Peterborough, Ontario – Dean Del Mastro, Member of Parliament for Peterborough Riding, will be holding a series of Passport Clinics;

Monday, January 8, 2007
11 am to 1 pm - Ennismore Community Care
6 pm to 9 pm - Lakefield Legion

Tuesday, January 9, 2007
11 am to 1 pm - Norwood Legion
6 pm to 9 pm - Peterborough Naval Association - Admiralty Hall

All Peterborough Riding constituents are welcome to attend any of the four clinics. The aim of the clinics are to assist constituents in applying for their passports.

Applicants must bring with them original proof of Canadian citizenship in the form of a birth certificate or a certificate of Canadian citizenship as well as supporting identification with their current name and signature such as a Driver’s Licence, Health Card, Social Insurance Number Card or Old Age Security Card. The original proof of citizenship MUST accompany the application. The supporting identification can be a photocopy, as long as the photocopy details the entire document (both sides) and is clear and readable. The photocopy must also be signed and dated by the applicant’s guarantor.

Two identical passport photographs are also required. There will be a photographer on-site that will take pictures for a nominal fee. Applicants must also have their guarantor sign their passport application, one of the photo’s and, if required, a photocopy of their supporting identification. Obtaining a guarantor is the responsibility of the applicant. Possible guarantors include police officers, dentists, doctors, chiropractors, judges, lawyers, mayors, ministers, pharmacists, postmasters, principals or chartered accountants. The guarantor must be someone who is a Canadian citizen and has known the applicant for at least two years.

Although there is no additional cost to attend a Passport Clinic, the fees for processing a passport are as follows; $22.00 for children under 3, $37.00 for children aged 3 to 15 years and $87.00 for adults (16 years of age or over). Payment must accompany your application and can be paid by VISA, MasterCard, American Express, money order or certified cheque made out to the Receiver General for Canada.

Applicants will also need to sign a consent form if they wish to have their MP act on their behalf in exchanging information with Passport Canada.

Currently, turn-a-round time for receiving passports is six to eight weeks. For urgent passport requests, applicants are urged to apply in person at the nearest Passport Offices located in Whitby and Scarborough.

For more information, constituents are encouraged to call the office at (705) 745-2108, or visit our website at www.deandelmastro.ca to find information about Passport Canada and the application process under “Links”.