On June 05, 2025, Bill C-3 was presented by the Canadian government to help make citizenship through descent easier for Canadian residents.
The Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, revealed that the bill hopes to make it easier for Canadians born outside Canada.
One of its main objectives is that they can give citizenship to their children and resolve past issues for individuals who lost their citizenship.
A Fairer Path to Canada’s Citizenship
According to the present Citizenship Act, Canadians who were born abroad and received citizenship by descent cannot transmit it to their kids born outside Canada.
Since this rule was put in place in 2009, many people in Canadian families feel less connected to their roots.
Bill C-3 which was introduced on June 05, 2025, would make the citizenship process more inclusive and echo the reality of modern Canadian families living domestically and abroad.
After a 2023 Ontario Superior Court ruled certain parts of the first-generation limit unconstitutional, the government acted right away.
Key Changes in Bill C-3 For Canadian Citizenship
Bill C-3, introduced in 2025, is meant to resolve these matters and bring the country’s citizenship system in line with its values of inclusion.
The law helps restore citizenship for individuals facing old and current problems and introduces services that are useful to Canadians living abroad.
Here are the key components of the bill:
Automatic Citizenship for Affected Individuals: The bill will ensure that anyone who would be a citizen if not for the one-generation limit or older provisions will be granted citizenship.
These individuals are individuals who immigrated outside of Canada with their parents, children of these individuals born outside Canada and those affected by recent amendments such as changes to section 8 of the Citizenship Act.
Because of this provision, thousands of people and their relatives will once more be able to enjoy rights as citizens of Canada.
New Framework for Citizenship by Descent: The bill introduces guidance that allows Canadian parents born overseas to give their children born or adopted elsewhere citizenship, as long as the parents show they have a significant link to Canada.
A child becomes a Canadian citizen if its parents have totaled 1,095 days of time spent in Canada by the time the child is born or adopted.
As a result, Canadians living overseas can keep their citizenship while still building a close relationship with Canada.
Support for Adopted Children: Born abroad? If you meet the substantial connection test, Bill C-3 provides a way for your adopted kids to be given direct grants of Canadian citizenship.
This change eliminates the problem that affects adoptive parents who were born in other countries and faced complex immigration laws to ensure citizenship for their children.
Restoring Citizenship for “Lost Canadians”: The name “Lost Canadians” applies to people who could not obtain or lost their Canadian citizenship because of ineffective rules set before 2009.
Although 2009 and 2015 changes resolved many cases, some groups and their families were still left out.
Bill C-3 is designed to fix these gaps, providing citizenship that was taken away from those labelled as “Lost Canadians,” and their families, because of the previous section 8.
Why This Matters: A Step Toward Inclusion
The limit on first-generation citizens has for a long time been a source of disagreement, as it means many Canadians cannot hand down citizenship to their children living abroad which makes their families feel separated.
The bill shows Canada’s dedication to making the country fair and inclusive, based on its values.
Minister Diab stated that being Canadian is an important part of who we are. Because of this legislation, the law works for families all across the world.
The changes have been especially prompted by last year’s ruling from the Ontario Superior Court which confirmed that the restrictions were unconstitutional.
Because of this, the government is fulfilling the order of the court and promoting Canada’s history of being supportive and open.
It is clear that people generally seem enthusiastic and curious about the new reforms, but some are a bit concerned about getting the procedures done quickly and the needed documentation rules.
Historical Context: The “Lost Canadians” Saga
The topic of “Lost Canadians” has appeared several times in the history of citizenship.
HOne Citizenship Act requirements, some individuals born abroad or those who did not satisfy certain rules could lose their Canadian citizenship, prior to 2009.
For instance, when it was under section 8, persons born outside Canada to Canadian parents before 1977 had to apply to keep their citizenship by age 28 or they would lose it.
There were many who discovered this after losing their chance to keep their Canadian citizenship.
