Bill Gammell has always maintained a unique connection with Canada. While his parents became naturalized U.S. citizens, his father hailed from Nova Scotia and his mother from Prince Edward Island. Moreover, three out of his four grandparents were born in P.E.I. Gammell also owns a summer residence in Eglington, which happens to be situated on the same property once owned by his great-great-grandfather.
Residing in Tolland, Conn., Gammell is among the multitude of individuals, primarily Americans, seeking Canadian citizenship. According to him, the current global landscape appears less stable, with deteriorating international relations and alliances. Viewing a second passport as a form of security, Gammell believes it provides reassurance to individuals given the prevailing uncertainties.
The enactment of “Lost Canadian” legislation by Parliament last year has led to a significant increase in the issuance of certificates between April 1 and May 31, with a nearly 50% surge. Bill C-3 permits individuals to attain Canadian citizenship by demonstrating a lineage to a Canadian ancestor, even across multiple generations. This legislation was implemented following court rulings that deemed restricting citizenship to solely the first generation born outside Canada as excessively stringent.
Gammell disclosed that he submitted his application in February 2025 and received a confirmation the subsequent month indicating ongoing processing. As of his last check in July, approximately 2,500 applicants were ahead of him in the processing queue, with around 115,000 individuals awaiting processing behind him. Aligning closely with Canadian values, Gammell emphasized the importance of this decision, particularly against the backdrop of increasing divisiveness in the United States.
Liam Richardson, an archivist at the provincial Public Archives and Records Office, highlighted a substantial increase in citizenship-related requests since January, with a notable rise in certification demands. Previously handling only a few certification requests annually, the office has witnessed a substantial surge, certifying over 5,000 pages of records by May.
While Richardson anticipates a continuous influx of requests, he believes that the acquisition of citizenship may not necessarily translate into a mass migration to the province, suggesting it serves as a contingency plan for many individuals. Gammell attributed his application to the divisive rhetoric in the U.S., notably referencing remarks made by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding Canada. Despite the surge in applications, Gammell opined that most applicants do not intend to exploit Canada’s social systems but rather seek emotional fulfillment in identifying as Canadians.