Vol. 148, No. 7 — March 26, 2014

Registration

SI/2014-24 March 26, 2014

FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION ACT

Remission Order in Respect of Fees for the Issuance of Passports, Certificates of Identity and Refugee Travel Documents in Relation to Individuals who Died Following the Lac-Mégantic Explosion in Quebec

P.C. 2014-255 March 6, 2014

His Excellency the Governor General in Council, considering that it is in the public interest to do so, on the recommendation of the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Treasury Board, pursuant to subsection 23(2.1) (see footnote a) of the Financial Administration Act (see footnote b), makes the annexed Remission Order in Respect of Fees for the Issuance of Passports, Certificates of Identity and Refugee Travel Documents in Relation to Individuals who Died Following the Lac-Mégantic Explosion in Quebec.

REMISSION ORDER IN RESPECT OF FEES FOR THE ISSUANCE OF PASSPORTS, CERTIFICATES OF IDENTITY AND REFUGEE TRAVEL DOCUMENTS IN RELATION TO INDIVIDUALS WHO DIED FOLLOWING THE LAC-MÉGANTIC EXPLOSION IN QUEBEC

DEFINITION

1. In this Order, “deceased person” means a person who resided in the area where each address has a postal code that starts with G6B and who died as a result of the explosion that occurred in Lac-Mégantic on July 6, 2013 or the ensuing fire.

REMISSION

2. Remission is granted to persons who meet the conditions set out in section 3 of the fees paid for the issuance of a passport, certificate of identity or refugee travel document under

CONDITIONS

3. The remission is granted on the following conditions:

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the orders.)

Proposal

The Governor in Council, on the recommendation of the Treasury Board, makes the Remission Order in Respect of Fees for the Replacement of Permanent Resident Cards and the Issuance of Passports, Certificates of Identity and Refugee Travel Documents (Lac-Mégantic, Quebec) and the Remission Order in Respect of Fees for the Issuance of Passports, Certificates of Identity and Refugee Travel Documents in Relation to Individuals who Died Following the Lac-Mégantic Explosion in Quebec, pursuant to subsection 23(2.1) of the Financial Administration Act (FAA).

Objective

The purpose of the orders is to remit the fee for replacing immigration and/or travel documents that were damaged or lost and to remit the fees for travel documents to those who recently applied, but died as a result of the devastating train derailment and explosion in Lac-Mégantic, Quebec, on July 6, 2013. These orders are being sought as it is in the public interest to assist in providing a quick return to normalcy for individuals whose lives were affected. Individuals affected were and continue to be in crisis situations. They are experiencing a loss of income and employment, as well as unanticipated out-of-pocket expenses and interim costs pending insurance and provincial assistance. Replacement and recovery costs would impose an unreasonable additional burden.

In order to provide strong support for those affected by the devastating train derailment and explosion in Lac-Mégantic, Quebec, the following paid or payable fees will be remitted through these remission orders:

Background

In order to demonstrate strong support for those affected by the train derailment and explosion in Lac-Mégantic, Quebec, the Government of Canada seeks to remit fees for Canadian travel documents and other immigration documents issued to Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and persons in Canada with protected person status whose documents may have been lost or destroyed in these events. Passport Canada has also been made aware of cases where travel documents were just issued or were in the process of being issued, but the bearers of those documents died as a result of the explosion. The Government of Canada also seeks to remit the fees associated with the processing of those travel document applications.

On July 6, 2013, the derailment of a freight train comprising five diesel-powered locomotives carrying 72 tankers filled with crude oil, followed by a series of explosions, devastated the Quebec town of Lac-Mégantic. Significant damage was reported in the town’s core. More than 30 buildings were destroyed after tanker cars laden with oil caught fire, resulting in several explosions. Forty-two people were confirmed dead, and approximately a third of the town was evacuated.

Implications

To assist in providing a quick return to normalcy for individuals whose lives were affected by the devastating explosion in Lac-Mégantic, Quebec, a temporary public policy was developed under section 25.2 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. The public policy temporarily extended immigration status for affected foreign nationals who were legally in Canada on July 6, 2013, and whose status would otherwise have expired prior to October 5, 2013. It also extended status of foreign nationals who were out of status on July 6, 2013, but within the restoration period. These persons had their status automatically extended until October 5, 2013.

