Why the Canadian passport is legally the property of the Crown, not the citizen

Countries & Cities · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Though you carry it, your Canadian passport is not your personal property. Issued by the Crown, these documents have evolved from simple letters of request in 1862 to high-tech biometric e-passports. Today, they serve as essential tools for international travel, yet their design remains a subject of intense national debate.

The Canadian passport has a long, complex history rooted in the country's transition from a British dominion to a sovereign nation. Originally issued in 1862 as a 'Letter of Request' from the Governor General, these documents were initially intended to satisfy American security demands during the Civil War. For decades, Canadians were considered British subjects, a status reflected in the passport's text until the Citizenship Act of 1976 finally solidified the document as proof of Canadian citizenship. Today, while citizens are entitled to hold them, the passport remains the legal property of the Crown, and holders must return them upon request.

Modern security requirements have drastically transformed the document. In 2013, Canada transitioned to biometric e-passports, embedding chips with personal data and digital portraits to meet international standards. This evolution has been marked by significant technical challenges, including a failed attempt in 2015 to modernize the renewal process via the Global Case Management System, which was suspended due to security glitches. The physical booklet has also seen constant iteration, moving from the larger formats of the early 1980s to the current 38-page e-passport.

The most recent redesign, released in June 2023, sparked significant public backlash. Critics decried the removal of iconic national and Indigenous imagery, including the Vimy Ridge Memorial, Terry Fox, and the Inuit inukshuk. While the government argued the new design aimed to celebrate diversity and the natural environment, the loss of these historical symbols drew sharp disappointment from organizations like the Vimy Foundation and the Royal Canadian Legion. Despite these controversies, the passport remains a powerful document, currently ranking seventh globally for visa-free access.

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