IfG.CC -
Institute for eGovernment

Launched in the spring of 2010, the consultations provided an opportunity for interested parties to make their voices heard and gave Passport Canada new ideas and a better sense of their expectations regarding passport services.

Since 2001, Passport Canada’s issuance processes and the passport book itself have undergone security improvements and updates. The organization’s service delivery network has expanded from 29 offices in 2001 to a national network that comprises 34 Passport Canada offices and 197 Service Canada and Canada Post outlets that accept applications.

In order to continue improving the Canadian passport, the Government of Canada has decided to move to the next generation of travel documents by adopting the electronic passport, or ePassport. Over 80 countries now issue ePassports and an estimated 250 million such documents are in circulation worldwide.

The passport application process will not change with the adoption of the ePassport. However, implementing this improved passport means that Passport Canada will have to make some changes to its services and associated fees. These changes will take effect when the ePassport is rolled out, starting in 2012.

Some of these changes have already been determined. For instance, Passport Canada will start offering Canadian adults the choice of a 10-year validity period as well as the current 5-year validity period. (Children will continue to receive passports with a maximum validity of 5 years.)

Before making these changes, Passport Canada consulted Canadians in accordance with the process set out by the User Fees Act.

Passport Canada first main finding was that the introduction of the 5- and 10-year ePassport is strongly supported. This stems from the popularity of the 10-year validity option, as well as the importance assigned to the need to follow international practices and stay at the fore of passport security.

Generally speaking, Canadians were not aware of the Government of Canada’s plan to introduce the ePassport, nor did they know what an ePassport is. However, when those who participated in the consultations learned about the ePassport, clients and stakeholders alike were in favour of its adoption, citing the need to follow international practices and stay at the fore of passport security.

Passport Canada’s public consultations also revealed that the overall positive reaction to the ePassport was largely driven by the extended validity period. When informed that adult passport applicants would have the choice between a 5- or 10-year passport, some clients and stakeholders wondered why the 5-year option was still being offered at all.

The second main finding is that some Canadians have questions and concerns about the privacy implications of the ePassport. The results of the consultations clearly indicate that most Canadians are not aware of the type of technology used in ePassports or of the built-in privacy protection. Many felt that Passport Canada should examine the case for additional safeguards regarding the ePassport, such as protective shielding to prevent unauthorized parties from reading the data on the chip.

Some participants felt that Passport Canada needed to better explain the privacy implications of adopting the ePassport, the steps it is taking to protect passport holders’ personal information, the ways other governments may be using the information they collect from travellers, and how the ePassport may or may not facilitate this collection of personal information.

For example, some participants expressed concern about the use of biometrics and their potential impact on the protection of personal information in the passport. They were worried that the use of an electronic chip could lead to monitoring or surveillance of Canadians by unauthorized parties, which would subsequently increase the potential for identity fraud and document counterfeiting.

The third main finding was that participants are generally satisfied with Passport Canada’s service offering. However, a variety of suggestions for further improvements to Passport Canada’s services were proposed, such as:

• greater online access;
• an expanded office network;
• longer office hours;
• improved turnaround, including faster service and guaranteed turnaround times;
• expanded criteria for renewals;