Canada has introduced a new legislation that would extend citizenship by descent beyond the first generation if approved.
Announcing the changes, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Marc Miller, said that the new decision has been introduced in a way that is inclusive and protects the value of Canadian citizenship, VisaGuide.World reports.
This legislation would automatically confer Canadian citizenship to persons born abroad to a Canadian parent who is also born abroad prior to the coming into force of this legislation. It would also extend access to a direct grant of citizenship to children born abroad and adopted by a Canadian parent beyond the first generation.
Following the new changes, parents born in other countries who have or adopt children also born outside Canada are required to have spent at least 1,095 days in Canada prior to the birth or adoption of their child in order to pass on citizenship.
Through a statement, the government of Canada said that Bill C-71, an Act to apply new changes to the Citizenship Act (2024) would also restore citizenship to “Lost Canadians” who failed to acquire citizenship or lost it due to outdated provisions of previous citizenship legislation.
At the same time, Bill C-71 would also offer citizenship to “Lost Canadians” and all those born abroad to a Canadian parent in the second or subsequent generations before the legislation becomes effective.
If the bill passes in the Parliament, the new changes will be implemented with detailed information for eligible individuals.
Current Rules Restrict Citizenship by Descent to First-Generation
Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship said that under the current rules citizenship by descent is restricted to the first generation, excluding some people who have a connection to Canada.
According to Minister Miller, the current rules have unacceptable consequences for families, impacting life choices, including where persons may choose to live, study, work, or even there to have children and raise a family.
This has unacceptable consequences for families and impacts life choices, such as where individuals may choose to live, work, study, or even where to have children and raise a family.
These changes aim to be inclusive and protect the value of Canadian citizenship, as we are committed to making the citizenship process as fair and transparent as possible.
Over 354,000 People Acquired Citizenship in Canada in 2023
More than 354,000 people obtained citizenship in Canada last year, according to a report from Y-Axis.
Canada’s government has unfolded plans to attract a total of 485,000 new permanent residents this year. In addition, in 2025 and 2026, the country aims to welcome an additional 500,000 immigrants, each year.