Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Canadian families reflect the rich diversity of the nation, where everyone, regardless of whom they love or how they identify, deserves equal rights and opportunities. <\/p>\n July 9, 2020\u2014Ottawa\u2014<\/strong>In an effort to embrace this diversity, the Honourable Marco E. L. Mendicino, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced an important reinterpretation of the term \u201cparent\u201d under the Citizenship Act. This update enables non-biological Canadian parents, who are legally recognized as their child’s parent at birth, to confer Canadian citizenship to children born abroad in the first generation.<\/p>\n This change is particularly significant for Canadian families utilizing assisted human reproduction, including LGBTQ2+ members and those experiencing fertility issues. Previously, children born abroad qualified for citizenship at birth only if they had a genetic link to a Canadian parent or were born to a Canadian parent in the first generation.<\/p>\n Driven by the Caron \/ van der Ven family’s advocacy, this change was confirmed by the Superior Court of Qu\u00e9bec, which recognized both biological and legal parents as equals in citizenship matters. This interpretation aligns with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, ensuring its protection under Canadian law.<\/p>\n \u201cI am thrilled to announce this historic and beneficial ruling by Quebec\u2019s Superior Court. This shift by Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada ensures that non-biological legal parents at birth and biological parents are now equally recognized as a child’s parent for citizenship by descent. Canadian LGBTQ2+ families and parents dealing with fertility challenges have awaited this pivotal day. The Caron \/ van der Ven family displayed remarkable courage and fortitude in correcting this injustice.” <\/p>\n \u2013 The Honourable Marco E. L. Mendicino, P.C., M.P., Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n “Securing citizenship for our son was a lengthy, often painful and frustrating journey. We are overjoyed and relieved that the court rectified this discriminatory policy, not just for us, but for many same-sex and non-traditional families worldwide who were unable to secure Canadian citizenship for their children. We deeply appreciate IRCC’s prompt implementation of these updates, and above all, we are grateful to our lawyers, Olga Redko and Audrey Boctor, whose efforts made this achievement possible.”<\/p>\n \u2013 Laurence Caron and Elsje van der Ven<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Media Contact Only<\/strong><\/p>\n Kevin Lemkay Media RelationsNews Release Overview<\/h2>\n
Official Statements<\/h2>\n
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Contact Information<\/h2>\n
<\/strong>Press Secretary
Office of the Minister
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
613-954-1064<\/p>\n
<\/strong>Communications Branch
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
613-952-1650
IRCC.COMMMediaRelations-RelationsmediasCOMM.IRCC@cic.gc.ca<\/a><\/p>\nRelated Topics<\/h2>\n