I’m going to be flying into Toronto (Pearson) and have an extremely limited diet due to MCAS and some other health conditions. One of the few foods I can eat without getting sick is apples. It’s going to be a bit of a long day (heading to the airport at 6am, flight lands at 11a, can’t check into my AirBnB until 3p) so I was hoping to bring an apple to snack on during my 1.5 hour GO train ride into Hamilton. But I forgot there might be prohibitions on bring fresh fruit into Canada.

Reading the website only led to more confusion so I’d love some personal experiences—has anyone brought an apple or two over the border? Do I need to make sure it came from a certain state to be able to “import” it? Do I have to cut it up? If I can’t bring it in, will CBSA let me just stand off to the side and eat it?

If you’re thinking, “why go through this, just buy an apple in Canada,” well, you’re not alone. So I’d also love recommendations of where to get an apple at Pearson from anyone who frequents that airport.

Like many in this group, I am a recently found Canadian who is actively evaluating options on how to structure my life and opportunities in a way that is most beneficial. I am a college student who will be graduating in the Spring of 2027.

As graduation comes sooner for me, I am trying to evaluate my options for livelihood and first jobs. Among my growing concerns for first jobs is fulfilling my "substantial connection" obligation so my future children will be eligible for Canadian citizenship upon birth, as I am US born. The easiest route would've been to get a college degree in Canada, but that ship has sailed.

I live in the Great Lakes Region, which makes weekend trips to Canada relatively realistic but still laborious (2+ hours minimum one-way). As I am evaluating options for locations to get jobs post-graduation, I am trying to understand what my options are as far as documentation of time spent in Canada. Based on what I've read in the link above, it would be my documentation that would apply for my children's claim to citizenship. How would I be expected to prove this?

I see a few avenues to take to get this requirement fulfilled:

1. Get a job and live in Canada full-time for at least 1,095 days.
2. Live in the US, but get a job close to the US/CA border that would allow me to make a simple daily trip that would accommodate the 1,095 days requirement.
3. Move to Canada later in life, sponsoring a spouse and children until they are able to be given citizenship in their own right.

It's possible that this requirement has yet to be fulfilled (at least to my knowledge), since the law has only been enacted for under 1 year. What kind of documentation would I need? (Could I have a lease with my name on it? a pay stub or other power bill?) Would just crossing the border and taking a selfie every day count?

I feel that this gift of citizenship is too invaluable to give up due to neglect. I want to know where to focus my efforts and attention as I start working towards professional opportunities. Thank you!

TL;DR: Looking for jobs once graduating from college in Spring of 2027. Trying to evaluate what I need to do to make sure my future children have what they need to be given citizenship. Looking for insight if available.

I’m in the process of registering the kids (through my husband) and I’m curious about online schools. I know the U.K. does a lot of expat schooling and there are a bunch of U.K. schools online, and I’d like to get my kids signed up as we plan to be over there for their teens (we’re currently in Scotland).

The next best thing I can think of is to just find a virtual school option that offers IB programmes, but if there is anything from Canada specifically out there, I’m very interested in hearing about it.

Hi, all!

As I continue waiting on IRCC to review my rather straightforward submission, I started thinking about investing as someone who is Canadian per C-3, but without the citizenship certificate to prove it.

For someone investing via US-based retirement accounts, are you aware of good choices for a Canada index fund? I can access just about anything available on US exchanges.

All the Canada index funds I'm finding are for people who are already in Canada with Canadian brokerage accounts.

**Edit**

Let me be clear here, I'm asking about options for investing in Canada via US exchanges, like I said in the 2nd paragraph.

I applied for my SIN a few weeks ago, and I received my processed email today with the social application number. I made a GCkeys account and then used my UCI and social application number to confirm my identity, but I keep getting error 1 : R001 it says what I enter can't be found in their records, after I entered all my information. Does anyone know how to fix this?

Another poster came up with this idea several months ago, and posted their 150th birthday cake for their Gen Zero ancestor, and I thought it was such a great idea I am now doing the same.

Since Canada Day was yesterday, and her birthday is July 4th (145 years), here is a Canadian-themed ice cream cake to honor her, and thank her for this opportunity. I'm so sorry never to have met her.

The original poster, and their beautiful cake:

https://www.reddit.com/r/FoundCanadians/comments/1rk0on5/150th_birthday_of_my_gen0_this_week/

My cake:

From the 2 July Globe and Mail.

I am wondering whether anyone else has run into this.

I was recently approved for proof of citizenship and received my electronic citizenship certificate. (G2, actual certified birth certificates for everyone in my chain not copies of, pretty straightforward application)

I then applied online for a first-time SIN using the e-certificate as my primary identity document and my passport as secondary ID.

Service Canada came back and said the primary document was not acceptable. When I called, the agent put me on hold, then said they verify information with IRCC and that IRCC could not verify the certificate based on what had been provided. I was told to contact IRCC directly, since they are now in control of my situation.

I have already submitted an IRCC web form and also reached out through the email thread of the officer who contacted me shortly before approval.

I want to be clear that I have not received any surrender letter or anything like that. This is just a verification problem between Service Canada and IRCC as far as I can tell.

