Statistics Canada data shows that the percentage of permanent residents becoming Canadians has dropped over the past 20 years.
The Institute for Canadian Citizenship reports that the decline in obtaining citizenship has been measured at 40% since 2001.
The director of the Institute, Daniel Bernhard, describes the drop as alarming and in his opinion, it should serve as a “warning signal”.
In 2021, almost 45.7% of permanent residents who had been in Canada for less than 10 years became citizens. This proportion was 60% in 2016 and 75.1% in 2001.
Statistics Canada data did not identify the reasons for the decline, but Daniel Bernhard believes the rising cost of living and the profile of job prospects in Canada are likely factors.
The Institute is investigating the root causes of the decline in citizenship, but according to Bernhard, fewer and fewer people are interested in becoming full Canadians.
The director of the Institute recalls that the decline in the number of new citizens affects Canada’s long-term economic and social prospects.
The Government of Canada says it wants to boost immigration by adding 1.45 million permanent residents over the next three years, starting with 465,000 in 2023 and increasing to 500,000 in 2025.
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