Maple News reports that Canada amended its Citizenship Act on December 15, 2025, lifting the first-generation limit for citizenship by descent for anyone born before that date, effectively widening eligibility to millions of Americans with a Canadian ancestor.
In a high-profile case, Shiloh Jolie and her mother Angelina Jolie became Canadian citizens under the new law when it took effect.
Genealogical research by Perche-Quebec traces Jolie’s lineage to Zacharie Cloutier, an early French-Canadian settler, linking her to notable names such as Madonna, Celine Dion, and Queen Camilla. The lineage runs through Jolie’s grandmother, the late Marcheline Bertrand, whose family history includes multiple Quebecois grandparents, according to genealogical databases.
Under the expanded rules, even a distant Canadian ancestor—such as a great-great-great-grandparent—can be enough to establish eligibility for citizenship by descent.
For many Americans, this development means the possibility of holding dual U.S. and Canadian citizenship. Some will pursue the Canadian passport even if they have no immediate plans to live in Canada, viewing it as a strategic backup option in uncertain times.
Americans with roots in New England may be especially affected. Historians estimate that roughly a quarter of today’s New England residents have at least one Canadian ancestor, a legacy tied to the 19th-century Great Hemorrhage when many French-Canadians moved south into the United States.
To obtain Canadian citizenship by descent, eligible individuals must secure proof of citizenship by submitting official documents tracing their lineage—birth, marriage, and death records, among others. Canada’s process currently requires about one year to issue proof of citizenship, after which applicants can apply for a Canadian passport, which typically takes about 10–20 business days to process.
As always, timelines can vary and applicants should consult official government guidance for the latest requirements.