Recent reforms by Canadian officials have significantly broadened the avenues for citizenship for individuals of Canadian descent, particularly benefiting many Americans with Canadian ancestry. The change comes in the wake of a ruling by Canadian courts, which deemed the “first-generation” limit on citizenship by descent as unconstitutional.
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Previously, Canadian law limited the ability of individuals born abroad to pass on citizenship to their children if those children were also born outside Canada. Now, with the passing of Bill C-3, which amended the Citizenship Act, grandchildren and even great-grandchildren of Canadian citizens are eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship. This reform was enacted on December 15, 2025, and has opened the floodgates for applications from Americans with familial ties to Canada.
Cassandra Fultz, a Canadian immigration consultant, has reported a notable surge in inquiries about citizenship since these reforms were announced. She remarked that every election cycle tends to bring an uptick in American interest in Canadian immigration, but the recent legislative changes have led to an unprecedented increase in her 17 years of experience. The current political climate in the United States has further motivated many to consider citizenship options beyond their borders.
One such individual, Ellen Robillard, a resident of New York, recognised the potential for Canadian citizenship in her family back in 2016. However, changes to the law mean that now, alongside her son, she can pursue this option with renewed hope. As a leader of a Democratic Committee, she has faced intimidation and threats linked to her political opinions. After visiting her mother’s birthplace in Nova Scotia last year, she articulated a sense of belonging that she had not felt in the United States. “Everyone was nicer,” she reflected, describing the experience of reconnecting with her roots as both enriching and reassuring.
While some applications stem from political motivations, many are also exploring Canadian citizenship as a contingency plan. Timothy Beaulieu from New Hampshire, for instance, expressed a desire to connect with his family’s French-Canadian heritage, indicating that whether or not U.S. political conditions improve, his interest in securing Canadian citizenship remains robust.
The demand for Canadian citizenship by descent is clearly rising. In February 2025, the National Library and Archives of Québec processed 100 requests for vital records from individuals in the U.S. By February 2026, that figure dramatically escalated to 1,500 requests. This trend indicates a growing interest in accessing Canadian heritage, transcending the boundaries of immediate political concerns.
Despite the enthusiasm surrounding the reform, some Canadians have raised concerns regarding the perceived advantage offered to Americans, particularly those with scant ties to the country, in contrast to immigrants who currently face lengthy paths to citizenship. Critics argue that this could lead to a system that favours those with less direct economic contribution to Canada, rather than prioritising individuals actively seeking citizenship through traditional routes.
Fultz countered these concerns, emphasising that the law’s previous limits were inherently discriminatory and had been ruled unconstitutional. She asserts that true Canadian identity should not be stratified; rather, it should demonstrate inclusivity and equity. “A Canadian is a Canadian is a Canadian,” she stated, highlighting the philosophy that citizenship should not reflect tiered distinctions based on the manner in which it was obtained.
Nevertheless, individuals eager to explore their eligibility for citizenship by descent may face a wait of several months for a resolution on their applications. Current government processing times suggest that applicants could expect delays of up to 10 months, with over 50,000 applications already in the system.
As Canada welcomes a growing number of potential citizens from abroad, the implications of such legislation stretch far beyond individual applications, opening discussions on national identity, heritage, and the complexities of belonging in an increasingly globalised world.