Rocky View Immigrant Services (CCIS) is hosting a workshop tomorrow evening (April 18) to help answer any questions about acquiring Canadian citizenship.

With a growing number of Cochranites looking to take the next step, Fleeha Fahmad, Program Coordinator, thought it would be valuable to share information regarding the process into applying for citizenship. "There are lots of questions about the changes that took place, time duration, and which documents you need; regarding all that I thought it would be good to have a session to help with the preparation."

Fahmad says she will explain the changes that have come about in the past year. "To be eligible to be granted citizenship you have to be a permanent resident, you have to be physically in Canada at least 1095 days in 5 years. The change in that is prior to your permanent resident status the day that you were in Canada will be added. So if you came as a temporary foreign worker, skilled worker, or caregiver the time that you weren't a permanent resident those days will be calculated within the 5 year period."

The application is simple shares Fahmad, but the details required need to be precise and accurate. "One example is the proof of English language. So now if you are between the age of 18 and 54 you have to provide proof of language; now, what the proof is people generally mix that up. Another is for days to be calculated, so your residential calculation has to be done very on target. And the third thing is the requirements so the documents."

The workshop is not only free but applying for citizenship doesn't need to cost anything either, if not in the 'know' some people get caught. "Some attempt to do it themselves but then there is always that margin for error and then there's always those that lave language barriers or comprehension issues and they just feel nervous...they end up paying for a service that could be provided free."

The workshop is free and open to the public but those already thinking of starting or in the process of applying will get the most value. The information session will be held between 6 and 8:30 pm at the Homestead Building where Cochrane's Family Community Support Services is housed. Pre-registration is suggested and you can do so at fahmad@ccisab.ca

Fahmad is hoping to offer the information session twice a year to help our landed immigrants through the process.