10 months to citizenship. I am going to do it.

[trailmix 77]

Keep in mind that generally, CPP is a very small amount of money. Normally if you haven't worked in Canada for any length of time, your payment will be very small (think: a few hundred a month), it is the OAS and the provincial supplement that top it up to be any kind of amount anyone could live on.

Can I receive CPP payments outside Canada?

Yes, provided you meet all eligibility conditions, payments are made anywhere in the world.

Edited January 13, 2010 by trailmix

[raymaga 25]

I already have my own US citizenship, and will be applying for my daughter's (she came as a K-2) citizenship in November.

I am doing so to relieve my husband of his Affidavit of Support obligations.

[Rhiannercakes 14]

I'm going to file for citizenship when I can. Why? Well... why not?

I don't lose my Canadian citizenship and I'll be rid of the USCIS forever after that. Traveling will be so much easier, and I like the idea of having citizenship to two countries. It kind of makes me feel special, within my family anyway

It's like the ultimate prize for us who went through all those red-taped steps to get here, legally.

I see it that way anyway.

[The_Dude 1,142]

I'm going to file for citizenship when I can. Why? Well... why not?

I don't lose my Canadian citizenship and I'll be rid of the USCIS forever after that. Traveling will be so much easier, and I like the idea of having citizenship to two countries. It kind of makes me feel special, within my family anyway

It's like the ultimate prize for us who went through all those red-taped steps to get here, legally.

I see it that way anyway.

No offense intended, but those reasons you listed are exactly the wrong reasons to take citizenship.

[Marilyn. 340]

if and when I become a citizen it will be purely for convenience sake... and I am not ashamed to admit it...

that is not saying that I don't love the US or whatever but a big part of me will always be Canadian... but I know it will probably make things easier in the long run if I become a US citizen

[Rhiannercakes 14]

No offense intended, but those reasons you listed are exactly the wrong reasons to take citizenship.

No offense taken.

I don't feel like they're wrong in my eyes, but others see things differently.

I respect that

[Allie 5]

Keep in mind that generally, CPP is a very small amount of money. Normally if you haven't worked in Canada for any length of time, your payment will be very small (think: a few hundred a month), it is the OAS and the provincial supplement that top it up to be any kind of amount anyone could live on.

Yes you're correct and if a person takes CPP at age 60 they lose .5 for every yr. before age 65 which works out to 30%of the CPP

Although I did find this out from CPP:

14. What happens if I lived or worked in another country?

Canada has agreements with many countries, which can help you get pensions or benefits from either country. If you did not live or work long enough in one of these countries to qualify, the time you spent in the other country may be added to meet the requirement.

If you have lived or worked in another country, you should contact us

[Starburst 4]

I haven't decided what I'm doing just yet.

I'm not sure if I feel comfortable saying those words at the ceremony.

We'll see though. I'm still a bit away from even having the choice anyways. It'll be something I think about over the next year.

[Hugglebuggles 60]

No offense taken.

I don't feel like they're wrong in my eyes, but others see things differently.

I respect that

I think those are perfectly fine reasons to take up US citizenship

Its a personal choice and I would never insult someone for wanting to forgo that step, but I think some over think and over analyze what citizenship is and what it means. Becoming American does not make you any less Canadian. Citizens have rights and privileges that are perfectly normal to desire and strive for. If that is something as simple as making travel easier and wanting to vote, to being able to sponsor a mother or father, or gain the right to get that job you've always wanted. I think for most people we don't have the luxury of considering the symbolic meaning behind an oath, but the practical solutions citizenship provides to make our lives a bit easier.

So really, will I feel bad when I'm forced to pretend to want to give up my Canadian citizenship for a brief second when I'm saying a mindless oath? Absolutely. But when I finally get to vote and actually use my BA, I think I will feel a lot better about it. Canada is a pretty forgiving lady

[Carlawarla 1]

I will be applying in May of this year. I have no qualms about doing this.

[Krikit 1,163]

They need a polling booth at the swearing in ceremony, as people leave the room they should anonymously answer the question - did you mean that or not?

