Latest news with #OntarioSuperiorCourtofJustice
Ottawa Citizen
9 hours ago
- Ottawa Citizen
Murder trial starts for Lam sisters accused in mom's death
Article content After a lengthy jury selection process, two Ottawa sisters accused of killing their elderly mother after years of abuse will stand trial for the next five weeks starting Tuesday. Article content Chau Kanh Lam and Hue Ai Lam, along with defence lawyers and the Crown attorney, appeared in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in downtown Ottawa on Monday morning for jury selection. Article content Article content Article content Both sisters were charged with first-degree murder after police found their mother, Kieu Lam, dead in bed in October 2022 in the townhouse they shared. Chau and Hue both pleaded not guilty through a Vietnamese interpreter in court Monday. Article content Article content Dozens of people were called in for jury duty, but only 13 jurors were selected. One alternate juror was also selected in case someone isn't able to participate in future court proceedings related to the case. Article content Defence lawyers Ewan Lyttle, who will be representing Chau, and Paolo Giancaterino, who will be representing Hue, as well as Crown attorney Julien Whitten said the trial will take about five weeks. Article content Ontario Superior Court Justice Narissa Somji will be presiding over the case. Article content Court was recessed for the day shortly after the jurors were sworn in and confirmed in the afternoon. The matter is set to reconvene on Tuesday morning in the same courthouse, where the Crown will be giving its opening statement. Article content Article content The murder trial starts more than two years after the two sisters were arrested and charged with first-degree murder. Article content Article content Ottawa police officers said they responded to a call at a townhouse on Bowmount Street in Cyrville at around 12:23 a.m. on Oct. 31, 2022. Article content According to police, officers found Kieu Lam, 88, dead in bed and it looked like she had been beaten to death. Article content The two sisters were then interviewed by homicide detectives and gave incriminating statements, according to police. Article content The Ottawa Police Service then accused the two sisters of plotting to kill their mother three days before the incident. Chau, then 56 years old, and Hue, then 59, were living with their mom at the time. The sisters allegedly told police that they were subjected to years of psychological and physical abuse, and decided to end it.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
What is Canada's new citizenship bill C-3? And how will it impact Indians? Explained
As Canada works to solve its immigration issues, the Mark Carney-led government have introduced a new bill which will bring in a limit on citizenship provided by descent. The citizenship amendment - C-3 - announced on Thursday, will effectively restore citizenship to lost Canadians. Introduced by Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab, the C-3 will be focus on fixing "injustices" against Canadian-born citizens outside of Canada. As per the Canadian government, ill C-3 will - The current rules state that if a Canadian citizen was born outside of Canada, they will not be pass on their citizenship to their child born abroad. Furthermore, this rule, introduced in 2009, restricted citizenship via descent only to first generation born Canadians. "The current first-generation limit to citizenship no longer reflects how Canadian families live today—here at home and around the world—and the values that define our country," said Immigration minister Diab while introducing the new C-3 bill. This amendment to the citizenship bill also comes after the Ontario Superior Court of Justice deemed the existing version of the rule "unconstitutional" in December 2023. This bill is expected to benefit the Indian diaspora and other immigrants in Canada as the C-3 bill will "allow a Canadian parent born abroad who has a substantial connection to Canada to pass on citizenship to their child born abroad beyond the first generation." "It would also provide them with access to the direct grant of citizenship for their child adopted abroad beyond the first generation," IRCC added further. Which means, a persons born in India to Canadian citizens or ancestors will now be eligible for Canadian citizenship based on the C-3 bill. This bill also comes at a time when US President Donald Trump has ended birthright citizenship, impacting several immigrants in the United States. The C-3 bill is currently under legislative review and needed to be passed by both houses of Parliament to become a law. "If the bill passes both Houses of Parliament and receives Royal Assent, we will work as quickly as possible to bring the changes into effect," said IRCC in its official statement. In the Canadian parliament, a bill must pass three readings before the two Houses cast their vote. After the houses cast their votes, the bill is then passed to the Governor General for Royal Assent.
