Last Updated on November 12, 2019

2019-11-12 – 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.

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Federal Tax Rates For 2019

• 15% on the first $47,630 of taxable income, and
• 20.5% on the portion of taxable income over 47,630 up to $95,259 and
• 26% on the portion of taxable income over $95,259 up to $147,667 and
• 29% on the portion of taxable income over $147,667 up to $210,371 and
• 33% of taxable income over $210,371.

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Provincial Tax Rates For 2019

Alberta 10% on the first $131,200 12% on the next $131,200-$157,464 13% on the next $157,464-$209,252 14% on the next $209,252-$314,928 15% on the amount over $314,928	British Columbia 5.06% on the first $40,707 of taxable income 7.7% on the next $40,707-$81,416 10.5% on the next $81,416-$93,476 12.29% on the next $93,476-$113,503 14.7% on the next $113,503-$153,900 16.8% on the amount over $153,900
Manitoba 10.8% on the first $32,670 of taxable income 12.75% on the next $32,670-$70,610 17.4% on the amount over $70,610	New Brunswick 9.68% on the first $42,592 of taxable income 14.82% on the next $42,592-$85,184 16.52% on the next $85,184-$138,491 17.84% on the next $138,491-$157,718 20.3% on the amount over $157,718
Newfoundland and Labrador 8.7% on the first $37,579 of taxable income 14.5% on the next $37,579-$75,181 15.8% on the next $75,181-$134,224 17.3% on the next $134,224-$187,913 18.3% on the amount over $187,913	Nova Scotia 8.79% on the first $29,590 of taxable income 14.95% on the next $29,590-$59,180 16.67% on the next $59,180-$93,000 17.5% on the next $93,000-$150,000 21% on the amount over $150,000
Northwest Territories 5.9% on the first $43,137 of taxable income 8.6% on the next $43,137-$86,277 12.2% on the next $86,277-$140,267 14.05% on the amount over $140,267	Nunavut 4% on the first $45,414 of taxable income 7% on the next $45,414-$90,829 9% on the next $90,889-$147,667 11.5% on the amount over $147,667
Ontario 5.05% on the first $43,906 of taxable income 9.15% on the next $43,906-$87,813 11.16% on the next $87,813-$150,000 12.16% on the next $150,000-$220,000 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 0% $0-$15,269 15% $15,269.01-$43.790 20% $43,790.01-$87,575 24% $87,575.01-$106,555 25.75% More than $106,555	Saskatchewan 11% on the first $45,225 of taxable income, 12.75% on $45,225-$129,214 17.4% on the amount over $129,214
Yukon 6.4% on the first $47,630 of taxable income 9% on the next $47,630-$95,259 10.9% on the next $95,259-$147,667 12.8% on the next $147,667-$500,000 15% on the amount over $500,000