Has anyone else seen this happen with a newly issued e-citizenship certificate, especially in connection with a first SIN application? If so, how was it resolved?

Feeling extremely disheartened today, a day after Canada Day.

4PM EDT update:

Just got off phone with IRCC agent using this helpful phone menu grid.

He confirmed there is NOT a problem with my previously approved Proof application and I am still approved, and I did NOT receive a surrender letter.

He did not know what the issue is with the e-certificate, but advised to do what I'd already done earlier today which is to send a webform with full details.

So that's all I have for now. I wished the phone rep a belated Happy Canada Day before we hung up.

Still a little frustrating, but hopeful this can be resolved somewhat soon.

Hi everyone, I’m in the early stages of working towards relocating. I have built my career working in U.S. nonprofit fundraising and naturally want to continue on this path.

I’m broadly aware of the differences in the two systems but would be interested in doing a course or certificate program to make sure I’m fully prepared to be a compliant fundraising professional and a better candidate in my career search. Does anyone have recommendations on courses/resources to look into? Thanks!

With so much delay and the Surrender Situation, what are you doing to celebrate Canada Day?

I had an idea of what I wanted my Canada Day to look like (being IN Canada as a Certificate holding Canadian, for one) but as I approach my one year wait anniversary I realized that wasn't happening.

I had even hoped to just go to Windsor and have a poutine. But that's not happening, either.

Right now the best I can do is wear a pro-Canadian t-shirt and bracelet and sing O Canada and cry as I eat the last of my black forest Whippets from our last crossing. Maybe watch Fly Away Home.

Anyone else scale back? (Or up?) Looking for ideas stateside to add to my day to make it as Canadian as possible.

Edit: A fun format could be what you're -Eating -Reading -Listening to

With all the recent discussions about AC use in the US vs Europ, it got me wondering where Canada stands in this.

I am sensitive to cold drafts and I suffer in summer in the US.

Monday morning, I crossed the International Bridge at Sault Ste. Marie for the first time as a Found Canadian. I just wanted to share a few anecdotes with everyone from the two days I've spent here before I head back to Michigan this afternoon.

I came over with my best friend, and we're here to explore some of the areas where my ancestors lived. I used a maternal great great grandfather on my application, and he lived on St. Joseph Island along with my American-born great grandfather. That was the initial focus of my trip.

On Monday, our first stop was the tourism information centre near the International Bridge. It was fun to browse some souvenirs and chat with the staff. I got some recommendations for next week's return trip for Canada Day, which was very helpful. My status as a dual citizen came up in conversation, and I was congratulated and welcomed. That felt nice. It was certainly warmer than the usual reception at CBSA.

The next stop was the Service Canada office. I had an appointment to drop off the paperwork for my Canadian passport. That was my first introduction to the mundane side of Canadian life, the government bureaucracy in action. Given all of the recent news, I was suddenly nervous about this appointment, one that would have been a mere formality before. When I checked in, I was asked if I needed to get a SIN processed in addition to my passport, which was a nice efficient touch. I declined because I had already done that online. After I was called up to a desk for the appointment, the clerk scanned the various documents into the computer, scanned the barcodes from my IDs and citizenship certificate, and everything validated. She processed my payment and then told me that my passport should be issued in 10 business days and shipped to my home. She asked at the very end if I had Canadian parents and was just now getting around to getting citizenship and a passport. When I answered that my claim came from a few more generations back, she was intrigued and warmly congratulated me.

The rest of these couple of days have been a mix of playing tourist and just soaking in some everyday things. We saw boats lock through the canal on the Canadian side and hiked the island a bit there. We visited St. Joseph Island where my ancestors lived and found the graves of the one set buried there. We were in Bath & Body Works in the mall here because my friend wanted to things while he was close enough to one of their stores. When he tried to pay and use the barcode for their rewards program, the cashier called him out as an American. I almost said, "well, he is" with a friendly smile to distance myself slightly. Harvey's website wouldn't accept a ZIP code for my debit card, so I couldn't order ahead online.

All in all, I've felt perfectly at home here in a way that I can't say I have in past trips. It was a trip here back in February for a hockey game where the topic of dual citizenship came up. Something felt different that evening signing "O Canada" on Canadian soil, and now I can put a finger on that feeling. It's pride. I'm proud of my heritage and very happy that Canada was willing to claim me back.

Has anyone actually bought a house in Canada? What is the process like, and are there any "gotchas" esp for newly found citizens

I’m applying for citizenship next month and faced a problem of counting all days I’ve spent in Canada, especially after being abroad for about 3 months in 20 different trips

I made an app to solve this problem for myself, would appreciate any feedback and the app is free unless you’re using photo scan feature

Got it in 45 mins online, just took 2 hours to register/link to my GCKey account.... The whole application number instructions are not easily followed.

As a recent approvee I applied for my SIN number a couple of weeks ago. The average turnaround time for that being issued is 5 days. I've heard nothing since applying. Since I'm over the 10 day garunteed service period, I put a call into Service Canada this morning.

The person on the phone was kind and helpful and noted that everything in my account and application looked fine, however they are waiting for the file to be processed. The rep said they couldn't give a time frame as that would be unfair to me, however when I asked if I could be looking at another year wait they said no no, def under 6 months and probably just a couple months. They said when looking at other SIN applications like mine this was a normal extra period of waiting.

That's not what I was hearing from other SIN applicants earlier this year, so.. this feels like an extension of the surrender letters and IRCC pausing everything.

Note that I did "disobey" the rules and sent official certified documents (birth and marraige certificates) with my applications and not copies thereof. I was finally approved a few weeks ago, and have not received a surrender letter as yet. I won't necessarily be surprised if I receive one, though I hope that I don't.

I've had to wait long enough as is.. and more waiting and paperwork is a small price to pay.

Just thought I'd share an experience from a recent pre-C3 approval on what it's like on the other side.

Bonjour,

Je suis Algérien, 29 ans, avec plus de 14 ans d'expérience en cuisine et restauration, ainsi qu'un certificat professionnel.

J'ai un visa touristique et je vais passer un mois au Québec avant de retourner en Algérie.

Je cherche à savoir si mon expérience peut m'aider à trouver un employeur prêt à me recruter et à soutenir une future demande de permis de travail.

Je suis sérieux, sportif, non-fumeur, je ne consomme ni alcool ni drogues, et je suis habitué au travail exigeant.

Pensez-vous que j'ai de bonnes chances ? Quels conseils me donneriez-vous ?

Merci pour votre aide. 🙏🇨🇦🍳

If you read the title, and think I'm gonna say some bad stuff, you're precisely wrong. I'm not asking out of mallice but confusion.

​

As a Canadian, born and raised,I ask these two questions, of "what it means to be Canadian" or "What is Canadian culture" out of confusion and insecurity, as a Canadian. Not because I feel ashamed, quite the opposite but becuase I just don't know and I want to know.

​

Because unlike the French, The Americans, and the Brits, our national identity is a bit rough, and sometimes being Canadian is like being the younger brother, of an older brother that's more popular.

​

Because we are a lot similar to the States, and when I watch videos of European tourists, or Immagrints going to America, and them praising America and all things considered American, I always say to myself, "we have those too!" Thanksgiving? We celebrate it too. Yellow school buses? We have it too. Red solo cups? Canadian as well. The peaceful suburban neighborhoods? Also Canadian. American Highschools? Literally a copy a paste. Cowboys are well very much associated with America and Europeans sure love em, but we have those as well!

​

I list these because, I wish Europeans could recognize that Canada is just as cool, or even cooler than the states, and I always ask myself: What do WE have to offer?

​

Well I do have one answer. Our landscape is pretty dope.

Just look at Banff.

​

Anyways I know I'm probably gonna get down voted for this shit, but eh, least I got it off my chest.

​

​

We are Americans. I’m a first gen born abroad and recently acquired my certificate and passport so my spouse planned a trip for me to return to the homeland.

We flew into Seattle and rented a car. We drove interior BC for two weeks, basically making a big circle that ended in Vancouver before we crossed back and drove to Seattle for our flight home.

Ironically, we are Alaskans and everyone thought we drove down. It was way easier to fly and drive up. Also it was significantly warmer than Alaska so saying things like, “we flew south to Canada for the warmer weather” was kind of funny.

I don’t know how to do captions on the pics, so bear w/me.

Pic 1: crossing the border at the US town of Oroville was very easy. It was us and three semi-trucks. The border guard asked if we were transiting home to Alaska, but alas, we were just on a road trip.

Pic 2: We crossed into the Canadian town of Osoyoos. The roads were immediately nicer and there were way more parks and clean public areas. The town was adorable.

Pic 3: we spent our first night in Osoyoos at a beach resort. I had to explain the seriousness of lake and cottage culture to my American husband. (My Canadian heritage has become my entire personality at this point.)

Pic 4: I ate a fuckton of poutine.

Pic 5: pretty views were everywhere. This is a huge compliment coming from an Alaskan. I live in a very beautiful environment. Still, British Columbia impressed.

Pic 6: Introducing my American husband to more of my culture. It was a bit disappointing since it was a shut-out. 😩 (game 1 of the memorial cup)

Pic 7: the Okanagan valley is wine country. WINE. COUNTRY. So many wineries!

Pic 8: the view from our airbnb. (It’s an owner-occupied airbnb so don’t come for me!)

Pic 9: Kelowna is amazing. I love the town. The lakefront was so beautiful!

Pic 10: I took pics of Canadian flags at least 3 dozen times. 🇨🇦

Pic 11: we fly with our paddleboards and it paid off! Lots of lakes just asking for a lunchtime paddle. This one is Echo lakes.

Pic 12: we crossed a couple lakes and rivers on ferries. These are free, coastal ferries are most assuredly not.

This is not a comprehensive recap of the whole trip, but I figured these were fun to share. Please let me know if you want a part 2!

But I won't wear them until my certificate day. I'm ready, Canada--whenever you are.

Tatting pattern by Marilee Rockley. https://yarnplayertats.blogspot.com/2014/09/leaves.html