Daily Herald Staff
The federal government announced several measures on Monday designed to help residents who lost important documents during the 2025 wildfire season.
Any Canadian citizens and permanent residents whose passports, citizenship certificates, permanent resident cards or other Canadian travel documents were lost, damaged or made inaccessible by the wildfires can apply for free replacements. If they already paid to replace documents because of the wildfires (on or after April 1, 2025), they can request a refund.
“We remain firm in our commitment to support people and communities impacted by increasingly severe wildfires in Canada,” Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, said in a media release. “These measures will make it easier for Canadian citizens, permanent residents and temporary residents to replace lost documents. They will also help foreign emergency services personnel come to Canada and begin their critical work more quickly, when they are needed most. I’d like to extend my gratitude to the emergency and first responders for their dedication to protect our communities.”
“Wildfire season is in full swing, and Canadians are feeling its effects in every part of their lives,” added Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience. “As first responders, the RCMP and volunteers work around the clock to protect communities, we’re doing our part to support those affected. By replacing lost documents at no cost and waiving biometric fees for international firefighters, we’re helping ease some of the stress during this difficult time.”
Also temporary residents, including international students, temporary foreign workers and other visitors, who were directly affected by the wildfires can replace their status documents and apply to restore or extend their status in Canada, or to renew their work or study permit free of charge. The requirement for temporary residents to apply for the restoration of their status within 90 days of losing their status will also be waived for those impacted by wildfires.
Additionally, as of June 11, application and biometric fees are being waived for foreign emergency services personnel coming to Canada to help fight wildfires.
The Minister also stated that these measures will be in effect until November 30, providing time for people to secure necessary documents and focus on recovery and safety.
The release also added that these measures do not apply to employer-specific work permit holders wanting to transition to an open work permit.
Temporary residents applying to extend their status continue to benefit from maintained status and eligibility to work while applications are processed.
Roughly 792 foreign emergency services personnel came to Canada to help fight wildfires in 2024.
