Gatineau, Quebec, December 9, 2011 - Passport Canada will start issuing higher-security electronic passports, or ePassports, to Canadians next year. With the ePassport, Canadians will have the option of getting a new, security-enhanced passport that is valid for five years, starting next year, or a 10-year passport, starting in early 2013.
Today, in accordance with the User Fees Act, Passport Canada is unveiling its new fee-for-service proposal to accompany the new 10-year ePassport. Canadians are invited to have their say on this proposal.
As always, Passport Canada is striving to strike the best possible balance between security, service and cost. In fact, the proposed fee for a 10-year ePassport is actually lower, per year of validity, than the fee for the current 5-year passport.
The proposal and all supporting documentation may be found at www.passportcanada.gc.ca/consultations.
A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document available to Canadians who want to travel abroad. The more secure ePassport is a document that benefits all Canadians by protecting our national security.
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