Article Summary – Canada’s new citizenship law, Bill C-3, scraps the “second-generation cut-off” that blocked many Canadians born abroad from passing citizenship to their own overseas-born children.
-Instead, it introduces a “substantial connection” test: parents must show 1,095 days (three years) of physical presence in Canada before their child’s birth or adoption.
-The bill also restores status to remaining “Lost Canadians” and their descendants, fixing gaps left by earlier reforms. Critics, especially parents of foreign-born adoptees, argue the new rules are discriminatory.
-Although Bill C-3 has Royal Assent, it is not yet in force; interim measures apply in the meantime.
How Will The New Canadian Citizenship Laws Work?
Canada is recognized globally as a country that has sought to attract foreign talent through a multi-year immigration levels plan. However, challenges remain within its citizenship laws, particularly for individuals seeking citizenship by descent or navigating complex eligibility requirements.
One of the most significant challenges faced by those seeking Canadian citizenship has been the first-generation limit implemented in 2009. This means that a child born or adopted outside Canada is not a Canadian citizen by descent if their Canadian parent was also born or adopted outside Canada.
This is about to change.
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s newly elected government has introduced Bill C-3, which represents a significant step toward expanding Canadian citizenship eligibility by descent beyond the first generation.
This new law could benefit thousands of Indian-origin families.
“Bill C-3 will fix long-standing issues in our citizenship laws and bring fairness to families with children born or adopted abroad. It will provide citizenship to people who were excluded by previous laws, and it will set clear rules for the future that reflect how modern families live. These changes will strengthen and protect Canadian citizenship.”
– Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
“Second-Generation Cut Off” Rule Eliminated
This bill was written to correct what the government considers outdated laws and aims to ensure that Canadian families, regardless of where they live or were born, can maintain their connection to the country.
The new Canadian citizenship law, Bill C-3, will eliminate the “second-generation cut-off” rule, allowing Canadians born abroad to pass citizenship to their children born abroad under a new “substantial connection” test.
This test requires the Canadian parent to have lived in Canada for at least 1,095 cumulative days (three years) before their child’s birth or adoption. The law also restores citizenship to individuals affected by the previous, outdated rules and will provide a modern, clear process for the future.
Key Changes In the New Laws
Elimination of the “second-generation cut-off”: The law ends the previous rule that prevented some Canadians born abroad from automatically passing on their citizenship to their own children born overseas.
It will grant automatic citizenship to individuals who would have been citizens today if not for prior legal limitations.
Addressing the Issue of ‘Lost Canadians’
The term “Lost Canadians” refers to individuals who lost or never acquired citizenship due to outdated provisions in former citizenship legislation. While previous amendments in 2009 and 2015 helped many regain their citizenship, gaps remained.
Bill C-3 seeks to restore citizenship to remaining Lost Canadians, their descendants, and anyone born abroad to a Canadian parent in the second or subsequent generations before the legislation comes into force. This includes individuals who lost their citizenship under the requirements in Form Section 8 of the Citizenship Act.
According to Daphne Wang, if Parliament passes Bill C-3 and enacts it into law, it will mark a significant win for Canadians who have faced challenges under existing citizenship rules—particularly those who consider Canada their home but were living or working abroad when their children were born.
“By updating the Citizenship Act to reflect the global mobility of modern Canadian families, the federal government has made access to citizenship more fair and reasonable. I applaud the efforts of all who supported Bill C-3, and the federal government for doing the right thing for Canadians who lost their citizenship because of an outdated law.”
– Don Chapman, Founder of the Lost Canadians
However, citizens living in Canada, who have adopted children from abroad, say the bill omits a key change — an amendment that would give their kids the same treatment as children born in Canada.
“It’s utterly cruel what the government has done to us as a family and to other families like us in Canada and it’s just mean,” said Kat Lanteigne, whose 10-year-adopted son Nathanael was born in Zambia.
“Substantial Connection” Test
To pass citizenship to their child born abroad beyond the first generation, Bill C-3 proposes using a Substantial Connection test.
Under this measure, a Canadian parent must have spent at least 1,095 cumulative days (three years) physically present in Canada before their child’s birth or adoption. This ensures that individuals who claim Canadian citizenship have a meaningful connection to the country.
This connection is defined as having spent at least 1,095 cumulative days (three years) in Canada before the child’s birth or adoption.
Parents will need to provide evidence of their physical presence in Canada, such as pay stubs, academic transcripts, or leases.
Some Parents Cry Foul
Parents of children adopted outside of the country say this part of the law is discriminatory because adoptees who were born in Canada don’t have to face the same test.
“They’re essentially saying to our son and other children like him: ‘Are you sure you’re Canadian? Are you really sure?’ And that is just so mean and totally unnecessary,” said Lanteigne. “Our son did not immigrate to this country; he’s not an immigrant. He is our son, and we are Canadian citizens.”
The bill has received Royal Assent, but it is not yet in effect and awaits a cabinet order to set an implementation date. The government has stated that it will move quickly on this bill.
While the law is not in force, interim measures are in place for those who would have been affected by the previous rules.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) said to CTV News that “going forward, citizenship by descent will be governed by a clear, fair, constitutionally sound framework that acknowledges that families can live, work, and contribute abroad without losing their deep sense of Canadian identity.”
About the Author: Steve Balestrieri
Steve Balestrieri is a National Security Columnist. He served as a US Army Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer. In addition to writing on defense, he covers the NFL for PatsFans.com and is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA). His work was regularly featured in many military publications.
More Military
Taiwan’s F-16V Fighter Was Built to Fight China’s Air Force
5 Places World War III Could Break Out in 2026
The X-37B Space Plane Is Breaking All the Rules and Makes Chinese Generals Sweat
Shitpile
November 24, 2025 at 2:56 pm
Ottawa, if it goes ahead with the plans, could eventually become Another punjabiya, or Another chinaya, or punjabiya-chinaya.
Recall the hordes of south asians in major companies south of the order, and also creeping into the corridors of capitol hill.
UNKNOWN DANGERS LIE AHEAD.
Visit australia for the result of violrnt gangs led by middle eastern folks.
Also the motorcycle gangs.
And the ice gangs (meth gangs) of south-east asia.
The growing use of ‘kill car’ phenomenon in some major cities.