An Act to amend the Citizenship Act (Oath of Citizenship)
Bill S-262 was a Senate Private Member's Bill amending the Citizenship Act (R.S.C. 1985, c. C-29) to update the Oath of Citizenship sworn by new Canadians at citizenship ceremonies. The current oath (as amended by Bill C-8 of 43-2, royal assent June 21, 2021, S.C. 2021, c. 13) requires new Canadians to affirm allegiance to the Sovereign and faithfully observe the laws of Canada including the Constitution and treaties with Indigenous Peoples. The bill would have added language explicitly recognizing the territorial sovereignty of Indigenous Nations and the federal-Indigenous-Nation treaty framework. IRCC processes approximately 250,000 new Canadian citizenship grants annually. Did not pass third reading.
Status
Quick learn
Would add language to the Oath of Citizenship recognizing the territorial sovereignty of Indigenous Nations, going beyond the 2021 change (Bill C-8) that already had new Canadians pledge to observe treaties with Indigenous peoples. A Senate private member's bill; it did not pass third reading.
Issues this bill touches
- Indigenous Rights
Oath of Citizenship including Indigenous rights (TRC CTA 94).
Legislative history
- First reading
First reading in the Senate.
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Official source
Read full text on Parliament of Canada