New passport regulations
This news story is kinda funny but useful as well!
Apparently, the Canadian Passport Office has just issued new, more specific regulations regarding passport pictures. So what’s new? Well, apparently the Canadian Government wants to prove that Canadians are not amused. That’s right, NO SMILING on your passport photo. Any passport happiness is now against the law and your picture will be rejected.
And before you start practising your frown, they don’t want that either. Just a “neutral expression”, thanks.
There is some good news to the few “happy Canadians” that are left. The government has declared a “smile amnesty” until mid-October. If you’ve already sent in a photo which is a little too cheerful for the feds, don’t worry, you should be safe. But don’t be too happy about it.
The other regulations are mostly common sense. Take off your sunglasses, remove your hat, and don’t wear the clown hair that you use to entertain the kids.
Apparently, with more standardized photos, new computer systems will be installed in airports which will automatically recognize your face, thus saving goverrnment officials the bother of having to look at you at all. What a relief for them! Don’t you wish you had one of those on your front porch? “ALERT! COUSIN EDGAR IS APPROACHING!”
Of course, it might not recognize him if he’s having a good day.