On This Page, You Will Find:
- Political rights and participation
- Passport and travel advantages
- Dual citizenship
- Secure status that cannot lapse
- Jobs open to or preferring citizens
- Passing citizenship to your children
- Citizenship and income tax: 2026 federal and provincial rates
- Citizenship vs permanent residence
- Frequently asked questions
Benefits of Being a Canadian Citizen
Becoming a Canadian citizen is a major milestone that unlocks the fullest set of rights and freedoms the country offers. Citizens can participate fully in Canada’s democracy, travel on one of the world’s most respected passports, and hold a legal status that cannot be lost simply by living abroad.
Below are the key benefits of Canadian citizenship, how they differ from being a permanent resident, and, for reference, the 2026 federal and provincial income tax rates that apply to everyone who is resident in Canada for tax purposes.
Political Rights and Participation
Canadian citizens aged 18 or older have the right to vote in federal elections and, subject to provincial, territorial and municipal residency rules, in provincial, territorial and municipal elections. Citizens can also run for most public offices, including a seat in the House of Commons. Permanent residents cannot vote in federal or provincial elections or run for those offices.
Citizenship therefore gives you a direct voice in shaping public policy and the direction of government at every level, and the right to take part in jury duty, which Canadian courts generally reserve for citizens.
Passport and Travel Advantages
Citizens can apply for a Canadian passport, which gives visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to a large number of countries. A Canadian passport also entitles you to consular assistance from Canadian embassies and consulates abroad.
Unlike a permanent resident, you do not need to carry or renew a PR card, apply for a permanent resident travel document if you are abroad without a valid card, or worry about meeting a residency obligation to keep your status while travelling.
Dual Citizenship
Canada allows dual (and multiple) citizenship. You can generally become a Canadian citizen without giving up your existing nationality, provided your other country also permits it. Some countries automatically withdraw their nationality when a citizen naturalizes elsewhere, so check the rules of your country of origin before you apply.
Dual citizens enjoy the rights of both countries, but should also be aware of each country’s tax, military-service and travel-document rules. Canadian dual citizens must use a valid Canadian passport to fly to or transit through Canada, except in limited cases.
Secure Status That Cannot Lapse
Permanent residents must meet a residency obligation – at least 730 days in Canada within every five-year period – and can lose their status, or be removed from Canada, if they do not meet it or if they become inadmissible, for example for serious criminality.
Citizens face no residency obligation and cannot be deported. You can live, work or study anywhere in the world and return to Canada at any time. Citizenship can be revoked only in narrow circumstances, such as where it was obtained through fraud, false representation or knowingly concealing material circumstances.
Jobs Open to or Preferring Citizens
Most jobs in Canada are open to permanent residents. However, federal public service hiring gives preference to Canadian citizens under the Public Service Employment Act, and some positions, particularly those requiring certain security clearances or roles in national security and defence, are in practice open only to citizens.
Citizenship can therefore widen your career options, especially in the public sector.
Passing Citizenship to Your Children
Children born in Canada are generally Canadian citizens at birth. Children born outside Canada to a Canadian parent may also be citizens, subject to the rules in the Citizenship Act.
These rules changed significantly when Bill C-3 came into force on December 15, 2025. Anyone planning around citizenship for children born outside Canada should review our guide to citizenship by descent under Bill C-3 and confirm how the current law applies to their family.
Citizenship and Income Tax: 2026 Federal and Provincial Rates
Becoming a citizen does not change how much income tax you pay. Canada taxes individuals based on residence, not citizenship: permanent residents, citizens and other residents of Canada are taxed at the same rates, and a citizen who stops being resident in Canada is generally no longer taxed on worldwide income in Canada.
The tables below show the 2026 personal income tax rates and brackets published by the Canada Revenue Agency (federal and provinces/territories other than Quebec, last updated June 25, 2026) and by Revenu Québec (Quebec). Provincial or territorial tax applies in addition to federal tax, based on your province or territory of residence on December 31, 2026. Each rate applies only to the portion of taxable income within that bracket. Brackets are indexed each year, so confirm the current figures with the CRA or Revenu Québec before relying on them.
