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HOUSE OF COMMONS · FORMER

Tatiana Auguste

Terrebonne, Quebec · Liberal · Canada

IN THEIR OWN WORDS

Mr. Speaker, Terrebonne, the most beautiful riding in Lanaudière, is full of organizations that carry out vital work for our community. I have had the privilege of marking several milestone anniversaries: the 10th anniversary of the Orchestre classique de Terrebonne, which enriches our cultural life; the 15th anniversary of the visual art…

SITTING 138 · 2026-06-16 · READ IN HANSARD

They are left in factory locker rooms, on construction sites and in police stations. They are found on doors, on desks and on social media. Black Canadians are showing up to work in the morning, doing their job and trying to live normal lives, but then they see one. When that happens, there can be no confusion about the message.

SITTING 134 · 2026-06-10 · READ IN HANSARD

By explicitly naming the noose, the law states that this symbol, which is used to promote hate or to intimidate, is a clear violation of Canadian law, unambiguously and without room for doubt. For Black communities in Canada, this matters. The law does not erase history, but it does bear witness.

SITTING 134 · 2026-06-10 · READ IN HANSARD

It is the foundation of Bill C-9 and its importance is far from merely symbolic. Today, under the existing system, hate is considered an aggravating factor for sentencing purposes. Someone is convicted of assault, mischief or threats.

SITTING 134 · 2026-06-10 · READ IN HANSARD

It was staged violence whose specific purpose was to send a message to all members of a community that they were not protected, that they had no recourse and that their lives did not matter. The noose, on its own, became the bearer of that message. No words were needed. It was enough. It was enough to instill terror.

SITTING 134 · 2026-06-10 · READ IN HANSARD

When taken individually, these actions may seem difficult to pin down legally, but they fit into a pattern that is easy to recognize for those who experience them. The stand-alone offence gives prosecutors, police and judges the tools they need to address the whole scope of this situation. It sends a message.

SITTING 134 · 2026-06-10 · READ IN HANSARD

The complete record

Every one of 129 lines we hold for Tatiana Auguste, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 2 of 3.

  1. Mr. Speaker, tomorrow is Economic Abuse Awareness Day, a Canadian initiative that is now observed worldwide. Economic abuse, such as restricting access to money, sabotaging employment or forcing debt, is a common form of gender-based violence. It robs people of their independence and limits their ability to build secure and fulfilling lives. I am proud to have voted for a budget that introduces measures to combat economic abuse. Could the Minister of Finance remind those who voted against the budget what they opposed?

    SITTING 60 · 2025-11-25 · READ IN HANSARD

  2. Madam Speaker, the Prime Minister and his team are talking to our U.S. counterparts. I know that we are diversifying our supply chains. We are making investments elsewhere. We are also making the country much more resilient. That is what we are focusing on.

    SITTING 59 · 2025-11-24 · READ IN HANSARD

  3. Madam Speaker, the major projects office will enable us to get several, very useful projects off the ground that will create good jobs in Quebec. I am thinking in particular of mines and the high-speed rail project, which will enable many people to travel across the country. This will allow Quebeckers to discover the country. It will create jobs and help us reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. That is just part of what this budget does for Quebeckers. There is even more.

    SITTING 59 · 2025-11-24 · READ IN HANSARD

  4. Madam Speaker, our government is investing in Canadians. That is what we are doing, and that is what we will continue to do. We will work with Canadians and for Canadians. I hope the member will join us in working for Canadians.

    SITTING 59 · 2025-11-24 · READ IN HANSARD

  5. Madam Speaker, this budget includes several investments for young people, including in the Canada summer jobs program, the federal student work experience program and the youth climate corps. These investments, totalling nearly $1 billion, will provide young people with green jobs and help support our communities, helping young people find work in these tough times.

    SITTING 59 · 2025-11-24 · READ IN HANSARD

  6. Madam Speaker, yes, we still have work ahead in the fight against climate change. However, this budget provides funds for the youth climate corps. We are also working on Canada's new climate competitiveness strategy. Our efforts to ensure that our environmental initiatives move forward also continue. We are going to work in collaboration with all of our colleagues in the House to make things better, because there is always room for improvement.

