The Government of Canada will publish on its website and regularly update “key statistics” on passports, including the number of applications received and passports issued nationally.
Karina Gould, the minister responsible for managing the long processing times for passport applications, made the announcement Thursday, as travelers wait outside Service Canada offices to obtain one of the coupons from the appointment system. you recently put in place to improve the situation.
“Improving this service is a top priority for the Government of Canada. I share the frustration of Canadians and I would like to reiterate that these queues, these delays and this uncertainty are unacceptable,” reiterated the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development in a press release.
The initiative comes after the government website added waiting time estimates at passport offices.
A federal webpage indicates that applications submitted to a Passport Canada office can take up to two weeks to process and those submitted to a Service Canada office can take up to nine weeks, not including postage.
Ms. Gould also confirmed that employees of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada “now directly assist in processing passports”. In addition, “up to 200” employees of the Canada Revenue Agency should be added to lend a hand.
“In the Montreal region, the printing capacity will also be increased. Service Canada is optimistic that, combined with the simplification of the processing and printing process, these measures will further improve the situation,” said the Minister.
On Wednesday, Ms Gould closed the door on compensation for travelers forced to cancel their plans. She also refused, twice rather than once, to offer her apologies to those who suffered the failures of Passport Canada.