Large Number of Americans May Be Canadians without knowing it!

You May be a Canadian Citizen!

In April, a new law will come into effect in Canada that will grant citizenship to a large number of people, many of whom are living outside of its borders.  Yes, you could be one of them. 

Changes to the Canadian Citizenship Act that are intended to restore rightful citizenship to an estimated 200,000 people will also have the effect of granting citizenship to many that may not have any idea they are entitled to it.  In fact, as of April 17th, if even just your Grand Mother was born in Canada you may acquire Canadian citizenship retroactive from the time you were born.  

The Canadian Expat Association, an organization of Canadians living around the world is working with a group called “Lost Canadians” to help spread the word. “This could have interesting consequences.” Says Allan Nichols, Executive Director of the association, ”The United States has fairly strict laws about who can and cannot work for the government.  Individuals holding another citizenship other than American are restricted from working in various positions such as in public office or even in the military.  It is conceivable that you could find a Governor, Senator or even a General that has been granted Canadian citizenship without them ever applying for it.  Where do these people stand legally?”       

Even as early as 30 years ago, the border was extremely porous.  This meant that it was extremely simple for Canadians to travel to the US.  In fact a large number did and they ended up meeting someone special, got married and had children.  Due to the discriminatory laws that were in place up to 1977, if a Canadian woman married an American man and had children, her children were not eligible for Canadian citizenship.  Citizenship came only from the father.  When the laws were changed in 1977, any children born after that were able to receive their Canadian passport but the laws failed to recognize any child that had been born between 1945 and 1977.  The new changes to the Canadian Citizenship Act that fixes this oversight, in April next year will automatically and retroactively grants citizenship to any individual born to almost anyone that under today’s laws would have been eligible.

If you think that either you or even one of your elected representatives might in fact be a Canadian you might want to check the history.   ***
For further information contact: Allan Nichols, Executive Director, the Canadian Expat Association Victoria, BC, Canada (250) 415-0051 allan@thecanadianexpat.com

Further Reading & Background:

The Canadian Expat Association: http://www.thecanadianexpat.com

Senate statements in second reading:

  http://www.parl.gc.ca/39/2/parlbus/chambus/senate/DEB-E/038db_2008-03-04-e.htm?Language=E&Parl=39&Ses=2#42   House Motions:   http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Language=E&Mode=1&Parl=39&Ses=2&DocId=3285928   Bill C-37
http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HouseBills/BillsGovernment.aspx?Language=E&Mode=1&Parl=39&Ses=2

News Release
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/releases/2007/2007-12-10.asp

Backgrounder [1]
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/backgrounders/2007/2007-12-10.asp

Backgrounder [2]
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/backgrounders/2007/2007-12-10b.asp