I really love my country, and I feel so lucky to be Canadian. I have lived around the world, and I have to say that this place is truly special - there's really nothing like Canada.
For the sensationalists who call this a "loophole" or "Americans looking for a plan B", let me give you some insight. I currently live in Canada, and I would have been living here and contributing regardless of whether I had been retroactively granted citizenship or not. My family comes from Québécois, Acadian, and First Nations backgrounds, and we have always been proud of our roots. Some of our ancestors are even mentioned in history books for their contributions to Canadian history. We grew up with a strong attachment to our heritage and to the French language, and of course we visited Canada every year. We always felt at home in Canada, we just didn't have the passports (yet!).
I considered moving "back" due to my attachment to Canadian culture, society, geography, food, etc., and my decision was solidified after an extended trip and time spent with my (Canadian) cousin who encouraged me to finally make the move. Well, I did, and it was one of the best decisions I ever made in my life (not a hyperbole). I have been living and working here on a visa, under the assumption that I was (legally speaking) just a "regular" foreigner. In December, I was scrolling CBC videos on YouTube before going to bed when I found out about about C-3. I couldn't believe what I was seeing, it was honestly surreal. That very evening, I had already started gathering documents and planning.
The whole process has been incredibly emotional for me and for my entire family. While doing genealogical research, I went back as far as possible. I learned many "cool" and interesting things about my ancestors, but I was also floored and shaken by what my Indigenous and Acadian ancestors went through. I suppose some details were purposefully "forgotten" by the family and left out for a reason. It really is incredible to see what many of our ancestors went through back in the day (regardless of their backgrounds). It was a tough life, and we would not be here (nor would we be the people we are today) if it were not for them.
Upon presenting my findings regarding C-3 and our deeper family history to my grandfather, he got very emotional. He said that he never felt like he was "allowed" to connect with his roots, and that he felt like this was the first time in his entire life that his background was truly honoured and respected. Along with his form, he even included a thank you card to the IRCC writing how proud his late father would have been were he to have known about the restoration of our family's citizenship and our seizing of the opportunity.
Canada is home for me. It is not a plan B, it's an integral part of me. And I would feel the same even if I had to leave the country for work or personal reasons in the future. As my fellow Canadians, I believe that you have every right to feel the same - don't let anyone tell you otherwise. But please, do whatever you can to fully embrace your Canadian-ness! There is so much to see, discover, and experience here. Even a whole lifetime is not enough for it all. Be proud of who you are while also giving the country the full respect that it deserves. It's okay to be Canadian and also something else. It does not make you lesser. One of the best parts about this country is its multiculturalism.