Canadian citizens have all the benefits and obligations of permanent residents, outlined here.
Citizenship holders also have the following benefits and obligations:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