Federal (all provinces and territories) – 2026
| Rate (2026) | Applies To |
|---|---|
| 14% | On the portion of taxable income that is $58,523 or less |
| 20.5% | On the portion of taxable income over $58,523 up to $117,045 |
| 26% | On the portion of taxable income over $117,045 up to $181,440 |
| 29% | On the portion of taxable income over $181,440 up to $258,482 |
| 33% | On the portion of taxable income over $258,482 |
Alberta – 2026
| Rate (2026) | Applies To |
|---|---|
| 8% | On the portion of taxable income that is $61,200 or less |
| 10% | On the portion of taxable income over $61,200 up to $154,259 |
| 12% | On the portion of taxable income over $154,259 up to $185,111 |
| 13% | On the portion of taxable income over $185,111 up to $246,813 |
| 14% | On the portion of taxable income over $246,813 up to $370,220 |
| 15% | On the portion of taxable income over $370,220 |
British Columbia – 2026
| Rate (2026) | Applies To |
|---|---|
| 5.6% | On the portion of taxable income that is $50,363 or less |
| 7.7% | On the portion of taxable income over $50,363 up to $100,728 |
| 10.5% | On the portion of taxable income over $100,728 up to $115,648 |
| 12.29% | On the portion of taxable income over $115,648 up to $140,430 |
| 14.7% | On the portion of taxable income over $140,430 up to $190,405 |
| 16.8% | On the portion of taxable income over $190,405 up to $265,545 |
| 20.5% | On the portion of taxable income over $265,545 |
Manitoba – 2026
| Rate (2026) | Applies To |
|---|---|
| 10.8% | On the portion of taxable income that is $47,564 or less |
| 12.75% | On the portion of taxable income over $47,564 up to $101,200 |
| 17.4% | On the portion of taxable income over $101,200 |
New Brunswick – 2026
| Rate (2026) | Applies To |
|---|---|
| 9.4% | On the portion of taxable income that is $52,333 or less |
| 14% | On the portion of taxable income over $52,333 up to $104,666 |
| 16% | On the portion of taxable income over $104,666 up to $193,861 |
| 19.5% | On the portion of taxable income over $193,861 |
Newfoundland and Labrador – 2026
| Rate (2026) | Applies To |
|---|---|
| 8.7% | On the portion of taxable income that is $44,678 or less |
| 14.5% | On the portion of taxable income over $44,678 up to $89,354 |
| 15.8% | On the portion of taxable income over $89,354 up to $159,528 |
| 17.8% | On the portion of taxable income over $159,528 up to $223,340 |
| 19.8% | On the portion of taxable income over $223,340 up to $285,319 |
| 20.8% | On the portion of taxable income over $285,319 up to $570,638 |
| 21.3% | On the portion of taxable income over $570,638 up to $1,141,275 |
| 21.8% | On the portion of taxable income over $1,141,275 |
Nova Scotia – 2026
| Rate (2026) | Applies To |
|---|---|
| 8.79% | On the portion of taxable income that is $30,995 or less |
| 14.95% | On the portion of taxable income over $30,995 up to $61,991 |
| 16.67% | On the portion of taxable income over $61,991 up to $97,417 |
| 17.5% | On the portion of taxable income over $97,417 up to $157,124 |
| 21% | On the portion of taxable income over $157,124 |
Northwest Territories – 2026
| Rate (2026) | Applies To |
|---|---|
| 5.9% | On the portion of taxable income that is $53,003 or less |
| 8.6% | On the portion of taxable income over $53,003 up to $106,009 |
| 12.2% | On the portion of taxable income over $106,009 up to $172,346 |
| 14.05% | On the portion of taxable income over $172,346 |
Nunavut – 2026
| Rate (2026) | Applies To |
|---|---|
| 4% | On the portion of taxable income that is $55,801 or less |
| 7% | On the portion of taxable income over $55,801 up to $111,602 |
| 9% | On the portion of taxable income over $111,602 up to $181,439 |
| 11.5% | On the portion of taxable income over $181,439 |
Ontario – 2026
| Rate (2026) | Applies To |
|---|---|
| 5.05% | On the portion of taxable income that is $53,891 or less |
| 9.15% | On the portion of taxable income over $53,891 up to $107,785 |
| 11.16% | On the portion of taxable income over $107,785 up to $150,000 |
| 12.16% | On the portion of taxable income over $150,000 up to $220,000 |
| 13.16% | On the portion of taxable income over $220,000 |
Prince Edward Island – 2026
| Rate (2026) | Applies To |
|---|---|
| 9.5% | On the portion of taxable income that is $33,928 or less |
| 13.47% | On the portion of taxable income over $33,928 up to $65,820 |
| 16.6% | On the portion of taxable income over $65,820 up to $106,890 |
| 17.62% | On the portion of taxable income over $106,890 up to $142,520 |
| 19% | On the portion of taxable income over $142,520 up to $200,000 |
