National

Canada's passport backlog 'completely eliminated'

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 21 Mar, 2023 11:02 AM

OTTAWA - Families Minister Karina Gould announced today that the federal government has now "completely eliminated" the backlog of passport applications that caused major delays — and major political strife — last year.

Tune in for an important update on Passport Service Delivery ⬇️

//

Suivez-nous pour une mise à jour importante sur la prestation de services des passeports ⬇️https://t.co/k507xrGUWL https://t.co/GBGWujj7N5
— Karina Gould (@karinagould) March 21, 2023

She also announced that Ottawa is launching a new digital tool that will allow Canadians to check the status of their Service Canada application online, as long as they provide an email address.

The update comes after Gould said in late January that the backlog was "virtually eliminated," with the exception of some complex cases held back for reasons such as child-custody issues.

The pandemic had caused a nearly two-year lull in passport applications, but demand skyrocketed once people began travelling again, leading Service Canada to double the number of employees processing passports last year.

Gould told reporters today that she can guarantee that people who apply for passports will now get them on time, and she urged people whose passports expire in 2023 to get them renewed immediately.

The minister says there are plans in place in case another backlog occurs, but she did not offer details about what those plans are.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Santa isn't coming to Vancouver, parade cancelled

The society says it's putting the parade on hiatus again "with a great deal of regret", after the event was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 because of pandemic precautions. The event traditionally features performances from bands and dance troupes, as well as an appearance by Santa and his helpers.

Santa isn't coming to Vancouver, parade cancelled

Weekend rain gives B.C. only modest drought relief

The storm prompted high streamflow advisories for waterways across Vancouver Island and the central and south coasts, but the River Forecast Centre expected levels to peak by late Monday, while another powerful rainstorm could arrive by the end of the week.

Weekend rain gives B.C. only modest drought relief

Witness says she told mayor he had a scaly face

Johnstone says she was in her car when she told McCallum to resign and that she would be the one to bring him down. McCallum, who lost his bid for re-election two weeks ago, has pleaded not guilty to the public mischief charge filed against him last December.

Witness says she told mayor he had a scaly face

New contract for B.C. public school teachers

The association says the agreement follows the provincial shared recovery mandate, which sets out specific wage increases, including inflation protection, while ensuring the government has the resources to protect services and support economic recovery.

New contract for B.C. public school teachers

New deal would give B.C. family doctors pay raise

Currently, family doctors are paid through a fee-for-service model and the government said the new plan will also pay them for hours worked, administrative costs, and the number and complexity of patients. Dr. Ramneek Dosanjh, president of Doctors of BC, said the deal represents a "seismic shift" in the way family medicine is practised in the province.

New deal would give B.C. family doctors pay raise

Vancouver Police investigating after five people stabbed in less than an hour early Sunday morning

VPD officers responded to a triple stabbing at a bar near Oak Street and West Broadway around 1:30 a.m. Sunday, after a confrontation between two groups left three men seriously injured. The victims, all men in their 20s from White Rock, were in Vancouver for a birthday celebration.