S-262An Act to amend the Citizenship Act (Oath of Citizenship)
Senate public bill, introduced in the Senate on May 9, 2023
- Status
- Defeated at second reading in the Senate
- Sponsor
- Ratna OmidvarSenator
- Senator
What it does
Adds a second option for the citizenship oath, letting people swear loyalty to Canada instead of only to the King.
What it does
- Replaces the current oath rule with a new section that lets a person use either of two oath wordings.
- Keeps one version of the oath that swears allegiance to King Charles III and says the person will follow Canada’s laws and Constitution.
- Adds a second version that swears allegiance to Canada instead of to the King, while keeping the same promise to follow Canada’s laws and Constitution.
- Repeals the existing schedule that set out one oath wording.
- Brings the change into force the day after royal assent.
Who it affects
- People taking the citizenship oath
- New Canadian citizens
- Citizenship officials
Background
Under the current Citizenship Act, the oath is set out in a schedule. This bill repeals that schedule and replaces it with two oath options.
Where it is
Senate
First reading
Completed.
Second reading
Defeated here. Defeated
Committee
Not reached.
Third reading
Not reached.
House of Commons
First reading
Not reached.
Second reading
Not reached.
Committee
Not reached.
Report stage
Not reached.
Third reading
Not reached.
Royal assent
Royal assent
Not reached.
Introduced by a senator. If the Senate passes it, it goes to the House of Commons, where an MP must agree to sponsor it. How a bill becomes law
How the House voted
No recorded votes yet
Read the source
LEGISinfo status: Bill not proceeded with. Bill data from LEGISinfo, votes from openparliament.ca and the House of Commons. Last updated October 13, 2026.