Very interesting. Seems like it is due to Section 21 and 22 of the Act. Did you see what they are?
The Citizenship Regulations require that we verify that applicants are free of any prohibitions from a security and
criminal standpoint.
Section 21 of the Citizenship Act stipulates that no period may be counted as a period of physical presence
during which a person has been under a probation order, has been a paroled inmate, or has served a term of
imprisonment.
Section 22 of the Citizenship Act provides that a person cannot become a Canadian citizen in certain
circumstances. These circumstances are based on when your citizenship application was signed. Please visit our
website at
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/citizenship/situations.asp to review details about the circumstances
which could prevent you from becoming a Canadian citizen.
Therefore, all applications for citizenship are sent for a search of criminal records, using the biographical
information on the application form, to determine whether there may be cases which require further review with
regard to the provisions of section 21 or 22 of the Citizenship Act.
Where there is an indication that a criminal record may be involved, it is essential to ensure that there is no
error in the identity of the applicant concerned, therefore we request fingerprints to verify the applicant’s
identity.