12. Where, under subsection 11(7), an applicant appears before a citizenship judge, the applicant may be

• (a) required to give evidence under oath or not under oath, as the citizenship judge may, at the judge’s discretion, decide; and

• (b) accompanied by such other persons as the citizenship judge may, at the judge’s discretion, permit in the interests of the applicant and of the expeditious determination of the matter.

13. [Repealed, SOR/94-442, s. 2]

14. The criteria for determining whether a person has an adequate knowledge of one of the official languages of Canada are, based on questions prepared by the Minister,

• (a) that the person comprehends, in that language, basic spoken statements and questions; and

• (b) that the person can convey orally or in writing, in that language, basic information or answers to questions.

• 15. (1) A person is considered to have an adequate knowledge of Canada if they demonstrate, based on their responses to questions prepared by the Minister, that they know the national symbols of Canada and have a general understanding of the following subjects:

  • (a) the chief characteristics of Canadian political and military history;

  • (b) the chief characteristics of Canadian social and cultural history;

  • (c) the chief characteristics of Canadian physical and political geography;

  • (d) the chief characteristics of the Canadian system of government as a constitutional monarchy; and

  • (e) characteristics of Canada other than those referred to in paragraphs (a) to (d).

• (2) A person is considered to have an adequate knowledge of the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship if they demonstrate, based on their responses to questions prepared by the Minister, that they have a general understanding of the following subjects:

  • (a) participation in the Canadian democratic process;

  • (b) participation in Canadian society, including volunteerism, respect for the environment and the protection of Canada’s natural, cultural and architectural heritage;

  • (c) respect for the rights, freedoms and obligations set out in the laws of Canada; and

  • (d) the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship other than those referred to in paragraphs (a) to (c).

16. [Repealed, SOR/2009-108, s. 19]

• 17. (1) The ceremonial procedures to be followed by citizenship judges shall be appropriate to impress on new citizens the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, a citizenship judge shall, during a ceremony held for the presentation of certificates of citizenship,

  • (a) emphasize the significance of the ceremony as a milestone in the lives of the new citizens;

  • (b) subject to subsection 22(1), administer the oath of citizenship with dignity and solemnity, allowing the greatest possible freedom in the religious solemnization or the solemn affirmation thereof;

  • (c) personally present certificates of citizenship, unless otherwise directed by the Minister; and

  • (d) promote good citizenship, including respect for the law, the exercise of the right to vote, participation in community affairs and intergroup understanding.

• (2) Unless the Minister otherwise directs, a certificate of citizenship issued to a person who has been granted citizenship under subsection 5(l) of the Act shall be presented at a ceremony described in subsection (l).