Yes.

Essentially yes, but *nobody* has to have a PR card, those who cannot travel visa-free can either get a visa (why would they get one of those if they were a PR?) or a travel document.

What do you mean by that? -that no group of people is treated differently here? I have first hand experience of very discriminatory CIC policy, sorry, but it ain't so

So, good old Canada just brought this requirement in to use up a stockpile of un-used government owned plastic, eh? Funny how someone who does not need to work seems to know so much about these things. If you really know what you are talking about tell me why the PR card exist.

Did you miss my earlier post about paper IMM1000s being easily forged?

Can you expand on that? -I don't follow your train of thought.

You never saw a IMM1000? If you are a PR it is stapled to one of the pages to your passport. The PR Card became essential after 9 11. But neither you nor your Australian buddy has gathered the true importance of the PR Card.

Think a little.

I didn't say I didn't know what one was, just that I have never seen one.

Why?

What is its true importance in your opinion?

I don't follow you. Can you explain what you meant?

Basically, you seem to try to come over as an expert, but to me you are obviously not an expert. I have said this before tonight, people are relying on people such as yourself to produce information about living in Canada so make it real, not just your view because you don't know any better.

Considering the argument, I think you should reveal your status on this subject. Between you and the other guy, it would seem that we should all say forget PR cards, they are of no importance.

I'm not trying to come over as an anything, but there's little I can do about it if that's your perception of the situation.

I'm sorry you didn't like dbd33's description of his neighbourhood today, nor my opinion on visa waiver nationals travelling without PR cards... but I'm not sure why you're so angry about it all?

You know, I don't actually have much time to spend on this goodly site. I am not angry about any of it. It is important to me that the right message gets over to those people who are thinking about coming over here gets to them and none of us deters them through knowledge we actually lack. Db's contribution is as ever, sometimes entertaining and others insulting because he happens to live in a small and rather suspicious area in east Tonronto where

I'm loathe to intrude on an increasingly tetchy conversation but hell, I'm a grown-up, I can do this Anyway my experience has been that on my return through YVR in August of last year with my IMM1000 in my hot little hand I was taken to the naughty corner and quizzed as to why I had not exchanged my form for a PR card. When I stated that I was only entering Canada for a two week holiday the immigration officers made it quite clear that they weren't happy and I would most definitely need the card when I returned to Canada to live. They, admittedly, didn't outline what would happen if I ignored this advice but my view?....why wind them up? I don't need to have a legislation discussion everytime I come and go.

Of course one *should* have a PR Card, but one does not *have* to have a PR Card. Any PR living in Canada should get a PR Card for a simple life, but there are times when it's not been practical to obtain the card when there's a need to travel.

Section 19(2) of IRPA says:

"(2) An officer shall allow a permanent resident to enter Canada if satisfied following an examination on their entry that they have that status."

They have all your details in the system, PR Card or no PR Card (except maybe for those who immigrated long ago, where records are manual).

As for what the PR Card is used for:

- non visa waiver nationals do need it to board Canada bound commercial transport; (CIC don't like to admit the distinction, but in the real world it's there). It's more secure than the old IMM1000.
- it's becoming increasingly used for internal purposes in Canada as a proof of status document.

Although a PR Card in itself does not even prove you are a PR, it only creates a presumption to that effect.

The only way CIC could force all PRs to have the PR Card would be to create a universal visa regime, like Australia has.


Jeremy

what have I started???? Sorry guys. I got my answer I needed and I am going to get a PR card. My original problem was getting a guarantor. I have now sorted this. Stay cool Biiiiiink, I have always found your comments useful!

where what ? I'm dying to know. Also, how is the east end suspicious ?