NDP wants minister to explain why citizenship certificates were abruptly suspended

Live updates

1. 1h ago

   Immigration Minister Halts Descent Approvals Amid Certificate Review

   Immigration Minister Lena Diab confirmed on June 23 that Canada stopped decisions on citizenship by descent files. The government is reviewing existing certificates and has already sent letters to some individuals confirming their claims are valid. NDP MP Jenny Kwan is calling for an immediate freeze on the recall of Bill C-3 certificates.

   What's confirmed:

   • Immigration Minister Lena Diab confirmed on June 23 that Canada halted decisions on citizenship by descent files.
   • The government is reviewing files of people who already received citizenship certificates.
   • Some individuals received letters confirming their citizenship claims are valid after previously being told to surrender certificates.
   • Minister Diab stated that those deemed to be okay are being told they are fine.

   Still unconfirmed:

   • NDP MP Jenny Kwan is demanding the immigration minister freeze the recall of Bill C-3 citizenship certificates.
   confidence 90%
2. 3d ago

   Ottawa Recalls Citizenship Certificates Issued Under Bill C-3

   The immigration department is ordering people who gained citizenship through Bill C-3 to return their certificates for review. Some claimants report following all government instructions despite the recall. The government is already reversing some requests and issuing revalidations.

   What's confirmed:

   • IRCC ordered recipients of citizenship certificates under Bill C-3 to return their documents for review.
   • The immigration department stated it is working "as quickly as possible" to resolve citizenship by descent claims.
   • Some individuals asked to surrender their certificates were later told they could keep them via revalidation.
   • People described as Lost Canadians are among those ordered to recall their certificates.

   Still unconfirmed:

   • Some claimants say they did everything Ottawa asked them to do.
   confidence 90%
3. 5d ago

   IRCC suspends citizenship certificates issued under Bill C-3

   Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has suspended citizenship certificates for people who obtained them through a Canadian ancestor. Affected individuals must return their documents while the government reviews their files. Some recipients have already moved to Canada or planned to do so.

   What's confirmed:

   • The IRCC suspended citizenship certificates issued under Bill C-3, the Lost Canadians law.
   • Recipients were ordered via email to return their certificates for a file review.
   • Bill C-3 came into effect on December 15, 2025.

   Still unconfirmed:

   • Roughly 4,075 citizenship certificates have been suspended.
   • The government has issued 4,075 descent certificates since December.
   • The IRCC is demanding original lineage records from affected individuals.
   confidence 80%
4. 9d ago

   NDP seeks explanation for suspension of citizenship certificates

   The federal government has suspended citizenship certificates for an unspecified number of people globally. Some recipients are being ordered to return their documents. This follows amendments to the Citizenship Act regarding citizenship by descent.

   What's confirmed:

   • The federal government suspended citizenship certificates for an unknown number of people worldwide.
   • Recipients of these notices are being asked to return their documents.

   Still unconfirmed:

   • Thousands of cardholders are being demanded to return documents.
   • The government introduced new amendments to the Citizenship Act to cause these suspensions.
   confidence 90%
5. 9d ago

   IRCC Recalls Citizenship Certificates Issued Under Bill C-3

   Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has suspended citizenship certificates for some individuals under the Lost Canadians legislation. The department is ordering some recipients to surrender their documents. Minister Lena Diab stated that having a Canadian ancestor does not guarantee citizenship eligibility.

   What's confirmed:

   • IRCC suspended citizenship certificates issued under Bill C-3.
   • The government is directing some individuals who received proof of citizenship under Lost Canadians legislation to surrender their documents.
   • Immigration Minister Lena Diab said having a Canadian ancestor does not guarantee eligibility for Canadian citizenship.

   Still unconfirmed:

   • Conservative critic Michelle Rempel Garner questioned the number of people who obtained citizenship using inaccurate documents.
   confidence 90%
6. 9d ago

   NDP demands answers as IRCC suspends citizenship certificates for 'Lost Canadians'

   Canada’s Immigration Department has suspended citizenship certificates for hundreds of applicants—mostly those claiming citizenship through descent—and ordered recipients to return them. The New Democratic Party is pressing the minister for an explanation, while legal challenges question the department’s authority. Affected individuals, including those with Canadian ancestry, are now under review.

   What's confirmed:

   • Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has suspended citizenship certificates issued to hundreds of applicants, primarily those claiming citizenship through descent under Bill C-3, and demanded their return.
   • The suspension affects individuals who recently received citizenship certificates, including those referred to as ‘Lost Canadians’—people with Canadian ancestry who previously lacked citizenship.
   • Immigration Minister Lena Diab has stated that having a Canadian ancestor does not automatically guarantee eligibility for citizenship, requiring proof of a direct link to Canada in each case.
   • The New Democratic Party (NDP) has called on Diab to explain the abrupt suspension of citizenship certificates, citing concerns over transparency and procedural fairness.
   • Legal experts and affected applicants dispute the government’s interpretation of citizenship-by-descent rules, particularly regarding pre-1947 generational links.
   • IRCC has sent ‘surrender letters’ to recipients, instructing them to return their citizenship certificates while their claims undergo review.

   Still unconfirmed:

   • The suspension may signal a reinterpretation of Bill C-3 rules, particularly concerning applicants with two or more generations of Canadian ancestry before 1947.
   • Some applicants report difficulty gathering required documentation to prove their eligibility, raising concerns over bureaucratic hurdles.
   confidence 97%