What is Canada’s Oath of Citizenship, and why do we say it?

Once an immigrant has done all the required paperwork and has met the conditions for citizenship to Canada, they must attend a citizenship ceremony and take the Oath of Citizenship as the final step in becoming a Canadian.

At the citizenship ceremony, new citizens must accept the rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizenship. Rights include the freedom of conscience and religion, freedom of opinion and expression, and freedom of peaceful assembly. Responsibilities include obeying the law, voting in elections and serving on a jury.

Then the citizenship judge leads the Oath of Citizenship, which reads as follows:

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 fulfil my duties as a Canadian citizen.

According to the federal government website, the reason Canadians pledge allegiance to the Queen rather than to a document, flag or geopolitical entity is because “these elements are encompassed by the Sovereign (Queen or King).”

Citizenship ceremonies take place across the country at different times throughout the year, and often community groups will host them. There are special ceremonies on Canada Day and during Citizenship Week (Oct. 12-18)

Anyone over the age of 14 must go to the citizenship ceremony. Parents will get citizenship certificates for children under the age of 14.

In the United States, new citizens pledge allegiance to the Constitution and laws of the U.S. But they are also required to renounce their allegiance to any foreign or previous entities and must swear to God.

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