Becoming a Canadian citizen means that you acquire certain rights and responsibilities.

Your rights include:

• Democratic rights
• Language rights
• Equality rights
• Legal rights
• Mobility rights
• Freedom of religion
• Freedom of expression
• Freedom of assembly and association

These rights and freedoms are preserved in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and provincial human codes.  Citizens also have the right to apply for a Canadian passport.  This enables a person to return to Canada at any time after travelling or living abroad.

Certain responsibilities also come with citizenship.  These responsibilities are:

• To respect the rights and freedoms of others
• To obey Canada's laws
• To participate in the democratic process
• To respect Canada's two official languages and multicultural heritage.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

• Practice Citizenship Test - try an online quiz with questions similar to the Citizenship test.
• Canadian Heritage - A Web site that promotes understanding of Canadian citizenship values.  Provides information on multiculturalism, our official languages and Canadian sports, arts and heritage.
• CLEO - Immigration and Refugee Law - Clear language publications on legal topics relating to immigrants and refugees.
• Elections Canada - Is responsible for delivering all electoral services.  The site provides information on voting registration, the voting process and related legislation.
• Government of Canada Internet Site - provides information on Canada, federal government departments and agencies and their programs and services.
• Ministry of Citizenship, Culture and Recreation - The Ontario Ministry responsible for Provincial programs and services regarding citizenship, culture, sports, recreation and the Ontario archives.  The site contains information about these programs and services and how to access them.