Monday, May 15, 2006 - the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, introduced a new bill in the House of Commons to reform the Citizenship Act. The plan is intended to streamline the foreign adoption process by amending bureaucratic hurdles that lengthen the time it takes to unite Canadian parents with their foreign-adopted children.

The proposed legislation will minimize the difference in treatment between children adopted abroad and Canadian born children. Canadian citizens, who choose to adopt a foreign-born child, will be able to obtain Canadian Citizenship for the child without first having to apply for permanent resident status on behalf of the child.

Processing the paperwork to adopt a child from abroad can currently take many months or even years. "Parents have asked us to help them make foreign adopted kids Canadian, and that's just what we're going to do." said Prime Minister (PM) Stephen Harper.

In order for the adopted child to be granted citizenship, the adoption must adhere to the laws of the province or the territory of residence of the adoptive parents. Adopted children will be allowed to acquire Canadian citizenship as soon as the adoption process is completed, providing that an application for citizenship is submitted in their name.

"We are supporting Canadian families who adopt foreign-born children by helping them get citizenship without having to go through the immigration process," Minister Solberg said. "The Government of Canada is committed to working to welcome these young new Canadians and enhance fairness," he concluded.

"This is a major step forward for foreign-born adopted children and their adoptive families," said Sandra Scarth, President of the Adoption Council of Canada.