Becoming a Canadian citizen opens doors that permanent residency cannot. This guide explains every right you gain and every responsibility you take on. CitizenPass helps you prepare for every step — read on, then start practicing for free.
Trusted by thousands of new Canadians. CitizenPass is the #1 free citizenship test prep platform — 600+ practice questions, AI coaching, and lessons covering every chapter of the Discover Canada guide.
Rights You Gain as a Canadian Citizen
1. The Right to Vote
As a citizen, you can vote in:
- Federal elections — Choose your Member of Parliament (MP)
- Provincial/territorial elections — Choose your provincial representative
- Municipal elections — Choose your mayor and city councillors
- Referendums — Vote on specific policy questions
This is one of the most important rights of citizenship and one that many new citizens exercise with pride.
2. Canadian Passport
Your Canadian passport is one of the most powerful travel documents in the world:
- Visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 180+ countries and territories
- Consular assistance from Canadian embassies worldwide
- Proof of Canadian citizenship for international travel
3. Protection from Deportation
This is arguably the most significant benefit of citizenship:
- Citizens cannot be deported from Canada — ever
- PRs can be deported for serious criminal offences or failure to meet residency obligations
- Citizenship provides permanent security in Canada
4. Right to Run for Office
Any Canadian citizen aged 18+ can:
- Run for municipal council or mayor
- Run for provincial/territorial legislature
- Run for federal Parliament (House of Commons)
- Be appointed to the Senate (by the Prime Minister)
5. Government Jobs Requiring Citizenship
Certain government positions require Canadian citizenship:
- Federal public service positions with security clearance
- RCMP and Canadian Armed Forces
- Some provincial government positions
- Diplomatic and foreign service roles
6. No Residency Obligation
As a PR, you must be in Canada for 730 days every 5 years or risk losing status. Citizens have no residency requirement — you can live abroad indefinitely and remain a citizen.
7. Pass Citizenship to Your Children
Canadian citizens can pass citizenship to their children born abroad (with some generational limits). This is not possible for PRs.
Comparing PR Rights vs Citizen Rights
| Right | PR | Citizen |
|---|---|---|
| Live in Canada | Yes | Yes |
| Work in Canada | Yes | Yes |
| Healthcare | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Yes | Yes |
| Vote | No | Yes |
| Canadian passport | No | Yes |
| Run for office | No | Yes |
| Government security jobs | No | Yes |
| Protection from deportation | No | Yes |
| Residency obligation | 730 days/5 years | None |
| Pass citizenship to children abroad | No | Yes |
| Jury duty | No | Yes (required) |
Responsibilities of Canadian Citizens
Citizenship is not just about rights — it comes with important responsibilities:
1. Obeying Canadian Laws
All citizens must follow federal, provincial, and municipal laws. This is the same obligation that applies to everyone in Canada.
2. Jury Duty
When called for jury duty, you are legally required to serve:
- Federal and provincial courts may summon you
- You must appear unless excused by the court
- Employers must allow you time off for jury duty
- Compensation is provided (varies by province)
3. Voting (Civic Responsibility)
While not legally mandatory, voting is considered a fundamental civic duty:
- Stay informed about candidates and issues
- Exercise your right in every election
- Encourage others to participate in democracy
4. Paying Taxes
Citizens must continue filing taxes with the CRA:
- Report worldwide income
- File annually, even if living abroad
- Pay any taxes owed
5. Respecting Others' Rights
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects everyone's fundamental freedoms:
- Respect others' freedom of expression, religion, and assembly
- Treat everyone with dignity regardless of background
- Contribute to a peaceful and inclusive society
CitizenPass Pro Tip: The citizenship test covers rights and responsibilities in detail. Understanding these is not just for passing the test — it is for being an informed and engaged citizen. CitizenPass covers all of this with practice questions and explanations.
Things That Do NOT Change
Some things remain the same after becoming a citizen:
Tax Obligations
- You still file taxes with the CRA
- Your tax rate does not change
- You still report worldwide income
Healthcare
- Your provincial health coverage continues
- No changes to your provincial health card
Social Insurance Number (SIN)
- Your SIN number stays the same
- Only the record is updated to reflect citizenship
Education
- No changes to education access
- You were already eligible for domestic tuition rates as a PR
Property Ownership
- No changes to property rights
- You could own property as a PR and continue as a citizen
Pass Your Citizenship Test — With CitizenPass
Understanding your rights and responsibilities is key to passing the test. Thousands of newcomers have used CitizenPass to pass on their first attempt — completely free to start:
- 600+ Practice Questions — Same format as the real IRCC test, with detailed explanations for every answer
- AI-Powered Coach — Identifies your weak areas and builds a personalized study plan just for you
- 80+ Bite-Sized Lessons — All 12 Discover Canada chapters, broken into 10-minute study sessions
- Real-Time Progress Tracking — See exactly when you are ready to pass
- Bilingual Support — Study in English or French, switch anytime
- Mobile + Desktop — Available on iOS, Android, and web — study anywhere
CitizenPass users score an average of 18/20 on their first attempt — well above the 15/20 passing score.
Your Canadian dream is one test away. Join thousands of successful new Canadians — start your free CitizenPass preparation today.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1Can I be deported after becoming a Canadian citizen?
No. Canadian citizens cannot be deported from Canada, regardless of the circumstances. This is one of the most significant differences between PR status and citizenship. However, citizenship can be revoked in cases of fraud or misrepresentation.
2Do I have to vote after becoming a citizen?
Voting is a right, not a legal obligation in Canada (unlike some countries). However, it is strongly encouraged as a civic responsibility. You can vote in federal, provincial, and municipal elections.
3Can I run for political office as a new citizen?
Yes. Any Canadian citizen aged 18+ can run for political office at any level — municipal, provincial, or federal. There is no waiting period or minimum years of citizenship required.
4Is jury duty mandatory for Canadian citizens?
Yes. When called for jury duty, Canadian citizens are legally required to serve unless excused by the court for valid reasons (health, hardship, etc.). This is considered a fundamental civic responsibility.