published on 25 November 2025 @ 11:05 am · COMMENT

End of the First-Generation Limit: What the Passage of Bill C-3 Means for You

Canada has taken an important step toward modernizing its citizenship laws with the passage of Bill C-3 – legislation that eliminates the hard limit introduced in 2009 that generally prevented Canadian citizens born abroad from passing on citizenship beyond the first generation. The legislation will also restore citizenship to many affected individuals and introduce a “substantial connection” requirement for future generations, generally based on a parent’s physical presence in Canada prior to a child’s birth or adoption.

Although Bill C-3 has completed its journey through Parliament and received Royal Assent on 20 November 2025, it is not yet in force. Recently, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice granted the federal government an extension to 20 January 2026 to bring the law into force (Bjorkquist et al v. Canada (AG), 2025 ONSC 6288). The court acknowledged the progress already made but recognized that additional time would be needed to finalize its implementation.
The exact date Bill C-3 will take effect remains unclear. Significant operational work must be completed before the government can issue the Order in Council that activates the legislation. For example, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (“IRCC”) must update internal systems, revise application forms, prepare regulations, and train staff. These steps are necessary to ensure that IRCC officers can apply the new rules consistently and that applicants receive proper instructions.

Until this foundational work is complete, a firm coming-into-force date cannot be announced. While the law may come into force before the court’s deadline, 20 January 2026 remains the latest possible date (barring another extension from the court).

In the meantime, IRCC’s temporary (interim) measures remain active. Introduced in March 2025, these measures allow individuals impacted by the first-generation limit to apply for citizenship via a discretionary grant process.

filed under: IMMIGRATIONPERMANENT RESIDENCE