Applications for Canadian citizenship certificates have surged globally in recent months, with a significant increase in submissions from the United States, as reported by CBC News. The adoption of the “Lost Canadian” legislation by Parliament late last year led to a nearly 50% rise in the number of individuals receiving certificates between April 1 and May 31, according to recent CBC data.
Bill C-3 enables individuals to obtain citizenship by demonstrating descent from a Canadian ancestor, even if that ancestor emigrated from Canada multiple generations ago. The legislation was enacted in response to court rulings deeming the previous restriction of citizenship to the first generation born outside of Canada too limiting.
From mid-December, when Bill C-3 came into effect, to May 31, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) granted approximately 6,100 citizenship certificates to eligible individuals. This marks a notable increase from the 4,075 certificates issued from mid-December to the end of March.
Furthermore, an additional 17,390 individuals have received certificates by virtue of having a Canadian parent. Prior to the enactment of the bill, being born outside of Canada necessitated having a Canadian parent to qualify for citizenship.
The newly recognized Canadian citizens, totaling 23,490, can now apply for Canadian passports and reside and work in Canada. However, Elections Canada clarified that they cannot vote in federal elections unless they have resided in Canada at some point in their lives.
Of the individuals recognized between mid-December and the end of May, nearly half are from the United States. Data from IRCC indicates that 3,110 Americans have become eligible for Canadian citizenship certificates under Bill C-3, while an additional 8,125 Americans have received certificates due to having a Canadian-born parent.
Despite the significant number of new citizens, a substantial backlog of citizenship certificate applications awaits processing. The number of pending applications skyrocketed from around 56,000 in April to 70,400 in May and currently stands at 121,800, as per IRCC’s website. The estimated processing time for a decision has doubled from 12 months in May to 25 months as of August 10.
The potential impact of Bill C-3 on Canadian citizenship eligibility is varied, with estimates ranging widely. The parliamentary budget officer projected that as many as 115,000 individuals could be affected by the legislative change.
Meanwhile, Canadian archivists are witnessing a surge in requests for genealogical records necessary to establish an unbroken lineage from a Canadian ancestor for citizenship certificate applications under Bill C-3. The Association of Canadian Archivists reported a substantial increase in requests, with some institutions experiencing a 100 to 300% rise in inquiries.
The escalating demand for records has placed a strain on archivists, particularly as the list of accepted documents by IRCC continues to evolve. Calls for increased funding for archives nationwide to meet the surging demand have been voiced, especially as the workload intensifies following the discontinuation of funding programs like the Documentary Heritage Communities initiative.
In response to the surge in certificate applications, IRCC suspended around 100 certificates in June due to document-related concerns. While 83 suspensions have been resolved, 17 individuals are required to provide additional proof of Canadian ancestry within 60 days to avoid potential revocation of their certificates. New Democrat immigration critic Jenny Kwan has raised concerns about the suspension letters, urging Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab to address the issue promptly.