The House of Commons immigration committee has recommended that most adults eligible for birthright citizenship under the “Lost Canadians” bill meet similar requirements as immigrant applicants, including language proficiency, knowledge of Canadian history, and security checks. The committee members approved amendments to Bill C-3 on Tuesday, which will now undergo approval in the House of Commons.
This bill was introduced in response to a 2023 Ontario Superior Court decision that overturned a law from the Stephen Harper era. The previous law prevented Canadians born abroad from passing down citizenship if their children were not born in Canada.
Under the proposed bill, individuals can pass down citizenship if they can prove a significant connection to Canada by spending a minimum of 1,095 cumulative days (equivalent to three years) in the country. Conservative amendments have included additional language and security requirements, along with a stipulation that the 1,095 days must occur within a five-year period.
The government faces a court-imposed deadline to pass the legislation by midnight on Nov. 21. Failure to do so could result in an unspecified number of individuals automatically gaining Canadian citizenship.
