Design controversy: New passport design not sitting well with Maritimers
Canada’s new passports were designed to create a new level of security, but they’ve also created some controversy with Maritimers.
One of the historic images being removed from the old passports is that of the HMCS Sackville. The Naval Memorial and National Historic Site is the last of 123 Canadian corvettes that sailed during the Second World War.
“It was featured in the old one, it’s not featured in the new one nor was the Bluenose, Pier 21, Terry Fox. All of the symbols that we’ve become familiar with, that Canadians are proud of,” says Navy veteran Craig MacFadgen. “We actually had a Battle of the Atlantic ceremony on board the Sackville where we committed the ashes of veterans that passed away.”
Canada's newly designed travel document includes improved security features and images that officials say reflect Canada's diverse people and landscapes. Scenes of people swimming, canoeing and animals have replaced images of historic moments like the Vimy Memorial.
“When there are such significant events such as those and they were depicted on our national passport, I would be loath to change them really,” says historian Ken Hynes.
The new security features include a polycarbonate data page, which is the same technology used on currency and driver's licences. Personal information is engraved using lasers instead of ink to prevent tampering and counterfeiting.
Canada’s immigration and citizenship minister says the process to choose new designs included consultations with government departments such as Canadian Heritage, and Indigenous communities.
“I don’t think it’s woke to celebrate Canada’s national environment, I don’t think it’s woke to include indigenous people,” says Sean Fraser.
The federal government plans to use its existing stock of passports before issuing the new ones.
The new passports will be produced this summer, with more details on when they will be rolled out expected later.
Current passports will remain valid until they expire.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING
BREAKING Former special forces soldier 'Canadian Dave' taken by the Taliban: sources
David Lavery, a former Canadian special forces solider who helped approximately 100 people flee Afghanistan during the fall of Kabul, has been 'picked up' by the Taliban this week, according to multiple sources who spoke to CTV National News on the condition of anonymity.
Is Canada Post delivering mail today? What to know about the strike
With Canada Post workers on strike, many individuals and businesses are facing the challenge of sending and receiving mail. Here are the answers to some of Canadians’ most-asked questions.
Other countries seeking out advice from Canada ahead of Trump return: Joly
Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly says Donald Trump's return to the White House has boosted Canada's influence in the world as other international partners turn to Canada for advice on how to deal with him.
More than 1 in 3 surgical patients has complications, study finds, and many are the result of medical errors
Despite decades of calls for more attention to patient safety in hospitals, people undergoing surgery still have high rates of complications and medical errors, a new study finds.
Federal government overestimating immigration impact on housing gap: PBO
Canada's parliamentary budget officer says the federal government is overestimating the impact its new immigration plan will have on the country's housing shortage.
RFK Jr.'s to-do list to make America 'healthy' has health experts worried
U.S. President Donald Trump's pick of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services "is an extraordinarily bad choice for the health of the American people," warns the dean of the Brown University School of Public Health.
National home sales surge in October after previous month's supply bump: CREA
The Canadian Real Estate Association says the number of homes sold in October rose 30 per cent compared with a year ago, marking a shift from the market's holding pattern that the association has previously described.
15 Salisbury University students charged with hate crimes after they allegedly beat a man they lured to an apartment
Fifteen students at Salisbury University in Maryland are facing assault and hate crime charges after they allegedly targeted a man 'due to his sexual preferences' and lured him to an off-campus apartment where they beat him, police said.
Reports of Taylor Swift scams likely run by 'well-organized' fraudsters climbs to 190
Taylor Swift fans eager to score a last-minute ticket should be on alert for scams run by 'well-organized' fraudsters.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
Toronto
-
FBI releases new image of Canadian former Olympian sought on murder and drug charges
The FBI has released a new image of Ryan James Wedding, the Canadian ex-Olympian allegedly behind a deadly international drug ring.
-
Toronto couple fights over Taylor Swift tickets in divorce settlement
A Toronto couple bought two tickets to one of Taylor Swift's tour stops in the city, but unfortunately their love story didn't last and now they're fighting for who gets the seats.
-
Toronto to close some roads earlier than planned ahead of second Taylor Swift show
Multiple road closures and adjustments are in effect amid Toronto’s leg of the Taylor Swift era’s tour, including changes to road closure times.
Calgary
-
Canada Post strike halts mail, parcel deliveries across the country
Canada Post workers are on strike after failing to reach a negotiated agreement with their employer.
