In addition to German General Consulates in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver, there are numerous Honorary Consuls in Canada (eg in Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax, Prince George, Saskatoon, and St. John’s), all far from the General Consular offices. To the disappointment of so many immigrants with German citizenship in Waterloo Region, particular those, who find it increasingly difficult to travel to downtown Toronto, there will not be a re-opening of the Honorary Consular Office, which once was in Kitchener.

It was clear that there was a tremendous need for Kitchener Germans to communicate with their Consulate. The number of people in attendance and the never ending questions at a meeting held February 12 in the "Halle" at the Concordia Club in Kitchener pleasantly surprised the General Consul, Mr. Holger Raasch, and Vice Consuls (Legal Affairs) Kathrin Brandt and Susanne Wolff .

Consul General Holger Raasch flanked by Vice Consuls Kathrin Brandt (l.) & Susanne Wolff (r.) Photo: Herwig Wandschneider

General Consul Holger Raasch appealed for understanding that new requirements for Biometric Passports and the need for securely encrypted communications make it impractical and unrealistically expensive to establish another office so close to Toronto, whether on a permanent or even mobile basis. For example, new passports contain a chip with the persons’ fingerprints electronically recorded and transmitted. It was explained however that every effort would be made to provide services efficiently and that to this end staff would visit Kitchener on a quarterly basis, to explain the services provided by the Consulate, to outline procedures to be followed and answer questions.

This visit was intended primarily to explain the new passports, outline application procedures, and answer questions relevant to passports and pensions applications. To this end General Consul Raasch was accompanied by Ms. Wolff and Ms. Brandt, who handled questions concerning passport renewals and Pension applications. Following a brief explanation of procedures for such applications and repeated emphasis that Consular Staff are not experts on detailed questions regarding individual Pensions, the floor was opened to questions from the 250 strong audience. And questions and comments came en masse.

Questions on dual citizenship or the feasibility to regain former German citizenship did not want to end in spite of repeated pleas that this subject would be the topic of a presentation at another time. For now it was explained that dual citizenship was rarely permitted and that regaining of Citizenship required a presence in Germany and substantial evidence that ties to Germany are stronger than ties, say, to Canada. If permitted, Canadian Citizenship would have to be abandoned.

• Cost of a passport for an adult is about $130. (Disbelieving noises from the audience). Cash only. Note that the price is not established in Toronto, but in Berlin, and is subject to currency exchange fluctuations.

• Contact the Consulate before taking the trip to Toronto to make certain that all items are on hand and to ensure the Consulate is open. An appointment is not necessary.
• Photos have to meet stringent requirements. Stories abound that photoshops (eg Black’s on Bloor Street, or Korner Color on Bay Street - immediately in the vicinity of the Consulate) know the detail required and that pictures made by others so far have been frequently rejected.
• "Life Certificates" for German pensioners must be certified by an official institution (for example, the Consulate General, but can also be certified by any local official authority of Canada, notaries, banks, hospitals, or the Red Cross).

The session was extremely useful to clarify a number of issues. What is most important to the many K-W Germans (and they have to thank General Consul Raasch for the idea to conduct regular quarterly meetings in K-W), is that they are not forgotten after the closing of the Honorary Consul’s office. People were pleased to meet the Consul General and Vice Consuls and look forward to the next meeting – hopefully to be on the subject of Citizenship, after so many questions were voiced on this issue in this first meeting.

Many thanks to all three for taking the time to come to K-W, for their thorough presentations and well conducted answers to questions.