The Benefits of Canadian Citizenship

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Canadian citizens have all the benefits and obligations of permanent residents, outlined here.

Canadian citizens have all the benefits and obligations of permanent residents, outlined here.

Canadian citizens have all the benefits and obligations of permanent residents, outlined here.

Citizenship holders also have the following benefits and obligations:

Politics

Citizens can vote in federal, provincial and municipal elections, run for office and become involved in political activities, meaning they have a say in who runs the various levels of government that exist in Canada. That could be town, city, school board, province, territory, or country.

Citizens can run as independent candidates, or by joining one of the established parties.

Dual citizenship

Canada does not make you choose between being a Canadian citizen and being a citizen of your home country. Depending on your home country, you may or may not have to make that choice.

Right to do all jobs

Some jobs require high-level security clearance, which only citizens can have. This includes some jobs at the federal level. These jobs tend to pay well and have many benefits.

Passport

Canadian citizens get a passport, which is easier to renew and must be renewed less often than a permanent resident card.

The passport allows you to travel to many countries without the need for a visa and makes it easier to get a visa where one is required. It should be noted this is for travel and does not give you the right to work.

Having a passport makes you less likely to encounter problems returning to Canada from abroad.

You can also rely on the support of Canadian consulates and embassies, provided you travel using the Canadian passport, should you get into trouble while abroad.

Your children

As a citizen, if your children are born in Canada, they automatically become Canadian citizens. They will not have to go through any application process. Some children born outside Canada are also citizens at birth, if at least one parent was born or naturalized in Canada.

Tax

Canadian tax laws work on residency rather than citizenship. You can be a citizen but not live in Canada, and therefore not have to pay Canadian taxes. If you are a citizen who does live in Canada, you are required to pay Canadian taxes on worldwide income and you must pay taxes at federal, provincial and municipal levels.

Federal tax rates for 2018

  • 15% on the first $46,605 of taxable income, +
  • 20.5% on the next $46,603 of taxable income ($46,605 up to $93,208), +
  • 26% on the next $51,281 of taxable income ($93,208 up to $144,489), +
  • 29% on the next $61,3532 of taxable income ($144,489 up to $205,842), +
  • 33% of taxable income over $205,842.

Provincial tax rates for 2018

Alberta

10% on the first $128,145 of taxable income, +
12% on the next $25,628, +
13% on the next $51,258, +
14% on the next $102,516, +
15% on the amount over $307,547

British Columbia

5.06% on the first $39,676 of taxable income, +
7.7% on the next $39,677, +
10.5% on the next $11,754, +
12.29% on the next $19,523, +
14.7% on the next $39,370, +
16.8% on the amount over $150,000

Manitoba

10.8% on the first $31,843 of taxable income, +
12.75% on the next $36,978, +
17.4% on the amount over $68,821

New Brunswick

9.68% on the first $41,675 of taxable income, +
14.82% on the next $41,676, +
16.52% on the next $52,159, +
17.84% on the next $18,872, +
20.3% on the amount over $154,382

Newfoundland and Labrador

6.4% on the first $46,605 of taxable income, +
9% on the next $46,603, +
10.9% on the next $51,281, +
12.8% on the next $355,511, +
15% on the amount over $500,000

Nova Scotia

8.79% on the first $29,590 of taxable income, +
14.95% on the next $29,590, +
16.67% on the next $33,820, +
17.5% on the next $57,000, +
21% on the amount over $150,000

Northwest Territories

5.9% on the first $42,209 of taxable income, +
8.6% on the next $42,211, +
12.2% on the next $52,828, +
14.05% on the amount over $137,248

Nunavut

4% on the first $44,437 of taxable income, +
7% on the next $44,437, +
9% on the next $55,614, +
11.5% on the amount over $144,488

Ontario

5.05% on the first $42,960 of taxable income, +
9.15% on the next $42,963, +
11.16% on the next $64,077, +
12.16% on the next $70,000, +
13.16 % on the amount over $220,000

Prince Edward Island

9.8% on the first $31,984 of taxable income, +
13.8% on the next $31,985, +
16.7% on the amount over $63,969

Quebec

15 % on the first 43 055 $ of taxable income; +
20 % on the next 43 050 $; +
24 % on the next 18 660 $; +
25,75 % on the amount over 104 765 $

Saskatchewan

10.5% on the first $45,225 of taxable income, +
12.5% on the next $83,989, +
14.5% on the amount over $129,214

Yukon

6,4 % on the first 46 605 $ of taxable income;; +
9 % on the next 46 603 $; +
10,9 % on the next 51 281 $; +
12,8 % on the next 355 511 $; +
15 % on the amount over 500 000 $