The public policy waived the requirement to submit an application, including the requirement to present a valid passport, in order to facilitate the issuance of new immigration documents for temporary status and the requirement to pay the fees associated with the issuance of these documents. The public policy also waived the fee for replacement of lost or destroyed immigration status documents of temporary residents.

The remission orders will remit the fees paid or payable under subsection 308(2) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations for the replacement of permanent resident cards for eligible permanent residents. The orders will also remit the fees paid or payable under subsection 2(1) of the Passport and Other Travel Document Services Fees Regulations for the replacement of Canadian passports, certificates of identity or refugee travel documents as well as fees paid or payable under section 4 of the Consular Services Fees Regulations for the issuance of a travel document. Lastly, the orders will remit the fees for travel documents to those who recently applied, but died as a result of the devastating train derailment and explosion.

The fee remission for persons affected by the explosion and ensuing fire in Lac-Mégantic, Quebec, is granted to permanent residents, Canadian citizens, and persons in Canada with protected person status who

The remittance of fees also applies to persons who died as a result of the explosion, and who submitted an application for a passport, certificate of identity or refugee travel document on or after June 3, 2013.

Financial implications

Document/Service Replaced

Actual Volume in Affected Area (Quebec)

Fees

Total Foregone Revenue

Permanent resident cards

-

$50

-

Passports — adults

6

$120

$720

Passports — children

2

$57

$114

Certificate of identity

-

$260

-

Refugee travel documents

-

$120

-

Consular services fees (see reference *)

6

$25

$150

TOTAL

8

  

$834

Reference *
Included in the adult passport, certificate of identity and refugee travel document fees.

The total foregone revenue associated with remitting fees to replace immigration and travel documents in Lac-Mégantic is $834.

No permanent resident card replacements were requested. A total of $834 in foregone revenue is due to the replacement of passports and remission of fees, in 2013–14. Passport Canada has determined that there are no persons requiring a replacement certificate of identity or a refugee travel document in the area of Lac-Mégantic.

Included in the remission orders is the remission of the $25 consular services fees by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFATD). DFATD charges a consular services fee of $25 on adult passport applications, adult refugee travel documents and certificates of identity. It is not charged when issued to children. This fee is included in the values listed above. A total of $150 in foregone revenue results from remitting the consular services fees.

Accountability

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) will report on the foregone revenue associated with these orders. All remissions will be reported in the public accounts as required by subsection 24(2) of the FAA.

The fee remittance for passports, certificates of identity, refugee travel documents, and permanent resident cards applies to the replacement of these documents or to recent applications of those who died in the explosion. Passport Canada and CIC have access to electronic systems which show whether an individual is applying for a new travel document or a replacement travel document. Government officials verified that replacement travel documents were issued to individuals who lived in the affected area and already had a travel document. Passport Canada required proof of residence in the affected area and issued replacement documents with a limited validity period equal to the period remaining on the applicant’s lost or damaged travel document.

The remittance of fees also applies to persons who died as a result of the explosion, and who submitted an application for a passport or other travel document on or after June 3, 2013. Passport Canada has access to electronic systems which show the date on which an application was made for a passport or travel document. Government officials verified that remittances were only issued to individuals who lived in the affected area and submitted an application on or after the specified date. Passport Canada will only remit to the person who paid the service fees or to the estate of the person who died.

Communication strategies

On July 26, 2013, Minister Alexander announced the special measures being put in place for those affected by the train derailment and explosions in Lac-Mégantic. Web notices were also posted on Passport Canada’s and CIC’s Web sites.

The Department recommends a responsive communications approach. Media lines and Qs & As have been drafted.

Departmental contact

Martin Mündel
Acting Director
Temporary Resident Program Delivery
Operational Management and Coordination
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
365 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 1L1
Telephone: 613-957-5890
Fax: 613-952-5382
Email: martin.mundel@cic.gc.ca