Citizenship Preparation

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Citizenship Preparation

COSTI’s Citizenship Preparation classes help newcomers to Canada to become more active and better informed members of their community, and prepare them for the Canadian Citizenship test. Information about Canada’s history, geography, and government are some of the topics covered. It is recommended that individuals start taking the Citizenship Preparation class once their citizenship application has been submitted. Learners who have limited English language skills are advised to register earlier. This program is delivered by certified instructors in partnership with the Toronto and York Catholic District School Board.

Services Available

Individuals attending COSTI's Citizenship Preparation class will:

Gain an understanding of the rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizens;
Practice on simulated test questions;
Be equipped with the skills needed for both the written test and the oral interview.

Staff at the Toronto location speak Amharic, Arabic, Cantonese, English, Farsi, French, Italian, Kurdish, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Tigrinya, Turkish and Ukrainian

Staff at the Vaughan location speak Cantonese, English and Mandarin.

Who is Eligible

Citizenship classes are available to all individuals 18 years of age or over, who have lived in Canada for three continuous years after receiving landed immigrant status.

Times

Monday & Wednesday 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm (Toronto) Saturday 9:00 am to 12:00 pm (Markham) Saturday 10:00 am to 1:00 pm (Vaughan)

This Program is Located at:

Corvetti Education Centre
760 College Street
Toronto, ON M6G 1C4
Phone: 416.534.7400 | edu@costi.org

Language, Settlement & Skills Training Services, Vaughan
Welcome Centre Immigrant Services, 9100 Jane Street, Building H, Unit 56-67
Vaughan, ON L4K 0A4
Phone: 416.238.1025, 416-238-1033 | esltvaughan@costi.org

There is a nominal administrative fee charged for the ESL Citizenship program in Toronto.

COSTI's Citizenship Preparation program is delivered by certified instructors in partnership with the Toronto and York Catholic District School Board.

Related Resources

View Workshop Calendars

Go to the COSTI Workshops Calendar homepage

Cultural Excursions, Reading, and Video Resources

COSTI has a large library of reading and resource materials, as well as detailed listings of monthly cultural events to help students improve and practice their English. Videos and on-line resources are also available to assist with job search. Check back soon for a full listing. 138

Language and Settlement Issues

In striving to provide clients with a high level of service, COSTI staff make every effort to address, and assist clients with issues they may be facing as they begin life in Canada. Check back soon to find information that will help you cope with:

Feelings of isolation and feeling like you don’t belong

Dealing with conflicting work and family responsibilities while trying to attend English language studies

Accessing outreach programs, programs to help you understand the Canadian culture

Getting in touch with community groups that share your language or culture

Accessing social services

Enrolling your children in school

Securing housing

Finding a job136

School Board Contacts

Contacts – School Boards

Toronto District School Board
263 McCaul Street, Toronto
Tel: 416.397.3000

Toronto Catholic District School Board
80 Sheppard Avenue East, North York
Tel: 416.222.8282

York Region District School Board
60 Wellington Street West, Aurora
Tel: 416.969.8131

York Catholic District School Board
320 Bloomington Road West, Aurora
Tel: 416.221.5050 or Toll-free 1.800.263.2075
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When can I apply for Canadian Citizenship?

To become a Canadian citizen, you must be 18 years of age or older, be a permanent resident of Canada and have lived in Canada for at least three of the four years before applying. The time you lived in Canada after you became a permanent resident counts as full time. The time you lived in Canada before you became a permanent resident counts as half time only if it falls within these four years. You may be asked to complete a residency questionnaire and to provide supporting documentation.

Children under 18 years of age do not need to have lived in Canada for three years before applying. However, the child must be a permanent resident of Canada to apply for Canadian citizenship. To apply on behalf of your child, you must either already be a citizen or apply for citizenship together as a family.

If you are between 18 and 54, you must provide proof that you can speak and understand English or French. Proof can include:

Results of a CIC approved third party test
Transcripts or diploma from a secondary or post-secondary school where you studied in English or French, in Canada or abroad or
Proof that you meet the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4 or higher in an approved, government funded training program

In addition, you must pass the citizenship knowledge test on the rights, responsibilities and privileges of being a Canadian citizen. The questions are based on information provided in the study guide "Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship". If you are 55 years of age or older, or if you are under 18 at the time of the application, you do not have to take the test.

You can contact the Citizenship and Immigration Canada call centre for information on citizenship andiImmigration: 1-888 242-2100 (telephone number valid in Canada only).

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