Some Mainers Rush to Claim Citizenship as Canada Widens Descent Law
A law effective in December extends Canadian citizenship to those with a Canadian parent or grandparent, and millions in New England may qualify.
A change in Canadian law has some Mainers searching old records to prove they qualify for Canadian citizenship, Maine Public reported in a story published by the Bangor Daily News.
A 2023 court decision struck down Canada's rule limiting citizenship by descent to a single generation. A law passed in December 2025 extended citizenship to people born outside Canada who can document a Canadian parent, grandparent or other parental connection.
A midcoast mariner and farmer who is transgender, identified only as Sam, has been gathering documents at the library in the town of Washington to trace his family to Newfoundland, which his ancestors left around 1890. He said he and his husband have discussed leaving the U.S. because of growing anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and legislation. Pam Barry-Santos of Freeport said she and her teenage son secured citizenship through a temporary rule that applied ahead of the permanent law, and that moving north is on her mind.
Through the end of January 2026, Canada's immigration agency counted 1,480 people confirmed as citizens under the descent provision. It could not say how many more might qualify, though Vancouver immigration lawyer Amandeep Hayer said some estimates put the figure in the millions, concentrated heavily in New England. Doug Cochrane, a genealogist in Cape Breton, said he is now booked four to six weeks out.
This story was first reported by Bangor Daily News.
