How far back can you go? Understanding multi-generational Canadian citizenship through descent
August 13, 2026Canadian Citizenship by Descent, Permanent Residence, and Work Permits: You May Not Need to Choose Just One
August 17, 2026
Cassandra Fultz, RCIC-IRB
On August 13, 2026, Ontario announced that it is ending access to Ontario Works and the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) for people who are living in Canada without legal immigration status.
The government’s announcement can be read here: Ontario Ends Social Assistance for People Living in Canada Illegally.
For many people, the most important question will not simply be whether they have legal status in Canada. It will be whether they can prove it.
That distinction could become increasingly important for Canadian citizens, permanent residents, protected persons and refugee claimants who rely on provincial assistance but no longer have their original immigration or citizenship documents.
Who Can Still Receive Social Assistance in Ontario?
The announced change does not mean that immigrants generally are being removed from Ontario's social assistance programs.
People who remain eligible based on their status include:
- Canadian citizens
- Permanent residents
- Protected persons
- Refugee/asylum claimants
However, Ontario has indicated that applicants may be required to provide documentation issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) or the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to establish their immigration status.
For someone whose documents are current and readily available, that may be straightforward.
For someone whose PR card, citizenship certificate, Record of Landing or other immigration document was lost decades ago, it may be anything but straightforward.
Don't Wait Until You Are Asked for Proof
The practical lesson from Ontario's announcement is simple:
Know where your immigration documents are, check whether they are current, and take action now if something is missing.
If you are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, protected person or refugee claimant receiving Ontario social assistance, review the documents you currently have available to establish your status.
If an important document has been lost, destroyed or expired, dealing with the issue proactively may be far easier than trying to replace it after you have been given a deadline to prove your eligibility.
Doherty Fultz Immigration can assist with:
- PR card renewals and replacements
- Citizenship certificate applications and replacements
- Verification of Status applications
- Replacement of eligible immigration documents
- Refugee claims and related immigration matters
Need to Replace Your Immigration or Citizenship Documents?
If you receive Ontario Works or ODSP and are concerned that you do not have the documents you need to prove your citizenship or immigration status, we can help.
Complete the contact form below and tell us which document you need help replacing. A member of the Doherty Fultz Immigration team can review your situation and advise you on the appropriate application.
Prefer email? Contact us at info@dfimmigration.ca.
Don't wait until you are facing a deadline to prove your status. Starting the replacement process now may help you avoid problems later if you are asked to provide updated documentation.
The Problem: Having Status and Proving Status Are Two Different Things
Losing an immigration document generally does not mean that you have lost your underlying status.
A permanent resident, for example, does not cease being a permanent resident simply because their PR card expires. Likewise, a Canadian citizen does not stop being a citizen because they cannot locate their citizenship certificate.
But when a government agency asks for documentary proof, the missing document can become an immediate practical problem.
That is why people receiving Ontario Works or ODSP should review their immigration and citizenship documentation before they are asked to produce it.
If your documents have expired, been lost, destroyed or are otherwise unavailable, now is the time to determine what replacement or proof-of-status application may be appropriate.
Doherty Fultz Immigration can assist with applications to replace or obtain proof of immigration and citizenship documents. Contact us if you are unsure what document you need or how to obtain it.
Permanent Residents: Check Your PR Card Now
Permanent residents should check whether they have a valid PR card and whether the biographical information on it is correct.
If your PR card has expired or has been lost, stolen or destroyed, you may need to apply for a new one.
This announcement could lead to an increase in PR card applications as people seek updated evidence of their status. If application volumes rise substantially, processing times may rise as well.
Waiting until you urgently need the document can therefore create unnecessary risk.
If you are a permanent resident receiving provincial assistance and do not have a valid PR card, contact Doherty Fultz Immigration to discuss replacing or renewing your PR card.
Canadian Citizens Without Citizenship Documents
Canadian citizens may face a different problem.
Some Canadians, particularly people who obtained citizenship many years ago or whose citizenship arises through a Canadian parent, may not have a current citizenship certificate available.
A citizenship certificate is official proof of Canadian citizenship. If your citizenship card or certificate has been lost or destroyed, or if you need your first certificate to establish citizenship, an application can be made to IRCC.
However, processing times for proof-of-citizenship applications can be lengthy and can change significantly depending on IRCC's application inventory. As of August 14, 2026, processing time is currently 25 months.
That means someone who waits until Ontario asks for proof may find themselves unable to obtain a new citizenship certificate quickly.
If you believe you are a Canadian citizen but do not have adequate proof of citizenship, contact Doherty Fultz Immigration as soon as possible. We can assess what documentation you currently have and advise you on the appropriate application.
Another Option for Permanent Residents and Canadian Citizens: Verification of Status
For some people, a PR card or citizenship certificate may not be the only relevant document.
People who became permanent residents in the past may remember receiving a Record of Landing or, more recently, a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (also known as IMM1000).
IRCC has a process called a Verification of Status (VOS) application. A VOS can provide historical immigration information that appeared on documents such as a Record of Landing or Confirmation of Permanent Residence.
Depending on a person's circumstances and what Ontario ultimately accepts as proof, a VOS application may be worth considering in addition to other applications.
This may be particularly important where obtaining another form of documentation could take substantially longer.
The right strategy depends on the individual's status, the documents they already possess and the evidence being requested.
If your original Record of Landing, Confirmation of Permanent Residence or other immigration document has been lost, contact Doherty Fultz Immigration. We can help determine whether a Verification of Status application or another replacement-document process is appropriate.
Could This Lead to More Refugee Claims?
Another potential consequence of Ontario's announcement is an increase in refugee claims.
Some people currently living in Ontario without status may have circumstances that could potentially support a refugee claim. Losing access to provincial assistance could cause more people to seek legal advice about whether they have an available immigration option.
But a refugee claim should never be filed simply to obtain access to benefits.
Canada's refugee system exists to protect people who meet the legal requirements for refugee protection. Whether someone has a viable claim depends on their individual circumstances, the risks they face and the applicable law.
Anyone considering a refugee claim should obtain legal advice about their circumstances before proceeding.
A Broader Concern: Vulnerability and Exploitation
There may also be unintended consequences.
People without legal status are already among the workers most vulnerable to exploitation. Removing access to social assistance may push some people further into informal or "under-the-table" employment simply to survive.
Workers in that position can be particularly vulnerable to unpaid wages, unsafe working conditions and employers who use their lack of status as leverage against them.
The immigration consequences of the policy therefore may extend beyond social assistance itself.
Don't Wait Until You Are Asked for Proof
The practical lesson from Ontario's announcement is simple:
Know where your immigration documents are, check whether they are current, and take action now if something is missing.
If you are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, protected person or refugee claimant receiving Ontario social assistance, review the documents you have available to establish your status.
If an important document has been lost, destroyed or expired, dealing with the issue proactively may be far easier than trying to replace it after you have been given a deadline to prove eligibility.
Doherty Fultz Immigration assists clients with:
- PR card renewals and replacements
- Citizenship certificate applications and replacements
- Verification of Status applications
- Replacement of eligible immigration documents
- Refugee claims and related immigration matters
Missing Your Immigration Documents?
You may have legal status in Canada but no longer have the documents needed to prove it.
If your PR card, citizenship certificate, Record of Landing, Confirmation of Permanent Residence or other immigration document is lost, expired or unavailable, Doherty Fultz Immigration can help you determine what you need and prepare the appropriate application.
Complete the form below or email info@dfimmigration.ca to get started.
This article provides general information only and is not legal advice. Immigration and social-assistance eligibility depends on individual circumstances, and government requirements and processing times can change.
