MORE PASSPORT CLINIC SUCCESS

Barry Devolin – March 8, 2006

Earlier this week, my staff and I completed another round of successful Passport Clinics in communities across the riding.

On Monday morning, we were at the Coboconk Legion. Proof of the need for such clinics is that we had 150 people in Coboconk – a village of about 1000 residents! That evening, Peterborough MP Dean Del Mastro and I worked together with our staffs to process more than 300 people in just 3 hours at the Peterborough Curling Club.

On Tuesday, we were at the Haliburton Legion in the morning where we had another good turnout (about 100 people). That evening, we returned to the newly renovated Lindsay Square Mall for the 4th time and were happy to help more than 150 people with their applications.

On Wednesday, we were at the Beaverton Legion. Last year we visited Beaverton during a nasty ice storm in January, and still had more than 100 people drop by for help. This year (with better weather) we had about 90 in just 3 hours.

The purpose of these Passport Clinics is to help people to properly complete the application process. Over the past few years – and especially since 9/11 – Passport Canada has gotten very strict about enforcing the “letter of the law”. As a result, more and more people appreciate some help with their passport application.

At the Clinics, we explain there are 4 steps in this process – and that we can help with the first three. First, we help people with the application forms, and check to ensure everything is done correctly. Second, we have a freelance photographer on hand to take proper passport pictures. Third, we check to make sure that the applicant’s identification is in order – especially the original birth certificate or citizenship card that is required.

The fourth step cannot be completed at the Clinic. This involves getting a Guarantor to sign the forms. A Guarantor is someone (taken from a list of professionals provided) who has known the applicant for at least 2 years. The Guarantor verifies that the applicant is who they say they are, and that the photograph is of the applicant.

Once these four steps are done, the application is complete. There are several ways to submit these applications to Passport Canada. We recommend just two.

The first is through the MP’s office. This takes 4 to 6 weeks. There are two major advantages to using my office rather than the Post Office. First, we send the application through a secure courier rather than the regular mail and ensure it has arrived in Ottawa. Second, we track your application throughout the process and can intervene on the applicant’s behalf if there is a problem. (And there are often little problems.)

The second option we recommend is to go directly to a Passport office. The closest is in Whitby. There are two advantages to this option. One, you can get your passport in 10 business days. Two, you avoid having to send your original birth certificate or citizenship card away for 4 to 6 weeks (as you must if you use the MP’s office or regular mail).

I offer these Passport Clinics as a service to my constituents. I am not encouraging people to get passports, but am helping those who have already decided they want one. More and more Canadians are getting passports, largely because it appears the United States will require a passport to enter the USA by air beginning in 2007 and by land in 2008.

If you ever have any questions about passports, please call my office at 324-2400 or 866-688-9881. Remember, my staff and I are here to serve you.