You don't need your Birth Certificates, but when you travel it's best you take photocopies of all your documents in case you passports are lost or stolen. Then it's a lot easier for the Canadian embassy to help you out and a lot quicker. This happened to a family friend and they were told if they had photocopies of all documents (even the passport), it would have taken them less than 48 hours to get new documents. So now before we leave I have a copy of all documents with me, and a second set at home (just in case I lose everything and whoever has the key to my house can get me the info just as easy).