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New Canadian Bill Targets Restoration of Lost Citizenship Rights

New Canadian Bill Targets Restoration of Lost Citizenship Rights

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    Canada Moves to Reclaim Citizenship Rights for “Lost Canadians” with New Bill C-3

    A newly proposed law in Canada could reverse decades of exclusion for individuals denied citizenship due to outdated policies governing children born to foreign parents abroad.

    Bill C-3, introduced on June 5, 2025, seeks to overhaul a controversial rule and provide a path to citizenship for those left out by what critics have called a discriminatory legal gap.
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    Background: A Decade-Old Rule Under Fire

    At the center of the debate is the “first-generation limit” (FGL), a legal amendment made to the Citizenship Act in 2009. The rule prevents children born outside Canada from obtaining citizenship if their Canadian parent was also born abroad, even if their family has deep roots in the country.
    The FGL was challenged in Ontario’s Superior Court of Justice in December 2023, with the court finding the restriction unconstitutional. Judges concluded that it unfairly categorized some Canadians as “lesser” citizens and infringed upon their rights to pass on nationality. The federal government, in a rare move, accepted the ruling and committed to rewriting the law.
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    Missed Attempts and Temporary Fixes

    In response to the ruling, the federal government initially introduced Bill C-71 in 2024, which aimed to ease the FGL by allowing an exception based on a “meaningful connection to Canada.” However, this bill was abandoned after Parliament was prorogued in early 2025.

    With a court-imposed deadline approaching, the government announced interim guidelines on March 13, 2025. These temporary measures allow eligible individuals — whose Canadian parent has lived in Canada for at least three years — to apply for citizenship through a discretionary process.

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    What Bill C-3 Proposes

    Bill C-3 is now poised to make these interim rules permanent. Its main goals include:
    • Restoring Citizenship: Individuals previously excluded under the FGL could be granted citizenship retroactively.
    • Future Inclusion: Canadians born abroad to Canadian parents (also born abroad) would be eligible for citizenship, provided their parent fulfills a residency requirement.
    • Residency Threshold: The Canadian parent must have lived in Canada for at least three years before the child’s birth or adoption.

    If passed, this legislation would make it easier for future generations to inherit Canadian citizenship, even if born overseas, while still maintaining a meaningful link to the country.

    Legislative Timeline and Urgency

    The bill must pass three readings in the House of Commons, receive Senate approval, and obtain Royal Assent to become law. Parliament faces a firm deadline of November 20, 2025 — after which the courts may step in and invalidate sections of the Citizenship Act that are still deemed unconstitutional.
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    Who Is Already Eligible Under Current Measures?

    While the bill works its way through Parliament, affected families are not left without options. Those who meet the current definition of a “substantial connection” to Canada — specifically, parents with at least three years of Canadian residency — can already apply for citizenship for their children through the temporary discretionary route.
    Children born on Canadian soil still receive automatic citizenship, except in cases involving foreign diplomats or specific legal exemptions.
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    Next Steps for Families Impacted

    Thousands of families around the world could benefit if Bill C-3 becomes law. Until then, legal experts are advising affected individuals to explore the interim pathway to citizenship or gather documentation that proves a parent’s Canadian residency.

    For families navigating this process, legal advice is crucial. Immigration consultants and lawyers can offer tailored assistance and ensure that applications are prepared in line with both existing and pending legal standards.

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    What Happens to Unselected Applications?

    As part of its transparent approach, the Yukon government is also reaching out to:
    • Employers whose candidates were added to the random selection pool but not yet chosen
    • Employers whose EOIs were deemed ineligible under current program guidelines.

    These communications aim to maintain clarity around the application process and offer guidance on future submissions.

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    A Move Toward Inclusion

    Bill C-3 could reshape how Canada defines its citizens — offering long-overdue recognition to those whose connection to the country was previously overlooked. It marks not just a legal correction, but a renewed commitment to inclusivity and fairness in Canadian nationality law.

    As Parliament deliberates, many await with hope that their rightful place in the Canadian family will soon be restored.

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