Federal Government introduces citizenship by descent legislation

For many newcomers to Canada, citizenship is key to integration. As a result of the first-generation limit to citizenship by descent for individuals born abroad, most Canadian citizens who are citizens by descent cannot pass on citizenship to their child born or adopted outside Canada.

Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Lena Metlege Diab has introduced legislation that, if passed, would extend citizenship by descent beyond the first generation.

Bill C-3 would automatically give Canadian citizenship to any person who would be a citizen today were it not for the first-generation limit or certain outdated provisions of previous citizenship legislation.

It would also establish a new framework for citizenship by descent going forward that would allow for access to citizenship beyond the first generation based on a Canadian parent’s substantial connection to Canada demonstrated by at least 1,095 cumulative days of physical presence in Canada prior to their child’s birth or adoption.