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Bill C-63

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SUMMARY

This enactment replaces the existing Citizenship Act. It provides for

    (a) the continued acquisition of citizenship at birth for everyone born in Canada;

    (b) residence requirements for citizenship based on actual presence in Canada;

    (c) new authority for the Minister to annul the citizenship of people who obtained their citizenship by using a false identity or who were subject to prohibitions;

    (d) new authority for the Governor in Council to refuse to grant citizenship when the public interest requires;

    (e) new prohibitions and offences with more severe punishment in order to maintain the enactment's integrity;

    (f) restricting the transmission of citizenship to persons born abroad of Canadian parents to the first and second generations, with an automatic loss of citizenship at the age of 28 years to those in the second generation who have not resided in Canada;

    (g) lessening the distinctions made between adopted children and children born abroad of Canadian parents for the purpose of the acquisition of citizenship;

    (h) an administrative rather than a judicial process to deal with applications for citizenship;

    (i) a new office of ``Citizenship Commissioner'', to replace the former ``citizenship judge'', with new functions related to conducting citizenship ceremonies, promoting citizenship and advising the Minister; and

    (j) a modern citizenship oath.