New passport services available in the Sault
As a backlog in processing passport applications continues, the federal government is adding new passport service locations across Canada.
Starting Aug. 17 people can apply for and pick up their passports at Sault Ste. Marie’s Service Canada office on Bay Street.
Karina Gould, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, made an announcement Wednesday that people can now pick up passports in person at four additional locations across Canada, including the Sault.
In addition to the existing passport offices offering pick-up service, Canadians can now both apply and request in-person pick-up of their passport at Service Canada Centres in the Sault, Red Deer, Alta., Trois-Rivieres, Que. and Charlottetown, P.E.I. Unlike the regular Service Canada Centres, these locations now offer 10-day service, which means that individuals can apply for a passport in one of the four locations and the passport will be available after 10 business days, either through in person pick-up or by mail.
Proof of upcoming travel is also required to get service within 45 days at offices with 10-day processing times, including those announced Wednesday.
There is an extra $20 fee to pick passports up in person.
“Service Canada is working tirelessly to identify and implement solutions that not only improve the speedy delivery of passports, but also improve the service experience for Canadians. We will continue to make our services more accessible for all Canadians,” said Gould in a news release.
About 1.1 million applications for renewed and new passports have been filed since April as Canadians have resumed travelling with pandemic restrictions loosened.
More than one-quarter of those hadn't yet been processed as of early this month.
For the week of August 8 to 14, Service Canada has issued 52,569 passports.
The expansion of pick-up sites will allow many Canadians who need to pick up passports to do so closer to their homes.
Service Canada has committed to providing passport services within 50km of the home of Canadians.
In response to demand, Service Canada added five new locations for passport services in late July; though none were in the north.
The agency also ramped up staffing levels, reporting 1,936 employees in its passport workforce in early August, up more than 150 from the month prior.
Gould told CTV News she is working on bringing passport services to additional offices and hopes to make more announcements soon.
For a full listing of services available from at the Sault Ste. Marie Service Canada Centre visit the Government of Canada's website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
BREAKING Canadian Blood Services apologizes to LGBTQ2S+ community for discriminatory blood donation policy
Canadian Blood Services issued an apology on Friday to the LGBTQ2S+ community for what it now admits was a harmful and discriminatory blood donation policy that prevented sexually active men who have sex with men and some trans people from donating blood and plasma.
BREAKING Toronto mayor hints that WNBA team is coming to the city, marking the first franchise in Canada
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow says that she is hopeful an announcement could be made soon amid multiple reports that a WNBA team is coming to Toronto in 2026.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
Ontario coroner to investigate death of man who suffered cardiac arrest while waiting in ER
A provincial coroner will be investigating the death of 68-year-old David Lippert, who suffered a cardiac arrest while waiting in a crowded emergency room in Kitchener, Ont.
'Irate male' assaulted Newfoundland officers with block of cheese, police say
Police in Newfoundland say patrol officers were assaulted Thursday by a "very irate male" wielding a block of cheese.
Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.