SOCI – Opening Statement – November 17, 2025

Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, ECNS, KC, P.C., M.P. Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology (SOCI)

Bill C-3: An Act to amend the Citizenship Act

November 17, 2025

468 words (~5 minutes)

Check against delivery.

Mr. Chair, honourable senators,

Thank you for the invitation to appear.

I begin by acknowledging that we’re gathering on the traditional, unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg People.

Bill C-3 seeks to resolve the status of the remaining Lost Canadians and bring fair access and clarity to citizenship by descent.

As senators know, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice struck down key provisions of the first-generation limit to citizenship by descent, finding that they violated equality and mobility rights under the Charter.

Bill C-3 ensures that a child born or adopted abroad by a Canadian with a substantial connection to this country has access to citizenship—no matter which parent passes it on or where the family lives.

That substantial connection must be proven through physical presence in Canada for at least 1,095 days before the child’s birth or adoption.

Some senators have asked whether these days should fall within a fixed window, such as three years within the last five. We considered that carefully. But citizenship by descent is not naturalization. It’s not granting citizenship to someone new. It’s verifying that a Canadian born or adopted abroad has a substantial connection to this country before they can pass on citizenship to their child also born or adopted abroad.

A “five-year window” risks excluding people who have built their connection to Canada in stages.

The only test that properly applies is the substantial connection test for the parent. That ensures fairness for families while protecting the value of Canadian citizenship.

It’s worth noting that many affected by Bill C-3 are children. Because the first-generation limit was imposed in 2009, those directly impacted are 16 and under. And since citizenship by descent is established at birth or granted after adoption, future cases will likely arise early in life.

We’ve heard concerns that Bill C-3 could open the floodgates to new citizens.

Based on available evidence, we expect applications in the tens of thousands over time, not hundreds of thousands.

Between January 2024 and July 2025, we received just over 4,200 applications under the interim measure for those affected by the first‑generation limit. Previous amendments in 2009 and 2015 saw around 20,000 people apply for proof of citizenship. In all instances, we did not see a surge in applications.

The net fiscal impact should be limited. Some in this cohort are already in Canada contributing to general revenues, and those abroad are generally not eligible for most domestic social programs.

Bill C-3 is about ensuring that no Canadian family is left on the margins of citizenship because of outdated rules. It upholds fairness, protects equality, and honours the generations of Canadians who have built their lives across borders while keeping roots here at home.

I look forward to working with you to see this important bill become law.

Thank you.