I don't agree with the portion about taking up arms, nobody should be forced to fight a war, no matter what. But the rest seems fairly reasonable. I think the nature of how each nation was formed has a bit to do with the oath of citizenship.

That's how I have come to terms with how the oath is worded and how I can take it..... that it was written by males (strike) during a time of revolutionary war (strike) created almost 250 years ago (strike) based on a British Act imposed in the 1500's by King Henry VIII.

I am going to ask about the taking-up-arms requirement at my interview, though.

The other day I was at a birthday party and a woman there was sharing how she immigrated 2 years ago from Canada on a K1 Visa. I asked her if she is going to become a US citizen, and she said she would lose her Canadian retirement if she did that.

True?

Interesting that she thinks that. She obviously hasn't done her homework. Even US citizens who moved to Canada to work and then returned to the US have a right to their Canada pension. (The same holds true of other nationalities.)

I will be applying in May of this year. I have no qualms about doing this.

I'm right behind you in June!

[The_Dude 1,142]

I think those are perfectly fine reasons to take up US citizenship

Its a personal choice and I would never insult someone for wanting to forgo that step, but I think some over think and over analyze what citizenship is and what it means. Becoming American does not make you any less Canadian. Citizens have rights and privileges that are perfectly normal to desire and strive for. If that is something as simple as making travel easier and wanting to vote, to being able to sponsor a mother or father, or gain the right to get that job you've always wanted. I think for most people we don't have the luxury of considering the symbolic meaning behind an oath, but the practical solutions citizenship provides to make our lives a bit easier.

So really, will I feel bad when I'm forced to pretend to want to give up my Canadian citizenship for a brief second when I'm saying a mindless oath? Absolutely. But when I finally get to vote and actually use my BA, I think I will feel a lot better about it. Canada is a pretty forgiving lady

I certainly don't think that citizenship, as rhiann said "...the ultimate prize for us who went through all those red-taped steps to get here, legally.". I agree that there are certain rights and privelages that come along with citizenship, but those are a reward for undertaking citizenship. The oath asks you to give up allegiance to another national leader. It doesn't ask you to renounce your birthright, it doesn't ask you to spit on your nation of birth. The U.S. recognizes dual citizenship, and reinforced this in the case Kawakita vs. U.S.. The majortiy opinion stated : "a person may have and exercise rights of nationality in two countries and be subject to the responsibilities of both. The mere fact he asserts the rights of one citizenship does not without more mean that he renounces the other," (1952).

All I'm saying is that if you want to take citizenship, is it really too much to ask that you take an active role in your new country? Make some effort to be a citizen? I think it's completely disingenuous to take the oath with no intent to try to become a part of the general citizenry.

[Marilyn. 340]

I certainly don't think that citizenship, as rhiann said "...the ultimate prize for us who went through all those red-taped steps to get here, legally.". I agree that there are certain rights and privelages that come along with citizenship, but those are a reward for undertaking citizenship. The oath asks you to give up allegiance to another national leader. It doesn't ask you to renounce your birthright, it doesn't ask you to spit on your nation of birth. The U.S. recognizes dual citizenship, and reinforced this in the case Kawakita vs. U.S.. The majortiy opinion stated : "a person may have and exercise rights of nationality in two countries and be subject to the responsibilities of both. The mere fact he asserts the rights of one citizenship does not without more mean that he renounces the other," (1952).

All I'm saying is that if you want to take citizenship, is it really too much to ask that you take an active role in your new country? Make some effort to be a citizen? I think it's completely disingenuous to take the oath with no intent to try to become a part of the general citizenry.

ok, now no one is saying that

[Rhiannercakes 14]

I "own" a gun.

Does this count?

(No seriously, does it? Haha.)

[ZansGirl 0]

. I feel Americans want people from other countries to assimilate and not stand out. I think that may explain some of the viewpoints on here.

LOL!!! Canadians are like the Starfleet Federation and Americans are like the Borg!!! (true nerd colours showing through!!!!)