Ólafur Þorgeirsson published in his Almanak in 1919 information about new laws regarding civil rights in Canada:
“Citizenship rights of foreigners in Canada. In 1914, new laws regarding the citizenship rights of foreigners in Canada came into effect. They are usually stricter than the older laws were. According to them, every foreigner who wants to become a British citizen in Canada must have resided somewhere in the British state for five years, or he must have spent five years in the service of the British Crown. He must also know either English or French. This law is usually referred to as “The Imperial Naturalization Act”. Under the old law, people could become British subjects in Canada after a three-year stay, and without knowing English or French; people did not have to appear before a judge in order to get a citizenship certificate, unless that condition was set by a district judge. Under that law, the civil rights were recognized as a matter of courtesy elsewhere than in Canada, then according to the new law, the person who receives citizenship enjoys the same rights and benefits as those who are born British citizens anywhere.”
The new law: “The new law is different from the old law in several respects. A foreigner who wants to distinguish between citizenship rights and duties in Canada and in the British Empire in general, has no choice; he must become a British citizen fully and completely, if he otherwise wishes to receive citizenship rights; and in order to become one, he must fulfill the following conditions. 1. To have resided for five years in the lands of the British King, or to have been in the service of the British Crown for five years. 2. To have an unblemished reputation, and to have a fair knowledge of either English or French. 3. To declare that he intends, if he receives citizenship, either to continue to live in the lands of the British King, or to join and continue to be in the service of the Crown. Regarding the stay in British countries, it is stated that the five years taken must be within the limits of the next eight-year period; before applying for citizenship; the last year of these five must still be a year of residence in Canada, and it must be the next year before applying for citizenship. The other four may be residence years in other countries of the British Empire.”
Conditions and certificates: “The Secretary of State for Canada has full authority to grant or deny citizenship certificates; and he will not be required to give reasons for the refusal. The applicant must take an oath of allegiance before being awarded a certificate. He must appear before the judge himself for questioning, unless the judge accepts his reasons for absence. If there is any doubt as to the civil rights of any person, a special certificate may be given to him to the effect that he is a British subject; but it will not be considered as an admission that he was not previously a British citizen. A man who has children, and asks for citizenship rights for himself, can let them extend to his children; but the children can, if they wish, renounce their citizenship within one year after they reach legal age.”
English version by Thor group.