The Canadian government introduced Bill C-3, or the Citizenship Bill, on June 5, 2025, to amend the existing Citizenship Act and address the issue of "Lost Canadians." The term refers to individuals who lost or were denied citizenship due to the "First-Generation Limit" (FGL) introduced in 2009. The FGL restricts citizenship by descent to only the first generation born abroad, preventing Canadian citizens born outside Canada from passing citizenship to their children also born abroad.
Bill C-3 seeks to automatically grant citizenship to those who would have been citizens if not for the FGL or other outdated provisions in former citizenship laws.
This includes individuals affected by the repealed section 8 of the Citizenship Act, which required certain individuals born abroad between February 15, 1977, and April 16, 1981, to apply to retain their citizenship before turning 28.
The proposed legislation also introduces a new framework for citizenship by descent. Going forward, children born or adopted outside Canada beyond the first generation would be eligible for citizenship if at least one parent demonstrates a substantial connection to Canada.
This is defined as having spent at least 1,095 cumulative days (three years) physically present in Canada before the child's birth or adoption.
The introduction of Bill C-3 follows a December 2023 ruling by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, which declared the FGL unconstitutional for creating a second class of citizens and violating mobility rights.
The federal government agreed with the ruling and chose not to appeal, acknowledging the law's unacceptable consequences for Canadians whose children were born outside the country.
If passed, Bill C-3 would restore citizenship to those who lost it due to the FGL and allow Canadian citizens by descent to pass on their citizenship to their children born abroad, provided they meet the substantial connection requirement. The bill must undergo three readings and receive royal assent before becoming law.
The court has set a November 20, 2025, deadline for the government to amend the legislation, after which the court may strike down or read down the offending portions of the existing law.
Bill C-3 seeks to automatically grant citizenship to those who would have been citizens if not for the FGL or other outdated provisions in former citizenship laws.
This includes individuals affected by the repealed section 8 of the Citizenship Act, which required certain individuals born abroad between February 15, 1977, and April 16, 1981, to apply to retain their citizenship before turning 28.
The proposed legislation also introduces a new framework for citizenship by descent. Going forward, children born or adopted outside Canada beyond the first generation would be eligible for citizenship if at least one parent demonstrates a substantial connection to Canada.
This is defined as having spent at least 1,095 cumulative days (three years) physically present in Canada before the child's birth or adoption.
The introduction of Bill C-3 follows a December 2023 ruling by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, which declared the FGL unconstitutional for creating a second class of citizens and violating mobility rights.
The federal government agreed with the ruling and chose not to appeal, acknowledging the law's unacceptable consequences for Canadians whose children were born outside the country.
If passed, Bill C-3 would restore citizenship to those who lost it due to the FGL and allow Canadian citizens by descent to pass on their citizenship to their children born abroad, provided they meet the substantial connection requirement. The bill must undergo three readings and receive royal assent before becoming law.
The court has set a November 20, 2025, deadline for the government to amend the legislation, after which the court may strike down or read down the offending portions of the existing law.
