The price of a Canadian passport is set to increase with potential for further hikes in the future under Prime Minister Mark Carney’s administration. A recent order-in-council mandates linking passport fees to the consumer price index (CPI). Effective March 31, the cost of a Canadian passport will go up by 2.7%, reflecting the CPI rise in April 2024.
The new fees will be $122.50 for applications within Canada and $163.50 for a 10-year passport. For applicants outside Canada, a 10-year passport will cost $266.25. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada highlighted that the current fee structure is insufficient to cover program expenses due to unaccounted costs such as employee salaries, processing and delivery costs, and IT expenses.
NDP’s immigration critic, Jenny Kwan, expressed concerns about the impact on Canadians, particularly those with financial constraints. The government acknowledged that the fee increase may hinder certain groups, including low-income individuals, families, seniors, students, and refugees, from obtaining or renewing passports.
Conservative immigration critic Michelle Rempel Garner raised issues about lengthy passport processing times and questioned the rationale behind higher fees for potentially poorer service. The government faced challenges meeting demand for passports in 2022 post-pandemic, leading to refunds totaling $40 million for failing to meet service standards.
Despite promises to improve service standards, delays persist in passport processing. A commitment to process passports within 30 business days or offer them for free, made by former minister Terry Beech, remains unfulfilled. A forthcoming order-in-council suggests that the refund policy for delayed passports may align with consular fee refunds for applications exceeding the 30-day processing timeframe.
Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab declined to address inquiries regarding the refund pledge, prompting calls for accountability from Canadians. The government is expected to uphold its commitments and ensure transparency in its operations.
