“As international travel resumes, we need to continue to modernize and improve our passport services to make sure we meet the needs of Canadians. Simplifying the renewal process will make it easier and faster for Canadians to get their passport, and is another step toward greater modernization while prioritizing the health and safety of Canadians and our employees.”

 – The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

“Balancing health and safety guidelines with Canadians’ ongoing needs for services has been at the forefront of our efforts since the beginning of the pandemic. As restrictions ease, we will continue working to improve service delivery in order to be more modern and efficient, and ultimately to provide the best experience possible for all Canadians.” 

 – The Honourable Karina Gould, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development

• Adults who apply for a passport for the first time must still complete the general application form: Apply for a passport: About the process.

• This expansion supports the “tell us once” approach to providing personal information to the Government of Canada.

“The pandemic has shone a bright light on the incredible contributions of newcomers. These new policies will help those with a temporary status to plan their future in Canada, play a key role in our economic recovery and help us build back better. Our message to them is simple: your status may be temporary, but your contributions are lasting—and we want you to stay.”

 

– The Honourable Marco E. L. Mendicino, P.C., M.P., Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

Quick Facts

• These public policies apply to workers in 40 health-care occupations, as well as 95 other essential jobs across a range of fields, like caregiving and food production and distribution.
• These policies build on significant steps that we’ve already taken to help those here temporarily stay permanently, including new measures to ensure that international students don’t miss out on opportunities due to the pandemic and the largest draw in the history of the Express Entry system.
• Graduates and workers must have proficiency in one of Canada’s official languages; meet general admissibility requirements; and be present, authorized to work and working in Canada at the time of their application to qualify.
• Immigration is essential to the vitality of Francophone communities across Canada, which is why these policies include dedicated spaces for French-speaking or bilingual candidates, and no limit on applications for them.
• Canada faces serious demographic challenges. In 1971, there were 6.6 people of working age for each senior. Today, there are 3—and by 2035 there will be only 2. Without newcomers, future generations will end up paying more to sustain the public services we rely on.
• According to Statistics Canada (January 2021), immigrants who previously held a work permit often report higher wages 1 year after becoming permanent residents

Learn more at www.canada.ca