Getting Canadian citizenship could soon become easier for thousands of people, thanks to a new legislation introduced by the federal government.
On Thursday, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Lena Metlege Diab introduced Bill C-3, an Act to amend the Citizenship Act. If passed, it would extend Canadian citizenship by descent beyond the first generation — potentially restoring rights to people previously excluded under current laws.
“Citizenship is more than a legal status — it’s a profound connection to the values, history, and spirit of Canada,” said Diab. “By requiring those who pass citizenship to their children born abroad beyond the first generation to have a substantial connection to our country, we are honouring that bond.”
Right now, a person born outside Canada cannot automatically become a citizen if their Canadian parent was also born or adopted outside Canada. That’s known as the first-generation limit. It has locked many from claiming their Canadian identity, even if their families have strong roots in the country.
Bill C-3 proposes a fix. It would automatically grant citizenship to individuals who would be citizens today if the first-generation limit didn’t exist. The bill also introduces a new framework, allowing parents to pass down citizenship if they can prove a ‘substantial connection’ — defined as at least 1,095 days (or 3 years) of physical presence in Canada prior to their child’s birth or adoption.
“Canadian citizenship lies at the heart of what it means to be Canadian, providing a sense of belonging and connection to a diverse, inclusive and democratic nation,” said Citizenship and Immigration Canada. “We are committed to making the citizenship process as fair and transparent as possible.”
This move follows a 2023 Ontario Superior Court ruling that declared the first-generation rule ‘unconstitutional.’ However, the law remains in place until November 20, 2025.
Earlier reforms in 2009 and 2015 restored or granted citizenship to many so-called “Lost Canadians”: individuals who missed out due to outdated provisions in the original 1947 Citizenship Act. Roughly 20,000 people gained citizenship through those efforts. But the first-generation limit, introduced in 2009, continued to leave some excluded.
Bill C-3 still needs to pass the House of Commons and the Senate and receive Royal Assent before becoming law. But if it does, it could mean a major step toward restoring citizenship for families around the world with deep Canadian ties.
