The Oath of Citizenship
The Oath
- New citizens swear allegiance to His Majesty King Charles the Third, King of Canada, and to His Heirs and Successors.
- The Oath also promises to faithfully observe the laws of Canada, including the Constitution.
- The Constitution recognizes and affirms the Aboriginal and treaty rights of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.
- The last promise is to fulfil my duties as a Canadian citizen.
- You may either swear the Oath or affirm it — "I swear (or affirm)" — so it can be taken with or without a religious form.
Understanding the Oath
- In Canada we profess our loyalty to a person who represents all Canadians — not to a document such as a constitution, a banner such as a flag, or a geopolitical entity such as a country.
- In our constitutional monarchy, all of those elements are encompassed by the Sovereign (King or Queen).
- The principle is simple: Canada is personified by the Sovereign just as the Sovereign is personified by Canada.
Becoming a citizen
- Canada is a constitutional monarchy, a parliamentary democracy and a federal state.
- Canadians are bound together by a shared commitment to the rule of law and to the institutions of parliamentary government.
- For 400 years, settlers and immigrants have contributed to the diversity and richness of Canada.
- Canada has welcomed generations of newcomers to help build a free, law-abiding and prosperous society.
- Canadians take pride in their identity and have made sacrifices to defend their way of life.
- Immigrants between the ages of 18 and 54 must have adequate knowledge of English or French to become Canadian citizens.
- Applicants must also learn about voting procedures, Canada's history, symbols, democratic institutions, geography, and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.
- Canadian citizens enjoy many rights, but they also have responsibilities: they must obey Canada's laws and respect the rights and freedoms of others.
Question 1 of 10
For roughly how long does Discover Canada say settlers and immigrants have been contributing to Canada's diversity and richness?
Correct answer: 400 years
Source from the guide
“For 400 years, settlers and immigrants have contributed to the diversity and richness of our country.”
The guide says 400 years, dating the contribution of settlers and immigrants from the beginnings of permanent European settlement in the early 1600s.
Discover Canada — Large Print · page 5
Question 2 of 10
What shared commitment does Discover Canada say binds Canadians together?
Correct answer: The rule of law and the institutions of parliamentary government
Source from the guide
“Canadians are bound together by a shared commitment to the rule of law and to the institutions of parliamentary government.”
Canadians are bound together by a shared commitment to the rule of law and to the institutions of parliamentary government — not by a single language, religion or ethnic origin.
Discover Canada — Large Print · page 5
Question 3 of 10
On what does Discover Canada say the country is built?
Correct answer: A proud history and a strong identity
Source from the guide
“… settlers and immigrants have contributed to the diversity and richness of our country, which is built on a proud history and a strong identity.”
A proud history and a strong identity. The guide presents diversity as an addition to that foundation rather than a replacement for it.
Discover Canada — Large Print · page 5
Question 4 of 10
Which three terms together describe Canada's system of government?
Correct answer: Constitutional monarchy, parliamentary democracy, federal state
Source from the guide
“Canada is a constitutional monarchy, a parliamentary democracy and a federal state.”
Canada is a constitutional monarchy, a parliamentary democracy and a federal state. All three are true at once and each describes a different aspect of how the country is governed.
Discover Canada — Large Print · page 5
Question 5 of 10
How does Discover Canada describe the relationship between Canada and the Sovereign?
Correct answer: Canada is personified by the Sovereign, and the Sovereign by Canada
Source from the guide
“Canada is personified by the Sovereign just as the Sovereign is personified by Canada.”
Canada is personified by the Sovereign just as the Sovereign is personified by Canada — a mutual relationship, not a one-way one.
Discover Canada — Large Print · page 4
Question 6 of 10
How does Discover Canada describe what applicants join by becoming citizens?
Correct answer: A great tradition built by generations of pioneers
Source from the guide
“You are becoming part of a great tradition that was built by generations of pioneers before you.”
A great tradition built by generations of pioneers before them. New citizens are presented as continuing a story rather than starting one.
Discover Canada — Large Print · page 5
Question 7 of 10
Whose rights does the Oath of Citizenship say the Constitution recognizes and affirms?
Correct answer: First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples
Source from the guide
“… including the Constitution, which recognizes and affirms the Aboriginal and treaty rights of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples …”
The Aboriginal and treaty rights of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. This clause was added to the Oath in 2021.
Discover Canada · page 2Discover Canada — Large Print · page 3
Question 8 of 10
What does it mean that Canada is a constitutional monarchy?
Correct answer: Canada has a Sovereign as head of state whose role is defined by the constitution
Source from the guide
“In our constitutional monarchy, these elements are encompassed by the Sovereign (Queen or King).”
Canada has a Sovereign as head of state, and the Sovereign's role is defined and limited by the constitution rather than exercised personally and without limit.
Discover Canada — Large Print · page 4
Question 9 of 10
How does the Oath of Citizenship end?
Correct answer: A promise to fulfil the duties of a Canadian citizen
Source from the guide
“And fulfil my duties As a Canadian citizen.”
With the promise to fulfil one's duties as a Canadian citizen. Rights and duties are joined in the Oath itself.
Discover Canada — Large Print · page 3
Question 10 of 10
Besides the reigning Sovereign, to whom else does the Oath of Citizenship pledge allegiance?
Correct answer: The Sovereign's Heirs and Successors
Source from the guide
“… to His Majesty King Charles the Third, King of Canada, His Heirs and Successors …”
To the Sovereign's Heirs and Successors. The allegiance is to the Crown as a continuing institution, so it does not lapse when one reign ends.
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