Canada: Information on the right to acquire Canadian nationality of a child born to French parents in Canada, and whether Canada allows multiple nationality, 1992
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 September 1992 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | CAN11772 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Canada: Information on the right to acquire Canadian nationality of a child born to French parents in Canada, and whether Canada allows multiple nationality, 1992, 1 September 1992, CAN11772, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ac7e74.html [accessed 21 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
An officer of the Court of Canadian Citizenship in Ottawa stated that Canada uses the term citizenship to describe its citizens or nationals and has done so at least since the Citizenship Act was passed in 1977 (28 Sept. 1992). The officer interviewed for this Response answered questions and spoke in terms of citizenship, not nationality.
According to the officer of the Court of Canadian Citizenship, a conclusive answer on a claim to Canadian citizenship can only be given by a Court of Canadian Citizenship after examining the individual case (28 Sept. 1992). The officer did point out, however, that most people born in Canada are considered to be Canadian citizens (Ibid.). Exceptions could include children born to foreign parents while they were employed by a foreign government, or persons who in 1977 were 21 years of age or older and had acquired another country's citizenship or nationality (Ibid.). Nevertheless, these and other exceptions may not apply to a particular case (Ibid.). Unless exceptions apply, usually a person born in Canada only needs to present a birth certificate issued by the province of birth in order to obtain a Certificate of Citizenship (Ibid.). The officer added that Canada has allowed dual and multiple citizenship since 1977 (Ibid.)
Please find attached three brochures entitled Dual Citizenship, How to Become a Canadian Citizen and How to Prove You Are a Canadian Citizen.
As indicated in the brochures and by the officer of the Citizenship Court, all questions concerning Canadian citizenship should be addressed to a Court of Canadian Citizenship or, outside of Canada, to any Canadian diplomatic or consular post. Written enquiries can also be addressed to the Registrar of Canadian Citizenship, Multiculturalism and Citizenship Canada.
A copy of the Canadian Citizenship Act can be requested from the headquarters of Multiculturalism and Citizenship Canada at (613) 994-1566 or from distributors of government publications such as Renouf in Ottawa. A copy of the Canadian Citizenship Act is not currently available to the DIRB.
Reference
Court of Canadian Citizenship, Ottawa. 28 September 1992. Personal Interview with Officer of the Court.
Attachments
Department of the Secretary of State of Canada. 1989. How to Prove You Are a Canadian Citizen. Ottawa: Minister of Supply and Services Canada.
Multiculturalism and Citizenship Canada. 1991. Dual Citizenship. Ottawa: Minister of Supply and Services Canada.
Multiculturalism and Citizenship Canada. 1992. How to Become a Canadian Citizen. Ottawa: Minister of Supply and Services Canada.
