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ARTICLE · 26 DECEMBER 2025

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Bill C-3 Restores Canadian Citizenship To Lost Canadians

On December 15, 2025, Bill C-3, An Act to amend the Citizenship Act (2025), came into force. Bill C-3 amended the Canadian Citizenship Act to no longer limit citizenship by descent to the first generation born abroad.

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On December 15, 2025, Bill C-3, An Act to amend the Citizenship Act (2025), came into force. Bill C-3 amended the Canadian Citizenship Act to no longer limit citizenship by descent to the first generation born abroad. It also restored Canadian citizenship to former citizens who failed to retain their Canadian citizenship under Section 8 of the previous legislation and the descendants of persons who acquired Canadian citizenship under prior amendments that came into force in 2009 and 2015.

Overview of prior citizenship legislation

The term "lost Canadians" refers to individuals who lost or never obtained citizenship because of earlier citizenship laws. Amendments to the Citizenship Act, which came into effect in 2009 and 2015, restored or gave citizenship to many of these lost Canadians. However, some individuals continued to be excluded.

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