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Aug 17, 2026 5:13 PM - Connect Newsroom - Jasmine Singh

Applications for Canadian Citizenship Certificates Surge, Driven by Thousands of Americans

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Applications for Canadian citizenship certificates from around the world have increased sharply, with American citizens accounting for a significant share of the rise.

The Bill C-3 legislation, implemented by the federal government late last year, opened a pathway to citizenship for people with Canadian ancestry, including those whose ancestors left Canada several generations ago.

According to the latest figures from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), 6,100 citizenship certificates were issued between the implementation of Bill C-3 in mid-December and May 31. Nearly half of those recipients- 3,110 -were U.S. citizens.

Another 17,390 people received citizenship certificates based on having Canadian parents, including 8,125 U.S. citizens.

Meanwhile, a significant backlog of citizenship certificate applications remains. Approximately 121,800 people are waiting for a decision, including applicants seeking citizenship under Bill C-3 as well as people requesting replacement certificates that were lost or stolen.

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