Northern MPs working to fast-track passport applications amid backlog
Federal politicians in the northeast are offering help to constituents who are having trouble getting their passports, as massive backlogs continue to delay the issuing of travel documents.
Northerners who've been waiting weeks for their passports to come in the mail risk needing to drive to Thunder Bay, Toronto or Ottawa to access a Service Canada location that processes urgent applications for trips that are 48 hours away.
NDP MPs Carol Hughes and Charlie Angus said in efforts to avoid the long trip, their offices have been trying to help people fast-track their applications by dealing with Service Canada directly.
"It's very hard to reach anybody at this point," said Hughes, adding that the process is more complicated now than in years past.
"(Service Canada's) telling us that it's quite problematic and they recognize that and it's unacceptable."
Hughes said northern politicians have been asking for a Service Canada location that can issue passports on-site in the northeast, rather than through the mail, which would reduce people's need to travel for urgent services.
For now, she said federal minister Karina Gould, who's in charge of Employment and Social Development Canada, needs to get a plan together to address the backlog caused by the pandemic lockdowns—as well as the upcoming demand for passport renewals.
"2024 is when the first cohort of the 10-year passports will actually be up, so there'll be another huge demand at that point," Hughes said.
CTV News requested comment from Employment and Social Development Canada, which oversees Service Canada, but it could not provide a response by the time of publication.
Passport Canada has posted on Twitter that it is working to issue passports faster, saying that it has ramped up approvals by over 60 per cent. Gould also issued a statement last week, saying that more employees are being hired, trained and reassigned to work on the backlog.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Body of Quebec man who died in Cuba found in Russia, family confirms
A Montreal-area family confirmed to CTV News that the body of their loved one who died while on vacation in Cuba is being repatriated to Canada after it was mistakenly sent to Russia.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Saskatchewan isn't remitting the carbon tax on home heating. Why isn't my province following suit?
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
RCMP officers had no legal authority to enter man's home, make arrest: B.C. court
A B.C. man has been found not guilty of assaulting two RCMP officers – with the court finding he was resisting an "unlawful entry and arrest" in his home before he was tasered, taken down and hauled away in handcuffs.