British Columbia Newcomers' Guide
to  Resources and Services

Government and Citizenship

In this chapter:

• Government
• Becoming a Canadian citizen
• Permanent Resident Card
• Deportation
• Sponsoring a relative
• Human rights
• Multiculturalism

Government

Canada has three levels of government: federal, provincial, and municipal. These governments are all elected by the citizens of Canada.

Federal Government (Government of Canada)

The federal government has responsibilities such as immigration, defence, and trade with other countries. The names and telephone numbers of federal government departments are in the Blue Pages of the telephone book under "Government of Canada."

There is also a Reference Canada toll-free number at 1-800-622-6232, where you can get information on how to contact federal government departments and agencies. This information is available in English and French, Canada’s two official languages.

Provincial Government (Government of British Columbia)

Canada is divided into ten provinces and three territories. Each province and territory has its own government. The responsibilities of provincial governments include education, highways, and hospitals. The names and telephone numbers of provincial government departments are in the Blue Pages of the telephone book under "Government of British Columbia," or look on their website: www.gov.bc.ca/.

There is also an Enquiry BC number to get contact information on provincial government departments at 604 660-2421 in the Lower Mainland, 250 387-6121 in Victoria, and at 1-800-663-7867 elsewhere in B.C. Operators at this number can transfer you toll-free to government offices which are long-distance from your calling area.

Municipal Government

The government of a city, town, or village is called a municipal government. This level of government is responsible for fire protection, recreation, city streets, and other local matters. The municipal government telephone numbers are in the Blue Pages of the telephone book under "Municipalities."

Regional Districts

Most municipalities belong to one of 28 regional districts in British Columbia. These regional districts govern services such as water, sewage and garbage disposal.

Becoming a Canadian citizen

After three or more years in Canada, immigrants may apply for Canadian citizenship. Immigrants who become citizens have the same rights as citizens who were born in Canada.

The Canadian government allows dual citizenship. This means you can be a Canadian citizen and a citizen of another country.

Citizenship requirements

NOTE: A new Citizenship Act may soon become law. The requirements below may change under this new law.

To become a Canadian citizen:

• You must be 18 years old or older;
• You must be a permanent resident (landed immigrant);
• You must have lived in Canada as a permanent resident for three of the last four years;
• You must speak some English or French;
• You must know something about Canada’s history, geography, and political system. You must also know your rights and responsibilities as a citizen of Canada;
• You must have a clean record with the police and Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC);
• You must take the oath of citizenship.

Parents must apply for children who are under 18 years old. Parents may apply for citizenship for themselves and their children at the same time.

Applying for Canadian citizenship

To apply for Canadian citizenship, call the Citizenship & Immigration Canada Call Centre at 604 666-2171 or 1-888-242-2100. You can also go to their website: www.cic.gc.ca.

Ask for an "Application for Citizenship" forms package. You will need an application form for each adult and child in your family. Complete the application form(s), attach all the necessary documents and fees, and mail the application to the Citizenship Case Processing Centre in Sydney, Nova Scotia. The address is on the forms package.

If you need more information on how to become a Canadian citizen, call the Citizenship & Immigration Canada Call Centre or a local immigrant settlement agency (see agency listing in the chapter on "The First Few Days").

Citizenship classes

You may want to join a citizenship class to help you prepare for the citizenship test. For more information, call your local immigrant settlement agency, school, community college, or library.

Rights and responsibilities

Canadian citizens have certain rights and responsibilities. For example, voting is both a right and a responsibility. Here are some other rights of Canadian citizens:

• You may live in any province of Canada.
• You may have a Canadian passport.
• You may leave and return to Canada freely.
• You may own any type of property.
• You may hold any job for which you are qualified.

Here are some important responsibilities:

• You must obey the laws of Canada.
• You must pay taxes.
• You should respect the rights of others.
• You should serve on a jury in a court if you are asked.
• You should respect the environment. This means you should not litter or pollute the environment.
• You should use Canada’s social services, such as employment insurance and social assistance, responsibly.

