Application Frequently Asked Questions

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Process

What form type should I select if I am applying for the public call for applications?

If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident aged 18-25 years old as of the expedition launch date of June 1, 2017,  select Youth Ambassador.

If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident aged 26 years or older as of the expedition launch date of June 1, 2017, select Journey Participant.

Do I qualify to be visual artist on the expedition?

To qualify for the visual artist application, you must meet the following Canada Council for the Arts’ definition of a professional artist in visual arts (including interdisciplinary and digital arts practices):

a) You have specialized training in the field (not necessarily in academic institutions)
b) You are recognized by other artists working in the same tradition as an artist of superior achievement or potential
c) You are committed to you own artistic vision, retain creative control and are committed to the creation and/or promotion of original work

For the Canada Council for the Arts definition of visual arts, inter arts (interdisciplinary practices) or digital arts, please review the Canada C3 artist application form.

What does the expedition cost?

The expedition costs per leg, including transportation from a gateway city to the ship, travel days on the ship and return flights from the ship to the gateway city are fully covered by Canada C3.

Are there any additional costs?

Participants may be expected to cover the following costs:

  • personal transportation to and from a gateway city
  • travel medical insurance
  • passport fees
  • police records check fees

Is there financial assistance?

For selected participants who may require financial assistance travel to and from a gateway city will be covered in full by Canada C3. If this applies to you, please indicate this on your application form. Please note that the need for financial assistance will not be weighed in the selection process for the expedition.

What is a gateway city?

For East Coast legs, the gateway cities are the ports:

  • Toronto
  • Montreal
  • Baie-Comeau (gateway city Quebec City)
  • Charlottetown
  • St. John’s

For Northeastern legs, the Gateway cities are:

  • Montreal (Nain)
  • Ottawa (Iqaluit, Qikiqtarjuaq, Pond Inlet)

For Northwestern legs, the gateway city is Edmonton (Cambridge Bay, Kugluktuk, Tuktoyaktuk)

For West Coast legs, the gateway cities are the ports:

  • Prince Rupert
  • Bella Bella
  • Campbell River
  • Victoria

For further information on each expedition leg, we invite you to visit our leg page.

What is the deadline to apply?

The public applications for Canada C3 open on March 1. Applications close at 11:59 p.m. PDT on March 26, 2017. 

When will I hear back about my application status?

We will notify applicants by May 1 regarding the status of their application.  

What if I am not selected? Are there other ways to contribute to the Canada C3 project?

If you are not accepted to join the ship-based expedition, there are other ways to participate in Canada C3, like following our social media campaigns – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat – contributing to the Digital Classroom, visiting the Museum Hubs, and attending community events taking place at expedition gateway cities. 

If I apply, do I have to participate for 150 days?

No. Successful applicants will be offered the opportunity to join one leg (approximately 10 days) of the expedition.

Will I be able to choose which leg of the journey I participate in?

Participants applying to join the expedition can recommend their top three leg choices. We will do our best to take your selection into account. However, we cannot guarantee that selected applicants will be offered their preferred leg choices.

Who should I contact for support or questions?

Please email expedition@canadac3.ca for any questions you have about the application or application process.

What are the themes of the journey?

Canada C3 will explore the four main Canada 150 themes:

Diversity and Inclusion – We want to continue building a welcoming Canada where there is a place for everyone — a Canada where everyone can reach his or her full potential.

Reconciliation from nation to nation with Indigenous people — we aim to support reconciliation efforts with Indigenous people and make use of the 150th anniversary to reaffirm our intent to implement the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Youth – We strive to continue to engage young people and give them the means to contribute to our society, because they are the ones who will shape the Canada of tomorrow.

Environment – We are committed to being the custodians of our environment, because it is a source of our country’s wealth and pride. Canada C3 aims to bring Canadians closer to nature in order to strengthen all of our environmental awareness.

We are interested in learning about your personal connection to these themes. You will have an opportunity in the application form to share your perspectives on the Canada 150 themes.

Do my references need to be from Canada?

Your references can be from anywhere in the world as long as you provide a valid email address on the application form. If you are selected to advance past the first review phase, your references will be sent a link to an online referral form. You will be notified by email when they have completed their form.

Eligibility

How are participants selected?

We are looking for enthusiastic and passionate Canadians from across the country, representing a variety of cultural backgrounds, provinces and territories, to apply for the expedition.

