Province
MONTREAL — Renewing a passport has become much simpler for Canadians.
Applicants no longer need to submit citizenship documents, supplementary identification or a guarantor declaration.
To qualify for the streamlined process, applicants must hold a Canadian passport issued after Jan. 31, 2002, that has not been altered or damaged, or reported as lost or stolen. Applicants must be Canadian residents. Other restrictions also apply.
The measure is to help to cut down on the backlog that has been mounting since new travel rules were introduced by the U.S. in January.
Since Jan 23, air travellers heading to or from the United States are required to carry a passport.
The passport requirement has been a growing source of tension between Ottawa and Washington, with the Conservative government complaining the Bush administration rushed to implement the plan before putting the proper infrastructure in place.
For more information about the new application process, visit www.passportcanada.gc.ca or call 1-800-567-6868.
© The Vancouver Province 2007
