- Lost Canadians
Lost Canadians are those individuals who believed themselves to be Canadian citizens but actually lost their citizenship (or never had citizenship) through the operation of either the current citizenship law or that previously in force, prior to 1977. [ [http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2007/02/19/passports-finlay.html 450 'lost Canadians' caught in passport glitch: Finley ] ] [http://www.cbc.ca/cp/national/070226/n022659A.html] [ [http://www.thestar.com/News/article/185924 TheStar.com | News | Children of soldiers among 'Lost Canadians' ] ] [ [http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20070220.IMMIGRATION20/TPStory/National globeandmail.com: National ] ] [ [http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=102&cat=23&id=839288&more= Penticton Western News - Your Best source for Local Community News delivered in print or online ] ] [ [http://www.cbc.ca/canada/manitoba/story/2007/02/20/border-babies.html Manitoba 'border babies' officially become Canadians ] ]
Resolution through an amended "Citizenship Act"
On
May 29 2007 , Canadian Minister of Citizenship and ImmigrationDiane Finley announced her proposal to amend the the "Citizenship Act". Under the proposal, anyone naturalized in Canada since 1947 would have citizenship even if they lost it under the 1947 Act. Also, anyone born since 1947 outside the country to a Canadian mother or father, in or out of wedlock, would have citizenship if they are the first generation born abroad. [cite press release
title = Statement from the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration on Proposed Changes to the Citizenship Act
publisher = CIC Canada
date =2007-05-29
url = http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/press/speech-2007/2007-05-29a.html
accessdate = 2007-05-30 ] Appearing before the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration, Finley asserted that as ofMay 24 2007 , there were only 285 cases of individuals in Canada whose citizenship status needs to be resolved. [http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/press/speech-2007/2007-05-29.html] Under the proposed legislation, anyone born before 1947 to a Canadian citizen abroad would be dealt with on a case-by-case basis; such individuals would have to apply for a ministerial permit. [cite web|url=http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070529/citizenship_070529/|accessdate=2007-05-30|title=Citizenship limbo to end for war bride children|date=2007-05-29 |author=CTV.ca News Staff]Amended "Citizenship Act" passes
Bill C-37, which received Royal Assent on April 17, 2008, amends the "Citizenship Act" to give Canadian citizenship to those who lost or never had it, due to outdated provisions in existing and former legislation. [cite web|url=http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/releases/2008/2008-04-16.asp|accessdate=2008-04-24|title=Legislation to restore citizenship to lost Canadians passes|date=
2008-04-16 ] The law will come into effect on a date to be determined by the Governor-in-Council, no later thanApril 17 ,2009 , one year followingRoyal Assent . [cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/04/17/lost-canadians.html|accessdate=2008-04-24|title=Bill to give citizenship to Lost Canadians passes|date=2008-04-17 |author=CBCnews.ca News Staff]People who are citizens when the law comes into force will not lose their citizenship as a result of these amendments. The law is retroactive to the time of birth or loss of citizenship, and will give citizenship to:
*People who became citizens when the first citizenship act took effect on January 1, 1947 (including people born in Canada prior to 1947 and war brides) and who then lost their citizenship;
*Anyone who was born in Canada or became a Canadian on or after January 1, 1947, and who then lost citizenship; and
*Anyone born abroad to a Canadian on or after January 1, 1947, if not already a citizen, but only if they are the first generation born abroad.
The exceptions are those born in Canada to a foreign diplomat, those who renounced their citizenship with Canadian authorities, and those whose citizenship was revoked by the government because it was obtained by fraud.
Notable "Lost Canadians"
The most notable lost Canadian was
Robert Goulet . While he had provided evidence to prove his citizenship, Goulet died before it was approved. [ [http://www.torontosun.com/News/Columnists/Worthington_Peter/2007/11/02/4624607.php TorontoSun.com - Peter Worthington - Goulet was a 'lost Canadian' ] ]Links
* [http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Docid=3437373&file=4 An Act to amend the Citizenship Act (Bill C-37)]
* [http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/showtdm/cs/C-29 Citizenship Act]Notes
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