Earlier this week, Canada introduced a new passport design which was immediately met with some (OK, a lot of) criticism. Here’s a link to an online article from CTV News. The quote that caught our eyes was from Pierre Poilievre, leader of the Official Opposition of Canada, who included in his speech in the House of Commons the remark “They erased Vimy Ridge to put in an image of a squirrel eating a nut.”
Now, to be fair, the replacement for former pages 22 and 23 isn’t just a squirrel eating a nut, but also something else featuring a cob of corn and a pumpkin. But as we prepare for our trip next month that will include a visit to the Vimy Memorial in France, we are kind of inclined to agree with the Royal Canadian Legion which said in a media statement:
We are disappointed by the decision to remove an image that signifies the sacrifices made for the very sort of freedom the passport provides.
It’s all a bit of a tempest in a teapot, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh probably captured the views of most Canadians, saying “I don’t have a strong opinion on the appearance of the passport”. And it’s good to remember that Canada’s new flag was introduced in 1965 to the same widespread criticism and now we couldn’t be prouder of it!
Our present passports, complete with the current Vimy Memorial images, are good until 2029, and by then who knows what will be featured? The really good news, rather overshadowed by the whinging about the images, is that starting later this fall Canadians will be able to renew their passport, pay their fees, and upload their photograph securely and conveniently online.
The official announcement video from Service Canada: