Thoughts From a "Lost Canadian" About the Challenges of Moving to Canada

Being a "Lost Canadian" and receiving your Canadian citizenship does not mean you have to move to Canada, but many who do will choose to move to Canada. As I wrote yesterday, there are many benefits to moving to Canada, but as with most things, there are also challenges, so before you decide if receiving your Canadian citizenship opens the door for you to move to Canada (it does open the door for this, but you many decide to go through this now open door), it is important to know the challenges involved with moving to Canada . . .

Thoughts From a "Lost Canadian" About the Benefits of Moving to Canada

I have been writing since April about Canada - I wrote about each of the Provinces/Territories, the amazing National Parks, and some of the unique things about Canada. I have also been writing about the steps to take if you are a "Lost Canadian" if you want to be able to become a Canadian citizen. It is important to keep in mind, if you live in the USA and are a "Lost Canadian" and decide to get your Canadian citizenship, it does not mean you have to move to Canada. It is a very positive thing to have duel citizenship.

But, if you are a "Lost Canadian" and receive your Canadian citizenship, moving to Canada is something you will be able to do if you decide to do so. With this in mind, what are the benefits to moving to Canada . . .

Thoughts From a "Lost Canadian" About Receiving Your Canadian Citizenship

I have been writing about learning I am a "Lost Canadian" and the process of finding the documents I need to receive my Canadian citizenship. I have also been writing about all the wonderful things I have learned about Canada and the incredible place it is. Today I'm going to share some helpful information about Canadian Citizenship by Descent which I've learned from the Canadian Immigration site -

Thoughts From a "Lost Canadian" About How Much I Appreciate Canada's Compassion

I have family members who are part of the LGBTQ+ community - you likely do as well. I have been paying attention over the past year to how often our elected officials here in the US demonize these dear people and have been appalled to watch as states pass laws to make their lives not only more difficult, but in some States (such as Kansas), nearly impossible. I have listened as some people talk about passing laws to do away with LGBTQ+ marriage and even some have talked about sending these dear ones to detention camps in their so-called Project 2025 writings.

Members of the LGBTQ+ community and their families and friends are rightly concerned about what the future may hold, but Canada takes a different view of these dear people - Canada welcomes them! Not only does Canada welcome them, but Canada will even expedite their applications for citizenship in Canada. I will share a bit of information with you on this so if you have someone you love who is LGBTQ+ and are applying for citizenship, you will have some details which may help -

Thoughts From a "Lost Canadian" About Gathering Documents to Receive Your Canadian Citizenship

Yesterday I wrote about how four months ago I learned I am a "Lost Canadian" - I have at least one ancestor (in my case I have closer to a dozen ancestors) who were born in Canada, so with the passing this past December of Bill C-3 in Canada, I am now able to receive my Canadian citizenship through citizenship by descent. Today I want to share with you some of the documents you need to gather to receive your Canadian citizenship if you, like me, are "Lost Canadians".

Thoughts From a "Lost Canadian" About Finding Out I'm a "Lost Canadian"

I have been writing about Canada and being a "Lost Canadian" for almost four months now - ever since I learned I am a "Lost Canadian". I have lived most of my life in West Michigan, just thirty minutes from beautiful Lake Michigan. I lived for a few years in Northern California, two hours from Oregon, where I met my husband (on an active volcano - the incredibly beautiful Mt. Lassen), - but I was born in West Michigan and have lived most of my life here. 

Of course I knew my dad and my grandpa, but my great-grandpa died before I was born. Along with not knowing him, I also did not know - until this past April - my great grandpa was born in Argenteuil, Quebec, Canada, and my great-great grandpa and great-great grandma were born in East Hawkesbury, Prescott, Ontario, Canada, and Argenteuil, Quebec, Canada. Plus, when I go back to great-great-great, and great-great-great-great, etc. grandparents, I learned many were born in Ontario (we even have a town in Ontario named after an ancestor's uncle!), Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick - lots of Canadian ancestors for sure (some of them are in the photo, but there are many for whom I have not yet been able to find photos).

Thoughts From a "Lost Canadian" About Nova Scotia's Unique Features

Since the middle of April when I learned I am a "Lost Canadian", I've been learning about Canada. While I have learned many things,  there clearly are a great many things I still do not know and have yet to learn. Today I'm sharing some of the unique things I've learned about the Canadian Province of Nova Scotia, which is a special place in Canada to me as some of my ancestors are from there - we suspect they may have been Mi'kmaq First Nations People. I am happy to share with you some of the things I've found online about Nova Scotia . . .