Program delivery update – April 23, 2015

Update to the instructions related to the Oath of Citizenship as a result of a recent stay decision by Federal Court of Appeal

Summary

As a result of a recent stay decision by the Federal Court of Appeal, which stayed the judgement of the Federal Court rendered on February 6, 2015, the following amendments were made to the program delivery instructions (PDIs) related to the Oath of Citizenship, reinstating the policy that was in place until February 5, 2015.

The policy that a candidate must be seen taking the Oath of Citizenship has been reinserted into the PDIs.

• The practice of offering a candidate wearing a face covering a seat in the front or the back of the room should continue.
• If a candidate refuses to comply with the policy, an email must be sent to National Headquarters, with a copy to the Registrar of Citizenship (using the Registrar’s work email address), requesting guidance on next steps for the case. This has been clarified in the PDIs.
• All cases where a candidate arrives at the ceremony wearing a face covering must be flagged to National Headquarters, with a copy to the Registrar of Citizenship (using the Registrar’s work email address). Cases must be flagged even if the candidate complies with the policy.

Updated instructions

• Oath of Citizenship
• Citizenship ceremony opening
• Presentation of certificates at citizenship ceremonies
• Religious and cultural considerations during citizenship ceremonies
• Using interpreters in the citizenship application process
• Bilingual text for the clerk of the ceremony
• Citizenship grants: Applicants 55 years of age or older