    SITTING 59 · 2025-11-24 · READ IN HANSARD

  7. Madam Speaker, right now, it is all about building. We are investing in the future of Canadians. We have a duty in this House to invest in the future of young Canadians. That is exactly what we are doing with this budget.

    SITTING 59 · 2025-11-24 · READ IN HANSARD

  8. [ English ] That is why I wish to encourage all members of the House to join me in supporting the passage of this crucial piece of legislation, which would help ensure that our workers and businesses will prosper by building Canada's strength at home and our economy for Canadians and by Canadians.

    SITTING 59 · 2025-11-24 · READ IN HANSARD

  9. This measure would go beyond what is possible under the Building Canada Act by allowing the project to be advanced as separate segments under the Impact Assessment Act and by adding flexibilities to the expropriation process and reservation or priority sale of lands to reduce acquisition costs. [ Translation ] Budget 2025 makes generational investments while maintaining Canada's strong fiscal advantage. This foundation allows us to invest ambitiously and responsibly and make the Canadian economy the strongest in the G7. We cannot control what other nations do, but we can control what we build. That is why Canada is transforming its economy from dependence to resilience. Now is the time to make generational investments.

    SITTING 59 · 2025-11-24 · READ IN HANSARD

  10. Budget 2025 is about generational investment in our infrastructure and our future. That is why proposed legislative changes are included in Bill C-15 that would accelerate the development of the Alto high-speed rail project, a project that could create 51,000 jobs during construction and inject up to $35 billion into our GDP, with a target of 25 million tonnes in emissions savings. These amendments would enact a new act that would streamline approvals for the high-speed rail project, remove regulatory burden and eliminate duplication of effort, in order to reduce the cost and timeline to build the project.

    SITTING 59 · 2025-11-24 · READ IN HANSARD

  11. [ Translation ] Canada is facing a steep housing supply gap, one that threatens affordability, opportunity and the ability for Canadians to build a life and a future here at home. (1325) [ English ] Canadians demand immediate action, and we are delivering with the urgency that the moment requires, with bold actions to unlock supply and bring affordability back within reach. From eliminating the GST for first-time homebuyers on homes under $1 million to launching Build Canada Homes, a new federal agency that will drive investment and public-private co-operation, we will build faster and smarter. With the passing of Bill C-15 , Build Canada Homes would be supported by an investment of $13 billion to help double the number of affordable homes built over the next decade. That is not all we plan to build.

    SITTING 59 · 2025-11-24 · READ IN HANSARD

  12. The clean technology manufacturing investment tax credit would be broadened to include more critical minerals essential for clean-technology supply chains. As well, the critical mineral exploration tax credit would be expanded to cover 12 more critical minerals necessary for defence, semiconductors, energy and clean technologies. [ Translation ] This generational budget is designed to bring about generational change. [ English ] Generational challenges would include shifting trade relationships and supply chains, climate change and housing. Canada, like many countries, is facing a steep housing supply gap, one that threatens affordability, opportunity and the ability for Canadians to build a life and a future here at home.

    SITTING 59 · 2025-11-24 · READ IN HANSARD

  13. Eligibility for this tax credit would be limited to taxable Canadian corporations and certain non-taxable corporations, such as provincial and territorial Crown corporations, corporations owned by municipalities or indigenous communities, and pension investment corporations. [ English ] In addition to the implementation of the clean electricity investment tax credit, Bill C-15 proposes enhancements to the existing suite of ITCs to ensure that they remain competitive and effective in attracting projects and high-paying careers to Canada. These include the carbon capture, utilization and storage investment tax credit, which would maintain full credit rates for an additional five years up to 2035.

    SITTING 59 · 2025-11-24 · READ IN HANSARD

  14. [ Translation ] Climate change is real. Fighting climate change is not only our economic duty, it is our moral duty. That is why budget 2025 lays out Canada's new climate competitiveness strategy. [ English ] Budget 2025 includes clean economy investment tax credits that will attract investments and help drive Canada's economy toward net zero by 2050. [ Translation ] The clean electricity investment tax credit reimburses up to 15% of the capital cost of eligible investments in equipment related to low-emission electricity generation, electricity storage, and electricity transmission between provinces and territories.

