Steve_P

David Cameron stated "I can announce that we're upgrading our trade office in Calgary to a consulate to support even more businesses there."

Souvy

Why? Passport renewals are done in Washington. It makes no difference that it is now to be called a consulate. It'll still be a trade office and consular services will continue to be provided from Vancouver.

Steve_P

Well excuse me.

It was just a thought.

As I don't hold a UK passport I couldn't really care less.

Souvy

Don't be snotty.

Steve_P

Why not?

I don't know of these things and thought I was being a little helpful, obviously not.

dbd33

That seems very odd, is it to make some sort of political point?

Steve_P

Why would I want to have a UK passport?

I have a Canadian one.

I know it is beneficial to some to have both I don't have that need.

Souvy

I think actually it's because he doesn't go there.

dbd33

Because you're a UK national.

Oh, I don't think of that as being a substitute, more an accessory.

ultrarunner

All passport renewals and application is done through D.C consulate, weird I know even with the big office we have on Elgin street in Ottawa

I think they did that because of the currency exchange....the CAN dollar only went and dropped again

Steve_

The reason they were moved to DC was because of the NIR implemented by the ID Cards Act, which has now been scrapped, so possibly it might move back to Ottawa as they technology required is now less. I wouldn't bet the farm on it given the recession.

Souvy

I think the main role of the High Commission in Ottawa is political and cultural affairs. There are not really enough Brits in Canada/USA requiring new passports to justify having the process available everywhere, so it's been centralised.

The UK government has been rationalising diplomatic missions for years.