Canadian Citizenship by Descent: Bill C-3 and the End of the First-Generation Limit

With the coming into force of Bill C-3 on December 15, 2025, Canada has rewritten its rules on citizenship by descent — eliminating the first-generation limit that for over fifteen years prevented Canadian citizens born abroad from passing citizenship to their children also born abroad. The change is retroactive for those born before that date and introduces a new "substantial connection" test going forward. For individuals of Canadian ancestry — particularly the many Americans with a Canadian parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent — the practical takeaway is significant: large numbers of people are now Canadian without having realized it.