Changes in legislation in 2009 and 2015 fixed many issues for people, giving citizenship to thousands who had lost it.
Yet, certain groups of people experienced challenges because of remaining inconsistencies and because of other special provisions.
Bill C-3 follows previous reforms and now includes all “Lost Canadians” and their descendants in citizenship as well.
What Happens Next?
As long as Bill C-3 is passed by both Houses and stamped by the Governor General, IRCC will try to put those changes into effect rapidly.
Those who qualify can get all the information they need on the IRCC website such as instructions for citizenship and ways to find out about their situation under the new changes.
At this point, there are methods available for people dealing with the new restriction and the website of IRCC explains them in more detail.
The government wants people to know that it is being open and easy to reach because some families will need additional information.
IRCC is preparing information and step-by-step guides to make things clearer for applicants.
Bill C-3 is significant for citizenship because it addresses past unfairness and continues to link Canadians all over the world as one group.
With this law, citizens who obtained citizenship through their parents can also keep their US citizenship which fosters unity among them and Americans abroad.
This bill upholds the fairness promise of Canada and also makes the country a stronger leader in including immigrants.
What are the 4 requirements to become a Canadian citizen?
To become a Canadian citizen, you must:
1. Be a permanent resident.
2. Have lived in Canada for at least 1,095 days (3 years) in the past 5 years.
3. File income taxes, if required.
4. Pass a citizenship test and demonstrate language proficiency (if aged 18-54).
What is the 28-year rule in Canada?
The “28-year rule” was the earlier name for section 8 of the Citizenship Act which stated that Canadians born outside Canada before 1977 had to apply to retain their citizenship before their 28th birthday or risk losing it. Bill C-3 (2025) wishes to restore citizenship to those who had it taken away.
How many years does it take to get Canadian citizenship?
You should have lived in Canada on a permanent basis for at least 1,095 days or just over 3 years, in the 5 years you want to apply. All applications take time to process and this is usually between 12 and 24 months.
New Canada Citizenship Bill C-3 To Make It Easier For Many Canadians
On June 05, 2025, Bill C-3 was presented by the Canadian government to help make citizenship through descent easier for Canadian residents.
The Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, revealed that the bill hopes to make it easier for Canadians born outside Canada.
One of its main objectives is that they can give citizenship to their children and resolve past issues for individuals who lost their citizenship.
A Fairer Path to Canada’s Citizenship
According to the present Citizenship Act, Canadians who were born abroad and received citizenship by descent cannot transmit it to their kids born outside Canada.
Since this rule was put in place in 2009, many people in Canadian families feel less connected to their roots.
Bill C-3 which was introduced on June 05, 2025, would make the citizenship process more inclusive and echo the reality of modern Canadian families living domestically and abroad.
After a 2023 Ontario Superior Court ruled certain parts of the first-generation limit unconstitutional, the government acted right away.
Key Changes in Bill C-3 For Canadian Citizenship
Bill C-3, introduced in 2025, is meant to resolve these matters and bring the country’s citizenship system in line with its values of inclusion.
The law helps restore citizenship for individuals facing old and current problems and introduces services that are useful to Canadians living abroad.
Here are the key components of the bill:
Automatic Citizenship for Affected Individuals: The bill will ensure that anyone who would be a citizen if not for the one-generation limit or older provisions will be granted citizenship.
These individuals are individuals who immigrated outside of Canada with their parents, children of these individuals born outside Canada and those affected by recent amendments such as changes to section 8 of the Citizenship Act.
Because of this provision, thousands of people and their relatives will once more be able to enjoy rights as citizens of Canada.
New Framework for Citizenship by Descent: The bill introduces guidance that allows Canadian parents born overseas to give their children born or adopted elsewhere citizenship, as long as the parents show they have a significant link to Canada.
A child becomes a Canadian citizen if its parents have totaled 1,095 days of time spent in Canada by the time the child is born or adopted.
As a result, Canadians living overseas can keep their citizenship while still building a close relationship with Canada.
