Canada is under growing pressure to reform its birthright citizenship laws as evidence of organised birth tourism continues to emerge, particularly in provinces like British Columbia.
The practice allows foreign nationals to give birth in Canada so their children automatically gain Canadian citizenship, prompting concerns over fairness, healthcare costs, and immigration loopholes.
According to Immigration News Canada (INC), experts and public figures are calling for legislative changes to Canada’s Citizenship Act, arguing that the country’s unconditional birthright citizenship—based on the legal principle of jus soli (citizenship by birthplace)—is increasingly being exploited.
What Is Birth Tourism?
Birth tourism involves non-resident pregnant women travelling to Canada to give birth so their child obtains Canadian citizenship. This is permitted under Section 3(1)(a) of Canada’s Citizenship Act, which grants citizenship to any child born in Canada, except for children of foreign diplomats. Unlike many developed countries, Canada does not require that either parent be a citizen or permanent resident.
Reports inform that many birth tourists arrive on temporary visas, including visitor visas, and give birth in Canadian hospitals. Their children become eligible for free public services, including education and healthcare, and can later sponsor family members for immigration.
How It Works and Where It’s Happening
Organised networks facilitate birth tourism in Canada, offering packages that include housing, hospital bookings, and transport. These networks are particularly active in British Columbia, where private residences known as “birth houses” offer services to expecting mothers from countries such as China, Nigeria, and India.
INC cites that Hospitals in major cities are seeing an increasing number of non-resident births. For example, Richmond Hospital in B.C. reported $6.2 million in maternity fees from non-resident births in 2017–2018, with $1.1 million remaining unpaid. A Calgary study found that 102 non-resident mothers paid a combined $694,000 in hospital costs, though unpaid balances remain a concern.
Comparison With International Citizenship Policies
Canada’s policies contrast with those of countries that have already limited jus soli.
The United Kingdom only grants citizenship if one parent is a citizen or a settled resident.
Germany requires at least eight years of legal residence by one parent.
Australia grants citizenship only to children of citizens, permanent residents, or those who live in the country continuously for ten years.
In the United States, a January 2025 executive order aimed to deny automatic citizenship to children of undocumented immigrants or those on temporary visas. A partial enforcement of this policy was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in June 2025. The U.S. also proposed the Ban Birth Tourism Act in May 2025 to target an estimated 33,000 births from birth tourism annually.
Unlike these countries, Canada does not restrict pregnant visitors under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), making it a more attractive option for those seeking birthright citizenship.
Calls for Reform and Public Opinion
A growing number of Canadians support changes to the current law. A 2019 poll found that 64% of Canadians favoured revising citizenship laws to exclude children born to parents on tourist visas. A 2022 Research Co. poll found that 73% of respondents supported a federal inquiry into the practice of birth tourism.
Critics argue that birth tourism can delay deportations and open pathways to future immigration for the families involved. Immigration expert Andrew Griffith stated, “It sends the message that Canada does not value its citizenship seriously.”
Medical professionals also report increased strain on the healthcare system. Dr. Colin Birch, an obstetrician in Calgary, noted that non-resident births “displace local patients” and add pressure to already stretched resources in hospitals.
However, not all stakeholders agree that reform is necessary. Some argue the numbers are small—non-resident births account for less than 2% of all births—and changing the law could be costly and unfairly target specific groups.
Data Gaps and Policy Challenges
One challenge in addressing the issue is the lack of consistent national data. Canada does not collect immigration or visa status on birth certificates, making it difficult to track the full scale of the problem. Provinces vary in their approach, with no standardised system to record or report non-resident births.
Experts suggest that Canada implement a national framework to collect data on the immigration status of parents, healthcare costs, and payment rates. Some provinces could also require non-resident mothers to provide medical insurance or deposits to cover delivery costs.
A Shift in Policy May Be Inevitable
The number of non-resident births in Canada rose from 2,433 in 2020–2021 to over 5,200 by 2023–2024, according to INC. With other countries tightening their birthright citizenship laws, Canada remains one of the few developed nations without restrictions, making it a destination for those seeking a citizenship advantage.
As public support for reform grows and healthcare pressures mount, policymakers are being urged to revise Section 3(1)(a) of the Citizenship Act to require at least one parent to be a citizen or permanent resident. Without such action, experts warn that the integrity of Canada’s immigration and healthcare systems could be compromised.
