving government reporting on permanent residents who become citizens.

The report argues that citizenship should represent a commitment to Canadian society rather than simply completing administrative requirements.

Current Canadian Citizenship Requirements

Canada already has established eligibility rules for citizenship applicants.

Most adults must hold permanent resident status, meet physical presence requirements, fulfil applicable tax obligations and demonstrate knowledge of Canada.

Applicants generally need at least 1,095 days of physical presence during the five years before applying.

Adults aged 18 to 54 must normally demonstrate sufficient English or French language abilities and pass a citizenship knowledge test.

The test contains 20 questions covering Canadian history, geography, government, laws, symbols and citizenship responsibilities. Applicants must answer at least 15 questions correctly.

People aged 55 and older are generally exempt from language and knowledge testing requirements.

Mandatory Interviews Could Affect Processing

One significant recommendation involves introducing detailed citizenship interviews for every applicant.

IRCC already conducts interviews when necessary, but the proposed approach would focus more directly on applicants' understanding of constitutional principles and civic responsibilities.

The change could create additional administrative demands.

According to the institute, Canada granted citizenship to more than 359,000 people during 2024–25.

Interviewing every applicant extensively could require additional staff, training and resources to prevent processing delays.

Citizenship Ceremonies and Oath Changes

The institute also wants traditional in-person citizenship ceremonies to become standard practice.

Its proposed oath revisions would place greater emphasis on constitutional obligations and participation in Canadian civic life.

Canada's existing oath already includes commitments to respect Canadian laws, the Constitution and Indigenous and treaty rights.

The proposed changes would therefore expand existing practices rather than introduce entirely new obligations.

What Applicants Should Know

For permanent residents preparing citizenship applications, no immediate action is necessary because of this report.

The federal government has not adopted these recommendations as new citizenship requirements.

Applicants should continue following official IRCC instructions, confirming their eligibility and preparing the necessary documents.

Any future reforms would require government decisions and appropriate implementation measures.

For now, the report contributes to a broader national discussion about citizenship, integration and responsibilities within Canadian society.