| 20% | On the portion of taxable income over $200,000 |
Quebec (Revenu Québec) – 2026
| Rate (2026) | Applies To |
|---|---|
| 14% | On the portion of taxable income that is $54,345 or less |
| 19% | On the portion of taxable income over $54,345 up to $108,680 |
| 24% | On the portion of taxable income over $108,680 up to $132,245 |
| 25.75% | On the portion of taxable income over $132,245 |
Saskatchewan – 2026
| Rate (2026) | Applies To |
|---|---|
| 10.5% | On the portion of taxable income that is $54,532 or less |
| 12.5% | On the portion of taxable income over $54,532 up to $155,805 |
| 14.5% | On the portion of taxable income over $155,805 |
Yukon – 2026
| Rate (2026) | Applies To |
|---|---|
| 6.4% | On the portion of taxable income that is $58,523 or less |
| 9% | On the portion of taxable income over $58,523 up to $117,045 |
| 10.9% | On the portion of taxable income over $117,045 up to $181,440 |
| 12.8% | On the portion of taxable income over $181,440 up to $500,000 |
| 15% | On the portion of taxable income over $500,000 |
Notes: Quebec residents also receive a reduction of federal tax (the Quebec abatement), which is not reflected above. Prince Edward Island introduced its top bracket (20% on taxable income over $200,000) for 2026. Rates and thresholds exclude surtaxes, credits and other adjustments. Sources: Canada Revenue Agency, Canadian income tax rates for individuals – current and previous years; Revenu Québec, 2026 income tax rates.
Citizenship vs Permanent Residence
Permanent residence already offers most social benefits, including the right to live, work and study anywhere in Canada and access to provincial health care. Citizenship adds:
- the right to vote and run for office
- eligibility for a Canadian passport and consular assistance
- freedom from the PR residency obligation
- protection from removal and from losing status by living abroad
- access to jobs reserved for, or giving preference to, citizens
For most newcomers, citizenship is the natural final step after permanent residence. To check whether you are ready, see who qualifies for Canadian citizenship, including the 1,095-day physical presence requirement and the citizenship language requirement. When you are ready, follow our step-by-step guide on how to apply for Canadian citizenship, and explore the ways to immigrate to Canada that lead there. For advice on your situation, book a consultation.
Canadian Citizenship Benefits: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the biggest difference between a citizen and a permanent resident?
Citizens can vote and run for office, hold a Canadian passport, and cannot be removed from Canada or lose their status by living abroad. Permanent residents cannot vote in federal or provincial elections, must spend at least 730 days in Canada in every five-year period, and can lose their status in certain circumstances.
Does Canada allow dual citizenship?
Yes. Canada permits dual and multiple citizenship, so you can usually keep your original nationality when you become Canadian. Whether you can do so depends on the laws of your other country, as some countries end citizenship when a national naturalizes elsewhere.
Do Canadian citizens have to live in Canada?
No. Unlike permanent residents, citizens have no residency obligation. You can live, work or study anywhere in the world for as long as you like and return to Canada at any time without losing your status.
Will I pay less tax if I become a Canadian citizen?
No. Canada taxes people based on residence, not citizenship, so a permanent resident and a citizen living in the same province pay the same federal and provincial rates. In 2026, federal rates range from 14% on the first $58,523 of taxable income to 33% on income over $258,482, with provincial or territorial tax added on top.
Can I lose my Canadian citizenship?
Citizenship is very secure and cannot be lost simply by living abroad. It can be revoked only in narrow circumstances, such as when it was obtained through fraud, false representation or knowingly concealing material circumstances. You can also give it up voluntarily by applying to renounce it.
How do I become a Canadian citizen?
Most people become citizens through naturalization after holding permanent residence, meeting the physical presence, tax filing and language requirements, and passing the citizenship test if they are 18 to 54. Most applicants can now apply online. See our step-by-step guide to applying for Canadian citizenship for the full process.