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Reckless and irresponsible': Some 'lost Canadians' told to return citizenship certificates pending…

Some individuals identified as "lost Canadians" have been instructed to return their citizenship certificates while their cases undergo review, according to a recent announcement from the Canadian government. The emails directing affected individuals to surrender their certificates went out on June 15, 2026, and have raised concerns about the implications for those affected. On June 18, 2026, the government issued a separate statement about pausing the processing of some applications.

This situation is significant as it highlights ongoing issues surrounding Canadian citizenship, particularly for individuals who may have lost their citizenship status due to various circumstances. Historically, the term "lost Canadians" refers to individuals who were born abroad to Canadian parents or who were born in Canada but lost their citizenship due to changes in laws or policies. This latest development marks a continuation of the government's efforts to address the complexities surrounding citizenship status, which have persisted for decades.

The specific mechanics of this directive involve a review process for those who received citizenship certificates under potentially erroneous circumstances. Affected individuals are required to return their certificates pending the outcome of this review. The government has not specified a timeline for the review process, leaving many in uncertainty about their citizenship status.

This change primarily affects individuals who may have previously received citizenship certificates but are now being asked to return them. This group includes those born to Canadian parents outside of Canada, as well as individuals who may have lost their citizenship due to legislative changes. The United States is particularly affected, with about half of the roughly 4,075 affected recipients being US-born.

For those affected, the immediate next step is to comply with the request to return their citizenship certificates. Individuals should monitor their IRCC online accounts for updates regarding their cases and any further instructions from the government. It is advisable for them to gather any relevant documentation that may support their citizenship claims as they await the outcome of the review process.

A small portion of this article — research support, fact-cross-checking, and copy-editing — was assisted by AI tooling. Editorial decisions, source verification, and final sign-off remain with our team. We cite primary sources from canada.ca for every factual claim.

Last reviewed: June 20, 2026

IRCC.com is an independent news site and not affiliated with the Government of Canada.

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