    SITTING 59 · 2025-11-24 · READ IN HANSARD

  15. [ English ] Projects would be focused on trade and transport, along with supporting indigenous and municipal projects, all of which are key drivers of economic growth and support high-paying careers. To create the right conditions for businesses to invest and drive real, sustainable growth, budget 2025 outlines an ambitious plan to invest $110 billion to supercharge growth by increasing productivity and competitiveness through such areas as innovation support programs, investments in AI, and major tax credits and incentives. [ Translation ] With Bill C‑5 , our government is moving forward with projects that will build Canada and increase confidence in our security and resilience. [ English ] Bill C-15 's measures will build a Canada for today and for generations to come. That is how we will build Canada strong.

    SITTING 59 · 2025-11-24 · READ IN HANSARD

  16. Canada's new government is building a single Canadian economy, powered by major projects of national interest that will connect our regions, diversify our markets and create hundreds of thousands of well-paying jobs ranging from skilled trades to cutting-edge technologies. We are investing by building homes for Canadians; we are investing $25 billion in building affordable housing at scale. [ English ] Through the Build Canada Homes tax measures, incentives and programs, we are building the foundation of Canada's most ambitious housing plan in a generation. [ Translation ] These investments are not only for building houses. Budget 2025 proposes a plan to invest $115 billion to build 21st-century infrastructure.

    SITTING 59 · 2025-11-24 · READ IN HANSARD

  17. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to take part in the debate on Bill C‑15 , the 2025 budget implementation bill, and to highlight the significant investments in this budget that will help build Canada strong. (1320) [ English ] As we know, advanced economies are feeling global economic challenges. Canada is no different. With the historic rise in tariffs posing significant challenges to the Canadian economy, Canadians are feeling the impact in their daily lives. [ Translation ] To rise to the challenges of our time and seize new opportunities, we must make historic investments that protect and transform our industries, strengthen our economy and empower Canadians. Our generational investments in housing, infrastructure, defence, productivity and competitiveness will enable us to rise to the challenges.

    SITTING 59 · 2025-11-24 · READ IN HANSARD

  18. Mr. Speaker, on November 18, 1803, during the Battle of Vertières, a people rose up, overthrew colonial rule, and affirmed racial and gender equality. On that day, Haiti wrote an important page in the universal history of freedom and human dignity. Fast forward to November 18, 2025, the Grenadiers, Haiti's national soccer team, qualified for the 2026 World Cup, which is being held here in Canada. This hard-working, proud, and resilient people have given us another victory, another reason to celebrate. Haiti's qualification paves the way for remarkable moments, not only for sport, but also for memory, hope, and the entire Haitian diaspora. Sincere congratulations to Monique André of the Haitian Football Federation, as well as to the entire Grenadiers team, both coaches and players, for this invaluable gift to the Haitian people.

    SITTING 57 · 2025-11-20 · READ IN HANSARD

  19. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for his very eloquent speech. Members on the other side of the House often talk about young people, saying that times are tough for them. However, in this budget, the government is investing just over $1 billion to make sure that young Canadians have opportunities. Can my colleague elaborate a bit more on that?

    SITTING 52 · 2025-11-06 · READ IN HANSARD

  20. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight a life-changing program for our children: the national school food program. Every day, this program provides healthy, free, nutritious meals to more than 711,000 children in 2,232 schools across the country. This is not just a social program. It is a real investment in academic success, health and equal opportunities. It is an investment in the future of our young people, because when young people eat well, they do better. I am proud of this program, which reflects our values of justice, dignity and inclusion. It helps build a society where every child can learn on a full stomach. I would like to commend the exceptional work of the schools, community organizations and volunteers who make this program possible, such as the Breakfast Club and La Tablée des chefs, which operate in Quebec.

