Less than a year following the approval by Parliament allowing individuals with Canadian lineage to obtain Canadian citizenship, there has been a significant surge in the backlog of citizenship certificate applications. Presently, over 136,000 applications are pending a decision, with a notable portion coming from American applicants. The current waiting period for new applications is estimated at 33 months, showing a 32% increase in processing time and an 11% rise in the number of applications compared to the previous update in August.
Before the implementation of Bill C-3 in May 2025, the processing time for citizenship certificate applications was around five months. Christine Beltempo, the chair of the Canadian Bar Association’s immigration section, expressed concerns over the substantial increase in processing times, attributing it to the expected rise in applications due to Bill C-3.
Beltempo emphasized the need for additional resources to handle the growing volume of applications and predicted a further increase in demand in the coming year. In response, an IRCC spokesperson, Briannah Dale, acknowledged that the rise in applications was influenced by various factors, not solely by Bill C-3. Dale mentioned that IRCC is implementing operational measures to address the increased demand, such as enhancing intake processes and training additional staff.
Following the enactment of Bill C-3, there has been a significant surge in requests for documents to prove Canadian lineage, affecting individuals across multiple generations. Data from IRCC indicates that a substantial number of citizenship certificates granted under various categories were evenly distributed among genders. While speculations on social media suggested older Americans were seeking Canadian citizenship for healthcare benefits, only a small percentage of certificates were granted to individuals over 55 years old.
The backlog in processing citizenship applications could potentially lead to legal actions, as immigration lawyer Colin Singer warned that delays might violate rights. Opposition voices, such as NDP immigration critic Jenny Kwan and Conservative immigration critic Michelle Rempel Garner, have raised concerns over the delays and called for adequate resources to address the growing crisis. Kwan highlighted the disruptions faced by families and individuals awaiting citizenship decisions, emphasizing the need for a prompt resolution. Rempel Garner criticized the government’s handling of the situation and cautioned against mass approvals to address the backlog.