The Canadian government expects to issue nearly 4.3 million passports this year, up 2 million from normal. One of the reasons for this increase is the expiration of the first 10-year passports.
Everyone still remembers the endless queues in front of the passport offices last summer.
Service Canada says processing times will be restored, but the organization expects an increase due to the fact that the first 10-year passports have been issued since 2013.
Conservative MP Luc Berthold from Mégantic-L’Érable is inviting people who want to travel in the summer to apply now to avoid last summer’s chaos.
“I’m not saying Service Canada hasn’t addressed the situation […] but we prefer to be proactive and advise people not to wait,” Mr Berthold told the Journal.
Catch-up complete
“As they say, ‘Scalded cat fears cold water.’ We hope that citizens will not have to experience a situation like last year again. »
“I have citizens who only received their passports a few hours before their departure when they had followed the necessary procedures and deadlines,” he added.
“With what we know in the past, we have the right to be afraid,” the MP continued.
Wanting to reassure, Family, Children and Social Development Minister Karina Gould, for her part, said efforts continue to meet service standards, which have improved in recent months.
before the pandemic
In her opinion, the processing of applications has returned to the rhythm it had before the pandemic.
Thanks to new hires, increased overtime and improved efficiencies, most passports are issued on time 95% to 98% of the time.
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