Parliament Debates “Citizenship by Descent” Reform as Ottawa Moves to Grant Citizenship to Lost Canadians

The Canadian Parliament is engaged in heated debate over how “citizenship by descent” should be granted, as the federal government prepares to pass Bill C-3 in November to bring the Citizenship Act in line with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

In simple terms, the legislation aims to restore or grant citizenship to thousands of people born abroad who could have been Canadians by lineage — effectively inviting them back into the Canadian fold.

Who Should Be Considered “Canadian”?

During recent hearings of the Standing Committee on Immigration, MPs debated key questions:Should applicants be required to live in Canada for a period of time?Should they pass a language test or citizenship exam?

Conservative MP Brad Redekopp (Saskatoon West, Saskatchewan) questioned whether it was fair to extend citizenship to people who “may not understand Canadian values.”

“You’re planning to give them citizenship,” he said, “but do they really understand what Canada stands for?”

What Is Bill C-3?

Introduced by Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberal government in June, Bill C-3 would allow Canadians born abroad to pass on their citizenship to their children also born outside Canada, as long as they can prove a biological or legal family link.

The reform follows a court ruling that struck down the current rule limiting automatic citizenship to the first generation born abroad, calling it unconstitutional under the Charter. Ottawa has until November 20 to amend the law.

According to the Parliamentary Budget Office, the change could make 115,000 people eligible for citizenship over the next five years, costing approximately $20.8 million.

Immigration Minister Lena Diab downplayed fears of a massive “citizenship wave,” noting that similar amendments in 2009 and 2015 only led to about 20,000 applications each.

No Language or Citizenship Test Required

Opposition MPs questioned why new applicants under Bill C-3 won’t have to pass language or citizenship exams, while immigrants seeking naturalization must live in Canada for three of the past five years.

They also raised concerns about the lack of security screening.

Uyen Hoang, Director General of Citizenship at IRCC, explained that those gaining citizenship by descent are typically low-risk, often minors or newborns, and that the policy remains consistent with previous reforms.

Residency Requirement: Only 3 Years in Total

Under Bill C-3, parents must show a “substantial connection” to Canada, defined as having lived in the country for a total of 1,095 days (three years) — not necessarily consecutively.

Assistant Deputy Minister Catherine Scott said the rule reflects modern Canadian family realities: “Many Canadians work for multinational companies or raise children abroad. The goal is flexibility.”

Proof of residency can come from school records, tax filings, utility bills, or passport stamps.

Critics Warn of “Citizenship Tourism”

Some policy experts warn that abolishing the “first-generation limit” could lead to “citizenship tourism,” where people with little real connection to Canada seek a passport for benefits like healthcare or visa-free travel.

Michael Bonner of the Aristotle Foundation for Public Policy argued that the 1,095-day rule is too lenient and may weaken the concept of meaningful national connection.

Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner (Calgary Nose Hill) echoed those concerns, calling Bill C-3 a “chain migration bill” that could increase pressure on Canada’s housing, healthcare, and job markets.

“This Is About Fairness, Not Immigration”

Don Chapman, founder of the Lost Canadians advocacy group, dismissed such fears as “fearmongering.”

“This isn’t about immigration — it’s about correcting an injustice,” Chapman said. “If you can’t tell the difference between immigration and citizenship, that’s alarming. And if you can but choose to mislead the public, that’s even worse.”

He added that Bill C-3 is simply bringing the Citizenship Act “back in line with fairness.”

The parliamentary committee will reconvene next Tuesday to review and vote on proposed amendments to Bill C-3clause by clause.

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