Bill C-3 passes a major hurdle to expand citizenship eligibility, i.e., on November 5, Bill C-3 passed its third reading in Canada’s House of Commons, moving one step closer to becoming law. The Bill aims to expand eligibility for Canadian citizenship by descent, allowing more Canadians born abroad to pass citizenship to their children born outside the country.
If passed, this Bill will amend Canada’s Citizenship Act, removing the First-Generation Limit (FGL) rule that currently prevents Canadian citizens born abroad from automatically passing citizenship to their foreign-born children.
Where Bill C-3 Stands Now?
Bill C-3 has completed all stages in the House of Commons and must now move to the Senate for further review and approval.
Since the Bill originated in the House of Commons, it must pass three readings in both chambers of Parliament, i.e., the House and the Senate without any changes before it can receive Royal Assent, which officially makes it law.
If the Senate decides to make any amendments, the Bill will return to the House of Commons for reconsideration. The Bill can only obtain Royal Assent once an identical version of it has passed through both branches of Canada’s parliament.
Applying For Citizenship Under The New Measures
Those who believe they may be affected by the First-Generation Limit and could benefit from the new law can already apply for proof of Canadian citizenship under temporary measures introduced by the federal government earlier this year.
These interim measures are meant to help families while Bill C-3 continues to move through the legislative process.
Who Will Benefit If Bill C-3 Becomes Law?
As Bill C-3 passes a major hurdle to expand citizenship eligibility, let us understand who is going to benefit if the Bill becomes law.
In simple terms, Bill C-3 would restore citizenship by descent to many second-generation Canadians born or adopted abroad. It also seeks to correct several situations in which individuals lost citizenship due to older versions of the Citizenship Act.
Those who could benefit include:
- Children born or adopted abroad to a Canadian parent before December 19, 2023.
- Children born or adopted on or after December 19, 2023, who are currently affected by the FGL but whose Canadian parent meets the “substantial connection to Canada” requirement.
- Individuals born abroad before April 1, 1949, with a Canadian parent impacted by the FGL.
- Individuals who lost citizenship under former section 8 of the Citizenship Act for not meeting retention requirements.
These cases are explained in greater detail in the government’s official guidance on how to apply for Canadian citizenship under the new rules.
Why Was Bill C-3 Introduced?
The roots of Bill C-3 go back to December 2023, when the Ontario Superior Court of Justice declared the second-generation cut-off in the Citizenship Act unconstitutional. The court ordered the federal government to amend the law to make it fairer.
The court originally gave the government a six-month deadline, later extended three times (the latest to March 19, 2025).
To comply, the federal government introduced Bill C-71 in May 2024, which would have allowed citizenship by descent to the second generation if the Canadian parent had spent at least 1,095 days (three years) physically in Canada before the child’s birth or adoption.
However, the process was disrupted when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation on January 6, 2025, leading to the prorogation of Parliament until March 24, 2025.
When Parliament is prorogued, all pending bills including Bill C-71 are automatically ended. Because of this, Bill C-71 never became law and may never be revived.
In response, the newly introduced Bill C-3 was designed to take its place, addressing the court’s ruling and ensuring that Canadian citizenship laws are updated in a permanent and consistent way.
What Happens Next?
Bill C-3 now moves to the Senate, where it will undergo committee review and three readings. If passed without changes, it will receive Royal Assent and officially become law.
Once enacted, Bill C-3 will expand access to Canadian citizenship for thousands of individuals worldwide, especially families separated by the current First-Generation Limit rule.
For now, affected individuals are encouraged to explore the interim application options and consult with legal professionals for assistance in determining their eligibility.
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