Passports: the Legault government must do more than “tweets”

The Legault government must do more than “tweets” to urge Ottawa to fix the failures that deprive Quebecers of passports, says Québec solidaire (QS).

QS MNA Alexandre Leduc argued that the chaos in passport issuance demonstrates once again the federal government’s inability to provide the services its citizens are entitled to expect.

Mr. Leduc judged that the reaction of the Government of Quebec, and of its Minister of Canadian Intergovernmental Relations Sonia LeBel, has been insufficient so far.

“Minister Lebel must do more than tweet and send text messages to her federal colleagues, she must press for the services to which we are entitled to be rendered,” he said. With the pandemic, families have been separated for too long, it has to be resolved. »

In the morning, Ms. LeBel made a statement on social networks about the situation prevailing in passport issuing offices, which fall under the federal administration. Ms. LeBel invited Ottawa to find a solution to process “more adequately requests”.

“The situation experienced by many Quebecers in passport offices in recent weeks is deplorable,” she said on her Twitter feed. It’s insane to see people camping for several nights to get a passport. »

The minister found herself in the hot seat recently because text communications with her federal counterpart, Dominic Leblanc, were deleted.

Ms. LeBel declined a request for an interview. Her cabinet explained that she is on her way this Tuesday to Regina for a meeting with her provincial counterparts about the Canadian Francophonie.

In Ottawa, Social Development Minister Karina Gould said her department had already begun developing a new strategy on Monday in the face of the influx of passport applicants to federal offices.

“We will continue to try to improve the situation, because I understand that this is a situation that creates a lot of stress for people,” she said after leaving a cabinet meeting.

Ms. Gould explained that representatives of her ministry had been on the ground for two weeks in order to manage the situation.

“I’ve seen the images of Montreal since last week, and it’s really something that is unacceptable,” she said.

Further details will follow.

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