Mr. Chairman, between 1947 and 1977, a person born outside of Canada to a Canadian parent had to register that birth within two years. Post-1977, they were eligible to be registered, as well, and it was extended.
The approach we've taken in dealing with these cases is that if there has been a substantive and substantial connection with Canada, in those circumstances where they have not registered, we are recommending to the minister that she use her authority under subsection 5(4). So if there's a case where somebody simply went abroad, as the minister said, for three days to be born, and they spent their entire time....
I was born in Quebec, 10 miles from the Vermont border. It is the same sort of situation. A lot of my friends were born in Burlington, Vermont. If they spent their entire life in Canada, we can provide documentation on that. We'll recommend to the minister that she exercise her authority under 5(4). There's no requirement for permanent residence. There's no requirement to do anything. We simply have to prove the facts to the satisfaction of the minister, and she's able to provide citizenship.