Overview
- Royal assent makes Bill C-3 law, but it is not yet in force pending a cabinet-approved effective date.
- The legislation eliminates the 2009 second-generation cut-off and restores citizenship to people excluded under the old rules.
- Going forward, a Canadian parent born abroad may pass on citizenship if they show 1,095 days of cumulative physical presence in Canada before a child’s birth or adoption.
- The reform follows a December 19, 2023 Ontario Superior Court ruling that found key parts of the first-generation limit unconstitutional, a decision the federal government did not appeal.
- Immigration lawyers anticipate a surge in applications once the law takes effect, with reporting noting likely benefits for many Indian-origin families.