Close X
Tuesday, November 26, 2024
ADVT 
National

Canada welcomed a record number of new citizens in 2014, government says

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 23 Dec, 2014 05:27 PM

    TORONTO — The federal government says Canada welcomed a record number of new citizens in 2014.

    Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander says more than 260,000 people became new Canadians during 2014.

    Alexander says in a release that's more new Canadians than in any year in Canada's history and more than double the number from last year.

    Alexander cites recent changes to the Citizenship Act for improving the citizenship application process, and says applicants are already seeing results.

    A new citizenship decision-making process came into force Aug. 1 and streamlined the process from three steps to one.

    Officials say since implementing the new process, more than 115,000 people have become Canadian citizens — a 90 per cent increase from the same period in 2013.

    Canada's citizenship application backlog has been reduced by 17 per cent since June, and is at its lowest level in almost three years, Alexander said.

    "With more than 260,000 new citizens embracing Canadian values and traditions in 2014, we are fulfilling our commitment to reducing backlogs and, improving processing times," he said.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Russia vows to retaliate against Canadian sanctions

    Russia vows to retaliate against Canadian sanctions
    Russia vowed to take retaliatory measures against fresh US and Canadian sanctions, calling the moves an evidence that the West lacks interest in settling the Ukraine crisis....

    Russia vows to retaliate against Canadian sanctions

    Mounties investigating after toddler found alone at Surrey bus stop

    Mounties investigating after toddler found alone at Surrey bus stop
    SURREY, B.C. — The RCMP are investigating after a toddler was left on his own at a Surrey, B.C. bus stop Saturday morning.

    Mounties investigating after toddler found alone at Surrey bus stop

    Desjardins says Hansen looks OK after collapsing on bench and leaving game

    Desjardins says Hansen looks OK after collapsing on bench and leaving game
    Vancouver Canucks coach Willie Desjardins says forward Jannik Hansen looks to be OK after he appeared to collapse on the bench following a hit during Saturday's game.

    Desjardins says Hansen looks OK after collapsing on bench and leaving game

    Canadian man shot by U.S. border guards after pointing gun at them: officials

    Canadian man shot by U.S. border guards after pointing gun at them: officials
    DETROIT — The U.S. border agency says a Canadian man was shot after allegedly pointing a handgun at guards at the Ambassador Bridge crossing between Windsor, Ont., and Detroit.

    Canadian man shot by U.S. border guards after pointing gun at them: officials

    Slain soldiers Cirillo and Vincent named Canada's Newsmaker of the Year

    Slain soldiers Cirillo and Vincent named Canada's Newsmaker of the Year
    TORONTO — Two Canadians killed in cold blood on home soil for simply wearing a soldier's uniform have been selected the country's Newsmaker of the Year for 2014.

    Slain soldiers Cirillo and Vincent named Canada's Newsmaker of the Year

    2 winning tickets for Saturday night's $5-million Lotto 649 jackpot

    2 winning tickets for Saturday night's $5-million Lotto 649 jackpot
    TORONTO — Christmas has come a few days early for the owners of the two winning tickets in Saturday night's Lotto 6-49 draw.

    2 winning tickets for Saturday night's $5-million Lotto 649 jackpot