Citizenship to be Granted To Lost Canadians

OTTAWA – Merv Tweed, Member of Parliament for Brandon-Souris recently welcomed the formal passage of Bill C-37, taking “lost Canadians” one giant step closer to enjoying Canadian citizenship.

“By introducing this legislation, our Government took decisive action to help those people who had their citizenship questioned, and to protect the value of Canadian citizenship for the future,” said Tweed.  

The law will restore citizenship to the following individuals who lost it due to rules in previous laws, including:

• People who became citizens when the first citizenship act took effect on January 1, 1947 (including people born in Canada prior to 1947 and war brides) and who then lost their citizenship;
• Anyone who was born in Canada or became a Canadian on or after January 1, 1947, and who then lost citizenship;  
• Anyone born abroad to a Canadian on or after January 1, 1947, if they are the first generation born abroad, who has not taken the necessary steps to become a citizen.

The law will come into effect shortly after receiving Royal Assent.

“This legislation is a victory for Canadians who truly deserve their citizenship,” said Tweed.