Leaving Canada

Permanent residents must live in Canada for three years, or 1,095 days in a four-year period, before they can apply for citizenship. However, they can leave Canada for short holidays or family visits. This is allowed if their home is in Canada, and they plan to return. The time spent outside Canada does not count toward those three years.

Permanent residents who are outside Canada because they have decided not to make Canada their home may lose their permanent resident status.

Permanent Resident Card

The Permanent Resident Card (PR Card) is a new, wallet-size, plastic card. If you complete the Canadian immigration process and obtain permanent resident status, but are not a Canadian citizen, you will get the PR Card by mail. People who have already obtained permanent resident status can apply for the new PR Card. The PR Card replaces the IMM 1000 as the document needed by Canadian permanent residents re-entering Canada. For more information contact the Citizenship & Immigration Canada Call Centre at 604 666-2171 or 1-888-242-2100. Website: www.cic.gc.ca/english/pr-card/

Deportation

Sometimes the Canadian government orders permanent residents to leave Canada permanently. This is called "deportation." Here are some of the reasons why people may be deported:

• They were convicted of a serious crime before they came to Canada, and they didn’t tell Citizenship and Immigration Canada about it.
• They were convicted of a serious crime while in Canada.
• They lied or used false documents to enter Canada.
• They were involved in organized crime.
• They were engaged in terrorism.

What if the Canadian government decides to deport someone? That person should get information about immigration laws from a Citizenship and Immigration Canada Call Centre. There are also lawyers who specialize in immigration laws. Look in the Yellow Pages of the telephone book under "Lawyers," or see the contact information in the chapter on the "Legal System."

Sponsoring a relative

If you are a permanent resident or a Canadian citizen, you may sponsor (help) your spouse, common-law partner, child, parent or another family member under the legislation to come to live in Canada. To do this, you must be 18 years old or older. You must prove that you have enough money to take care of your relative(s) while they settle in Canada. For information on which relatives you can sponsor and the application costs, check with the Citizenship and Immigration Canada Call Centre.

Human rights

British Columbia and Canada have human rights laws that protect people from many kinds of discrimination.

It is discrimination if someone does not give you a job or a place to live because they don’t like your age, race, ethnic or national origin, skin colour, family or marital status, religion, disability, sex, or sexual orientation. It is also discrimination for hotels, restaurants, or other service businesses to refuse service to anyone on the above grounds.

You can get help if you have a problem with discrimination. If your problem is with a bank, telecommunications or transportation company, or federal government department, call the Canadian Human Rights Commission. They are listed in the White Pages of the telephone book. In Vancouver, the number is 604 666-2251. Elsewhere, the number is 1-800-999-6899.

If your problem is with a landlord, a local business or service, or a provincial government department or agency, call a provincial human rights agency. The future of the B.C. Human Rights Commission has not been determined at the time of printing this book. For more information, please contact the B.C. Human Rights Commission at 604 660-6811, 250 387-3710 or 1-800-663-0876. Or contact the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal at 604 775-2000 or 1-888-440-8844.

Multiculturalism

Canada is a multicultural country. The government encourages people to take pride in their language, religion, and culture. It also encourages all Canadians to treat each other with respect.

People living in Canada have a responsibility to contribute to our society. You can start by taking part in your community. Here are some ways you can do this:

• Meet your neighbours.
• Join in neighbourhood activities.
• Go to meetings in your community or at your children’s school.
• Volunteer in your community.

Volunteering

Volunteering is an important part of Canadian life. A volunteer helps people without getting paid. Most communities need volunteers. You can help at your children’s school, at a local hospital, or at a community agency. Look in the front pages of the telephone book in the "Community Services" section, under "Volunteering," or ask at your local library.

Go to next page: Chapter 4, Health Care

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