Children adopted by Canadians will get citizenship much faster under a new plan put forward to parliament. In another amendment proposed to the Citizenship Act, those who have been convicted of criminal offences abroad will find it far tougher to obtain Canadian nationality.

With regard to adoption, the proposed provision will reduce the distinction between children born to, and children adopted by, Canadian citizens outside Canada by eliminating the requirement that adopted children first obtain permanent residence status before becoming Canadian.

Upon application, adopted children will be able to obtain citizenship after the adoption is finalized. Requirements will ensure that the adoption is legal and the best interests of the child are protected.

Foreign charges and convictions are currently not a bar to obtaining Canadian citizenship. The proposed foreign criminal prohibitions provision will, with respect to foreign offences, prevent people from acquiring citizenship if they are currently serving a sentence, have been convicted of a serious crime in the last three years or are currently charged with a serious offence. However, the immigration minister may use his discretion to waive a prohibition on compassionate grounds.

“These amendments are an important first step in our efforts to ensure Canada’s Citizenship Act continues to reflect present day realities,” Immigration Minister Joe Volpe said while introducing the two bills in the House of Commons. “The changes we are proposing will help strengthen the integrity and fairness of the system.”

The current Act has been in place since 1977.