passports

A Canadian passport sits on a suitcase in Ottawa on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023. Social Development Minister Karina Gould says Service Canada has “virtually eliminated” the backlog of thousands of passport applications. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Canada’s passport application backlog now ‘virtually eliminated,’ minister says

Pandemic caused a nearly two-year lull in passport applications

 

The federal government is adding new passport service locations across Canada as a loud backlash over long wait times continues. People line up outside the Guy Favreau federal building while waiting to apply for a passport in Montreal, Sunday, June 26, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

Feds announce four new passport service sites as backlog continues

Nearly 1.1 million applications for new and renewed passports have been filed since April

 

Travellers keen to get their passports in hand in time for take-off will now be able to request their mail-in applications be transferred to any of the more than 300 local Service Canada centres for processing. People line up at the passport office, Tuesday, June 21, 2022 in Laval, Que. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

In-person service for mail-in passport requests now available at 300 sites in Canada

Until now, applicants in the queue could only ask for a transfer by visiting one of 35 specialized passport sites across Canada

 

Whitney B. travelled from Vancouver to Edmonton to renew her lost passport and documented the journey on her tiktok on Saturday (June 18). (Photo/Whitney B.)

VIDEO: B.C. woman flies to Alberta to avoid lengthy wait times at passport office

Many eager travellers are getting frustrated with lengthy delays to replace or update passport

Whitney B. travelled from Vancouver to Edmonton to renew her lost passport and documented the journey on her tiktok on Saturday (June 18). (Photo/Whitney B.)
People line up at a Service Canada office in Montreal on Thursday, March 19, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

Federal government now posting passport wait times online as long lineups continue

On Monday afternoon you could expect to wait 6 hours and 45 minutes in Vancouver

People line up at a Service Canada office in Montreal on Thursday, March 19, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson
Parksville Qualicum Beach residents, like people across the country, are feeling frustrated with passport processing delays. (Pixabay photo)

Lengthy passport processing delays present problems for B.C. resident

Parksville Qualicum Beach woman may lose $2,700 already paid for trip

Parksville Qualicum Beach residents, like people across the country, are feeling frustrated with passport processing delays. (Pixabay photo)
A Canadian passport is displayed in Ottawa on July 23, 2015. Canadian officials are bracing for a potential onslaught of passport renewals now that the border between Canada and the U.S. is poised to reopen. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Government bracing for surge in passport renewals

Passport services have been available through the pandemic, but most people had little use for them.

A Canadian passport is displayed in Ottawa on July 23, 2015. Canadian officials are bracing for a potential onslaught of passport renewals now that the border between Canada and the U.S. is poised to reopen. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick