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Bill S-245

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
June 12, 2023
  • This bill changes the Citizenship Act so that certain people who have lost their Canadian citizenship can regain it. It applies to those who previously applied to keep their citizenship but were rejected, and to those born outside Canada after February 14, 1977, who would be citizens if they had applied before April 17, 2009. There is an exception for those who were citizens on June 11, 2015. This bill only affects certain individuals and does not change the requirements for obtaining Canadian citizenship.
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  • Yea (308)
  • Nay
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SteelmanSpren in Favour

  • The passing of Bill S-245 is a step in the right direction towards rectifying the unjust loss of citizenship for certain Canadians. Those who were born outside of Canada but would have been granted citizenship if they had applied to retain it before April 17, 2009, and those who had their application to retain their citizenship denied before that same date, now have the opportunity to regain their Canadian citizenship. This amendment ensures that these individuals are not penalized for factors outside of their control, such as delays in processing their application or lack of information about the requirement to apply to retain citizenship. This aligns with Canada's values of fairness and equality and promotes inclusivity by recognizing the important contributions of these individuals to society and their right to be recognized as Canadian citizens.

SteelmanSpren Against

  • A potential steelman argument opposing this bill could be that citizenship is a privilege, not a right, and that individuals who willingly gave up their Canadian citizenship should not be granted it back through legislative means. Additionally, this could be seen as unfair to those who have worked hard to obtain citizenship through the legal process, as it sends a message that giving up citizenship has no consequences. There may also be concerns about the potential increase of fraudulent claims and the burden on government resources to verify eligibility for citizenship. Finally, this could be viewed as pandering to a specific demographic or political group, rather than addressing broader issues related to citizenship policies.
  • Nov. 16, 2022, 2 p.m.
  • In Progress
  • Read
  • June 12, 2023, 11 a.m.
  • Passed

House Committee

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
June 12, 2023
  • In accordance with its Order of Reference of Wednesday, November 16, 2022, your committee has considered Bill S-245, An Act to amend the Citizenship Act (granting citizenship to certain Canadians), and agreed on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, to report it with the following amendments:

    New Clause 0.1

    That Bill S-245 be amended by adding before line 4 on page 1 the following new clause:

    “0.1 Subsection 2(2) of the Citizenship Act is amended by striking out “and” at the end of paragraph (b), by adding “and” at the end of paragraph (c) and by adding the following after paragraph (c):

    (d) a person has a substantial connection with Canada if the person has been physically present in Canada for at least 1,095 days.”

    Clause 1

    That Bill S-245, in Clause 1, be amended by deleting lines 4 to 8 on page 1.

    That Bill S-245, in Clause 1, be amended by replacing lines 11 to 14 on page 1 with the following:

    “(g.1) the person was born outside Canada after February 14, 1977 and, before April 17, 2009, ceased to be a citizen because they failed to make an application to retain their citizenship under section 8, as it read before April 17, 2009, or made such an application but the application was not approved;

    (2.1) The portion of subsection 3(3) of the Act before paragraph (a.1) is replaced by the following:

    (3) Paragraphs (1)(b), (f), (g), (h) to (j), (q) and (r) do not apply to a person born outside Canada

    (a) if, at the time of his or her birth, only one of the person’s parents was a citizen and that parent was a citizen under paragraph (1)(b), (c.1), (e), (g), (g.1), (h), (o), (p), (q) or (r) or both of the person’s parents were citizens under any of those paragraphs;”

    That Bill S-245, in Clause 1, be amended by adding after line 14 on page 1 the following:

    “(2.1) Paragraph 3(3)(a) of the Act is replaced by the following:

    (a) if the person was born before April 17, 2009 and, at the time of his or her birth, only one of the person’s parents was a citizen and that parent was a citizen under paragraph (1)(b), (c.1), (e), (g), (g.1), (h), (o), (p), (q) or (r) or both of the person’s parents were citizens under any of those paragraphs;

    (a.01) if the person was born after April 16, 2009 and, at the time of his or her birth,

    (i) only one of the person’s parents was a citizen and that parent was a citizen under paragraph (1)(b), (c.1), (e), (g), (g.1), (h), (o), (p), (q) or (r) or both of the person’s parents were citizens under any of those paragraphs, and

