Passport Canada plans to launch an ePassport in 2012, and in the meantime it wants to hear Canadians' thoughts on the issue — including revised fees.

Point of View: Take our poll: Will ePassports improve the system?

The new passport will be little changed in appearance but will contain an electronic chip encoded with the bearer's name, gender, and date and place of birth, as well as a digital portrait of the traveller's face.

"The use of ePassports will allow Canada to follow international standards in the field of passport security to protect our borders and maintain the ease of international travel that Canadians currently enjoy," Passport Canada said in a release.

With the launch of the new passport, Canadians will also be able to choose whether they want a passport valid for 10 years or for the current five-year period. Along with the changes will come new fees — a development that requires consultation with Canadians, under the User Fees Act, according to the agency.

Canadians are asked to fill out an online questionnaire on Passport Canada's website by May 7. The comments will be considered in the development of the new passport and its fees.