Question Period Note: Use of the Status Card

• Status cards confirm registration under the Indian Act and facilitate access to associated programs, rights, services and benefits.

• The Department issues the Secure Certificates of Indian Status directly to applicants while supporting First Nations to produce and distribute the paper-laminate version.

• The Department has sent information on Secure Certificates of Indian Status to Indigenous leaders and service providers across the country and has posted information about it on social media.

The Secure Certificate of Indian Status is documentary evidence to facilitate access to a wide range of services and benefits administered by federal and provincial or territorial governments and other private sector program and service providers.
To obtain a Secure Certificate of Indian Status, already registered persons must provide a complete application form, one proof of identity document and photos. The Secure Certificate of Indian Status is printed at a central location.
Indian status does not expire, but the status card does. A Secure Certificate of Indian Status needs to be renewed every 10 years for adults and dependent adults and every 5 years for children. A Certificate of Indian Status needs to be renewed every 5 years for adults and dependent adults and every 3 years for children. The reason for periodic renewal is so the photo identification resembles the individual.
The registration number can be used to access certain services and programs. Point of sale tax exemptions protocols vary from province to province and is under the purview of the Ministry of Finance of the province. In Ontario, a person is eligible for tax exemption at all points of sale, whereas in Quebec tax exemption is only available on reserve.
As of August 30, out of approximately 1,054,237 registered persons, 378,781 have a valid Secure Certificate of Indian Status.

If pressed on the Secure Certificate of Indian Status in relation to registration under the Indian Act

• It is important to note the differences between registration under the Indian Act and the status card, which is an identification card that provides proof of registration. A status card is only issued once registered.

• Persons may submit applications for registration and a secure status card at the same time. If submitted together, the processing time will depend on the complexity of the application for registration.

If pressed on the Certificate of Indian Status

• The Certificate of Indian Status is issued at First Nation offices by designated community representatives.

• We recommend that community members maintain contact with their First Nation office to be kept informed on when operations may return to normal.

If pressed on Educating the public about status cards

• We are working to ensure individuals can readily access information about status cards.

• We have been working with stakeholders such as the Canada Revenue Agency and Elections Canada, as well as provinces and territories and Indigenous partners to raise awareness and enhance an understanding of status cards and associated benefits, rights, programs and services.

• Reconciliation remains a crucial priority for our Government and we are working in partnership to advance a relationship that is based on the recognition of inherent rights, respect and cooperation.

If pressed on Service standards and improvements made to the process

• We are committed to processing applications for the Secure Certificate of Indian Status efficiently and timely.

• The application process has been streamlined and we are investing in digital solutions to increase efficiency and improve client service.

• While the Department’s service standard is twelve weeks for issuing a Secure Certificate of Status, the current processing time is twelve weeks for mail-in applications.

• Online applications for the Secure Certificate of Indian Status are being tested at headquarters and progressively in regional offices throughout 2021 and 2022.