Are you making considerations for diversity?

Canada C3 aims to include a diverse cross-section of expedition participants including all ethnicities, languages, sexual orientation, abilities, etc.

Are permanent residents eligible to participate?

Yes, permanent residents are eligible to participate. You will need to provide proof of permanent residency status (a permanent resident card), if you are selected to participate in Canada C3.

Are refugees eligible to participate?

Refugees with permanent resident status are eligible to apply.

Do I need a Canadian passport to join the expedition?

Successful applicants who are Canadian citizens will be required to travel with a current Canadian passport* valid until at least April 30, 2018.

To apply for or renew a passport*, follow this link:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/passport/apply/new/apply-how.asp

*Canada C3 can assist residents in the Yukon and Northwest Territories, and the four regions in Inuit Nunangat (Inuvialuit Settlement Region, Nunavut, Nunavik and Nunatsiavut), with passport applications. Contact us at expedition@canadac3.ca

Do I need a permanent resident card to join the expedition?

Successful applicants who are permanent residents will be required to travel with a permanent resident card valid until at least April 30, 2018.

To apply for or renew a Permanent Resident card, follow this link:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/pr-card/apply-how.asp

Why do passports or permanent resident cards need to be valid until April 30, 2018?

Requiring participants to have travel documents valid for six months beyond an expected return date is standard practice in the airline and ship travel industries. As the Canada C3 expedition is scheduled to end on Oct. 28, 2017 we have applied the six month validity rule, plus an extra two days, in the event of delays arriving to Victoria (final destination of Canada C3).

I am a Canadian Citizen or permanent resident living outside of Canada. Can I still apply to be on the expedition?

Applicants living in Canada or abroad are eligible to submit an application. We will review individual candidates who are selected for the expedition.

Will I need to submit a Police Record Check to join the expedition?:

Only candidates selected to participate in Canada C3 will be required to submit an approved Police Records Check, including clearance for service with the Vulnerable Sector, from their local police authority.

Is there an age restriction to join the expedition?

Yes, participants applying to join the expedition must be 18 or older. If you do not meet this eligibility criteria, there are other ways you can be involved with Canada C3 — social media, the Digital Classroom, C3 Museum Hubs, youth action initiatives or by attending community events!

Can I apply to be on the expedition with a family member or friend?

No. The application and selection process is on an individual basis. Any Canadian citizen or permanent resident over 18 years of age as of June 1, 2017 is welcome to complete and submit their own application form.

Technical Support

What if I get an error on my form?

Take a screenshot of the error message and email expedition@canadac3.ca.

Can I save my form to continue my session later?

Yes, you can save your form by going to the top of your form and clicking “Save my progress and resume later”.You will have to submit an email and create a password to be able to securely return to your form later. Please note: you will have to repeat this process each time you wish to save your progress.

What if I forget my password?

Email expedition@canadac3.ca to retrieve your password. You do not need to create a new application.

What technology or tips are helpful to know about creating a video or an audio recording for my application?

Applicants will need to create one video file OR one audio recording (maximum two minutes in length) using any device that is accessible to them.

For videos, use a cell phone, a camera or a webcam on your computer or tablet.

For audio files, use a cell phone, a digital recorder, a computer, a tablet or other audio recording device.

We all have different skills using technology. Ask a friend, family member or a neighbour for help!

You can also reach out to your local library, youth group, community centre, municipal or hamlet office or school for help and information to create your video or audio file.

We’re looking for originality, energy and enthusiasm. Tell us about yourself and share why you should be selected for the expedition!

Will I be able to make changes to my application after it has been submitted?

All submitted applications will be taken as final and no further modifications can be made.

How is my personal information protected?

Canada C3 will protect personal information as required by the Privacy Act. The Privacy Act gives individuals the right to access and request correction of personal information about themselves.

Canada C3 requests that applicants indicate their year of birth on the application form, as the opportunity to join the Canada C3 expedition is only open to Canadian citizens or permanent residents 18 years of age or older.

The personal information that is provided on this application form will not be used to assess applications and will not be passed on to the Selection Committee. Canada C3 may share information related to this application with its respective partners on a confidential basis in order to assist with criteria and eligibility.

The personal information collected on this application form will be stored in the Canada C3Students on Ice Foundation database and will not be shared with any third party outside of the application process.