Famous Americans set to gain Canadian citizenship under new law — what Bill C-3 changes and who benefits
A landmark change to Canada’s Citizenship Act will restore citizenship by descent for people who were previously blocked by the so-called “first-generation limit.” Bill C-3, passed on November 20, 2025, removes that restriction and will allow many individuals with Canadian ancestry — including several well-known Americans — to claim Canadian citizenship where they could not before.
The law rewrites who may inherit citizenship from a Canadian parent and creates a pathway for descendants who can show a meaningful connection to Canada. While the bill is now law, officials have not yet announced the date it will come into force. In the meantime, interim measures are in place that already let affected people apply for proof of citizenship.
This report explains the legal change, profiles five public figures whose family histories qualify them for citizenship under the amendment, and sets out the practical effects for applicants and for Canada’s diaspora.
What Bill C-3 does: ending the first-generation limit
Until 2009, Canadian citizenship could be passed to children born abroad across multiple generations. In 2009, Parliament introduced the “first-generation limit”: children born outside Canada to Canadian parents who had themselves been born abroad could not automatically inherit citizenship.
Bill C-3 overturns that restriction. The law allows children born abroad to Canadian citizens by descent to inherit citizenship as long as they can meet a “substantial connection to Canada” test, the details of which will be set by regulation. The legislative change restores the right of descent for many people previously excluded and responds to long-running calls from diaspora communities and advocacy groups.
Interim measures announced earlier in 2025 let some people apply for proof of citizenship even before the new rules fully take effect. Applicants using the interim route will not need to reapply once Bill C-3 becomes operational.
Five public figures who now qualify under the new rules
Based on their documented family histories, several well-known Americans now meet the criteria to claim Canadian citizenship once the law is in force. Below is a summary of their Canadian lineage and how the new law applies.
Madonna (Madonna Louise Ciccone)
Madonna’s maternal family line traces to French-Canadian ancestors who settled in Quebec centuries ago. Under Bill C-3, that maternal Canadian ancestry means the pop star will be considered eligible for Canadian citizenship by descent.
Viggo Mortensen
Born in New York to an American mother and a Danish father, Viggo Mortensen’s claim flows through his maternal grandfather, who was born in Parrsboro, Nova Scotia. That ancestral link places Mortensen within the group of descendants now entitled to citizenship under the revised rules.
Lily Collins
The actress Lily Collins has a maternal grandfather who was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba. With Bill C-3 eliminating the first-generation cap, her Canadian ancestry qualifies her for citizenship by descent.
Hillary Clinton
Research into Hillary Clinton’s maternal ancestry reveals French-Canadian roots that date to New France. Those matrilineal connections now render her eligible to be considered a Canadian citizen under the new law.
Jack White
Musician Jack White’s paternal family includes grandparents born in Nova Scotia and lines that tie back to Canadian parents. That family history places him among people who may now claim Canadian citizenship under Bill C-3.
Who benefits, practically speaking
The amendment opens citizenship claims for many people born abroad who previously could not inherit Canadian citizenship through parents who themselves were citizens by descent. Typical beneficiaries include:
- Individuals whose parents were Canadian citizens by descent (not born in Canada) and who themselves were born outside Canada; and
- Descendants with documented ancestral ties to Canada who can demonstrate a substantial connection once regulations explain how that test will operate.
Bill C-3 also includes transitional and administrative provisions to ensure that people relying on interim measures will not be disadvantaged when the law takes full effect.
Interim measures and how to apply now
Recognizing the urgency for many applicants, the government put interim measures in place in March 2025. Those measures allow eligible people to apply online now for proof of citizenship; importantly, applications made under the interim regime will be preserved once Bill C-3 is fully implemented. The interim process typically requires applicants to provide:
- Evidence of the Canadian ancestor’s birth or citizenship;
- Proof of parentage linking the applicant to the Canadian ancestor; and
- Supporting identity documents and civil records.
Because the formal regulatory test for “substantial connection” has yet to be published, applicants relying on ancestral documents should gather detailed records now and consult official guidance or a citizenship specialist for help with documentation.
Wider implications — diaspora, identity and practical benefits
Restoring descent-based citizenship has several effects:
- Diaspora ties: The change strengthens legal and cultural ties between Canada and global communities with historic Canadian roots.
- Mobility and rights: New citizens will gain the legal rights of Canadian citizenship, including the ability to obtain a Canadian passport and access to consular protection.
- Administrative workload: Citizenship offices can expect increased demand for proofs of citizenship and identity documents; applicants should plan for possible processing delays.
- Policy debates: Observers will watch how the “substantial connection” regulation is applied — it will determine how inclusive or restrictive the new regime is in practice.
Practical tips for potential applicants
- Collect ancestral records now: birth, marriage, death certificates and any immigration or residency documents that show your family’s Canadian connection.
- Document parentage clearly: make sure you have primary evidence linking you to the Canadian ancestor.
- Use interim measures if eligible: filing early under the interim scheme preserves your position for when the law fully activates.
- Expect verification: citizenship offices will review documents carefully — get certified copies and translations where needed.
- Seek expert help when complex: if your family history is unclear or records are difficult to obtain, a citizenship lawyer or accredited consultant can assist.
Bottom line
Bill C-3 marks a significant shift in Canada’s citizenship law by restoring the ability to pass Canadian citizenship through descent beyond the first generation. The change will affect many descendants across the globe — including several high-profile Americans with documented Canadian ancestry — and will likely prompt a surge in applications once the regulations and the law’s effective date are finalized. For those who believe they qualify, gathering records and using the interim measures now offers the best path to securing proof of Canadian citizenship as the new regime takes shape.
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