Citizenship judge
A citizenship judge is an official in Canada who assesses referred applications to ensure they meet the physical presence requirements for Canadian citizenship and presides over citizenship ceremonies to administer the Oath of Citizenship for successful applicants. Citizenship judges also speak to community groups, schools, and other audiences about the process to become a citizen, as well as Canadian values and the rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizenship. As independent decision makers, citizenship judges comprise the Citizenship Commission a body that is arms length from the Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship.
Citizenship judges are appointed in accordance with the Citizenship Act by the Governor General-in-Council on the recommendation of Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship. Citizenship judges are addressed as Judge [name] rather than Your Honour.
Citizenship Judges are independent decision makers, and unlike Justice of the peace, Citizenship judges are not judicial officers.
Current citizenship judges
Regalia
Citizenship judges wear a black judicial gown with burgundy accent. A heraldic badge is worn on the right and official national awards may be worn on the left. Judicial tabs are worn with a white wing collar shirt.
External links
- Information at Citizenship and Immigration Canada
- Profiles of Citizenship Judges
- Citizenship Commission