Chapter 1 of 12
The Oath of Citizenship
What a new citizen promises at the ceremony, and what the oath reveals about how Canada sees itself.
10 facts in 3 parts · covers The Oath of Citizenship
What the oath is
- The Oath of Citizenship is sworn at a citizenship ceremony, and it is the step at which a permanent resident becomes a Canadian citizen.
- A person taking the oath repeats it aloud at the ceremony, then signs the oath form and receives a citizenship certificate.
- The oath is sworn to the Sovereign as the embodiment of the country, so it is a promise to Canada and to other Canadians rather than to a government or a political party.
What the oath promises
- To be faithful and bear true allegiance to the Sovereign of Canada, named in the oath as King Charles III, King of Canada, and to the Sovereign's heirs and successors.
- To faithfully observe the laws of Canada, including the Constitution, which includes the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
- To recognise that the Constitution recognises and affirms the Aboriginal and treaty rights of First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples.
- To fulfil the duties of a Canadian citizen.
Why it matters
- Canada is a constitutional monarchy: the Sovereign is the head of state, and the monarch's powers are exercised under the Constitution, through the government and the courts.
- The guide describes Canada's constitutional tradition as the oldest continuous one in the world.
- The guide says Canada is personified by the Sovereign just as the Sovereign is personified by Canada, which is why the oath is a pledge of loyalty to a person who represents all Canadians.
What has changed in the guide
- The oath names the reigning Sovereign, so the name in it changes when the Crown passes. The version published today names King Charles III. Check the source ↗