    SITTING 50 · 2025-11-04 · READ IN HANSARD

  21. Mr. Speaker, we have industries, innovators and workers ready to deliver the advanced technologies that our armed forces and allies need, from aerospace to cyber systems. Can the Minister of Government Transformation explain to the House how buying Canadian will ensure that federal procurement supports the development of a strong Canadian defence and security industry, strengthens our supply chains and builds a more resilient and prosperous economy for all Canadians?

    SITTING 47 · 2025-10-30 · READ IN HANSARD

  22. Mr. Speaker, we already have quantum computers and artificial intelligence working to help us in these areas. All we need now is to pool our resources so we can support Canadians from coast to coast to coast.

    SITTING 45 · 2025-10-28 · READ IN HANSARD

  23. Mr. Speaker, what we are envisioning is a consultation process that includes experts, the various levels of government and indigenous peoples. This will allow us to benefit from the expertise of first nations and different governments, the technology available in some provinces, and the expertise currently found in Canadian universities.

    SITTING 45 · 2025-10-28 · READ IN HANSARD

  24. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to congratulate my colleague on his election. The national strategy really aims to bring everyone to the table where decisions are being made. That will give us the opportunity to share expertise from across Canada, whether it be from Saskatchewan or Quebec. We want to enable all provinces to benefit from this expertise because if there is a problem on one side of Canada, it affects the environment and water, and it will eventually reach the rest of the country. We have a duty to act to protect all citizens.

    SITTING 45 · 2025-10-28 · READ IN HANSARD

  25. Mr. Speaker, climate change means that these phenomena are no longer rare occurrences. They are happening more and more often. There are droughts, and water levels are rising because glaciers are melting. That is why it is extremely important that we create a national strategy that will enable experts and all levels of government to work together to protect our citizens across Canada.

    SITTING 45 · 2025-10-28 · READ IN HANSARD

  26. In conclusion, this bill will enable effective coordination between the provinces and territories, indigenous peoples and experts. This is about creating a table where everyone can sit down and work together for the good of our country. This is not just a piece of legislation. These are concrete, urgent and necessary measures, something that can mean the difference between life and death, between destruction and resilience. That is why I urge my colleagues to support this bill. Together, we can protect our constituents, our country and our planet. Together, we can build a safer, more responsible and more sustainable future. Together, we can build a strong Canada.

    SITTING 45 · 2025-10-28 · READ IN HANSARD

  27. This bill is not only a preventive measure, but it also protects human life, as well as our planet and future generations. This bill could also reduce our reliance on foreign data. Here in Canada, we currently have all the expertise we need to prevent natural disasters. However, our compartmentalized approach prevents us from being leaders in this field. We rely on data collected by NASA, which has been sending spotty data to some organizations since October 2025. We do not know when these services will resume, but we cannot rely on others when researchers at universities such as UQAM and the University of Saskatchewan are internationally recognized leaders in the field. Even so, they cannot do all the work. It is up to us to step up and work together on a national strategy.

    SITTING 45 · 2025-10-28 · READ IN HANSARD

  28. For example, the 2013 floods in Alberta caused damage estimated at $3.7 billion Canadian, making that year one of the costliest in terms of economic losses from natural disasters. Bill C‑241 is a proactive response to these challenges. It aims to establish a national strategy respecting flood and drought prevention, enabling effective coordination between governments and the affected communities. This collaborative approach is essential to anticipate risks, minimize impacts, and protect Canadians and ecosystems. The answer is simple: every year, in both urban and rural areas, thousands of people are affected by natural disasters. Lives are lost, families are displaced, and property is destroyed. Climate change is making these risks both more frequent and more severe.

    SITTING 45 · 2025-10-28 · READ IN HANSARD

  29. It is essential to remember that floods are among the deadliest natural disasters our societies experience. According to some studies, more than nine million people have died in the last century as a result of floods. This means floods are a major hazard, second only to earthquakes and tsunamis. (1750) Flooding is not an isolated or distant phenomenon. It is a daily reality for many Canadian communities. In 2024, insured losses caused by climate events reached $8.5 billion Canadian, smashing previous records and highlighting the worsening climate risks that we face. These events have devastating consequences: Lives are lost, infrastructure is destroyed, and entire communities are displaced. Flooding in particular causes considerable economic losses.

