The Oath of Citizenship

New citizens repeat the Oath of Citizenship at the citizenship ceremony. In it, they swear (or affirm) loyalty to the Sovereign, promise to faithfully observe the laws of Canada, and promise to fulfil their duties as Canadian citizens. The full Oath reads:

I swear (or affirm) that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles the Third, King of Canada, His Heirs and Successors, and that I will faithfully observe the laws of Canada, including the Constitution, which recognizes and affirms the Aboriginal and treaty rights of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples, and fulfil my duties as a Canadian citizen.

Understanding the Oath

In Canada, we profess our loyalty to a person who represents all Canadians: the Sovereign. The pledge is not to a document such as the Constitution, to a banner such as the flag, or to the country as a geopolitical entity. In Canada's constitutional monarchy, the Sovereign embodies all of these. As Discover Canada puts it, "Canada is personified by the Sovereign just as the Sovereign is personified by Canada."

The Citizenship Ceremony

If you pass the citizenship test and meet the other requirements, you receive a Notice to Appear to Take the Oath of Citizenship. It tells you the date, time and place of your citizenship ceremony. Discover Canada says that at the ceremony, you will:

• Take the Oath of Citizenship;
• Sign the oath form; and
• Receive your Canadian Citizenship Certificate.

The Sovereign's Role

Canada is a constitutional monarchy. The Head of State is a hereditary Sovereign (King or Queen) who reigns in accordance with the Constitution: the rule of law. The Sovereign is a symbol of Canadian sovereignty, a guardian of constitutional freedoms, and a reflection of our history.

Canada makes a clear distinction between the Head of State, the Sovereign, and the head of government, the Prime Minister, who actually directs the governing of the country.