QUESTION PERIOD — Ministry of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
Citizenship Act
October 8, 2024
Minister Miller, Bill C-71 responds well to the well-known gaps affecting “lost Canadians” but not those affecting Canadians born abroad and adopted by Canadian parents. These adopted children are prevented from passing on citizenship if they live and start a family abroad. This first generation cut-off affects no other Canadians and is not cured by the proposed 1,095-day substantial connection test.
The adoption process is a legal process that demands substantial connection. Even with such a substantial connection, the cut-off means these adopted Canadians are “citizens minus,” which is a fundamental breach of their citizenship rights.
Minister Miller, will you consider a simple, clear, consistent amendment to cure this inequity in that act?
Senator Arnot, thank you for taking the time to meet with me today to walk me through your amendment. It’s something we can examine. We do want to get this bill through as quickly as possible. There are a number of vulnerable Canadians who have had their citizenship stripped by Stephen Harper. We need to remedy that. This is a matter of fundamental justice. It will make the act that I administer Charter-compliant for one of the rare occasions in history, so I think that’s very important.
When it comes to your amendment, we’re glad to look at it, glad to work with the teams you represent to make sure the people you are representing are treated fairly.
