In a landmark move that redefines the connection between the nation and its global diaspora, the Canadian government has enacted a historic piece of legislation. On December 15, 2025, Bill C-3, formally titled "An Act to Amend the Citizenship Act (2025)," was brought into force, marking the end of a restrictive era for citizenship by descent.
What Does Bill C-3 Mean for 'Lost Canadians'?
The core of this reform addresses a long-standing grievance. Previously, Canada's citizenship law imposed a first-generation limit. This meant a Canadian citizen could only pass citizenship to a child born or adopted outside Canada if that parent was either born in Canada or naturalized before the child's birth. Beyond that single generation, the right was lost, creating a group known as the "Lost Canadians."
Bill C-3 rectifies this. Anyone born or adopted outside Canada before December 15, 2025, who was previously denied citizenship due to this limit, is now officially recognized as a Canadian citizen. They can apply for a citizenship certificate, the key document for accessing rights like holding a passport, voting, and receiving federal benefits. The legislation also allows these individuals to renounce their citizenship through a simplified process if they choose.
New Rules for Future Generations Born Abroad
While the law corrects past exclusions, it also sets new parameters for the future. For children born or adopted outside Canada on or after December 15, 2025, a new condition applies if their Canadian parent was also born or adopted abroad.
In such cases, the parent must demonstrate the child's "substantial connection to Canada." The primary way to prove this is for the Canadian parent to have been physically present in Canada for at least 1,095 days (three cumulative years) prior to the child's birth or adoption. This rule applies equally to biological and adopted children.
A Reform Rooted in Modern Realities
The Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship emphasized that the changes reflect contemporary Canadian life. Many citizens live, study, or work abroad while maintaining deep ties to their homeland. The reform aims to strengthen the bond with the global Canadian community and uphold national values of inclusion and fairness.
For those who had already applied under interim measures following a 2023 court ruling, their applications will be processed under the new law. Bill C-3 represents a significant shift, moving away from a rigid, generational cut-off to a system that values demonstrated connection, offering closure to the "Lost Canadians" and a clearer path for future generations of the diaspora.
