On New Year's Eve, a baby was born on an international flight as the plane flew over Canada. When the Ugandan mother and her baby landed in Boston, American officials deemed the baby a Canadian citizen to speed their passage through customs.
At first, Canadian officials were unsure whether the child qualified for citizenship, as there was no know precedent in Canada for such a situation. Federal immigration lawyers reviewed the case and ruled that the baby is indeed eligible for Canadian citizenship.
"Our government believes that Canadian territory - and, as a result, the full reach of Canadian sovereignty - extends to our airspace," stated a spokesperson for Citizenship, Immigration, and Multiculturalism Canada (CIMC) Minister Jason Kenney. "This means that a child born in Canadian airspace is a Canadian citizen."
The mother can now obtain a proof of citizenship by applying to Citizenship and Immigration Canada with a birth certificate and other identification.
Almost anyone born in Canada is granted Canadian citizenship, save a few exceptions, such as children born to foreign diplomats.
