Passport Clinics are Back
[:fr]Le député fédéral de la circonscription Montmagny―L’Islet―Kamouraska―Rivière-du-Loup Bernard Généreux remarque un accroissement de la fréquentation des cliniques de passeports. Alors que 600 personnes se sont prévalues de ce service au printemps dernier, 713 personnes se sont déplacées du 15 au 17 septembre pour compléter leurs demandes.
« Le personnel des deux bureaux de circonscription offre en tout temps un service de vérification gratuit. Toutefois, je remarque à quel point la formule tout inclus : avec photographe professionnel, photocopie, de vastes locaux, et ce, après les heures de bureau, est fort apprécié des citoyens. Des familles de Pohénégamook, de Témiscouata-sur-le-Lac, de St-Pierre-de-Lamy et de Trois-Pistoles se sont prévalues du service » s’étonne M. Généreux.
Le député entend maintenir la formule de deux événements du genre par année, soit un au printemps et un autre à l’automne, avec deux points permanents, Montmagny et Rivière-du-Loup, ainsi qu’une clinique volante au centre de la circonscription. Cette fois-ci, elle se trouvait au centre-ville de La Pocatière.
Au printemps prochain, la troisième clinique aura lieu à St-Jean-Port-Joli. D’ici là, il est possible de demander conseil auprès du personnel formé qui travaille dans les deux bureaux de circonscription soit Montmagny (6, rue St-Jean-Baptiste est, bureau 101) et Rivière-du-Loup (277, rue Lafontaine) et ce tout à fait gratuitement.
« Je tiens absolument à remercier la vingtaine de bénévoles qui m’ont épaulés et qui ont donnés de leur temps pour que les citoyen(ne)s puissent remplir leurs demandes de passeports efficacement ainsi qu’aux photographes Ghislain Mailloux, Jean Beaulieu et Andrée-Anne Lavoie » conclut Bernard Généreux.[:en]Due to the success of the passport clinics held last April, the team of Bernard Généreux, Member of Parliament for Montmagny–L’Islet–Kamouraska–Rivière-du-Loup, is repeating the formula. Three clinics will be held between Thursday, September 15 and Saturday, September 17, in Rivière-du-Loup, Montmagny and La Pocatière.
Trained volunteers will guide constituents through the passport application process, whether it be a simple passport renewal, an adult general application, or an application for a child under 16. The clinics will take place in the Lucien Lévesque room at the Best Western Plus Hôtel Lévesque in Rivière-du-Loup on Thursday, September 15, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.; in the RCM of Montmagny building (old Whirlpool plant) on Friday, September 16, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.; and on Saturday, September 17, at the FADOQ Club (old theatre) in La Pocatière, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
“We now have a lot of experience, having completed and processed more than 600 passport applications last spring, and we received many calls asking us to repeat the clinics. The feedback has been great! We already had applicants trying to reserve spots this summer. We will not be taking reservations, however, but will be proceeding on a first-come, first-served basis. I am pleased to offer this service to the public, and happy that the response has been so positive,” commented Mr. Généreux.
The MP added that the formula has now been fine-tuned. “There will be a professional photographer on hand, and we will be offering a photocopying service. Pre-2015 application forms will not be accepted. It is highly recommended that guarantors accompany applicants in order to confirm their identity. Originals are required of birth certificates issued after January 1994, i.e., long-form certificates. Parents who are separated must both sign their child’s application, and include all the relevant legal documents,” indicated Mr. Généreux.
Remember that a 10-year passport costs $160, while a passport that is valid for 5 years (or less) costs $120. A child passport costs $57 and is valid for 5 years. You can pay by credit card, or by money order or certified cheque made out to the Receiver General for Canada. A pamphlet has been sent to every home in the riding explaining which documents to fill out in advance, what information is required, and how to pay. For more information, please call our team at 1-800-668-1280 for the Rivière-du-Loup area, or 1-855-881-9876 for the Montmagny area.[:]