Bill C-3 explained: who became Canadian in 2025

On December 15, 2025, an amendment to Canada's Citizenship Act took effect and made a large number of people Canadian without any of them filling in a form. If your Canadian parent was born outside Canada, this is the change that may apply to you.

The rule it replaced

From April 2009, citizenship by descent stopped at the first generation born outside Canada. A Canadian born in Canada could pass citizenship to a child born abroad. That child, on growing up, could not pass it to their own children unless those children were born in Canada.

The effect was that two cousins with the same Canadian grandparents could have different status, depending only on where their parents happened to be born.

Why it changed

In December 2023, an Ontario court found the first-generation limit unconstitutional. Parliament responded with Bill C-3, An Act to amend the Citizenship Act (2025). It received royal assent on November 20, 2025 and came into force on December 15, 2025.

Who became a citizen

The law draws a line at the date it came into force. For people born before that date:

• If you were born outside Canada to a Canadian parent in the second generation or later, the law now treats you as a citizen.
• The same applies down the line, because a parent who became a citizen through this change counts as a Canadian parent for their own children.
• The remaining "Lost Canadians", people who lost or never received citizenship under outdated rules, and their descendants are covered too.

This happened by operation of law. Nobody had to apply to become a citizen. What you apply for is proof: a citizenship certificate.

The rule for children born from now on

For a child born or adopted outside Canada on or after December 15, 2025, to a Canadian parent who was also born or adopted outside Canada, there is a condition. The parent must have spent at least 1,095 days in Canada before the child's birth or adoption. The days don't have to be consecutive.

In practice, a Canadian by descent who has lived in Canada for three years in total can pass citizenship to a child born abroad. One who has never lived in Canada cannot.

What it did not change

• The parent must have been a citizen when you were born. If your parent was granted citizenship after your birth, you are not automatically a citizen through them.
• Adoption follows its own process. A person adopted abroad by a Canadian applies for a grant of citizenship.
• You still have to prove it. The law makes you a citizen. Records make you able to show it.

If you would rather not be a citizen

Some people have reasons not to want a second citizenship. People who became citizens automatically under the new law can use a simplified process to renounce it.

What to do next

1. Read the government's own explanation of who is a citizen.
2. Write down what you know about the Canadian in your family: name, place and rough date of birth, and how they are related to you.
3. Take our free eligibility check for a preliminary result.