Conservatives propose to end automatic birthright citizenship for children of temporary residents — what it would mean

On 8 October 2025 the federal Conservative caucus unveiled a plan to end automatic citizenship for babies born in Canada to parents who are temporary residents, saying citizenship should be granted only when at least one parent is a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident. The push is led publicly by Conservative immigration critic Michelle Rempel Garner.

What the Conservatives want to change

• Under the Conservatives’ proposal, Canada’s jus soli rule (automatic citizenship by birth on Canadian soil) would be narrowed so that newborns become citizens at birth only if one parent is already a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident. The change would require amending the Citizenship Act.

Why the issue has resurfaced

• Policymakers point to rapid growth in Canada’s temporary-resident population over recent years — which includes workers, students and other non-permanent visitors — as the immediate context for the proposal. Canada’s temporary-resident numbers climbed sharply in 2024 and into 2025, putting pressure on housing and public services, a fact cited by multiple government and policy analyses.

Legal background and competing reforms

• The push comes after a December 19, 2023 Ontario Superior Court decision that found parts of the first-generation limit on citizenship by descent unconstitutional; the federal government has since introduced interim measures and a package of legislative fixes to respond to that ruling. Any change to birthright citizenship would sit alongside those ongoing reforms to how citizenship is passed on to children born abroad.

Political reactions so far

• Conservative supporters say the proposal will curb “birth tourism” and bring Canada in line with peer countries that have restricted unconditional jus soli. Opponents — including senior Liberals and human-rights advocates — call the plan unnecessary and warn it risks harming families and creating statelessness in edge cases. The government’s immigration committee recently rejected a Conservative amendment aimed at moving this change forward, a sign that the idea faces immediate parliamentary resistance.

Practical consequences to watch for

• If implemented, the rule would change the citizenship status acquired automatically at birth for some children born in Canada and could require additional administrative steps for parents who are temporary residents.
• The amendment would not be automatic; it must pass through Parliament (readings, committee study, and Senate) and could be subject to court challenges if passed.

International comparisons

• Proponents compare Canada to jurisdictions that have narrowed automatic jus soli in recent decades; critics point out that the Americas still include many countries with unconditional birthright citizenship and warn that changing the rule would shift a key element of Canada’s historical identity.

What to expect next

• Short term: public hearings and parliamentary debate; potential amendments in committee.
• Medium term: legal scrutiny and media attention; possible litigation if Parliament enacts restrictive language that affects children’s status.
• For affected families: monitoring IRCC announcements and seeking legal/immigration advice will be necessary if the proposal advances.

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