Is the old passport surrendered or can it be kept?

They poke hole in it, cut one of the corners and give it back

You can keep it after they damage it in some way so it cannot be used again. I had the same concern after my first passport was expiring, wanted to keep it for all the stamps (and memories) inside.

MrBungal wrote: ↑ When renewing the passport, is the old passport taken away or kept and cut?

It depends on how you answer the would you like the previous passport to be returned to you question at the top of page 2 of the application form.

kr0zet wrote: ↑ You can keep it after they damage it in some way so it cannot be used again. I had the same concern after my first passport was expiring, wanted to keep it for all the stamps (and memories) inside.

Haha exactly why I want it back.

I've kept all my old passports--it's a nice memory to have, particularly with all the sticker visas from places (like Brasil) which no longer require them of Canadians. I'm also proud of my two visas from Nagorno-Karabakh.

Whenever I renew my passport the agent simply punches a hole in the photo page of the old one so that it's no longer acceptable for travel and hands it back.