Citizenship by Descent — Navigating the New Rules, Rising Demand, and the Records That Make It All Possible

Presented by the CBA Alberta Immigration Law (South) Section

On Demand. Originally presented on Oct. 28, 2026.

Recent changes to Canada's citizenship by descent rules — coupled with a surge of applicants from the United States and abroad seeking Canadian citizenship — have created new opportunities and new headaches for immigration practitioners. Join us for this timely lunch and learn as we unpack what's changed, what it means for your clients, and how to navigate the practical hurdles that come with these applications.

Yameena Ansari, Principal Lawyer at Ansari Law, will offer counsel's perspective on the updated citizenship by descent framework, including emerging trends in applications driven by cross-border migration, common pitfalls in eligibility assessments, and practical tips and tricks for guiding clients through the process.

Cassidy Foxcroft, Reference Archivist at the Provincial Archives of Alberta, and Mike Sainsbury, Certified Genealogist (R), Principal Researcher with dfh Research Services will deliver brief presentations on accessing vital records, birth certificates, and genealogical research and documentation — the building blocks of any citizenship by descent application. Learn what the Archives and a Certified Genealogist can offer your clients, how to navigate record requests efficiently, and what to do when the paper trail gets complicated.

PRESENTERS

Yameena Ansari (Principal Lawyer, Ansari Immigration Law)
Cassidy Foxcroft (Reference Archivist, Provincial Archives of Alberta)
Mike Sainsbury (Certified Genealogist (R), Principal Researcher, dfh Research Services)

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