SOCI – Bill C-71 Overview – December 5, 2024
An Act to amend the Citizenship Act (2024) seeks to:
- Establish a revised framework governing citizenship by descent for those born abroad or adopted on or after the coming into force of the legislation, to:
- Allow a Canadian parent born abroad who has a substantial connection to Canada to pass citizenship to their child abroad beyond the first generation.
- Allow a Canadian parent born abroad who has a substantial connection to Canada access to the direct grant of citizenship for their child born abroad and adopted, beyond the first generation.
- Restore and bestow citizenship to more individuals and their descendants born abroad or adopted before coming into force of the legislation, to:
- Restore citizenship to “Lost Canadians” who lost their citizenship due to certain outdated provisions of former citizenship legislation and give citizenship to their descendants.
- Restore citizenship to all children born abroad to a Canadian parent beyond the first generation.
- Provide access to the direct grant of citizenship for children born abroad and adopted, beyond the first generation.
Amendments will also extend access to simplified renunciation for those who are conferred citizenship retroactively but who do not wish to be citizens.
No one will lose their citizenship as a result of this legislation.