Some researchers say it's taking longer than ever for people to get Canadian citizenship and that applicants are being reminded they should know about certain values in Canadian society.

A Montreal-based think-tank took a closer look at new government policies and found the citizenship study guide seems to play up Canada's colonial past, with less of a focus on multiculturalism.

For example, the guide, studied before the citizenship test, says it's a noble gesture to volunteer for the military and that "Canada's openness and generosity do not extend to barbaric cultural practices" that adversely affect women.

CBC's Amanda Margison talked to Elke Winter of the Institute for Research on Public Policy on the recent government policy changes and the backlog in processing applications.