    SITTING 45 · 2025-10-28 · READ IN HANSARD

  30. It can be a source of life and prosperity, but when there is not enough or too much, it can be a source of destruction and suffering. That is precisely why this bill is so important. It aims to better understand, predict and manage this vital resource in order to protect both our citizens and our environment. I would like to emphasize that this bill in no way calls into question provincial jurisdiction over water. On the contrary, it aims to establish strong collaboration between the federal, provincial and territorial governments, indigenous peoples and experts in order to protect our water resources effectively. It is important to understand that water is central to the climate. We feel the effects of climate change through the medium of water, whether in the form of prolonged droughts or sudden flooding.

    SITTING 45 · 2025-10-28 · READ IN HANSARD

  31. This legislation is not just about managing natural disasters. It represents a long-term vision, a clear recognition that climate change is no longer a distant threat, but a very present reality that is already affecting our communities, ecosystems and economies. Whether we are talking about droughts or floods, there is always one common element at the heart of both: water. Water is the source of all life. It is a fundamental issue for our society, our environment and our future. That is why water should be regarded as a non-partisan issue, an issue that transcends political differences, because water belongs to no party and no ideology. It belongs to all Canadians. That said, water is also a vast and complex issue.

    SITTING 45 · 2025-10-28 · READ IN HANSARD

  32. In 2024, hurricane Debby caused an estimated $2.7 billion in insured losses in Quebec. Ontario saw over $990 million in losses caused by flooding in the greater Toronto area. The Jasper wildfires cost about $1.1 billion, and these are just some of the costs incurred in the last year. According to available data, the 2013 and 2021 floods in Alberta and British Columbia resulted in estimated losses of between $5 billion and $9 billion. It is projected that droughts, floods and storms could cause an average total loss of 0.2% of our GDP. Passing Bill C‑241 will enable us to limit the repercussions and protect our livelihoods while strengthening the country's economic and social resilience in the face of extreme weather events. Thanks to the implementation of early warning systems and rapid response plans, we have the ability to save lives.

    SITTING 45 · 2025-10-28 · READ IN HANSARD

  33. Every year, they threaten the safety of Canadians, jeopardize our crops, damage our infrastructure and put our water resources to the test. This is no longer hypothetical; it is an ongoing and urgent reality that requires our immediate action. To combat these growing events, we need a coordinated national strategy. We need to get all the players involved if we are to properly manage and protect this vital resource that Canada is blessed to have so much of in its rivers, lakes, ice cover and soil. This bill is vital. It is a major tool for protecting Canada from the devastating effects of natural disasters and for limiting the costs involved. Let us talk about the costs of floods and droughts. They are expected to cause estimated GDP losses of more than $128 billion U.S. between now and about 2050.

    SITTING 45 · 2025-10-28 · READ IN HANSARD

  34. Bill C-241. Second reading moved that Bill C-241, An Act to establish a national strategy respecting flood and drought forecasting , be read the second time and referred to a committee. She said: Mr. Speaker, before I go any further, I would like to acknowledge that we are gathered on the traditional unceded territory of the Anishinabe Algonquin nation. I would like to draw the attention of the House to a critical issue: protecting our country from natural disasters, especially floods and droughts. First of all, allow me to thank John Pomeroy, director of the Global Water Futures Program and a professor at the University of Saskatchewan, and the hon. member for Lac-Saint-Louis for their contributions to this bill. Extreme weather events are becoming more and more frequent and intense.

    SITTING 45 · 2025-10-28 · READ IN HANSARD

  35. By representing their peers to the administration, they are learning about the principles of democracy and preparing to become the citizens of tomorrow.

    SITTING 43 · 2025-10-23 · READ IN HANSARD

  36. Mr. Speaker, on October 2, I had the immense pleasure of swearing in the student government at École secondaire des Rives in my riding. Today I have the honour of welcoming those students to Parliament so that they can watch our democracy in action. Taking part in this visit are 36 students and their teachers, Luke Mayba and Isabelle Marion, whom I had the honour of awarding the Parliament of Canada medal in recognition of their outstanding commitment to this citizen initiative. The members of the government are Sara Rachel Acosta Rodriguez, prime minister, Carl Xavier Jeudi, deputy prime minister, Merary Lyzeth Rodas Caballero, speaker, Amélie-Ann Guillet, representative, and Acil Tadjer, representative. I wish them every success in their roles.

