For many people with Canadian parents or grandparents, the idea of holding a Canadian passport has long felt just out of reach. Despite having strong family ties to Canada, a twist in the law meant that some children born outside the country couldn’t legally call themselves Canadian.
But that’s about to change.
In 2025, the Government of Canada introduced Bill C-3, a citizenship bill that could significantly reshape how Canadian citizenship by descent is passed down. This Canada citizenship law change is giving new hope to families around the world who have felt disconnected from their Canadian identity simply because of where they were born.
Let’s break down what Bill C-3 is all about, why it matters, and how it could affect you or someone in your family.
What Actually Bill C-3 Is?
In May 2025, Immigration Minister Marc Miller introduced Bill C-3, which was named An Act to modify the Citizenship Act (2024). Its goal is to give many Lost Canadians and their descendants their rights back by reversing the exclusion caused by the 2009 law.
According to the law, Canadian citizens can provide citizenship to their children born outside of Canada, regardless of where they were born, by eliminating the first-generation limit. This adjustment will address long-standing disparities in Canada’s citizenship policy and have an effect across generations.
This citizenship amendment act also proposes a mechanism for restoring citizenship to individuals who lost or were denied it due to the earlier law. For many families, this feels like the first step in righting a historic wrong.
The Background of Law That Left People Behind
To understand Bill C-3, we have to go back to 2009, when amendments to the Canadian Citizenship Act introduced what’s known as the “first-generation limit.” To put it briefly, it meant that a kid born to a Canadian citizen while they were residing overseas would only be eligible for citizenship if the Canadian parent was born in Canada (or naturalized).
The child would not be eligible for automatic citizenship if the Canadian parent was born outside of Canada.
Thousands of people worldwide were impacted by this rule; some of them had grown up thinking they were Canadian, only to discover later in life that they weren’t.
One term used to describe these people is “Lost Canadians.” Their familial ties, morals, and frequently personal experiences gave them strong ties to the nation. However, they were not legally considered to be counted.
Comparison of Canada’s Previous and Proposed Citizenship Laws
| Aspect | Before Bill C-3 | After Bill C-3 (Proposed) |
| Citizenship by Descent Limit | Restricted to the first generation born abroad; children of Canadian citizens born outside Canada could not pass on citizenship to their own children born abroad. | Allows Canadian citizens born abroad to pass on citizenship to their children born or adopted abroad beyond the first generation, provided certain conditions are met. |
| Eligibility for Children Born Abroad | Only if the parent was born in Canada or naturalized; second-generation children born abroad were ineligible. | Eligible if at least one parent has a “substantial connection” to Canada, defined as having spent at least 1,095 cumulative days (approximately three years) physically present in Canada before the child’s birth or adoption. |
| Adopted Children Born Abroad | Subject to the same first-generation limit; second-generation adopted children born abroad were ineligible. | Eligible under the same “substantial connection” criteria as biological children. |
| Restoration for ‘Lost Canadians’ | Some individuals who lost or never acquired citizenship due to outdated provisions remained excluded. | Automatically restores citizenship to individuals who would be citizens today if not for the first-generation limit or certain outdated provisions of former citizenship legislation. |
| Court Ruling Impact | In December 2023, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice declared key provisions of the first-generation limit unconstitutional. | Bill C-3 addresses the court’s ruling by amending the Citizenship Act to remove the unconstitutional provisions and expand eligibility. |
| Implementation Status | Existing law in effect until legislative changes are enacted. | Bill introduced on June 5, 2025; must pass through three readings in both Houses of Parliament and receive royal assent to become law. |
Key Takeaways:
- Increased Eligibility: Bill C-3 intends to increase the number of people born overseas who can obtain citizenship through their Canadian parents by extending Canadian citizenship by descent beyond the first generation.
- Citizenship Restoration: The measure aims to automatically restore citizenship to anyone impacted by earlier restricted provisions, so resolving the issue of “Lost Canadians.”
- Legislative Process: Bill C-3 was introduced on June 6, 2025, and is currently going through the legislative process. To become legislation, it must be approved by both houses of parliament and granted royal approval.
How the New Citizenship Bill Impacts Canadians Born Abroad
If you were born outside of Canada to a Canadian parent who was also born outside Canada, here’s what Bill C-3 could mean for you:
- Automatic eligibility: You could become eligible for Canadian citizenship by descent without needing to go through a complex immigration process.
- Faster processing: The government is expected to streamline processes for newly eligible applicants, potentially reducing citizen processing time in Canada.
- Restored rights: If your citizenship was previously denied or revoked because of the first-generation rule, Bill C-3 could restore your status.
- A new pathway to a Canadian passport: Once your citizenship is granted or restored, you’ll be eligible to apply for a Canadian passport, a major milestone for many.
Why Does Canada’s Citizenship Law Change Matters?
For the impacted families, this is a very personal matter that goes beyond paperwork.
A large number of second-generation Canadians living overseas continue to have a deep cultural and emotional bond with Canada. Growing up, they hear tales of Canadian winters, spend the summers with family, and support Team Canada in the Olympics. But they were outsiders in legal terms.
Bill C-3’s removal of the first-generation limit serves as further evidence that citizenship is about connection, identity, and belonging rather than just geography. It’s a move in the direction of a more contemporary, equitable, and inclusive kind of citizenship in an increasingly interconnected world.
Stories Behind the Change (Real People, Real Impact)
People like Sarah, a German-born woman with two Canadian parents (one of whom was also born overseas), are featured in interviews. She lived a life full of Canadian ideals and visited Canada often, but the 2009 regulation prevented her from obtaining citizenship.
Or Mark, a member of the Canadian Armed Forces whose daughter was born abroad while he was deployed. Despite his years of service to the nation, his child was not eligible for citizenship under the old legislation.
These stories underscore the emotional toll of exclusion. For many, Bill C-3 feels like long-overdue recognition.
What Happens Next?
As of early June 2025, Bill C-3 has passed its first reading in the House of Commons. You can view the full legislative text here.
Here’s what to expect:
- Parliamentary process: The bill will go through multiple readings, committee reviews, and debates before it becomes law.
- Implementation timeline: If passed, the government will provide details on how and when the new rules will take effect.
- Application updates: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is expected to update application forms, eligibility guidelines, and information on citizen processing times in Canada.
What It Means for Canada’s Future?
This citizenship amendment act is more than a technical fix it reflects a shift in how Canada values its global citizens. Citizenship rules must change to reflect the reality of contemporary life as families move around more and the world becomes more interconnected.
Canada’s new strategy acknowledges that family and identity transcend national boundaries and that individuals with Canadian ancestry can still call Canada home, no matter where they were born.
Conclusion!
Bill C-3’s passage would represent a turning point in Canadian citizenship and immigration laws. It embraces a more inclusive, caring definition of what it means to be Canadian in addition to righting a historical wrong.
This bill offers hope to children who have been raised with Canadian values overseas, to families who have long been alienated, and to everyone who is waiting for an opportunity to rediscover their roots.
For thousands of Canadians worldwide, the path to belonging has just gotten a bit closer.
