Ottawa's dual citizens — a community that spans government workers, former expats, and cross-border families — are facing a question that would have seemed dramatic just a few years ago: is it time to give up U.S. citizenship for good?
CBC Ottawa's Robyn Bresnahan recently explored the growing trend of Canadians with dual citizenship reconsidering their ties to the United States, driven by a combination of financial pressure and political disillusionment under President Donald Trump.
The Tax Burden Nobody Talks About
One of the least-understood realities of holding U.S. citizenship while living in Canada is the tax obligation that comes with it. Unlike most countries, the United States taxes its citizens on worldwide income — regardless of where they live. That means dual citizens living and working in Ottawa are still required to file U.S. tax returns every year, often paying an accountant hundreds of dollars just to confirm they owe nothing extra.
For many, it's a bureaucratic headache they've quietly tolerated for years. But with the cost of living climbing and the regulatory environment shifting under the Trump administration, some are deciding the passport simply isn't worth it anymore.
Trump's Return Changes the Calculus
Beyond taxes, the return of Donald Trump to the White House has renewed anxieties among dual citizens who feel increasingly disconnected from the political direction of the United States. For Canadians who've built their lives in Ottawa — raising families, buying homes, working in the public or private sector — the sense of alignment with American identity has frayed.
The recent trade tensions between Canada and the U.S., including tariff threats that have rattled Canadian industries, have only deepened that divide. Ottawa, as the nation's capital and home to thousands of federal public servants, sits at the centre of Canada's response to Washington's moves. For dual citizens here, it can feel especially conflicting to hold citizenship in both countries when the two are sparring.
Renouncing Isn't Simple
For those who do decide to walk away from their U.S. citizenship, the process is neither quick nor cheap. Renunciation must be done in person at a U.S. consulate or embassy — the closest option for most Ottawa residents being the U.S. Embassy on Sussex Drive. The administrative fee alone runs into the hundreds of dollars, and anyone with significant assets may face an exit tax.
There's also the emotional weight of the decision. For many dual citizens, U.S. citizenship was passed down through family, tied to heritage, or earned through years of living and working south of the border. Giving it up isn't just paperwork — it's a statement.
A Quiet but Growing Conversation
While hard local numbers are difficult to come by, immigration lawyers and financial advisors in the Ottawa region report that inquiries about renunciation have picked up noticeably. The conversation is happening at dinner tables and in professional offices across the city.
For now, many Ottawa dual citizens are weighing their options carefully — balancing practical concerns about taxes and compliance against the personal meaning of citizenship itself.
Source: CBC Ottawa / Robyn Bresnahan
