Canada’s Immigration Minister, Marc Miller, has proposed Bill C-71, aimed at revising the rules for Canadian citizenship by descent. If passed, this legislation will allow children of Canadian citizens born abroad to pass their citizenship to their own children.
Addressing ‘Lost Canadians’
Bill C-71 also seeks to restore citizenship to “Lost Canadians” – individuals who lost or were unable to obtain citizenship due to outdated laws. Minister Miller emphasized the importance of these changes, stating, “The current rules generally restrict citizenship by descent to the first generation, excluding some people who have a genuine connection to Canada.”
New Requirements for Parents
The proposed bill includes a requirement for parents born abroad who have or adopt children outside Canada. They must have spent at least 1,095 days (approximately three years) in Canada before the birth or adoption to pass on citizenship.
Also read– Canada’s Immigration Minister Proposes Pathway for Temporary Residents to Become Permanent
Impact of Recent Court Ruling
This legislative move follows a decision by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice last December, which declared the second-generation limit unconstitutional. The court ruled that it discriminates based on national origin, treating those born in Canada differently from those born abroad to Canadian parents. The government chose not to appeal, acknowledging the law’s “unacceptable” consequences.
Further details will be available if the bill passes in parliament and receives royal assent. No specific timeframe has been provided for the bill’s approval.
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