    SITTING 43 · 2025-10-23 · READ IN HANSARD

  37. Mr. Speaker, on the contrary, this bill is about transparency. The majority of cases of lost Canadians were resolved through legislative amendments. Between 2019 and 2023, we received an average of 48,000 applications for certificates and proof of citizenship. About 80% of these applications came from people born abroad. We will follow up on those applications for citizenship.

    SITTING 43 · 2025-10-23 · READ IN HANSARD

  38. Mr. Speaker, moving forward, this legislation will ensure that the opportunity to pass on citizenship is subject to reasonable limits. Prescriptive application of the substantial connection test is meant to strike a balance between setting reasonable limits on citizenship by descent, in order to preserve the right to and privilege of Canadian citizenship, and ensuring the flexibility and inclusivity needed to address the cases of individuals previously excluded from citizenship by descent based on the first-generation limit.

    SITTING 43 · 2025-10-23 · READ IN HANSARD

  39. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for her great question. Canada has two official languages, and we want to protect them. However, this is about fixing a problem caused by a framework. We need to give these citizens the right to their citizenship through legislation.

    SITTING 43 · 2025-10-23 · READ IN HANSARD

  40. I hope these explanations will provide some clarity around Bill C‑3 and pave the way for it to pass so that the remaining lost Canadians can have their citizenship restored, so that access to citizenship by descent beyond the first generation is expanded in a clear and inclusive manner, and so that we avoid creating more lost Canadians in the future. Passing this bill will allow Canada to take a decisive step forward with respect to lost Canadians and to strengthen the integrity of our citizenship framework for generations to come.

    SITTING 43 · 2025-10-23 · READ IN HANSARD

  41. However, certain groups will continue to be disadvantaged by the first-generation limit on citizenship by descent. Many of them will not become citizens or will not have access to citizenship because the order will be imposed before Bill C-3 comes into force. This includes people adopted abroad by Canadian parents beyond the first generation, lost Canadians under section 8 who lost their citizenship status as a result of the age 28 rule, and certain individuals born abroad prior to April 1, 1949. This scenario would create legal uncertainties for families and complicate the application of the Citizenship Act. That is why it is crucial that we pass Bill C‑3 quickly.

    SITTING 43 · 2025-10-23 · READ IN HANSARD

  42. Any child adopted abroad by a Canadian parent before the new law came into effect would now be eligible for direct citizenship, even if they had previously been excluded due to the first-generation limit on Canadian citizenship by descent. The committee analyzed these measures carefully. At this stage, the bill remains the most equitable and practical solution. In December 2023, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice ruled that key provisions of the first-generation limit are unconstitutional. It has suspended its decision until November 20, 2025, to give Parliament time to create a new framework. If the bill is not passed by that date, Canadian citizenship could be granted indefinitely to future generations born outside Canada, with no time limit and no requirement for a meaningful connection to the country.

    SITTING 43 · 2025-10-23 · READ IN HANSARD

  43. We cannot predict how many children will be born abroad after this legislation passes. However, as long as the Canadian parent who was born outside the country was physically present in Canada for at least three years before the child's birth, they can pass their citizenship on to the child. Some members of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration raised important questions about foreign adoptions. As much as possible, the government wants to continue to treat children adopted abroad and those born abroad in the same way, while following clear rules regarding how parents pass on their citizenship.

    SITTING 43 · 2025-10-23 · READ IN HANSARD

  44. They are expected to gradually apply as they become aware of their rights. I would now like to outline the objectives of Bill C‑3. If passed, this bill would automatically grant citizenship to anyone born abroad to a Canadian parent before the legislation's coming into force. It would also apply to people who are currently unable to obtain citizenship by descent because of the first-generation limit, including the remaining lost Canadians and their descendants. (1025) Once the law comes into force, any child born outside the country to a Canadian parent who was themselves born outside the country will be considered a Canadian citizen from birth if the parent in question can prove a substantial connection to Canada, that is, a cumulative physical presence of three years in the country before the child is born.

