The government in Canada has made changes to its passport rules, and aims to protect children below 16 years of age. Moreover this will also lead to preventing the misuse of document. The major change is empowering the Immigration Minister to issue a passport to the child, without taking an application. He can also refuse issuing it, or cancel it if, the matter favors the child.
These changes also empower the minister to refuse issuing the passport, when he believes that there is a chance of using it by someone else, apart from the holder. These amendments address the worries of the Senate Standing Committee on Human Rights also. They believe that the Orders did not help to ensure proper child protection .
Other matters
Furthermore, there is a focus on the cases where having a passport, is in the interest of the child, but the parents or guardians are not in a position to apply. The passport will help the child to travel in order to escape an abuse. Moreover, at the time of deciding the best interest of a child, the physical, cultural, emotional and mental safety of the child will be duly considered.
In the past, there were examples when it was in the interest of the child, to revoke the passport, in the scenario of abduction. The further travel has to stop. Now there is a provision to refuse, revoke, or cancel a passport that is given to a child, in case the official has reasons, to believe that issuing a passport, is good for the child.
Gender Neutrality
These changes have come into force, after the government, has taken steps for gender neutrality in passports in August 2017. The persons who do not wish the identification as male or female can show their gender as X.
This development comes into effect after there was an amendment in the Human Rights Act in Canada. It adds gender expression and gender identity to the list of reasons prohibiting discrimination. Moreover, the government is in favor of gender neutrality.