The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, introduced legislation to amend the Citizenship Act, extending citizenship by descent beyond the first generation. This change allows Canadian citizenship to be automatically granted to individuals born abroad to Canadian parents who were also born abroad, prior to the law’s enactment. It also extends the right to a direct grant of citizenship to children born abroad and adopted by Canadian parents. Parents born abroad must have spent at least 1,095 cumulative days in Canada before their child’s birth or adoption to pass on citizenship. Additionally, Bill C-71 aims to restore citizenship to “Lost Canadians” and their descendants who were affected by outdated provisions. If passed, the government will expedite the implementation and provide more information to those affected.
For more information, visit: Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada.