Canada’s New Citizenship Bill C-3: Major Changes and Key Benefits for Indians Revealed

International News: The Canadian government has proposed a major reform in its citizenship law. Immigration Minister Leena Metler Diab has introduced the new Citizenship Amendment Bill C-3 in Parliament, which tries to abolish the limit of citizenship on the basis of dynasty. This amendment can bring relief for many families whose children are born outside Canada.

What does the current law say?

Currently Citizenship Act of Canada says that citizens who live abroad cannot give Canadian citizenship to their abroad on the basis of lineage, if they themselves were not born in Canada. This law was implemented in the year 2009, in which citizenship was limited to the first generation only. This meant that Canadian citizens born outside Canada could not give citizenship to their children.

What is the proposal in the new law?

According to the new Bill C-3, this first generation limit will be removed. However, there will also be some conditions under this.
Parents have to prove that they are "adequately connected" to Canada, that is, they have recorded physical appearance by living in Canada at least three years before the child was born or adopted. This will ensure that citizenship only gets to people with 'Canadian connections'.

Who will get direct benefit from this bill?

If this bill is made a law, then many immigrant families living outside Canada will get direct benefit.
Especially Indian migrants can get relief from this, who are working abroad and want their children to get Canadian citizens.
Amidst the strictness caused by President Trump in the US over visa and birthright, this initiative of Canada can become a ray of hope for immigrant communities.

It may take time to make laws

Although the bill has been introduced in Parliament, it will have to pass three readings and Royal Assent will also be required to enact a law. IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) says that as soon as it passes from both houses, it will get royal acceptance, we will work to implement it fast.