MP Bruce Hyer thinks lowering passport fees in Canada and the U.S. will stimulate tourism in both countries.
The NDP representative for Thunder Bay-Superior North on Thursday introduced legislation in Parliament, modeled after similar resolutions passed in 11 states and four provinces, including a limited time, two-for-one deal on passport renewal or new application fees.
“Cutting passport fees would encourage tourism in Canada from the United States, and would make it easier for Canadians to travel,” Hyer said in a release.
“We’ve seen a steep drop in US tourists visiting Canada in recent years: a decline of 20 per cent since 2005. There are many reasons for this, but one is the added cost of mandatory passports.”
According to figures supplied by Hyer, 80 per cent of Canadian-bound tourists originate in the United States, but only a third of all Americans own passports, which cost up to $135 in the States.
Canadian passports cost between $87 and $105, but must be renewed every five years.
“We need to make the existing passport system more accessible. The current fees for passport application and renewal are a barrier for Americans considering travel to Canada, and for Canadians who want to travel abroad,” Hyer said.
“Reducing fees and a introducing a two-for-one fee reduction for families would help boost tourism, and benefit both countries’ economies.”
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