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First Post
3 days ago
- Politics
- First Post
Canada's new citizenship framework to benefit Indian diaspora, proposed law removes first-gen limit
The Canadian government has introduced Bill C-3 to address longstanding citizenship issues, targeting the 2009 'First-Generation Limit' (FGL), which denied or revoked citizenship for many born outside Canada read more While the Donald Trump administration of the US may have tightened immigration policies, posing significant challenges for Indian nationals seeking US green cards and citizenship, the Canadian government may offer them a major respite very soon. Notably, an executive order signed by Trump on January 20 aims to end birthright citizenship for children born in the US to parents on temporary visas, such as H-1B and F-1. In contrast, the Canadian government has introduced Bill C-3 on Thursday (June 5) to address longstanding citizenship issues. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This 'Citizenship Bill' targets the 2009 'First-Generation Limit' (FGL), which denied or revoked citizenship for many born outside Canada or with foreign-born children. The new bill seeks to correct these injustices. Bill C-3 proposes automatically reinstating Canadian citizenship for those affected by the FGL and similar outdated rules. This change could benefit thousands, especially within immigrant communities, including Indian-origin residents and skilled foreign workers with ties to Canada. Beyond addressing past issues, the bill sets a new standard allowing Canadian parents born abroad to pass on their citizenship to their children, even if born abroad, provided the parent demonstrates a 'substantial connection' to Canada. This connection is defined as at least 1,095 cumulative days (three years) of physical presence in Canada before the child's birth or adoption. If enacted, the bill would enable Canadian citizens by descent to regain lost citizenship and extend it to their children born or adopted abroad beyond the first generation, provided the parent meets the physical presence requirement. The bill is currently under legislative review and must pass three readings and receive royal assent to become law. The Ontario Superior Court of Justice has mandated that the federal government revise the existing legislation by November 20. Moreover, failure to comply may result in the court striking down or narrowing the contested FGL provisions. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Canada Citizenship Bill addresses ‘Lost Canadians' and First Generation Limit'; check features and eligibility
The Canadian government introduced Bill C-3, or the Citizenship Bill, on June 5, 2025, to amend the existing Citizenship Act and address the issue of " Lost Canadians ." The term refers to individuals who lost or were denied citizenship due to the "First-Generation Limit" (FGL) introduced in 2009. The FGL restricts citizenship by descent to only the first generation born abroad, preventing Canadian citizens born outside Canada from passing citizenship to their children also born abroad. Bill C-3 seeks to automatically grant citizenship to those who would have been citizens if not for the FGL or other outdated provisions in former citizenship laws. This includes individuals affected by the repealed section 8 of the Citizenship Act, which required certain individuals born abroad between February 15, 1977, and April 16, 1981, to apply to retain their citizenship before turning 28. The proposed legislation also introduces a new framework for citizenship by descent. Going forward, children born or adopted outside Canada beyond the first generation would be eligible for citizenship if at least one parent demonstrates a substantial connection to Canada. This is defined as having spent at least 1,095 cumulative days (three years) physically present in Canada before the child's birth or adoption. Live Events The introduction of Bill C-3 follows a December 2023 ruling by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, which declared the FGL unconstitutional for creating a second class of citizens and violating mobility rights. The federal government agreed with the ruling and chose not to appeal, acknowledging the law's unacceptable consequences for Canadians whose children were born outside the country. If passed, Bill C-3 would restore citizenship to those who lost it due to the FGL and allow Canadian citizens by descent to pass on their citizenship to their children born abroad, provided they meet the substantial connection requirement. The bill must undergo three readings and receive royal assent before becoming law. The court has set a November 20, 2025, deadline for the government to amend the legislation, after which the court may strike down or read down the offending portions of the existing law. FAQs What are the new rules for citizenship in Canada? The new Bill C-3 will restore citizenship to those affected by the first-generation limit (FGL) for