New Proposal To End Birthright Citizenship For Temporary Residents In Canada

Last Updated On 9 October 2025, 11:17 AM EDT (Toronto Time)

Canada’s immigration landscape is facing one of its biggest political shakeups in years.

On October 8, 2025, the Conservative Party of Canada announced a plan to end automatic birthright citizenship for children born to temporary residents.

The move, led by Michelle Rempel Garner, could redefine what it means to be Canadian—and ignite a national debate about inclusion, fairness, and belonging.

The proposal comes at a critical time when temporary migration soared past 2.8 million people in 2024, housing and healthcare systems are strained, and political divisions over immigration are deepening.

🔍 What the Conservatives Are Proposing

Under the proposed changes, children born in Canada would only gain automatic citizenship if at least one parent is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

Michelle Rempel Garner explained that the current jus soli (right of soil) policy “creates loopholes” and encourages birth tourism, where non-residents come to Canada solely to give birth.

She argues that the reform will “align Canada with peer countries” like Australia, New Zealand, and the UK, which have already limited automatic citizenship.

The change would require amending the Citizenship Act.

However, on Tuesday, Rempel Garner’s attempt to change the government bill to accomplish this was rejected by the immigration committee’s Liberal and Bloc Québécois MPs.

📜 Historical Context: How Birthright Citizenship Shaped Canada

Since Confederation in 1867, birthright citizenship has been part of Canada’s national identity. It was designed to promote population growth and loyalty among early settlers.

In 1947, the Canadian Citizenship Act made it a formal right, ensuring that anyone born on Canadian soil—regardless of their parents’ immigration status—would automatically become a citizen.

By the 1970s, under Pierre Trudeau’s multicultural vision, this principle became a foundation of Canada’s inclusive society.

However, concerns about birth tourism and temporary resident surges have reignited the debate, with critics arguing that the system is being exploited and supporters insisting it’s an essential symbol of equality.

💡 Why Conservatives Are Acting Now

The move comes amid growing frustration over Canada’s record immigration levels and housing crisis.

In 2024, temporary residents surpassed 2.8 million, a 150% increase since 2019. The Bank of Canada has warned that this could fuel inflation and overwhelm public services.

Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives see the increase as a chance to tap into voter sentiment: polls show 62% of Canadians support stricter temporary residency rules.

Critics, however, say this is a political strategy designed to appeal to suburban voters who are concerned about affordability and migration pressure.

⚖️ Liberal and Human Rights Pushback

Justice Minister Sean Fraser called the proposal “fearmongering,” arguing that birth tourism accounts for less than 1% of all births.

Human rights groups like Amnesty International Canada and OCASI warn that the change could harm mixed-status families and even create stateless children.

A joint letter signed by 50 organizations urges Parliament to reject the plan, calling citizenship “a human birthright, not a privilege to ration.”

Meanwhile, public opinion remains divided—48% support the change, and 42% oppose, with younger Canadians mostly against it.

🌎 How Other Countries Handle Birthright Citizenship

Globally, only about 35 countries still offer unrestricted birthright citizenship, most of them in the Americas.

The UK ended automatic citizenship in 1983.
Australia followed in 1986.
New Zealand restricted it in 2006.
Ireland did the same in 2005.

In contrast, the U.S., Brazil, and Mexico continue to uphold the policy, citing social diversity and constitutional rights.

If Canada follows suit, it would join a global trend of countries tightening citizenship access in response to increased mobility and migration pressure.

Social media is erupting with debate. On X (formerly Twitter), CTV News’ post on the announcement garnered over 185,000 views within hours.

Supporters call it a “common-sense reform.” Critics accuse the Conservatives of “building invisible walls.”

Community groups are hosting online town halls in cities like Toronto, Brampton, and Surrey—areas where many temporary residents live and where this policy would hit hardest.

Legal scholars warn that Charter challenges could follow if the proposal passes.

Economists are split—some say it will save $200 million annually, while others believe it could deter skilled migrants and weaken Canada’s economy.

Philosophers and ethicists frame it as a moral question: Should citizenship be a birthright—or something earned?

🧩 What Happens Next?

Whether this policy becomes law depends on the next federal election outcome, which is a long wait-time from now, since this time it was voted down by the Liberal and Bloc Québécois MPs.

If the Conservatives win a majority in the next elections, then we can expect that they might introduce a Citizenship Act amendment immediately.

Mitigations could soften blows: grace periods for existing temporary residents or streamlined paths to permanent status.

But urgency mounts—IRCC data shows a 15% rise in birth registrations by temporary parents in Q3 2025.

Ultimately, this debate tests Canada’s soul. Is citizenship a birth lottery or an earned bond?

As discussions rage from Parliament Hill to kitchen tables, one thing is clear: the conversation has forever shifted.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What does birthright citizenship mean in Canada?

Birthright citizenship grants automatic citizenship to anyone born in the country, regardless of their parents’ immigration status.

What change are the Conservatives proposing to citizenship rules?

They want to restrict automatic citizenship to children with at least one Canadian or permanent resident parent.

How many countries still allow automatic citizenship by birth?

About 35 countries, mostly in the Americas, still grant unrestricted birthright citizenship.

What are critics saying about this proposal?

Opponents argue it undermines equality, risks statelessness for some children, and contradicts Canada’s human rights commitments.

Kamal Deep Singh, RCIC

Kamal Deep Singh, RCIC (Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant) licensed by CICC (formerly known as ICCRC) with member number R708618. He brings extensive knowledge of immigration law and new changes to rapidly evolving IRCC.