The Census 2021 revealed a drop in naturalization rates of recent immigrants in Canada, prompting the government to prioritize citizenship. Factors impacting naturalization include family income, language proficiency, and education level. Dual citizenship restrictions by immigrant source countries also play a role, though its net effect is small. Some immigrants, considering economic benefits, keep their options open by not naturalizing. However, measures can be taken to enhance the citizenship process’s efficiency and meaning. Progress has been made in moving applications online, and investment in AI for routine applications can speed up processing.
