House of Commons Votes to Protect Citizenship Rights for Canadians Born Abroad
In a landmark decision, the House of Commons has voted to remove restrictive amendments from Bill C-3, a proposed law that will expand citizenship rights for Canadians born outside the country.
On November 3, 2025, Members of Parliament voted 170–163 in favour of removing several controversial clauses that would have limited citizenship by descent — a move widely seen as a victory for families of Canadians living abroad.
What the Vote Means
If enacted in its revised form, Bill C-3: An Act to amend the Citizenship Act (2025) will restore and expand access to citizenship for children of Canadian parents born or adopted abroad.
The bill seeks to eliminate the strict “first-generation limit” (FGL) introduced in 2009, which prevented second-generation Canadians (those born abroad to parents who themselves were born abroad) from passing on citizenship to their own children.
Under the new provisions, children of Canadian citizens by descent will once again be able to inherit citizenship — provided their Canadian parent can demonstrate a “substantial connection to Canada.”
Controversial Amendments Removed
The House voted to reject committee-added amendments that would have imposed stricter requirements on Canadians applying for citizenship by descent. These withdrawn proposals included:
- A more stringent “substantial connection” test, requiring parents to have spent 1,095 days in Canada within a single five-year period before the child’s birth or adoption.
- Mandatory security screenings for applicants aged 18 and older.
- Language and knowledge tests for applicants aged 18–55, requiring proficiency in English or French and understanding of Canadian rights and responsibilities.
These restrictions were viewed by critics as creating unnecessary barriers and contradicting the spirit of inclusivity that Bill C-3 was designed to promote.
The motion to remove them passed narrowly, supported by the Liberals, NDP, and Green Party, while Conservatives and Bloc Québécois voted against it.
Restoring Citizenship to “Lost Canadians”
The new version of Bill C-3 will also correct long-standing injustices by restoring citizenship to thousands of individuals commonly referred to as “Lost Canadians.”
These are people who, due to legislative gaps in the Citizenship Act — particularly the first-generation limit — were denied citizenship rights despite having legitimate Canadian lineage.
Once enacted, the bill will grant citizenship retroactively and automatically to these affected individuals, without requiring them to meet the substantial connection test.
Understanding the “Substantial Connection” Test
The substantial connection provision ensures that citizenship by descent is passed on by Canadians who maintain a tangible link to Canada.
Under the current proposal, a Canadian citizen by descent must show that they have spent at least 1,095 days (three years) physically present in Canada before their child’s birth or adoption.
This test balances inclusivity with accountability, ensuring that Canadian citizenship reflects a real connection to the country — while still allowing families abroad to transmit their identity and rights to future generations.
Next Steps for Bill C-3
The legislation must now proceed to its third reading in the House of Commons, followed by three readings in the Senate, before receiving Royal Assent and becoming law.
The federal government has set a deadline of November 20, 2025, to pass the bill — following extensions ordered by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, which in December 2023 ruled that the current Citizenship Act’s first-generation limit was unconstitutional.
While awaiting final passage, the government continues to allow affected individuals to apply for Canadian citizenship under interim measures — including discretionary grants — introduced earlier this year.
Why This Matters
If passed, Bill C-3 will mark one of the most significant updates to Canadian citizenship law in over a decade.
By reaffirming the rights of Canadians born abroad and ensuring their children can share their national identity, the bill strengthens the idea that Canadian citizenship is not merely defined by geography, but by connection, heritage, and belonging.
Summary
- Bill C-3 aims to expand citizenship by descent for Canadians born abroad.
- House voted 170–163 to remove restrictive amendments.
- Proposed changes that were rejected included:
- Tougher substantial connection rules.
- Mandatory security checks and language tests.
- Bill will restore citizenship to all Lost Canadians.
- Next step: Final readings in the House and Senate before Royal Assent.
- Federal goal: Pass Bill C-3 by November 20, 2025, per court order.
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