Canadian Citizenship in Transition: Trends, Debates, and Challenges

Please join our panel of experts to discuss trends, debates, and challenges in Canadian citizenship. Topics will include (but not be limited to) the precipitous decline in Canada’s naturalization rate; the suitability of self-administered online naturalization ceremonies and citizenship oaths; concerns over citizenship acquisition through birth; impediments to new Canadians’ access to licensed professions and position of economic, social, and political power; conflicting ideas of what constitutes ‘good’ citizenship and Canadian national identity (as reflected in citizenship guides and courses, government pronouncements, and public discourse); and the consequences of changing immigration policies for newcomers’ access to citizenship. This is a timely and important event that will be of interest to anyone interested in Canadian citizenship both now and in the future.

 

 

Andrew Griffith is the author of Multiculturalism in Canada: Evidence and Anecdote and Policy Arrogance or Innocent Bias: Resetting Citizenship and Multiculturalism. He is the former Director General for Citizenship and Multiculturalism, a regular media commentator and blogger, and a fellow of the Environics Institute.

 

Daniel Bernhard is the Chief Executive Officer of the Institute for Canadian Citizenship. Daniel is a first-generation Canadian who has dedicated his career to public benefit following a short stint in corporate consulting. He has led and advised charities, foundations, and government agencies in North America, Europe, and the Middle East to build and deliver creative, transformational programs that advance the public good. Daniel is also a qualified software developer. He speaks English, French and Spanish and holds degrees from the LSE and Cambridge.

 

Samina Sami is the Chief Executive Officer of COSTI, a social impact organization that supports newcomers and diverse communities in the Greater Torobto Area. Samina has a proven track record of dynamic and visionary leadership of more than 26 years in the public sector. Her diverse career includes working in government, higher education, and community services, on a range of initiatives, including strategy-setting, transformation, service and program delivery, grant funding management, policy, and public affairs, including working with the Ministry of Citizenship, Immigration, and International Trade.

 

Audrey Macklin is Professor of Law and Chair in Human Rights at University of Toronto.  From 2017-23, she was the Director of the Centre for Criminology and Sociolegal Studies.  Professor Macklin’s researches and teaches in the field of migration, citizenship and refugee law.  She has published in a variety of academic venues, and is also active as a public commentator, and public interest lawyer representing intervenors in the Supreme Court of Canada.  Her work on citizenship has included scholarship and advocacy on dual nationality, citizenship revocation, birthright citizenship, citizenship ceremonies and states’ obligations toward citizens abroad.

  

This event is co-sponsored by the Harney Program in Ethnic Immigration and Pluralism Studies, the Canadian International Council – Toronto Branch, and Migrant Integration in the Mid-21st Century: Bridging Divides.