May 25 :
With the impending expansion of citizenship by descent rules, Canada stands to gain the support of numerous immigrant communities, including the Indian diaspora. Bill C-71, introduced by Immigration Minister Marc Miller on May 23, aims to modify the Citizenship Act in order to expand citizenship by descent beyond the first generation. As of 2009, citizenship by descent is subject to a "first-generation limit" as per changes made to the Citizenship Act. Accordingly, automatic citizenship could only be bestowed upon offspring of Canadian parents who were either born in Canada or had already been naturalised citizens before the child was born. Accordingly, Canadian citizenship could not be passed down to offspring born abroad.
Abolition of this limitation is the goal of the proposed bill C-71. Citizenship in Canada will be automatically awarded to those who were born overseas to Canadian parents who were also born overseas before 2009 by virtue of the new legislation. However, in order to prove a meaningful link to Canada, the law establishes new procedures.
Citizenship can be bestowed upon children of Canadian parents who were born outside of Canada at birth, provided that those parents can demonstrate that they spent a minimum of three years in Canada before the kid was born.
Canadian parents who adopt a kid from outside the country are also protected by this law. This new law removes the first-generation limit on citizenship for adopted children, therefore any child adopted before the law takes effect can apply for citizenship. After the bill is passed, in order for an adopted kid to become a citizen of Canada, the Canadian parents must prove that they have a strong connection to the country.
The so-called "Lost Canadians" are the people who were either never granted citizenship or were unable to do so because of faulty laws that this reform seeks to rectify.
A lot of people are hoping that these improvements will help the Indian diaspora. It should be noted that Indians who choose to become Canadian citizens will be required to renounce their Indian citizenship, as the Indian government does not allow for dual citizenship.
The new legislation are inclusive and valued, according to Minister Miller. He made it clear that the proposed law would be an inclusive and worthy extension of citizenship by descent beyond the first generation.
In response to concerns voiced in parliamentary committee hearings and in court, Bill C-71 expands upon earlier legislative initiatives, such as Bill S-245. This new approach aims to restore and simplify the procedure for Canadian citizenship by descent. It could potentially restore citizenship to people who had it revoked under prior standards.
