On June 5, 2025, Canada introduced a groundbreaking legislative proposal—Bill C-3—designed to modernize citizenship rules and extend eligibility to more Canadians, especially those born outside the country.

Introduced by the Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, the bill aims to remove barriers that have historically prevented certain Canadians from passing on their citizenship to their children born abroad. It also seeks to address long-standing injustices faced by so-called “Lost Canadians.”

Making Citizenship More Inclusive

Under current laws, Canadian citizenship by descent only applies to the first generation born abroad. This means if a Canadian citizen was themselves born outside Canada, they cannot automatically pass citizenship to their foreign-born children. This 2009 policy has created hardship and disconnection for many families.

Bill C-3 proposes to overhaul this by creating a more inclusive and fair framework, recognizing the realities of Canadian families who live and work across borders. The move also responds to a 2023 Ontario Superior Court ruling that found the first-generation limit unconstitutional.

Key Highlights of Bill C-3

✅ Automatic Citizenship Restoration

Individuals who lost or were denied citizenship due to outdated legal provisions, such as the first-generation restriction or former section 8 of the Citizenship Act, will automatically have their citizenship reinstated. This will benefit thousands of people and their descendants.

✅ New Rules for Citizenship by Descent

Bill C-3 will allow Canadian citizens born abroad to pass citizenship to their children (biological or adopted) born overseas—if they can show a “substantial connection” to Canada. This means they must have spent at least 1,095 cumulative days (3 years) physically present in Canada before the child’s birth or adoption. This measure balances flexibility for global families while maintaining meaningful ties to the country.

✅ Equal Rights for Adopted Children

Adoptive parents who meet the residency criteria will be able to secure direct citizenship grants for their children adopted abroad. This resolves a current gap where adoptive parents born outside Canada were previously blocked from doing so.

✅ Addressing the “Lost Canadians” Legacy

“Lost Canadians” refers to people who unknowingly lost or were denied citizenship due to outdated and confusing laws. Even after reforms in 2009 and 2015, some gaps remained—particularly for second-generation children born abroad and those affected by the 28-year rule, which required citizenship retention applications by age 28.

Bill C-3 promises to fully close these loopholes and restore citizenship to those still left out.

Why This Reform Matters

The first-generation limit has long been criticized as unfair and out of step with Canada’s commitment to inclusion. Families who built lives abroad for work, education, or humanitarian reasons often found themselves excluded from passing down Canadian identity.

Minister Diab emphasized, “Canadian citizenship reflects who we are. This bill ensures our laws match the realities of Canadians in today’s global society.”

The reform also strengthens Canada’s international reputation as a country that embraces diversity and family unity.

Public Reaction and Next Steps

While many are applauding the move toward fairness, some stakeholders have raised questions about implementation logistics, such as processing times and documentation requirements.

If Bill C-3 passes through both Houses of Parliament and receives Royal Assent, IRCC will begin implementing the changes. Detailed application guidance, FAQs, and support materials will be made available on the IRCC website to help families navigate the new rules.

Background: The History of Lost Canadians

The phrase “Lost Canadians” refers to people who were stripped of or denied citizenship due to past laws, including the now-repealed section 8 of the Citizenship Act. For instance, Canadians born abroad before 1977 had to apply to keep their citizenship by age 28—many were unaware of this, leading to automatic loss of status.

Reforms in 2009 and 2015 addressed many of these cases, but some Canadians remained outside the system. Bill C-3 builds on those efforts by ensuring no one is left behind due to outdated legal clauses.

Reconnecting Families and Strengthening Identity

Bill C-3 marks a major shift in how Canadian citizenship is recognized and passed on, particularly for those with international roots. By eliminating the first-generation limit, restoring citizenship for Lost Canadians, and modernizing rules for adoptive families, Canada is reaffirming its core values of equity, inclusion, and unity.

It’s a pivotal moment for the citizenship landscape, one that will reunite families and reinforce Canada’s identity as a nation without borders when it comes to belonging.