Canadian Wills

History of Canadian citizenship

William Lyon Mackenzie King not only holds the distinction of being the oldest Canadian Prime Minister (1921-1930, 1935-1948), he also holds the distinction of becoming the first official Canadian citizen in 1947. The concept of a Canadian citizen has been in constant evolution. Canadian residents moved from colonial subjects to British nationals resident in Canada before being able to call themselves Canadian citizens.

For most of its history since the first European settlement, Canada has been a part of a vast empire (France and Great Britain). Despite the fact that Canada has granted autonomy in 1867 with the Act British North America, it was not yet an independent nation. The British government still had authority in matters relating to foreign policy and citizenship has been one of them. In the early 1900s, the British government no longer called those who reside in Canada as "British subjects, but they have become British citizens resident in Canada. Canada's participation in major international conflicts has helped these British nationals to become Canadians.

As Canada becomes more involved internationally, Canadians started to feel a greater sense of pride as Canadians. Canada's role in the First World War strengthened its position as a nation. While Canada may not have been a great power, its contribution to the war effort was of great help to the Allies. Canadian soldiers helped in the battle of the Somme and Vimy Ridge swept. Great Britain needed the help of its colonies and in return he offered his colony more say in imperial affairs. With the Statute of Westminster in 1931, the British colonies ceased to be subject to the Crown in England and became equal members in the Commonwealth of Nations. When WWII broke out, Canada has joined an effort ten days after Nazi Germany invaded Poland. Again, Canada's contribution to the Allied effort was important. The Canadians led the effort on the Dieppe raid in 1943 and captured the Juno Beach during the invasion of Europe on June 6, 1944. After the Second World War ended, Canadians felt a great sense of pride in what they had done and I wanted to be considered part of the British Empire, but as an independent nation.

In the summer of 1946, the Canadian Parliament passed the Canadian Citizenship Act which came into force on 1 January 1947. The law grants citizenship, among others, all the British subjects born or naturalized in Canada, women who were British subjects and were married to a Canadian citizen before 1947 and those that have been identified as First Nations or Eskimos. Canadian citizenship was considered a privilege. If it has granted entry to Canada of all citizens, and allowed women to be in control of their nationality, it does not allow anyone to hold dual nationality. Shortly after the adoption of the Citizenship Act, Canada has experienced a large influx of immigrants from postwar Europe.

By 1977, the Canadian government amended the Citizenship Act. Specifically, it lifted the restriction on dual nationality and has also repealed the provisions for which a person could lose their citizenship (excluding costs related to immigration fraud). Under a new law (which is still in force today) Canadian citizenship can be obtained by birth in Canada to Canadian parents birth or naturalization (living for at least 3 years in Canada as permanent residents).

Shortly after the Citizenship Act adopted, Canada has changed its anthem "God Save the Queen" to "O Canada". In 196.