Maple News reports that Canada has broadened access to citizenship by descent with the enactment of Bill C-3, which took effect on December 15, 2025. The update removes the prior generational cap, enabling Americans with a Canadian ancestor to pursue Canadian citizenship even if the connection spans multiple generations. The change places Matt LeBlanc, famed for his role as Joey on Friends, among a growing number of U.S.-Canadian dual citizens; fellow Friends alum Matthew Perry was already a dual citizen before the change, with childhood roots in Ontario.
Under Bill C-3, the first-generation limit was removed for everyone born before the effective date, making millions of Americans potentially eligible for citizenship by descent.
LeBlanc’s lineage includes French-Canadian roots on his father, Paul LeBlanc, whose family traces to New Brunswick. LeBlanc’s paternal grandmother, Genevieve Melanson, was born there.
The law is ancestry-based, focusing on a Canadian connection rather than cultural heritage. It confirms citizenship by descent for those with a Canadian ancestor, regardless of where they have lived or identify culturally.
To pursue eligibility, applicants should map their family tree and gather proof such as birth, baptismal, and marriage records. For Quebec ancestry, you may need documents from the provincial civil registry (the Directeur de l’État civil) and, for older records, from the Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec (BAnQ). Many applicants opt to work with authorized immigration representatives who can help manage document requests and the application process.
After compiling the necessary paperwork, submit an application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for a proof of Canadian citizenship certificate. Processing times have recently risen to about 10 months. With the certificate in hand, applicants can apply for a Canadian passport; the Canadian passport is currently highly regarded in international rankings.
For dual citizens, rights to live and work in either country remain, and Canada’s tax system is residency-based rather than citizenship-based. This means that simply obtaining Canadian citizenship does not by itself trigger Canadian taxation, though obligations can arise based on where you live and earn. This shift could enhance cross-border mobility for startups and individuals seeking access to Canadian markets and resources.