NO PASSPORT??? No Problem!!!!!

Have you renewed your passport lately? My last one needed attention since it was expiring while I'm north. The Canadian Passport used to be valid for five years, but now you have an option of either five or ten. The trip north to Rankin Inlet does not require one...and travel in Canada does not require it either...but we've always maintained a valid one. So it made sense to do the renewal before I head away. I think it's always quicker to renew a valid one than to wait and re-apply for an expired one.

From the time we turned in our old ones and paid our fees, it took a week for the doorbell to ring and Vince to ask for a signature on his Canada Post device. When you actually sit down and look closely, this new document is really a work of art. First, this new passport is actually an e-passport...as all issued since July 2013. It has been designed to thwart counterfeiting with a number of new technologies and printing techniques...many used since 2001...including  microprinting, holographic images, UV visible inks and watermarks.

Canadian e-Passport

While smaller in dimension it retains its distinctive Canadian Coat of Arms in Gold Foil print on the front cover, along with the french and english words for "passport" and now features the international symbol for e-passports. Your picture is now digitally printed and not a photo affixed to the paper. That entire page (with your information printed neatly) is laminated with a plastic covering impregnated with at least six distinct holograms.

These include the word CANADA, a compass rose, two different maple leafs (one traditional, the other a modern facsimile). Another small hologram is a map of the entire country...over printed on the solid maple leaf. In addition, there are about 30 small maple leaves in various sizes scattered throughout the remainder of that laminate (all in a hologram).

The page next...the one above your colour photo/info page...has a small black and white replica of your colour photo of the previous page much like your drivers licence...and of course, the signature line. The next 30 pages are to be used for those stamps and visa attachments required by various countries for entry or departure. They are the most amazing collection of Canadian memorabilia and our country's history.

All regions and major events in our nation's close to 150 years history (yes, in 29 months...we'll be 150 years old) are depicted. Our Native Canadians are honoured on the next page with a sketch of an INUKSHUK, an EAGLE feather and an infinity symbol. Canada's North is represented by a map showing the Arctic circle with the many expedition routes of Joseph-Elzear Bernier from 1906-1913

Bernier's routes were sponsored by the Government of Canada

as he sailed to expand Canada's sovereignty over the arctic archipelago up to the North Pole. The Prairies pages show images of a Grain silo, some oil wells a-pumping and those famous Wheat Board of Canada hopper cars in a line.

Halifax's Pier 21, Newfoundland's Cape Spear, the famous Bluenose, our picturesque Parliament buildings, and a sketch of Niagara Falls grace several of the leaves. The 1885 insertion of the Last Spike on the transcontinental railroad is recognized. Respectfully, the 1980 Marathon of Hope is remembered with the sketch of TERRY FOX. It's actually a drawing of his statue. One of seven that have been erected across our country to honour this 22 year old hero who started an intense focus towards Cancer treatment.

Historical pages denote important events in our nation's fabric. The famous gathering of the Fathers of Confederation, Samuel de Champlain and his vessel as well as a classic view from the river of old

Samuel de Champlain died in Quebec on Christmas Day in 1635.

Quebec city are showing the early foundations of our country. Iconic drawings of the Northwest Mounted Police and a modern RCMP musical ride are also documented.

In sporting tradition, “the Cups” of Lord Stanley and Earl Grey (our 9^th Governor General) are sketched as Canada's famous annual struggles as well as an image of Nellie McClung, one of the famous five. Those from the east may not recognize the name but she was well respected in her struggle for women's rights and social responsibility and change along with her four compatriots in the west.

Canada' s efforts in the First, Second and Korean wars are recognized by the drawings of Billy Bishop and his plane, the HMCS Sackville, and The Infantry of the Korean War, respectively. And finally, to recognize those who've made that ultimate sacrifice, are pages showing the Vimy Memorial in France and the Canadian National War Memorial in Ottawa.... LEST WE FORGET those who have actually allowed us to remain safe on our soil and yet, travel freely with this document throughout the world.

With only 35 pages...2 are taken by photos from my hometown

Perhaps, I should have asked for a passport with the extra pages. Although those ones are no longer available, it would have been interesting to see what other sketches might have been included. While it's almost a shame to have to cover these pages with stamp ink as we enter various countries over the next ten years...a tough job for sure...but somebody's got to do it!

Next up: GOING....GOING....GONE!