Hey, I might be able to be Canadian

[Jeremy + Kristy 0]

I just found something, that, if this legislation goes through, I would be Canadian! I'm going to have to research this more.

Statement from the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration on Proposed Changes to the Citizenship Act

Ottawa, Ontario, May 29, 2007

* * * * *

Today, the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, appeared before the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration and issued the following statement on proposed changes to the Citizenship Act involving cases that have become known as “lost Canadians.”

“Canada’s New Government has taken decisive action to resolve many of the cases that have been brought to our attention. However, more action is required. That is why today, I announced that I plan to introduce new legislation to amend the Citizenship Act.

This will mean that anyone born in Canada on or after January 1, 1947, will have citizenship even if they had lost it under a provision of the 1947 Canadian Citizenship Act.

Anyone naturalized in Canada on or after January 1, 1947, will have citizenship even if they had lost it under the 1947 Act.

And anyone born outside the country to a Canadian mother or father, in or out of wedlock on or after January 1, 1947, will have citizenship if they are the first generation born abroad.

My heart goes out to all those who have been affected by this issue due to outdated laws that have been on the books for many years. While the previous government chose not to act, we are taking action and moving forward to help those whose citizenship is in question.”

Because of:

"This will mean that anyone born in Canada on or after January 1, 1947, will have citizenship even if they had lost it under a provision of the 1947 Canadian Citizenship Act." My mother lost her Canadian citizenship when my grandparents moved to the US and naturalized when my mom was 14.

"And anyone born outside the country to a Canadian mother or father, in or out of wedlock on or after January 1, 1947, will have citizenship if they are the first generation born abroad." My mother would then have been a Canadian when I was born, and I would be Canadian, as I was the first one on that side of the family to be born in the US. Under this, my father would be Canadian, too, as he was the first one to be born to a Canadian mother, who also lost her citizenship after naturalizing in the US.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Reminds me of moi losing my Spanish citizenship back when Mexico did not allow for dual citizenships and made us all duals choose.... hmmmm.... interesting read Steve, i might go find out more about the Spanish connection. Hadn't thought about it until now that my brother has both citizenships and is registering baby Diego to be a dual national.

[neiks 19]

You may want to check this out to see if you can actually retain your Canadian citizenship.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/citizenship/r...eligibility.asp

I looked into this for my husband

My husband's (the USC) grandmother is Canadian. Unfortunetly he didn't fit the requirement and turned 28 before Feb 15, 2005.

Edited November 12, 2007 by neiks

[Jeremy + Kristy 0]

You may want to check this out to see if you can actually retain your Canadian citizenship.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/citizenship/r...eligibility.asp

I looked into this for my husband

My husband's (the USC) grandmother is Canadian. Unfortunetly he didn't fit the requirement and turned 28 before Feb 15, 2005.

That doesn't work for me, because my mother was no longer a Canadian when I was born. I imagine that my mother would perhaps be able to regain her Canadian citizenship but since she's deceased, that probably won't happen. Plus, even if she was able to posthumously regain her citizenship that still wouldn't make her Canadian on the day I was born.

I'd have to count on that new legislation. Where can I go to look up what bill number that is and at what point of the Parliamentary process it is?

[trailmix 77]

That doesn't work for me, because my mother was no longer a Canadian when I was born. I imagine that my mother would perhaps be able to regain her Canadian citizenship but since she's deceased, that probably won't happen. Plus, even if she was able to posthumously regain her citizenship that still wouldn't make her Canadian on the day I was born.

I'd have to count on that new legislation. Where can I go to look up what bill number that is and at what point of the Parliamentary process it is?

I'm not sure where you would look it up, but you might email Diane Finley's office (Minister of Immigration and she put this bill forward) finley.d@parl.gc.ca

I would personally send them all the dates and details of you and your Mother and see what they say, maybe they will even send you updates.

Good luck!

[Marilyn. 340]

I thought you didn't lose your Canadian citizenship if you naturalized in the US or was it different back then??

[Jeremy + Kristy 0]

I thought you didn't lose your Canadian citizenship if you naturalized in the US or was it different back then??

Different before 1977. That's why there is the hoopla over all the "Lost Canadians" that can't get passports.

[Marilyn. 340]

I thought you didn't lose your Canadian citizenship if you naturalized in the US or was it different back then??

Different before 1977. That's why there is the hoopla over all the "Lost Canadians" that can't get passports.

aahhh ok...

[trailmix 77]

Hey Jeremy,

Spotted this in the Herald this morning, looks like they are making progress - they have introduced legislation and all parties seem to be in agreement!

Richard Foot, CanWest News Service

Published: Monday, December 10, 2007

The Conservative government announced legislation Monday to modernize the country's citizenship laws and restore citizenship to tens of thousands of people known as "lost Canadians."

The proposed amendments to the 1947 and 1977 laws would retroactively grant citizenship to more than 170,000 people who lost their status - or never received it - thanks to a set of archaic and discriminatory rules.

link

[Jeremy + Kristy 0]

Woohoo! Thank you for finding and posting that for me.

Do you know if you can track a bill's progress in Parliment online? Similar to the THOMAS portal to the Library of Congress here?

[SpiritAlight 1]

Always good to have at least 3 passports and languages spoken.

Ha!