On May 28, 2019, The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship introduced Bill C-99. This bill is an act to amend the Citizenship Act, to change Canada’s Oath of Citizenship to include clear reference to the rights of Indigenous peoples. The proposed oath will be:
“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, 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”.
Taking the Oath of Citizenship is the last step before receiving Canadian citizenship, it is a promise to follow the laws of Canada and perform the new citizen’s duties as a Canadian citizen.
