Canadian citizenship embodies opportunity, diversity,
multiculturalism, and freedom. It provides a lifelong connection to
Canada, offering numerous advantages such as universal healthcare,
voting rights, access to quality education, and the ability to
travel freely on a Canadian passport with limited restrictions.
Until recently, only individuals born outside Canada with at
least one Canadian born parent were eligible to apply for Canadian
citizenship by descent. Or, someone born abroad with a naturalized
Canadian parent (not Canadian born) could also apply.
On December 19, 2023, however, the Ontario Superior Court of
Justice decided in a landmark ruling, Bjorkquist et al. v. Attorney General
of Canada, that the "second-generation
cut-off" rule at section 3(3)(a) of the Canadian
Citizenship Act is unconstitutional, and as of June 19,
2024, will be of no force and effect. In response, the Canadian
Government accepted the ruling and The Honourable Marc
