Close X
Monday, November 11, 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

    Crowdfunding turns tiny Canadian companies into booming international businesses

    Crowdfunding turns tiny Canadian companies into booming international businesses
    TORONTO — There was $1.3 million raised for high-fidelity wireless speakers, almost $1.2 million for specialty drones and $820,000 for smart-bikes.

    Crowdfunding turns tiny Canadian companies into booming international businesses

    Sukh Dhaliwal Wins Nomination Race, To Be Liberal Candidate For Surrey—Newton In Next Election

    Sukh Dhaliwal Wins Nomination Race, To Be Liberal Candidate For Surrey—Newton In Next Election
    Over 7000 members of the Surrey—Newton Federal Liberal Association met on Saturday, December 13, 2014, where Sukh Dhaliwal was nominated as the candidate who will represent the Liberal Party of Canada in the next federal election in Surrey—Newton.

    Sukh Dhaliwal Wins Nomination Race, To Be Liberal Candidate For Surrey—Newton In Next Election

    Hockey and weather coverage set Canada's news media apart, study suggests

    Hockey and weather coverage set Canada's news media apart, study suggests
    OTTAWA — Two of Canada's national passions were exceptionally well-represented in the country's news coverage this year, newly-released media monitoring figures suggest.

    Hockey and weather coverage set Canada's news media apart, study suggests

    Colour, flavour descriptors added to labels for 'pure' maple sugar products

    Colour, flavour descriptors added to labels for 'pure' maple sugar products
    OTTAWA — Watch out, mock maple syrup makers: it's about to get a lot harder to pass off a knockoff as the bona-fide Canadian breakfast-table staple.

    Colour, flavour descriptors added to labels for 'pure' maple sugar products

    Amnesty slaps federal government on rights protection in resource sector

    Amnesty slaps federal government on rights protection in resource sector
    OTTAWA — Amnesty International's Canada branch has issued a wide-ranging attack on the Harper government for making economic development a higher priority than human rights — especially in resource development.

    Amnesty slaps federal government on rights protection in resource sector

    In wake of attacks, Harper offers condolences to families in Australia, Pakistan

    In wake of attacks, Harper offers condolences to families in Australia, Pakistan
    OTTAWA — Prime Minister Stephen Harper is offering his condolences to the families of the victims and others impacted by the deadly attacks in Australia and Pakistan.

    In wake of attacks, Harper offers condolences to families in Australia, Pakistan