Know about Canada if you want to be a citizen

If you're thinking of becoming a citizen of Canada, you better put on your study cap because the rules are changing.

The citizenship and immigration minister says anyone who wishes to become a Canadian must learn more about the country. And that would include learning about about Canada's military as well as the history of politics, Confederation and First Nations.

Jason Kenney plans to release a new version of a guidebook for immigrants on Thursday, which is the key tool newcomers use to prepare for their citizenship test.

Kenney said the new rules take effect in March 2010. He believes the previous version of the guide, published in 1997, is inadequate because the rules "fail to provide newcomers with a solid grasp of our country's history, symbols, values and institutions."

He has complained in the past that the current guidebook contains two pages about recycling and environmental stewardship, but barely a word about the Canadian military, and not a mention of Remembrance Day or the meaning of the poppy.

The new book will contain more information about "who we are, where we come from, how our rights and responsibilities developed," Kenney said.

The old 47-page guide called "A Look at Canada" will be replaced by the new one, which will be called "Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship."

Kenney believes it would help integrate immigrants into Canada.

Although the "curriculum" is changing, Kenney says those who study for the citizenship test will find it no harder because it will still contain about 24 "straightforward" multiple-choice questions.

For information about Canadian citizenship please visit: Citizenship and Immigration Canada