-
Former exec at Lake Louise Ski Resort sentenced for not paying taxes on embezzled funds
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) says a Calgary man, who served as an executive at a prominent Alberta ski resort, has been sentenced for not paying taxes on more than $350,000 he stole from his employer.
-
Low loonie sparks concerns for some Alberta businesses, celebration for others
The Canadian dollar dropped to a four-year low this week, prompting mixed reaction in Alberta.
Edmonton
-
Mother, daughter abducted southeast of Edmonton, man charged
A mother and her young daughter were abducted by a family friend in Viking, Alta., on Wednesday, RCMP said.
-
Local Canada Post workers hit the picket line as nationwide strike begins
Edmonton-area Canada Post workers walked off the job Friday as a nationwide strike began.
-
Convenience store worker shot during central Edmonton robbery, woman arrested
A convenience store worker was taken to hospital after a shooting in central Edmonton Thursday afternoon.
Montreal
-
One voice, two solitudes: Calls for cultural crossover one year after Karl Tremblay's death
It’s been one year since Karl Tremblay, the lead singer of Les Cowboys Fringants, died of prostate cancer at the age of 47.
-
Montreal children's hospitals urging parents to avoid ERs
The two biggest children’s hospitals in Montreal - the CHU Sainte-Justine and Montreal Children's Hospital - are asking the parents to avoid bringing their children to the emergency room if possible due to a surge in patients.
-
Quebec solidaire member faces rebuke for saying fellow politicians target minorities
Amid heavy criticism across party lines, an opposition member of the provincial legislature is not backing down from comments that his fellow lawmakers say painted them as racist.
Ottawa
-
Canada Revenue Agency eliminating nearly 600 term positions by end of 2024
The Canada Revenue Agency will be eliminating approximately 600 temporary and contract employees across the country by mid-December.
-
Sir Winston Churchill 'Roaring Lion' portrait returns to Ottawa's Chateau Laurier hotel
The "Roaring Lion" returned to the walls of Ottawa's Fairmont Château Laurier, nearly three years after the historic portrait of Sir Winston Churchill was stolen.
-
OPP investigating Renfrew, Ont. hospital following provincial takeover last summer
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have launched an investigation into the Renfrew Victoria Hospital, the Renfrew, Ont. hospital taken over by the province last June.
London
-
SIU concludes police committed no wrongs in death of Breanna Broadfoot's killer
An SIU report released on Friday has cleared London police of wrongdoing in the death of an 18-year-old man following a confrontation on the evening of July 16.
-
62 charges laid against three people following bust in London
On Nov. 7, members of the London police Guns and Gangs Section and the Emergency Response Team, used warrants to enter addresses and vehicles on Pall Mall Street, Falcon Street and Adelaide Street north.
-
'We do not want a tragedy to occur': Neighbours pleased as SOHO 'eyesore' is demolished
An “eyesore” in the centre of London’s SOHO neighbourhood has been demolished. After a Toronto-based property owner failed to act, the residence at 520 South Street came down quickly Friday morning.
Barrie
-
Police successfully capture emu on the loose
On Friday, Nottawasaga OPP officers successfully captured a two legged friend along Concession Road 4 in Adjala-Tosorontio.
-
Street sweeper operator accused of driving erratically while impaired crashes into ditch
A street sweeper operator accused of driving erratically while impaired and crashing into a ditch in Barrie was arrested Thursday evening.
-
Man suffers with signs of hypothermia after water rescue
One person was left with signs of hypothermia after being rescued from Kempenfelt Bay in the early hours of the morning.
Northern Ontario
-
Police in Canada collected wreckage after object shot down over Lake Huron
Newly released documents show the Royal Canadian Mounted Police collected wreckage after an unidentified object was shot down over Lake Huron in February of last year.
-
Senior charged with sex assault on a minor at a school in northern Ont.
A 72-year-old from Blind River has been charged with multiple counts of sexual assault involving a victim under the age of 16.
-
Driver airlifted to hospital after Manitoulin Island motorcycle crash
A motorcycle driver who sustained serious injuries in a crash on Manitoulin Island on Thursday evening was airlifted to Sudbury hospital.
Kitchener
-
DEVELOPINGDEVELOPING Canada Post workers go on strike Friday morning, disrupting deliveries
Canadian Union of Postal Workers said approximately 55,000 workers are striking, claiming little progress has been made in the bargaining process.
-
FBI releases new image of Canadian former Olympian sought on murder and drug charges
The FBI has released a new image of Ryan James Wedding, the Canadian ex-Olympian allegedly behind a deadly international drug ring.
