The governing legislation is the Citizenship Act, RSC 1985, c C-29. The Act is relevant where a client wishes to obtain, resume, or retain their citizenship, or to determine how it may be forfeited. Under the Act, citizenship is granted after certain requirements are met, thereby making it a right that cannot be arbitrarily withheld as was possible under its predecessor, the Canadian Citizenship Act, RSC 1970, c C-19.
For the purposes of this Chapter, some words have specific definitions:
Citizen:
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A Canadian citizen
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Ceremony Room
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An office of the Department of Citizenship and Immigration or other place where a citizenship judge performs his or her duties under the Act.
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Citizenship Judge:
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Any citizen appointed by the Governor in Council to be a citizenship judge and to perform duties as the Minister prescribes for carrying into effect the purposes and provisions of the Act under s 26.
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Minister:
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The Minister of Citizenship and Immigration of Canada.
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Permanent Resident:
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A person conferred with this status under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
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Minor:
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A person who has not attained the age of 18 years.
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Parent:
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The father or mother of a child. This includes an adoptive parent, but does not extend beyond ties of blood or adoption. A mere parent-like relationship is insufficient. See Valois-D’Orleans v Canada (Minister of Citizenship & Immigration), 2005 F.C.J. No. 1258 (F.C.).
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Registrar:
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The Registrar of Canadian Citizenship.
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