    (ii) neither of the person’s parents was a citizen who had a substantial connection with Canada;

    (2.2) The portion of paragraph 3(3)(b) of the Act before subparagraph (i) is replaced by the following:

    (b) if the person was born before April 17, 2009 and, at any time, only one of the person’s parents was a citizen and that parent was a citizen under any of the following provisions, or both of the person’s parents were citizens under any of the following provisions:

    (2.3) Subsection 3(3) of the Act is amended by striking out “or” at the end of paragraph (a.2), by adding “or” at the end of paragraph (b) and by adding the following after paragraph (b):

    (c) if the person was born after April 16, 2009 and

    (i) at any time, only one of the person’s parents was a citizen and that parent was a citizen under any of the provisions referred to in subparagraphs (b)(i) to (viii), or both of the person’s parents were citizens under any of those provisions, and

    (ii) at the time of their birth, neither of the person’s parents was a citizen who had a substantial connection with Canada.”

    That Bill S-245, in Clause 1, be amended by deleting lines 15 to 18 on page 1.

    That Bill S-245, in Clause 1, be amended by adding after line 18 on page 1 the following:

    “(4) Section 3 of the Act is amended by adding the following after subsection (4.1):

    (4.2) Subsection (3) does not apply to a person who, on the coming into force of this subsection, was a citizen. However, subsection (3) applies to a person who, on that coming into force, would have been a citizen under paragraph (1)(b) only by operation of paragraph (7)(n) in respect of one of their parents.

    (5) Subsection 3(5.2) of the Act is repealed.

    (6) Section 3 of the Act is amended by adding the following after subsection (6.3):

    (6.4) A person referred to in paragraph (1)(g.1) who, before the coming into force of this subsection, was granted citizenship under section 5 or 11 is deemed never to have been a citizen by way of grant.

    (7) Subsection 3(7) of the Act is amended by striking out “and” at the end of paragraph (l), by adding “and” at the end of paragraph (m) and by adding the following after paragraph (m):

    (n) a person referred to in paragraph (1)(g.1) is deemed to be a citizen under that paragraph from the time the person ceased to be a citizen.”

    That Bill S-245, in Clause 1, be amended by adding after line 18 on page 1 the following:

    “(3.1) Section 3 of the Act is amended by adding the following after subsection (6.2):

    (6.21) A person who is deemed to be a citizen under paragraph (1)(b) from the time that they were born solely by operation of subsection (7.1) and who, before the coming into force of this subsection, was granted citizenship under section 5 or 11 is deemed never to have been a citizen by way of grant.

    (4) Section 3 of the Act is amended by adding the following after subsection (7):

    (7.1) Despite any provision of this Act or any Act respecting naturalization or citizenship that was in force in Canada at any time before the day on which this subsection comes into force, a person who was born after April 16, 2009 but before the coming into force of this subsection and who is a citizen under paragraph (1)(b) is deemed to be a citizen under that paragraph from the time that they were born if

    (a) at the time of the person’s birth, only one of the person’s parents was a citizen and that parent was a citizen under paragraph (1)(b), (c.1), (e), (g), (g.1), (h), (o), (p), (q) or (r) or both of the person’s parents were citizens under any of those paragraphs; or

    (b) at any time, only one of the person’s parents was a citizen and that parent was a citizen under any of the provisions referred to in subparagraphs (3)(b)(i) to (viii), or both of the person’s parents were citizens under any of those provisions.

    (5) Section 3 of the Act is amended by adding the following after subsection (8):

    (8.1) For any period before the day on which subsection (7.1) first takes effect with respect to a person, subsection (7.1) does not have the effect of conferring any rights, powers or privileges — or imposing any obligations, duties or liabilities — under any Act of Parliament other than this Act or any other law on the person or on any other person who may have any of those rights, powers, privileges, obligations, duties and liabilities as a result of the first person becoming a citizen.”

    New Clause 1.1

    That Bill S-245 be amended by adding after line 18 on page 1 the following new clauses:

    “1.1 Subsection 4(2) of the Act is replaced by the following:

    (2) For the purposes of paragraph 3(1)(b), subsection 3(2) and paragraphs 3(3)(a.01) and (c), if a child is born after the death of either of their parents, the child shall be deemed to have been born before the death of that parent.

