Canada is on the brink of one of its most significant citizenship overhauls in decades. The new Bill C-3, passed by the House of Commons on November 5, 2025, and currently under review in the Senate, aims to restore and expand citizenship rights for thousands of individuals born outside the country.
Once enacted, the legislation will extend citizenship by descent to many Canadians previously excluded by outdated rules — ensuring that family connections and genuine ties, rather than geography, define what it means to be Canadian.
What Canada’s New Citizenship Law Will Change
Bill C-3 introduces major reforms that modernize and humanize the Citizenship Act, addressing long-standing inequities. Here are the key changes:
- Restoring Citizenship by Descent
Anyone born outside Canada before the new law comes into force will be granted citizenship if they had at least one Canadian citizen parent. - Extending Citizenship to Future Generations
Children born abroad after the law takes effect will also qualify for citizenship — provided their Canadian parent demonstrates a “substantial connection” to Canada, meaning at least 1,095 days (three years) of physical presence in the country before the child’s birth. - Including Adopted Children
The law grants citizenship to internationally adopted children, regardless of when the adoption occurred, as long as the adoptive parent is a Canadian citizen who meets the substantial-connection requirement. - Restoring Lost Citizenship
Individuals who lost citizenship due to outdated retention rules or failed applications under the previous section 8 of the Citizenship Act will have their citizenship restored automatically. - Simplified Renunciation Process
Those who automatically gain citizenship through this new law but wish to opt out can do so easily through a simplified renunciation process.
The law will officially take effect once approved by the Governor in Council, allowing time for administrative adjustments and public awareness campaigns.
Why This Reform Matters
For decades, Canada’s first-generation limit prevented Canadians born abroad from passing citizenship to their children also born outside the country. This policy created emotional and legal barriers that split families and undermined Canada’s values of fairness and equality.
Critics long argued that the rule created a two-tier system of citizenship, where some Canadians were denied rights simply because of where they or their parents were born.
By removing these outdated restrictions, the new legislation recognizes the realities of modern global families — Canadians who live, study, or work abroad yet maintain deep and ongoing connections with their homeland.
This reform ensures that Canadian citizenship reflects belonging and identity, not just borders.
Who Will Benefit from the New Citizenship Law
The proposed changes under Bill C-3 will positively affect thousands of individuals in different categories, including:
- Second- and third-generation Canadians born abroad, who were previously excluded due to the first-generation rule.
- Children adopted internationally by Canadian citizens, who will now enjoy a direct and simplified path to citizenship.
- “Lost Canadians” — individuals who unknowingly lost or were denied citizenship due to outdated provisions.
- Families of Canadian expatriates, helping them reconnect with their roots and secure full citizenship rights for their children.
For many, this reform ends years — even decades — of uncertainty and exclusion. It also reaffirms Canada’s reputation as a diverse and inclusive nation that values every citizen equally.
Timeline: When the New Law Will Take Effect
The legislative process for Bill C-3 is already well underway:
- November 5, 2025: The bill passed the House of Commons.
- November 6, 2025: The bill completed its second reading in the Senate.
- November 17, 2025: The Senate Committee will review the bill in detail at 4:00 p.m. ET.
During the committee review, key witnesses will appear to discuss the bill’s implications, including:
- The Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
- Officials from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
- Don Chapman, founder of the “Lost Canadians” movement
- Andrew Griffith, former IRCC Director General
- Bruce Allen, lawyer, Canadian Immigration Lawyers Association
- Several adoption and citizenship advocates
After Senate approval and Royal Assent, the law will officially take effect on a date determined by the Governor in Council.
Understanding the “Substantial Connection” Requirement
One of the most notable features of the new legislation is the substantial connection requirement.
To pass citizenship to their child born abroad, a Canadian parent must prove they spent at least 1,095 days (three years) physically present in Canada before the child’s birth or adoption.
This ensures that citizenship continues to represent a meaningful and genuine bond with Canada, while still giving flexibility to global families who move for work, education, or family reasons.
Examples of proof of presence include:
- Tax records or employment documents
- Academic transcripts or enrollment records
- Utility bills, leases, or other residential evidence
This requirement strikes a balance between inclusivity and integrity — recognizing the global nature of Canadian families while maintaining clear standards.
A Major Win for Adopted Children
Under the previous framework, internationally adopted children often faced long, complicated, and bureaucratic processes to acquire Canadian citizenship.
The new law eliminates these unnecessary hurdles, granting citizenship to adopted children — both past and future — when their adoptive parent is a Canadian citizen with the required substantial connection.
This guarantees equal treatment for adopted children and biological children of Canadians born abroad. It’s a step forward in recognizing all forms of family under Canadian law.
How Families Can Prepare for the Law’s Implementation
Even though the law is not yet in force, families who may benefit can begin preparing now. Steps include:
- Gather proof of Canadian citizenship for the parent or adoptive parent.
- Collect evidence of physical presence in Canada covering at least 1,095 days — such as tax filings, school records, or work documentation.
- Keep official documents like birth certificates, adoption papers, and proof of relationship easily accessible.
- Monitor announcements from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for updates on implementation dates and the application process.
Preparing early will help ensure a smooth transition when the new citizenship rules officially come into effect.
Restoring Fairness to “Lost Canadians”
One of the groups most affected by outdated laws were the so-called Lost Canadians — individuals who unknowingly lost or were denied citizenship because of obscure legal technicalities.
Many of them were born to Canadian parents abroad but lost their citizenship because they did not apply for retention before age 28, as previously required.
Bill C-3 finally resolves these injustices by restoring citizenship automatically to all individuals who lost it under these outdated rules.
This marks a long-awaited victory for those who have fought for years to be recognized as Canadians.
A Step Toward a More Inclusive Canada
This reform represents more than just a legal update — it’s a statement of Canadian values.
By extending citizenship rights to those with genuine ties to Canada, the country is reaffirming its commitment to inclusion, equality, and family unity.
The new law ensures that no child of a Canadian — whether born or adopted abroad — will be left without recognition or belonging.
It also strengthens Canada’s position as a nation that values connection over geography and inclusivity over restriction.
Conclusion: A Historic Shift in Canadian Citizenship
Canada’s new citizenship law marks a pivotal moment in the nation’s history. By removing outdated limits, restoring citizenship to those excluded, and simplifying the process for adopted children, it creates a fairer and more inclusive framework for generations to come.
Once in effect, Bill C-3 will not only reunite families and correct past injustices but also redefine what it means to be Canadian — emphasizing belonging, identity, and enduring connection over borders.
This landmark reform is more than policy; it’s a reaffirmation that Canadian citizenship is a matter of heart, heritage, and humanity.