    SITTING 43 · 2025-10-23 · READ IN HANSARD

  45. We know that the department has not seen a significant increase in applications for proof of citizenship as a result of these two sets of legislative amendments. Some citizens lost their status for reasons related to the old rules for retaining citizenship. Typically, an average of 35 to 40 applications a year for restoring citizenship through a discretionary measure are received. However, these have been on a downward trend, and we expect that to continue. IRCC received about 4,200 applications between January 2024 and July 2025 from people affected by the first-generation limit on citizenship by descent who qualify for the interim measure. These figures suggest that the remaining number of lost Canadians and their descendants is relatively small, probably in the tens of thousands.

    SITTING 43 · 2025-10-23 · READ IN HANSARD

  46. It is not necessary to register the birth abroad or to declare the parents' country of residence to establish a person's Canadian citizenship. In short, birth registration is typically the responsibility of the country where the birth takes place. IRCC is only informed of citizenship by descent cases when an application for proof of Canadian citizenship is filed, either by the person concerned or by one of their parents. To better anticipate future applications, it may be useful to look at the number of past cases. The legislative amendments made in 2009 and 2015, specifically addressing the situation of lost Canadians, allowed more than 20,000 people to contact IRCC to obtain proof of citizenship after their status was corrected. The vast majority of cases have been resolved as a result of these legislative changes.

    SITTING 43 · 2025-10-23 · READ IN HANSARD

  47. One of the main reasons why we do not know the exact number of lost Canadians or citizens by descent is that the government has not kept a registry of births abroad since the enactment of the Citizenship Act in 1977. There is no way of knowing about these births unless the parent contacts Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, or IRCC. A Canadian parent can request a citizenship certificate for their child who is born abroad. When a child is adopted abroad, the parent can apply for direct citizenship. This process enables the government to assess eligibility for citizenship on a case-by-case basis. As a result, the child's citizenship is based on that of the parent, not on their place of birth.

    SITTING 43 · 2025-10-23 · READ IN HANSARD

  48. The majority of cases of Canadians who lost their citizenship have been resolved through amendments to the Citizenship Act in 2009 and 2015. These changes have enabled certain individuals to regain or obtain Canadian citizenship if they had lost it. However, a small group of people and their descendants remain excluded. These are the people that will mainly be affected by Bill C‑3. The bill also applies to people who are not typically considered lost Canadians, such as those who were born or adopted abroad by Canadian parents who are citizens by descent and who are affected by the first-generation limit, which was implemented in 2009.

    SITTING 43 · 2025-10-23 · READ IN HANSARD

  49. Mr. Speaker, I want to begin by acknowledging that we are gathered on the traditional unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe people. I have the honour of speaking today in support of Bill C‑3 and to highlight how it strengthens the legislative framework of Canadian citizenship. Following second reading, the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration completed its review of the bill and heard from numerous witnesses. Many wanted to know exactly how many people will be affected by the coming into force of this legislation. What is the exact number of Canadians who have been stripped of their citizenship? The term “lost Canadians” has generally been used to describe people who have lost or never had Canadian citizenship due to certain obsolete provisions of citizenship legislation.

    SITTING 43 · 2025-10-23 · READ IN HANSARD

  50. Mr. Speaker, October 11 is International Day of the Girl Child. I would like to send a message of acknowledgement, encouragement and hope to all the girls in our country, from coast to coast to coast, from every community, including racialized and indigenous communities. Their voices matter. Their involvement is invaluable. In every sphere of public life, whether it be education, health, the environment, technology or governance, their involvement infuses a profound humanity and quiet strength that transforms our society. I invite all young girls to believe in their potential, to never give up in the face of obstacles, to continue to dream, to take action and to make change happen. Be ready. Every step forward is a victory for humanity.

    SITTING 38 · 2025-10-09 · READ IN HANSARD