I made a separate thread but figured I'll post here too:
So I had an in-person passport application appointment yesterday and I don't have a guarantor. I submitted the required statutory declaration in lieu of a guarantor form signed by a commissioner of oath and had to provide 4 references in total, 2 of whom have Canadian passports and with whom I've worked for about 5 years in two different places - they are not really friends, more like formal colleagues that I'm not close to (while they agreed to be my references I'm not 100% sure they would be willing to provide their passport info in order to be my guarantor).
When the agent looked at my application he asked if any of the 4 references are Canadian - those two former colleagues are and like I've explained I've 'known' them for about 5 years but not close or or on 'friendly' terms with them, at which point the agent asked, "Did you try asking them?". I answered no to which he replied that my application will be refused because I've known at least two Canadians for 5 years but don't have a guarantor. I told him I didn't know that I was automatically disqualified for a passport just for that reason (that I know at least one Canadian for 5 years yet that person couldn't or wasn't willing to be my guarantor), he said he was informing me of that reason now as my agent. I replied that I do not think I can be refused for that reason and if I were refused I would be taking legal action because I've followed the procedure for people who don't have a guarantor to the letter. He then made copies of my airline ticket then said to give him a minute, he came back after about 30 seconds and said he just explained my 'situation' to his 'supervisor' (like wft? is it even a 'situation' if I don't have a guarantor but did everything according to the rules, i.e, commissioner of oath and 4 references) and they told him my application will be refused if I submit it. I said I would go ahead and take my chances, when he gave me a pick-up date and my payment receipt I asked him if I will be contacted should my application be denied, he said 'oh yeah they'll call you'.
I dunno but I found my whole interaction with him really odd. Has anyone who applied without a guarantor experienced anything like this? He did say it's a different department that handles these no-guarantor applications. I wonder if they get some sort of bonus for every regular application (with guarantor) that they process which would explain why he kept pushing me to apply with a guarantor (at one point he even said he would give me another in-person appointment this week itself if I can convince one of my former Canadian colleagues to act as my guarantor). Any input or feedback will be appreciated.