General Discussion

Ms. Toad

(38,692 posts)

12. Here's the other thing -

Fri Apr 3, 2026, 10:22 PM

Apr 3

(Summary, not the actual text of the law):

Persons born outside Canada prior to December 15, 2025, to a parent who was also born outside Canada and who was a Canadian citizen at the time of their birth, are now automatically considered Canadian citizens from birth.

So my great-grandfather was born outside of Canada to my great-great-grandfather (born in Canada) becomes a Canadian citizen from birth.
My grandmother, who was born to my great-grandfather (a citizen from birth, by virtue of the first sentence) was also a Canadian citizen at her birth, making my grandmother a Canadian citizen from birth
My father, who was born to my grandmother (a citizen from birth, by virtue of the second sentence), was a Canadian citizen at the time of his birth, making him a Canadian citizen from birth
And I was born to my father (a Canadian citizen from birth by virtue of the third sentence), a person who was a Canadian citizen at the time of my birth, making me a Canadian citizen from birth

It is worded very strangely - but the immigration law firm sites I looked at all included "subsequent generations"

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Scrivener7 eShirl pioche4 summer_in_TX Luciferous RockCreek

32 replies

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Highlight:

You may be a defacto Canadian citizen and not know it. [View all] Disaffected Apr 3 OP

My kids are going to pursue this Fiendish Thingy Apr 3 #1

I'll have to look into this... 2naSalit Apr 3 #2

Doesn't appear to be much to lose here. Disaffected Apr 3 #5

Indeed... 2naSalit Apr 3 #6

Damn. buzzycrumbhunger Apr 3 #3

You got me all excited, but it turns out it only goes down three generations. To your great grandparents. Scrivener7 Apr 3 #4

nope, those 3 generations listed are under "examples" eShirl Apr 3 #10

It's a bit hard to follow but, Disaffected Apr 4 #24

I just discovered I've been a lost Canadian citizen all my life - I just didn't know it! Ms. Toad Apr 3 #7

See the link I provided above. My reaction was the same as yours, but it turns out it only goes back 3 generations. Scrivener7 Apr 3 #8

Pretty sure it doesn't matter how many generations back. Ms. Toad Apr 3 #9

On second look, I think you're right. The wording is confusing, as they go into such detail about how Scrivener7 Apr 3 #11

Here's the other thing - Ms. Toad Apr 3 #12

I'm looking at the actual form now - Ms. Toad Apr 3 #15

I'm excited Mordred Apr 3 #13

My mother in law was Canadian rambler_american Apr 3 #14

My father is 94, and he seemed kind of excited about the possibility of Canadian citizenship. Ms. Toad Apr 4 #22

Switzerland? AverageOldGuy Apr 3 #16

I have a great grandmother and a great-great grandmother born in Toronto. LisaM Apr 3 #17

Oooooh! French Canadian ancestry right here! . . . . (she waves her hand happily) liberalla Apr 3 #18

YW Disaffected Apr 4 #32

My ancestors taught in the revolutionary war James48 Apr 3 #19

It's complicated so who knows? Disaffected Apr 4 #26

I have neighbors who are all over this Easterncedar Apr 4 #20

Here's a reddit FAQ for people looking to establish their citizenship. Ms. Toad Apr 4 #21

Hey, let us know how it turns out! nt Disaffected Apr 4 #28

Will do. Ms. Toad Apr 4 #30

Unfortunately I think I'm out of luck FHRRK1 Apr 4 #23

So conceivably my mom's dad's line would qualify me Cadfael Apr 4 #25

Certainly sounds like it's worth a try if you can provide the records. Disaffected Apr 4 #27

Thanks for the info! I know I have Luciferous Apr 4 #29

My great-great grandfather emigrated from New Brunswick, Canada, to intheflow Apr 4 #31