Nova Scotia floods: fee remission for ID documents

Summary#

The Certain Fees in Respect of the Issuance of Identity and Travel Documents (2023 Nova Scotia Floods) Remission Order lets people affected by the July–November 2023 Nova Scotia floods have certain fees for replacing identity and travel documents waived or refunded. It covers replacement requests tied to flood damage or loss made during the period July 22, 2023 to November 30, 2023.

What it does#

• Waives or remits fees for replacing these documents when they were lost, damaged, destroyed, or made inaccessible because of the floods:
  • passports
  • certificates of citizenship
  • permanent resident cards
  • certificates of identity
  • refugee travel documents
• Allows a refund if someone already paid an eligible fee.
• Sets conditions for who can get the remission, including proof or a declaration that the person lived in, or was present in, an area affected by flooding that began in Nova Scotia during the stated period.
• Does not change ongoing fee rules outside the specified flood period.

Who's affected#

• People who lived in, or were in, areas of Canada affected by flooding events originating in Nova Scotia between July 22, 2023 and November 30, 2023.
• Those whose identity or travel documents were lost, damaged, destroyed or made inaccessible because of those floods, and who applied to replace them during that period with the required declaration or proof.
• If it is unclear whether someone qualifies, the order requires a declaration and either proof of residence in the affected area or a declaration that the person was present there at the time.

Why it matters#

• It reduces the immediate cost and paperwork for flood‑affected people trying to replace essential identity and travel documents. That can make it easier to access financial aid, travel, services, and insurance during recovery.
• The direct fiscal cost for the Nova Scotia floods remission is small: foregone revenue of $695 (based on the Government of Canada’s figures).
• This order is part of a set of similar remissions for recent disasters; the government also issued orders for the 2023 and 2025 Canada wildfire seasons (reported foregone revenue of $7,455 for 2023 and up to $320 for 2025).
• All remissions will be reported in annual fee reports by Global Affairs Canada and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.