Proposed Bill C-3 restores citizenship for "Lost Canadians"
The federal government introduced Bill C-3 in June 2025 to respond to the 2023 Ontario Superior Court ruling that struck down the first-generation limit on citizenship by descent. The bill proposes restoring citizenship to certain Canadians born abroad to Canadian parents who also were born abroad, subject to a "substantial connection" requirement for future generations. Parliamentary passage in progress through late 2025.
Who it affects: Canadians born abroad to Canadian parents who were also born abroad; their children.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada ↗ · Government of Canada ↗ · verified 2026-04-21