    1.2 (1) Paragraph 5.1(4)(a) of the Act is replaced by the following:

    (a) if, at the time of their adoption,

    (i) only one of the adoptive parents was a citizen and that parent was a citizen under paragraph 3(1)(b), (c.1), (e), (g), (g.1), (h), (o), (p), (q) or (r), or both of the adoptive parents were citizens under any of those paragraphs, and

    (ii) neither of the adoptive parents was a citizen who had a substantial connection with Canada;

    (2) Paragraph 5.1(4)(b) of the Act is replaced by the following:

    (b) if, at any time, only one of the adoptive parents was a citizen and that parent was a citizen under any of the provisions referred to in subparagraphs 3(3)(b)(i) to (viii), or both of the adoptive parents were citizens under any of those provisions and, at the time of their adoption, neither of the adoptive parents was a citizen who had a substantial connection with Canada.”

    That Bill S-245 be amended by adding after line 18 on page 1 the following new clause:

    “1.1 The Act is amended by adding the following after section 9:

    9.1 (1) A person who is deemed to be a citizen under paragraph 3(1)(b) from the time that they were born solely by operation of subsection 3(7.1) is deemed never to have been a citizen under paragraph 3(1)(b) if the person

    (a) provides written notice to the Minister that they do not wish to be a citizen;

    (b) is a citizen of a country other than Canada or, on providing the written confirmation referred to in subsection (2), will become a citizen of a country other than Canada; and

    (c) does not reside in Canada.

    (2) When the Minister receives a written notice from a person under paragraph (1)(a), the Minister shall, if the requirements set out in paragraphs (1)(b) and (c) are met, provide the person with written confirmation that they are deemed never to have been a citizen under paragraph 3(1)(b).”

    That Bill S-245 be amended by adding after line 18 on page 1 the following:

    “1.2 Paragraph 5.1(4)(a) of the Act is replaced by the following:

    (a) if, at the time of his or her adoption, only one of the adoptive parents was a citizen and that parent was a citizen under paragraph 3(1)(b), (c.1), (e), (g), (g.1), (h), (o), (p), (q) or (r), or both of the adoptive parents were citizens under any of those paragraphs;”

    New Clause 3

    That Bill S-245 be amended by adding after line 22 on page 1 the following:

    “Coming into Force

    3 This Act comes into force on a day to be fixed by order of the Governor in Council, but no later than the 548th day after the day on which this Act receives royal assent.”

    A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meetings Nos. 54, 56, 58 and 62 to 70) is tabled.
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
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House Committee

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
June 07, 2023
  • Wed Jun 07, 2023 04:30 - 07:30PM
  • Transcript not yet availabe
  • Watch
  • Hear!
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House Committee

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
June 06, 2023
  • Tue Jun 06, 2023 03:30 - 05:30PM
  • Transcript not yet availabe
  • Watch
  • Hear!
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House Committee

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
June 05, 2023
  • Hear!
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House Committee

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
June 01, 2023
  • Thu Jun 01, 2023 11:05 - 01:27PM
  • Transcript not yet availabe
  • Watch
  • Hear!
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House Committee

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
May 31, 2023
  • Hear!
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House Committee

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
May 29, 2023
  • Hear!
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House Committee

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
May 17, 2023
  • Wed May 17, 2023 04:30 - 06:30PM
  • Transcript not yet availabe
  • Watch
  • Hear!
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House Committee

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
May 15, 2023
  • Hear!
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House Committee

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
May 10, 2023
  • Hear!
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House Committee

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
May 08, 2023
  • Hear!
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House Committee

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
May 03, 2023
  • Hear!
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House Committee

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
May 01, 2023
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House Committee

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
April 25, 2023
  • That, the committee report the following to the House:

    That the committee recommends to the House that it be granted the power during its consideration of Bill S-245, An Act to amend the Citizenship Act (granting citizenship to certain Canadians) to expand the scope of the Bill such that the provisions of the bill be not limited to an application to retain his or her citizenship under section 8 as it is read before April 17, 2009.

    A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meeting No. 58) is tabled.
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
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