citizenship by descent. It will allow Canadian citizens by descent to pass citizenship to their children if they have a substantial connection to Canada, as per the test. What are the general requirements to become a Canadian citizen? The general citizenship requirements remain: permanent residency, 1,095 days of stay in Canada within the last 5 years, language proficiency, passing a citizenship test, and filing taxes for three years if required. How long can you stay out of Canada if you are a citizen? Canadian citizens can be absent from Canada without losing their citizenship. However, prolonged absence may affect provincial health coverage and tax status. Some provinces allow up to 212 days (7 months) of absence while maintaining health coverage. Citizenship itself is not lost due to a lack. What is the 28-year rule in Canada? The 28-year rule applies to second-generation Canadians born abroad to Canadian parents who were also born abroad. Under the 1977 Citizenship Act, such individuals lose Canadian citizenship at age 28 unless they apply to retain it before that age, demonstrating residency in Canada or a substantial connection to Canada. How many days do we have to stay in Canada after PR for citizenship? Permanent residents must physically reside in Canada for at least 1,095 days (3 years) within the 5 years before applying for citizenship. This residency requirement must be met before submitting the citizenship application. Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
Hamilton Spectator
5 days ago
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Canada introduces proposed citizenship by descent legislation
The federal government has tabled a new bill that would allow Canadians born abroad to pass citizenship by descent to children born overseas via a test to prove family ties to the country. Bill C-3 is meant to satisfy a court order that has ruled the current two-generation cut-off provisions of the Citizenship Act is unconstitutional because it limits the automatic passage of citizenship to the first generation of Canadians who were born outside Canada. 'Citizenship is more than a legal status — it's a profound connection to the values, history and spirit of Canada,' Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab said in statement on Thursday. 'By requiring those who pass citizenship to their children born abroad beyond the first generation to have a substantial connection to our country, we are honouring that bond. 'It reflects our belief that being Canadian means more than just a place of birth; it's about belonging, shared experiences, and a commitment to the inclusive and diverse community we all call home.' In 2009, the Conservative government abolished the 'substantial connection' regime and adopted a blanket rule that denies the first generation born abroad the right to pass on citizenship by descent outside Canada to the second generation born abroad. The result created a generation of 'lost Canadians.' A group of affected Canadian families took Ottawa to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, which, in December 2023, ordered the federal government to repeal the second-generation cut-off rule and amend the Citizenship Act to make the law compliant with the Constitution's Charter of Rights. However, the court order has been suspended after numerous requests by government officials for extension due to delays caused by the opposition Conservatives and the administration of the Immigration Department. The parliamentary prorogation and subsequent spring election contributed to further delays in amending the law. The federal government cannot appeal the Ontario court's ruling on the second-generation citizenship cut-off rule because the appeal period has expired. It also cannot invoke the Constitution's 'notwithstanding clause' to re-enact the provisions deemed unconstitutional because mobility rights — which are central to the case — are exempt from that clause. Lawyer Sujit Choudhry, who represents the families in the lawsuit, said Bill C-3 is identical to the previous citizenship bill introduced by the Liberal government a year ago and died on the order paper because the government failed to make it a legislative priority. 'The government must use every tool at its disposal to ensure that the same fate does not befall Bill C-3, which must be passed and brought into force by November 20, 2025,' said Choudhry, as stipulated by the Ontario court. In a news release, the government said the proposed legislation would: 'People who may be impacted by the changes proposed … will no doubt have questions about what this means for them and their families,' said the news release. 'If the bill passes both Houses of Parliament and receives royal assent, we will work as quickly as possible to bring these changes into effect and will provide more information for eligible individuals on our website.' Until then, those denied Canadian citizenship as a result of the second-generation cut-off can seek it on a case-by-case basis.
