Benefits of Canadian Citizenship

The Benefits of Canadian Citizenship

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.

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.
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