The federal Conservatives are calling for a significant change to Canada’s long-standing birthright citizenship law, arguing that the current system should be brought in line with policies in other developed countries.
Under existing Canadian law, any child born on Canadian soil automatically receives citizenship, regardless of their parents’ immigration status. Conservative immigration critic Michelle Rempel Garner says that should change. She proposed that automatic citizenship be granted only to children with at least one parent who is either a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident.
Rempel Garner attempted to introduce this amendment to a government immigration bill during a parliamentary committee meeting on Tuesday, but the motion was rejected by Liberal and Bloc Québécois MPs.
Justice Minister Sean Fraser dismissed the proposal, stating that he does not believe the current law needs to be altered.
The idea has also raised concerns among immigration advocates. The CEO of the Institute for Canadian Citizenship warned that such a change risks scapegoating newcomers and could fuel rising anti-immigrant sentiment in Canada.
The debate highlights deep political divisions over immigration policy at a time when population growth, temporary residency, and citizenship rules are increasingly in the national spotlight.