The cost of a Canadian passport is about to rise and plans by Prime Minister Mark Carney's government to overhaul the way it sets prices could result in them being even more expensive in the future.
An order-in-council adopted in late January calls for the government to begin tying passport prices to the consumer price index (CPI). On March 31, the cost of a Canadian passport will rise by 2.7 percent, the CPI increase in April 2024.
For example, for those applying within Canada, the price of a five-year passport would rise to $123.24 and the cost of a 10 year passport would increase to $164.32. For those who apply from outside Canada, a 10-year passport would cost $267.02.
NDP immigration critic Jenny Kwan said some residents of her Vancouver East riding already have difficulty affording what has become an important piece of ID, even within Canada.
"That's another burden that the Liberal government is putting on everyday Canadians," she said.
Kwan said the plan to overhaul passport prices to better reflect the program's cost "is absolutely code for the government to look to increase the cost of accessing a passport for everyday Canadians."
Kwan said Canadians expect the government to live up to its word.
"When they make a commitment, they should follow up and make sure that they follow through," she said.
