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June 7, 2002
Photo ID cards available
Photo identification cards
are now available to Nunavut residents who have no other photo identification
and who are travelling outside the territory.
Tom Bragard, manager of
services and inspections with the Government of Nunavut, says people flying
into international airports such as Ottawa and Montreal who have no other photo
ID can visit the motor vehicle office in Iqaluit, or the office of the municipal
liaison officer in communities to obtain photo ID at no cost.
Since the terrorist attacks
in the United States on Sept. 11, airports in the South have required photo
identification from all travellers.
People leaving Nunavut
dont need photo ID, but some residents have faced problems returning to
the territory.
At the moment, only people
travelling South for medical reasons or those with a plane ticket or itinerary
can get a card. The person has to be 12 years old and must bring two pieces
of ID. The motor vehicle office or municipal liaison officer will issue a temporary
card immediately. The application will then be sent to the office in Iqaluit
and a permanent card will be issued within a couple of weeks.
Bragard says in the case
of someone flying South for medical reasons, the municipal liaison officer or
motor vehicle branch will issue a card and make sure the person receives it
for their return trip.
The card looks like a Nunavut
drivers license, but has a red border and a yellow background behind the
photo. It has a hologram on the front and includes the holders date of
birth, sex and weight. The ID will be good for five years, like a drivers
license, and is free for the first issue.
A second phase of the ID
card issuing will happen eventually, but Bragard says no timeline has been set.
People will be issued ID cards based on their last names and a call will go
out for people to go in alphabetical order to have their photos taken.
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