-
W5 Exclusive
W5 Exclusive Police bust reveals stolen vehicles en route from Canada to Africa – with reprogrammed key fobs
In part three of a CTV W5 investigation into how car thieves are able to drive off with modern cars so easily, correspondent Jon Woodward accompanied York Regional Police on a bust to find clues in one vehicle.
Windsor
-
Firefighters respond to apartment fire in downtown Windsor
Windsor fire crews responded to a third floor apartment fire in the downtown core on Friday.
-
Why these trees have been saved from the sprawling expansion of Highway 3
A memorial stone and oak trees have been protected from excavation along the corridor where the two-lane highway is expanding to four in Kingsville.
-
How does the Canada Post strike impact me?
The Canada Post strike could mean payment interruptions for customers and vendors. The City of Windsor and E.L.K Energy have issued statements on what the strike means moving forward.
Winnipeg
-
Woman charged after baby injured: RCMP
A 26-year-old woman from Thompson has been charged after an infant was injured earlier this month.
-
Winnipeg driver rescues passengers from burning van
A Winnipeg driver was in the right place at the right time when a paratransit van caught fire Thursday morning.
-
'No excuse for this': Winnipeg apartment building without mail for a year
Going to the mailbox to check for letters and packages is a daily ritual for many of us, but not for people living at a Manitoba Housing complex in Winnipeg. They're cut off from their mail.
Regina
-
2 men charged with second-degree murder in connection to June homicide
Two men have been arrested and charged with second-degree murder following the investigation of a homicide that occurred on June 1 in Regina.
-
Fresh faced himself, Regina's mayor-elect feels ready to lead an inexperienced council
Regina's Mayor-elect Chad Bachynski has been dealt a hand of inexperience going into his first term in office. Eight of 10 incoming city councillors are new to the job along with Bachynski himself.
-
DEVELOPING
DEVELOPING Canada Post workers go on strike Friday morning, disrupting deliveries
Canadian Union of Postal Workers said approximately 55,000 workers are striking, claiming little progress has been made in the bargaining process.
Saskatoon
-
Here are the headliners for Country Thunder Sask. 2025
Here are the headliners for the 2025 Country Thunder Saskatchewan music festival in the Craven Valley.
-
No injuries in Saskatoon garage fire
Saskatoon firefighters responded to a garage fire on the 100 block of Avenue U South Thursday night.
-
DEVELOPING
DEVELOPING Canada Post workers go on strike Friday morning, disrupting deliveries
Canadian Union of Postal Workers said approximately 55,000 workers are striking, claiming little progress has been made in the bargaining process.
Vancouver
-
7 kittens rescued from apparently abandoned home in northern B.C., SPCA says
Seven kittens have been taken from "what appeared to be an abandoned home" in Fort St. James, B.C., according to the provincial SPCA.
-
Nanaimo nurse suspended for 'unauthorized access of patient records,' college says
A Nanaimo nurse has agreed to a seven-day suspension for accessing patient records without authorization.
-
Inmate assaulted at B.C. maximum-security prison
An inmate at B.C.'s only maximum-security federal prison was assaulted last week, Correctional Service Canada says.
Vancouver Island
-
Nanaimo nurse suspended for 'unauthorized access of patient records,' college says
A Nanaimo nurse has agreed to a seven-day suspension for accessing patient records without authorization.
-
Uber plans to expand service area to cover all of B.C. 'in early 2025'
Ride-hailing giant Uber says it plans to expand its service area to cover all of British Columbia next year, and it's looking for drivers to help it do so.
-
DEVELOPING
DEVELOPING Canada Post workers go on strike Friday morning, disrupting deliveries
Canadian Union of Postal Workers said approximately 55,000 workers are striking, claiming little progress has been made in the bargaining process.
Kelowna
-
Police cleared of fault in fatal 2023 crash in B.C.'s Interior
British Columbia's independent police watchdog has cleared officers of wrongdoing in a crash where three people were killed south of Kamloops in July of last year.
-
B.C. woman sentenced for stealing $14K in funds raised for schoolkids
A B.C. woman who stole more than $14,000 in volunteer-raised funds that were supposed to be spent on school supplies and programs – including hot meals for vulnerable kids – won't spend any time in jail.
-
B.C. emergency room closed for 3rd time in 9 days
The emergency department at South Okanagan General Hospital in Oliver, B.C., will be closed for 31 hours this weekend, the second such closure in a week and the third since the start of November.