Support for Adopted Children: Born abroad? If you meet the substantial connection test, Bill C-3 provides a way for your adopted kids to be given direct grants of Canadian citizenship.
This change eliminates the problem that affects adoptive parents who were born in other countries and faced complex immigration laws to ensure citizenship for their children.
Restoring Citizenship for “Lost Canadians”: The name “Lost Canadians” applies to people who could not obtain or lost their Canadian citizenship because of ineffective rules set before 2009.
Although 2009 and 2015 changes resolved many cases, some groups and their families were still left out.
Bill C-3 is designed to fix these gaps, providing citizenship that was taken away from those labelled as “Lost Canadians,” and their families, because of the previous section 8.
Why This Matters: A Step Toward Inclusion
The limit on first-generation citizens has for a long time been a source of disagreement, as it means many Canadians cannot hand down citizenship to their children living abroad which makes their families feel separated.
The bill shows Canada’s dedication to making the country fair and inclusive, based on its values.
Minister Diab stated that being Canadian is an important part of who we are. Because of this legislation, the law works for families all across the world.
The changes have been especially prompted by last year’s ruling from the Ontario Superior Court which confirmed that the restrictions were unconstitutional.
Because of this, the government is fulfilling the order of the court and promoting Canada’s history of being supportive and open.
It is clear that people generally seem enthusiastic and curious about the new reforms, but some are a bit concerned about getting the procedures done quickly and the needed documentation rules.
Historical Context: The “Lost Canadians” Saga
The topic of “Lost Canadians” has appeared several times in the history of citizenship.
HOne Citizenship Act requirements, some individuals born abroad or those who did not satisfy certain rules could lose their Canadian citizenship, prior to 2009.
For instance, when it was under section 8, persons born outside Canada to Canadian parents before 1977 had to apply to keep their citizenship by age 28 or they would lose it.
There were many who discovered this after losing their chance to keep their Canadian citizenship.
Changes in legislation in 2009 and 2015 fixed many issues for people, giving citizenship to thousands who had lost it.
Yet, certain groups of people experienced challenges because of remaining inconsistencies and because of other special provisions.
Bill C-3 follows previous reforms and now includes all “Lost Canadians” and their descendants in citizenship as well.
What Happens Next?
As long as Bill C-3 is passed by both Houses and stamped by the Governor General, IRCC will try to put those changes into effect rapidly.
Those who qualify can get all the information they need on the IRCC website such as instructions for citizenship and ways to find out about their situation under the new changes.
At this point, there are methods available for people dealing with the new restriction and the website of IRCC explains them in more detail.
The government wants people to know that it is being open and easy to reach because some families will need additional information.
IRCC is preparing information and step-by-step guides to make things clearer for applicants.
Bill C-3 is significant for citizenship because it addresses past unfairness and continues to link Canadians all over the world as one group.
With this law, citizens who obtained citizenship through their parents can also keep their US citizenship which fosters unity among them and Americans abroad.
This bill upholds the fairness promise of Canada and also makes the country a stronger leader in including immigrants.
What are the 4 requirements to become a Canadian citizen?
To become a Canadian citizen, you must:
1. Be a permanent resident.
2. Have lived in Canada for at least 1,095 days (3 years) in the past 5 years.
3. File income taxes, if required.
4. Pass a citizenship test and demonstrate language proficiency (if aged 18-54).
What is the 28-year rule in Canada?
The “28-year rule” was the earlier name for section 8 of the Citizenship Act which stated that Canadians born outside Canada before 1977 had to apply to retain their citizenship before their 28th birthday or risk losing it. Bill C-3 (2025) wishes to restore citizenship to those who had it taken away.
How many years does it take to get Canadian citizenship?
You should have lived in Canada on a permanent basis for at least 1,095 days or just over 3 years, in the 5 years you want to apply. All applications take time to process and this is usually between 12 and 24 months.
Author: Shubham
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