Days numbered for birth-certificate border hops.

[jeffreyab]

By PAUL KORING

Wednesday, April 6, 2005 Updated at 1:42 AM EST

From Wednesday's Globe and Mail

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20050406.wborder06/BNStory/National/

"Finally, on Jan 1, 2008, the passport or equivalent rule will be imposed at land crossings."

You might have to join the website to read the rest of the article but the basics are that I and anyone else who crosses the border on a regular basis will have to apply for a passport. From the Passport Canada website:

"A fee of $87 is required with your initial application for a Canadian passport. How long is a passport valid for? The period of a passport's validity will vary depending on the age of the passport holder: Adult passport (sixteen years old and over): Maximum of 5 years. Can a passport be renewed? No, you must re-apply by providing a completed application form signed by an eligible guarantor."

Which means people who do not attend church or know any other professional are going to have a hard time.
This is really going to hurt border cities I can see the bigger bars in town including the charity casino getting hit hard.

Comments

[tlatoani.livejournal.com]

Um, can't they just ask someone they know from work, or a family member?

[hannunvaakuna.livejournal.com]

what does church attendance and/or knowing a professional have to do with getting a Canadian passport?

[harmer.livejournal.com]

I never even thought of our casino when Jeff and I were talking about this last night. I was just like, "Ha ha, Best Buy and the mall in Lethbridge/Port Huron are going to lose business!"

[encorecrazay.livejournal.com]

Big article in the Wall Street Journal about this today focusing on the US Passport requirements. A first time application can cost up to $US 100. Mine expires this November.

[kgkofmel.livejournal.com]

But if the date you've cited is correct, there is over 3 years before the absolute need for a passport comes into play. So find a guarantor and cultivate them!! All they need to be able to do is swear or affirm that they have known you personally (i.e. not over the internet) for two years. They don't have to be your friend. They don't even have to LIKE you.

If you check the webpage for Passport Canada, the list of guarantors is actually quite extensive, and I believe there is a facility (requires a separate document) for persons who STILL can't find gurantor. Your banker will do, a vet will do (hey, I just realized I know a vet in the US!!).

I mean, if you haven't got a lawyer, doctor, dentist, vetrinarian, or financial officer in your circle of personal contacts or list of service providers, then the chances are you are ill-prepared for some other life issues.

[very-lost-boy.livejournal.com]

January 1st, 2008 is a long way off... I wouldn't want to be waiting for this to actually happen. At the very least, by then, advertising executives should also be on the list of acceptable persons.

[theengineer.livejournal.com]

Some friends of mine who had moved to Edmonton had to Fed Ex a passport application to me a few weeks back, because there was literally no one in Edmonton who could sign it for them. I agree, this is going to be a problem.