Less than a year after Parliament granted Canadian citizenship recognition to those with Canadian lineage, there has been a significant spike in the backlog of applications. Currently, over 136,000 citizenship certificate applications are pending, with a substantial portion coming from Americans. The average wait time for new applications is now estimated at 33 months, a 32% increase from previous figures reported on Aug. 10.
Christine Beltempo, the chair of the immigration section of the Canadian Bar Association, expressed concerns over the rapid surge in processing times for citizenship certificate applications. She highlighted the expected uptick in application numbers following the enactment of Bill C-3 and emphasized the need for additional resources to manage the growing workload effectively.
According to IRCC spokesperson Briannah Dale, the rise in processing times is attributed to various factors beyond just Bill C-3. To address the increased demand, IRCC is implementing operational measures such as prioritizing applications, enhancing intake processes, training and hiring more staff, and refining workload management practices.
Before Bill C-3, Canadian citizenship by descent was limited to the first generation born or adopted outside Canada to a Canadian citizen. However, the court’s ruling deemed this restriction on citizenship for “lost Canadians” unconstitutional, leading to the introduction of Bill C-3. Under this legislation, individuals residing abroad with Canadian ancestry several generations back can now qualify for Canadian citizenship.
While speculation on social media suggests that older Americans are seeking Canadian citizenship for benefits like universal healthcare, data indicates that only a small percentage of certificates went to individuals over 55 years old. The majority of certificates were issued to applicants under 14 years old, potentially including babies born to Canadians abroad.
A citizenship certificate enables individuals to move to Canada or obtain a Canadian passport, but it does not automatically grant voting rights in Canadian elections unless the individual has lived in Canada at some point. Immigration lawyer Colin Singer warned that the growing backlog could lead to legal challenges, potentially violating the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
NDP immigration critic Jenny Kwan called on Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government to ensure that IRCC receives adequate resources to address the escalating situation, criticizing the planned job cuts that could impact service delivery. Conservative immigration critic Michelle Rempel Garner echoed concerns about the handling of citizenship by descent applications, cautioning against mass approvals to clear the backlog.