For a PR who obtained eTA prior to becoming a PR, as I have discussed elsewhere, my guess is that the eTA is NOT cancelled, at least not automatically. See:
http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/waiting-for-pr-travelling-into-canada-t474477.0.html
There is a great deal of information available about IAPI, API, PNR, and eTA, and so far I have seen nothing in any of that, including no regulations, PDIs, or guidelines, for cancelling eTA if the person with eTA becomes a Permanent Resident.
This includes the valuable, informative CBSA Memorandum which andrews65 links above. The memo warrants linking again:
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d2/d2-5-11-eng.html?pedisable=true
There is obviously some interaction between the IAPI system and GCMS and FOSS, in particular in the process of processing an application for eTA. Thus, when a PR applies for eTA using a visa-exempt passport, eTA is denied based on identifying the applicant as a PR, not a FN (Foreign National). This happens automatically, electronically, which means the IAPI system is programmed to query GCMS, and probably FOSS as well, employing criteria which will identify inadmissibility, PR status, among other things which would indicate the applicant is not eligible for eTA.
But once eTA has been granted, except for the "periodic revalidation" process, or a manual revalidation (such as triggered during a PoE examination), the question is whether a routine boarding clearance query from an airline involves the IAPI system automatically making an electronic query regarding the traveler in GCMS or FOSS., and even if yes, it does, whether that is for alerts (indicating adverse information) only or a broader query. The latter seems unlikely to me. But that is, again, just my guess. That is, my guess is that the IAPI system is probably programmed to run a query in other databases, such as GCMS and FOSS, but only for adverse information alerts (or queries another database with adverse information derived from GCMS, FOSS, and such, maintained precisely to facilitate fast electronic queries to identify clients with adverse information alerts), not the same query the IAPI system runs in processing the application for eTA itself.
Note that this is distinguishable from how a change in status occurs, such as when a person who has a TRV becomes a PR, which should involve an update in the GCMS records for that individual client cancelling the TRV and recording confirmation of Permanent Residence. As PMM observes, when a new PR goes through the process of landing the officer processing the landing should be making entries into the system which cancels the TRV at the same time the client is granted PR status, and physically cancelling the TRV in that individual's passport.
Best to travel with PR card or be prepared to obtain PR TD:
Notwithstanding my guess, that the eTA is not cancelled (at least not automatically) the prudent, safe approach for any PR traveling abroad, including a new PR, is to travel with a valid PR card or be prepared to apply for and obtain a PR TD.
Main risk, however, is merely not being allowed to board the scheduled flight, having to incur the inconvenience and expense of rescheduling the flight allowing time to apply for and obtain a PR TD.
IAPI, eTA, airline check-in, pre-boarding screening, et al:
The IAPI system is applicable to almost all passengers, not just for those who need eTA. The IAPI system works off the conjunction of the traveler's personal information (name, DoB, nationality, gender) and a specific Travel Document.
To get a board response from the IAPI system, the system will need to identify the particular individual, based on the API (name, DoB, nationality, gender) AND the id number for the specific Travel Document with which that individual has previously obtained authorization to enter Canada. For visa-exempt travelers, this means their name et al must be connected to the specific visa-exempt passport for which eTA has been granted.
Many anecdotal reports about clearance for boarding are vague or confused, many reporting as if the CBSA clearance occurs during the pre-boarding documents screening, which is to verify the person boarding the flight is the person who checked-in and was issued a boarding pass, not recognizing that the airlines already did the prescribed travel document screening when the passenger checked-in for the flight and was issued a boarding pass. As andrews65 has observed, the airline swipes (or keys in) the passport (or in some cases, another type of Travel Document), and the IAPI system electronically confirms this person AND this travel document have authorization (in the system) to come to Canada. Hence the binary: board or no-board response.
There is no has-eTA or does-not-have-eTA response. There is no "needs PR card" or "traveler is a PR" response.
If a traveler presents a visa-exempt passport and the response is "no-board," the airline's personnel will probably ask questions, such as "did you get eTA?" or "do you have eTA?" or some other question which the airline personnel is trained to ask in these situations. But whatever the question, it is based on a "no board" response, not on any other indication or reference to other status in the response from the IAPI system. (Many airline personnel are probably trained to discern from the traveler's passport what questions about status should be asked, so they may ask something like "are you a PR?" but not because the IAPI system suggested that.)
Thus, for example, any PR who has obtained eTA prior to becoming a PR can easily test the system the next time he or she is returning to Canada from abroad, by presenting their visa-exempt passport (at the time of check-in) and seeing how it goes. Best to have a PR card (or be prepared to miss the flight and having to reschedule, with time to obtain a PR TD). If the airline personnel respond indicating a problem, just present the PR card while saying something like "do I need to show you this too?"
Sources:
In addition to the valuable, informative CBSA Memorandum which andrews65 linked above, which again is at:
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d2/d2-5-11-eng.html?pedisable=true
there are many other sources for information related to how the IAPI system works, including information about eTA :
Interactive Advance Passenger Information (IAPI):
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/btb-pdf/iapi-ipvi-eng.html
Advance Passenger Information / Passenger Name Record Program:
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/security-securite/api_ipv-eng.html
Guide for Transporters:
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/trans/guide-eng.html
Memorandum D1-16-3 titled " Guidelines for the Access to, Use, and Disclosure of Advance Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Record (PNR) Data" at http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d1/d1-16-3-eng.html
General information about Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) can be accessed following links at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/eta.asp
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/btb-pdf/webinar-eng.html
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/btb-pdf/iapi-ipvi-eng.html
Manually processing electronic travel authorization applications:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/tools/temp/eta/procedures.asp
(while this is about particular, manual procedures, not about the routine automated processes, it illuminates many aspects about how the eTA program works)
IRPA regulations regarding application for eTA, period of validity, and cancellation:
http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-2002-227/page-4.html#docCont
Passenger Information (Customs) Regulations
http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-2003-219/FullText.html
Regulation 5 lists the prescribed information which constitutes the information the transporter must submit regarding each passenger . . . the "API" . . . which is the same information prescribed in IRPA Regulation 269(1) and referenced in Protection of Passenger Information Regulations.
Protection of Passenger Information Regulations:
http://laws.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-2005-346/FullText.html
Note: there is an online tool for checking eTA status.
This can be reached by a link at:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=1192&top=16
The user can select "I have an approved eTA. I want to consult my file."
It is only practical to make a query for someone who has been granted eTA or who has an application for eTA pending.
I do not know what the output looks like. My guess is that there is simply a confirmation eTA is valid, or is not valid, for the query: "I have an approved eTA. I want to consult my file."
I also suppose that making the query may in itself trigger revalidation, which could result in the cancellation of eTA for someone who has, since obtaining eTA, acquired PR status.
For a PR who obtained eTA prior to landing, this could resolve the question . . . and of course, if anyone does use this tool, please share the results with us here.
