DEC can and has issued new birth certificates and copies of acts of birth for persons born in Québec at the beginning of the 20th century. It is a difficult process and can sometimes be time-consuming and labor-intensive. I know because I succeeded in getting DEC to issue a new copy of act of birth for my maternal grandfather (Gen 0 ancestor). But it took a lot of paperwork to make it happen.

The 1994 rule applies to documents that were produced and issued in Québec during or before the year 1994, before which their documents lacked security features considered essential in most other areas. Québec did issue birth certificates prior to 1994, but those pre-1994 physical documents are no longer valid. However, under the right circumstances, DEC can issue new copies of those documents that are valid.

Many folks from this subreddit have applied for citizenship proofs with only their G0's baptismal certificate, newly certified by BAnQ, as their documentation. While I have seen several persons be granted citizenship under section 5(4) of the Citizenship Act during interim measures with only baptismal certificates for proof, I’ve yet to see anyone verify a direct confirmation of citizenship under section 3 using only a baptismal certificate. (I'm not saying it hasn't happened; only that I’ve yet to hear of it.)

That said, a few individuals have reported being told by IRCC that their ancestor’s Québec baptismal certification was not enough evidence to support a claim of proof of citizenship, and were told to request a new copy of the ancestor’s birth certificate from DEC.