NDP wants minister to explain why citizenship certificates were abruptly suspended

The NDP's william le baron jenny Kwan wants in-migration government minister lena river Metlege Diab to explicate why her department abruptly suspended citizenship certificates issued to an unknown number of people around the world.

In an open letter on Tuesday, the NDP's immigration critic called on Diab to reveal how many certificates have been suspended by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and what prompted the move.

She also said Diab must halt any "adverse action" against affected certificate holders until a review has been completed.

"Individuals who receive citizenship certificates from the government of Canada are entitled to rely upon those determinations when making major life decisions," Kwan wrote.

"Many of the affected individuals have already accepted employment, enrolled in educational programs, relocated to Canada, made financial commitments, sold homes or begun plans to reunite with family members based on the citizenship status that IRCC formally recognized."

Kwan wrote that the move raises "serious questions regarding procedural fairness, administrative competence and public confidence in Canada's citizenship system."

The citizenship certificates were issued under Bill C-3, the "lost Canadians" legislation that the government passed in late 2025 — years after the Supreme Court of Canada determined the country's citizenship by descent rules were unconstitutional.

Speaking to reporters on Parliament Hill, Kwan said some of those who received the suspension notices have reached out to her — and some are contemplating a lawsuit or class action against the federal government.

She said if IRCC had questions about documents that accompanied the applications, those concerns should have been addressed before the certificates were issued.

The Immigration Department said Tuesday that "a limited number of people who obtained a citizenship certificate under C-3 have been notified that their file is under review."

It did not say how many people were affected, nor what triggered the notices.

"The purpose of the review is to determine, through an individualized process, whether the certificate was properly issued based on the evidence required by law," the department said in a statement.

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"If the review confirms that the individual is entitled to the certificate, it will be returned."

Responding to Conservative immigration critic Michelle Rempel Garner during question period, Diab said Canadian ancestry does not guarantee Canadian citizenship.

"You must definitively prove your link to Canada at each and every generation," she said. "Genealogy websites are not enough. My job is to safeguard the integrity of our citizenship program and I will do everything necessary to protect that."

Rempel Garner pressed the minister on how many certificates the government had issued based on "bogus documents" following the passage of Bill C-3.

More than 4,075 people from around the world — half whom were born in the United States — have received proof of citizenship by descent certificates following the adoption of Bill C-3.

The change in the law allows people living in other countries who can trace their lineage from Canadian ancestors to qualify for Canadian citizenship, even if their Canadian ancestor left the country several generations back.

Senior reporter

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