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In depth
Bill C-71, the Strengthening Canadian Citizenship Act, received Royal Assent on June 20, 2024, and came into force in 2025. The bill amends the Citizenship Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. C-29) to restore Canadian citizenship to beyond-first-generation descendants of Canadian citizens born abroad — addressing the so-called 'Lost Canadian' problem.
Before Bill C-71, only the first generation born abroad to a Canadian citizen was automatically a citizen. Bill C-71 changes that with a substantial connection requirement: the person must have accumulated at least 1,095 days (three years) of physical presence in Canada before applying.
The bill also retroactively reinstates citizenship for 'Lost Canadians' — those who lost or never received Canadian citizenship due to outdated provisions. Many of these cases qualify for retroactive grants.
Example
Under Bill C-71, a second-generation Canadian born abroad with 1,095 days of physical presence in Canada can claim Canadian citizenship.
Related terms
A 'Lost Canadian' is a person who lost or never received Canadian citizenship due to outdated provisions of the Citizenship Act, now eligible for reinstatement under Bill C-71.
IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) is the Canadian government department that processes citizenship applications.
The Citizenship Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. C-29) is the principal Canadian citizenship law, amended by Bill C-71 in 2025.
The substantial connection test is the Bill C-71 requirement that beyond-first-generation descendants of Canadians born abroad have 1,095 days of physical presence in Canada.