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Liberals introduce ‘citizenship by descent’ legislation
- On June 5, 2025, the Liberal government introduced Bill C-3 to amend the Citizenship Act by allowing Canadian citizenship to be passed down to children born abroad for more than one generation, provided certain residency requirements are met.
- This legislative initiative comes after a court ruling in Ontario found the first-generation limit unconstitutional in late 2023 but delayed the effect of that decision until November 20, 2025.
- Bill C-3 introduces a system that grants citizenship automatically to individuals previously excluded due to the first-generation rule. It also enables Canadian citizens to pass citizenship to subsequent generations, provided the parent has shown a meaningful link to Canada by living in the country for a total of three years before the child’s birth or adoption.
- The court ruling noted the first-generation limit created a second class of citizens and violated mobility rights, and government interim measures prioritize discretionary citizenship grants for those affected based on substantial connection criteria.
- If enacted, Bill C-3 could restore citizenship to thousands currently excluded, reinforcing that citizenship reflects a profound connection to Canada's values, history, and spirit, as emphasized by Minister Lena Metlege Diab.
22 Articles
22 Articles
Canada's new citizenship framework to benefit Indian diaspora, proposed law removes first-gen limit
The Canadian government has introduced Bill C-3 to address longstanding citizenship issues, targeting the 2009 "First-Generation Limit" (FGL), which denied or revoked citizenship for many born outside Canada
Liberal Government Revives ‘Citizenship by Descent’ Bill
The Liberal government has introduced a bill that would provide citizenship to individuals born abroad to Canadian parents who themselves were born in a foreign country, following the unsuccessful attempt of a similar bill in Parliament last year. New Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab presented Bill C-3 in the House of Commons June 5. The proposed legislation seeks to overturn a change made by former Prime Minister Stephen Harper in 2009 th…
The current Canadian legislation prevents citizens who have acquired citizenship by birth can pass it on to their children born abroad if they belong to the second generation.
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