Newcomers to Canada
Learn how the Government of Canada is responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action 93 to 94.
- Call to action 94 is based on information provided October 2023.
- Call to action 93 is based on information provided December 2023.
93. We call upon the federal government, in collaboration with the national Aboriginal organizations, to revise the information kit for newcomers to Canada and its citizenship test to reflect a more inclusive history of the diverse Aboriginal peoples of Canada, including information about the Treaties and the history of residential schools.
What's happening?
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada continues to work on the citizenship guide, associated study materials and the new citizenship test. Updates to the guide and test would respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's call to be more inclusive of the perspectives and history of the Indigenous peoples of Canada.
The department has engaged a wide range of partners to ensure the revised content of the citizenship study guide represents all Canadians, including Indigenous peoples, minority populations, women, francophone and Canadians with disabilities.
Recent progress
The department consulted national and regional Indigenous organizations and historians on final content for a revised citizenship study guide. New citizenship test questions have also been developed to reflect the changes in content.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has also created a new Indigenous peoples resource sheet covering history, culture and reconciliation. The resource sheet is being used by settlement organizations providing group settlement orientations funded by the department.
Additional Indigenous content is also included in the International Organization for Migration's Canadian Orientation-Abroad Participant Workbook: A Pre-Departure Guide for Newcomers to Canada, funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
This workbook includes content on Indigenous peoples, cultures, history and reconciliation. This information is delivered to resettled refugees coming to Canada, through the Canadian Orientation Abroad program.
The workbook is available in French, English and 15 additional languages.
Next steps
An exact launch date for the revised study guide, study materials and a new citizenship kit has not been determined. Until the guide is officially launched, Discover Canada remains the official study guide for the citizenship test.
94. We call upon the Government of Canada to replace the Oath of Citizenship with the following: I swear (or affirm) that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada, Her Heirs and Successors, and that I will faithfully observe the laws of Canada including Treaties with Indigenous Peoples, and fulfill my duties as a Canadian citizen.
What's happening?
On June 21, 2021, an Act to amend the Citizenship Act (Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's call to action number 94) received Royal Assent. This act inserts new language into the Oath of Citizenship that refers to the Aboriginal and treaty rights of First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples:
Text of the former Oath of Citizenship
"I swear (or affirm) that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, Queen of Canada, Her Heirs and Successors, and that I will faithfully observe the laws of Canada, and fulfill my duties as a Canadian citizen."
Text of the current Oath of Citizenship
"I swear (or affirm)
That I will be faithful
And bear true allegiance
To His Majesty
King Charles the Third
King of Canada
His Heirs and Successors
And that I will faithfully observe
The laws of Canada
Including the Constitution
Which recognizes and affirms
The Aboriginal and treaty rights of
First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples
And fulfil my duties as a Canadian citizen."
The act expands the wording of the oath to address the spirit of the call to action, responding to what was heard during consultations and describing the broad range of rights applied to diverse Indigenous peoples.