(no subject)

[frandroid]

I went to the Passport Canada (an arms-length Crown corporation, a "Special Operating Agency" that "operates much like a private sector enterprise") website, and found the list of eligible guarantors:

Eligible guarantors

Your guarantor must:

1. Be a Canadian citizen residing in Canada and must be accessible to Passport Canada for verification.
2. Have known you personally for at least two years.
3. Be one of the following:
* Chiropractor
* Dentist
* Geoscientist
* Judge
* Lawyer (member of a provincial bar association), notary in Quebec
* Magistrate
* Mayor
* Medical doctor
* Minister of religion authorized under provincial law to perform marriages
* Notary public
* Optometrist
* Pharmacist
* Police officer (municipal, provincial or RCMP)
* Postmaster
* Principal of a primary or secondary school
* Professional accountant (APA, CA, CGA, CMA, PA, RPA)
* Professional engineer (P.Eng., Eng. in Quebec)
* Senior administrator in a community college (includes CEGEPs)
* Senior administrator or teacher in a university
* Veterinarian

So while I didn't want to sound too alarmist in my previous post, I mean in general, even though this administrative task is annoying, it is usually painless and most Canadians don't have a problem finding someone on that list. But it's still a class-based permission system. If you've been on the news as a protestor, especially in a small town, who knows if you might run into trouble getting your doctor to back you up? Anyway, you can figure out a number of scenarios where your birthright as a Canadian to hold a passport might be interfered by the well-meaning holders of public propriety.

hsifyppah! You will be a guarantor! :]

It's interesting how your MP cannot be a guarantor, but your mayor can.

Next time I'm renewing my passport, I'm showing up at City Hall!

Props to seaya for finding this icon!

Comments

[drinzy.livejournal.com]

I thought you can sign an affadavit if you don't have a guarantor.

[drinzy.livejournal.com]

Sorry, affidavit.

http://www.ppt.gc.ca/can/supporting_id.aspx?lang=e

See bottom. Statuatory declaration in lieu of guarantor.

[frandroid.livejournal.com]

Hah. It seems it's kinda restructive as well:

Declaration in lieu of guarantor

If you have not known an eligible guarantor for at least two years, complete form PPTC 132 "Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor" available from any Passport Canada office.

The "Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor" form must be sworn to or declared before, and signed by, a person authorized by law to administer an oath or a solemn declaration. If completed outside Canada, a qualified official includes a Canadian or British diplomatic or consular representative, or a qualified local official.

I haven't seen the form (since you can't get it from the website, but only from their offices; a peculiar restriction), but it looks like you need to go see a lawyer or notary... But at least that's something­.

[drinzy.livejournal.com]

How is having it signed before a notary restrictive? If you can afford to leave the country, you should be able to afford to have your passport application notarized. The cost is 70$.

[hsifyppah.livejournal.com]

Yup! I think I'll institute motherinlawtree's passport rules and only sign ugly passport photos.

[seaya.livejournal.com]

Do you have to re-go through this every time you renew?

[frandroid.livejournal.com]

I believe so, although I didn't "renew", I actually had to re-apply because I lost my first passport. (Lost it in my apartment, of all places...)