Maple News reports that Canada is poised to extend citizenship rights to thousands of individuals previously excluded under legislation known as the first-generation limit (FGL). On November 19, 2025, Bill C-3—An Act to amend the Citizenship Act—passed its third reading in the Senate and is now awaiting royal assent before becoming law.
The FGL, introduced in 2009, restricted Canadian citizenship by descent to the first generation born abroad. This meant that children of Canadian citizens who themselves were born abroad could not automatically inherit Canadian citizenship. The new legislation aims to eliminate this barrier and rectify what many have seen as an unjust restriction.
Once in force, Bill C-3 will automatically reinstate Canadian citizenship to all individuals who lost their eligibility due to the FGL. This includes children born or adopted abroad to Canadian parents who hold their citizenship by descent.
Crucially, the bill also introduces a forward-looking exception to the FGL. Going forward, children born or adopted outside Canada to Canadian citizens by descent will be eligible for citizenship—provided their Canadian parent demonstrates a strong connection to the country. Specifically, the parent must have spent at least 1,095 days (about three years) physically present in Canada before the child’s birth or adoption.
This measure follows a December 2023 ruling by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, which deemed the FGL unconstitutional. Since then, the federal government has been under court-mandated pressure to amend the Citizenship Act, with the latest compliance deadline extended to January 20, 2026.
During its recent reading in the Senate, lawmakers rejected a proposed change that would have made the substantial connection test more stringent by requiring the 1,095 days of presence to fall within a five-year period. The rejection signifies a broader intention to maintain a more inclusive and reasonable path to citizenship.
By correcting a long-standing legal and social oversight, Bill C-3 represents a significant development in Canadian immigration policy. It brings long-awaited clarity and fairness to individuals who have been in a legal limbo—commonly referred to as ‘Lost Canadians.’
According to Maple News, royal assent is expected soon. Once granted, the law will take effect on a date set by the Governor General, officially restoring and expanding citizenship rights for affected individuals and their children.