03/20/2026
The federal government could care less about LAC.
Death by 1000 cuts.
The ACA has sent a letter to express its concern over the unintended consequences of Bill C-3, an amendment to the Citizenship Act, on archival institutions and professionals across the country.
Bill C-3’s retroactive “citizenship by descent” policy has resulted in an unprecedented increase in requests for documentation proving ancestral ties to Canada. As the primary custodians of vital statistics, military service records, and sacramental records (including baptismal, marriage, and burial registers), archives have been inundated with requests for certified copies of these records.
We invite ACA members to visit the ACA website to read our full letter. Linked on the website, you may also find a CBC story on the subject which features ACA member Sarah Hanahem, Chair of the Public Awareness & Advocacy Committee.
https://archivists.ca/Latest-News-Announcements/13607666
Alt-text: Brown background with white wave designs. Centre, large text reads: "Action regarding Bill C-3". Underneath, smaller text continues: "The ACA has sent a letter to express its concern over the unintended consequences of Bill C-3, an
amendment to the Citizenship Act, on archival
institutions and professionals across the country. www.archivists.ca". Bottom-right, the ACA logo is pictured.
