According to the Government of Canada’s response to the petition on citizenship ceremonies, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is considering an online tool for self-administered Oath of Citizenship. The analysis is underway, considering client experience, process integrity, and preserving the importance of citizenship ceremonies. Video ceremonies introduced in 2020 due to COVID-19 have helped reduce processing times and increased monthly oath-taking. These allow participation from rural areas and accommodate larger groups. Between January and September 2023, 276,540 new citizens were made, exceeding pre-COVID levels. Ceremonies are scheduled considering operational demands, official availability, and venue suitability. IRCC is working towards a 12-month service standard for granting citizenship.
