MP Gallant praises new passport guarantor policy

October 03, 2007

OTTAWA – Cheryl Gallant, Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MP, says new criteria for passport guarantors will make obtaining the travel document simpler for applicants. This updated policy allows most Canadian adult passport holders residing in Canada or the U.S. to act as guarantors for passport applications.
"This latest change is another positive step to improve passport services for Canadians,” says Gallant.

“In only a few months, we have increased Passport Canada's capacity by 40 per cent, launched the simplified passport renewal process and the new guarantor policy.”

Under the new policy, effective today, an eligible guarantor must:

• Be a Canadian citizen 18 years of age or older;
• Hold a five-year Canadian passport that is valid or has been expired for no more than one year;
• Have been 16 years of age or older when they applied for their own passport; and
• Have known the applicant personally for at least two years.

Since January 23, 2007, a new American law requires everyone entering the United States by air to have a valid passport. Canadians can continue to use such documents as their birth certificates and drivers' licence to cross the Canada-U.S. border by land and sea for at least another year.

Demand for passports is currently high and the turn around time is 8 to 10 weeks if there are no complications. Shorter processing times are possible if applications are brought directly to the Passport Office at 240 Sparks St., and identification documents are returned to the applicants at the time of submission.

“As always my constituency staff will be pleased to help you complete the forms that are available at my office,” says Gallant. “Members of Parliament are only permitted to make inquiries as to a document’s progress if the application is submitted through their offices.”

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For More Information Please Call Cheryl Gallant, M.P. at (613) 732-4404