Immigration Announcement
Federal Government Faces Pressure to Amend Canada’s Citizenship Act
Canada’s immigration policies have long been praised for their fairness. Yet, one part of the system — the first-generation limit in the Citizenship Act — continues to create hardship for many families. Despite a court ruling declaring this law unconstitutional, necessary changes are still pending. The delay has sparked debate across the country, raising important questions about the future of Canadian citizenship. Let’s break down what’s happening and why this issue matters so much.
The First-Generation Limit and Why It’s a Problem
The Citizenship Act currently blocks many children born abroad from claiming citizenship through their Canadian parents.
Here’s how the rule works:
| Parent’s Status | Child Born Abroad Eligible? |
| Parent born/naturalized in Canada | Yes |
| Parent gained citizenship by descent | No |
Introduced in 2009, the first-generation limit (FGL) restricts the transmission of citizenship to only the first generation born abroad. If your Canadian parent was themselves born outside Canada, you are not automatically eligible for citizenship.
This rule has left many Canadians abroad in an uncertain and painful situation. Families are split. Children raised with deep connections to Canada are denied their rightful citizenship.
In December 2023, the Ontario Superior Court ruled that this part of the Citizenship Act violates the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The decision gave the federal government six months to fix the law.
Missed Deadlines, Bill Failures, and Political Roadblocks
Following the court’s decision, the government introduced Bill C-71 in May 2024. It aimed to fix the first-generation limit by creating an exception for parents with a “substantial connection” to Canada, defined as three years of residence before the child’s birth or adoption.
However, Bill C-71 never became law.
Political delays, including the proroguing of Parliament in January 2025, killed the bill. Since then, interim measures have allowed affected individuals to apply for discretionary citizenship grants, but these are temporary and uncertain solutions.
Here’s a quick timeline:
| Date | Event |
| Dec 2023 | Court declares FGL unconstitutional. |
| May 2024 | Bill C-71 introduced but later failed. |
| Jan 2025 | Parliament prorogued, Bill C-71 dies. |
| Mar 2025 | Interim citizenship grants introduced. |
| Apr 2025 | Court extends deadline to Nov 20, 2025. |
The federal government now has until November 20, 2025, to pass new legislation. If it fails, the Court may strike down the existing law entirely, creating even more uncertainty.
What’s at Stake for Families Affected by the Citizenship Act?
The stakes are incredibly high. Every day of delay means:
- Families are kept in limbo.
- Children raised with strong Canadian ties are denied their rights.
- Parents face heartbreaking choices about where to live and raise their families.
Judge Jasmine Akbarali, who extended the latest deadline, warned that “rights-holders should not be made to suffer the impacts of an unconstitutional law indefinitely.”
If Parliament fails again, the Court could make parts of the Citizenship Act inoperative. This would create chaos for new applicants and put strain on Canada’s immigration system.
Time for Action on Canada’s Citizenship Act
It’s clear that the problems caused by the first-generation limit can no longer be ignored. With the next Parliament session after the general election, the federal government must prioritize amending the Citizenship Act.
Canadian families deserve clear, fair, and inclusive policies, not endless delays. Canada Immigration News follows every development closely to ensure you get the most accurate updates about the Citizenship Act. Whether you’re affected by these changes or just concerned about Canada’s immigration future, stay connected with us for the latest insights.
