That includes great, great grandparents.
In order to obtain proof of Canadian citizenship, you would need to document your line of descent through historical documents and birth records.
That includes great, great grandparents.
In order to obtain proof of Canadian citizenship, you would need to document your line of descent through historical documents and birth records.
Canada has only existed since 1867, so not exactly.
The law looks back further than Confederation. This was addressed in previous amendments to the Act.
It has to since Canada didn’t have independent citizenship legislation until 1947.
The citizenship law looks back before Confederation.
In fact, Canadian citizenship only came into existence in 1947. Canada has the separate constitutional authority from the 1930s but WW II held up the legislation.
Before 1947, Canadians were British subjects domiciled in Canada.
So, if I understand this correctly, if I can prove that one of my ancestors was a Canadian citizen, then all their descendants have automatically been made Canadian citizens, including me?
Yes it seems so, but only up to people born before Dec 15 2025. Anyone born after require that their Canadian parent had spent at least 3 years in Canada, in order to also be Canadian
Ugh, just missed it. I was born on the 16th
Welcome in! I’m sorry you’re here, now
Inductively so, if they’re still alive.
I was hopeful for a moment then realized that my Canadian ancestors would have been British.
If they had status as British subjects domiciled in Canada pre1947, or domiciled in a predecessor colony before Confederation, that would be considered Canadian.
For example, they could have been born in the colony of Nova Scotia before 1867, or they could have moved from the UK to Nova Scotia and, effectively, become British subjects domiciled in Nova Scotia.
It’s worth the deep dive genealogically if you’re seriously considering applying for a certificate of citizenship.
Very interesting. I’ll have to look into it. Fortunately, I have family on both sides who were very into family history; they were diehard Mormons.
Even if you and others don’t want to get citizenships in place for yourselves, it would be important to get it in place and document time in Canada, as future generations born after December 15, 2025 will have to have parents who spent 1095 in Canada.