Tuesday, December 30, 2025
    ADVT 
    National

    Canada's passport backlog 'completely eliminated'

    Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 21 Mar, 2023 11:02 AM
    • Canada's passport backlog 'completely eliminated'

    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.

    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

    New flood evacuation alert in southern B.C.

    New flood evacuation alert in southern B.C.
    The District of Sparwood has declared the emergency and posted evacuation alerts for two mobile home parks and several properties along the Elk River after nearly 52 millimetres of rain deluged the community.

    New flood evacuation alert in southern B.C.

    Feds give $77M for new buildings in Lytton, B.C.

    Feds give $77M for new buildings in Lytton, B.C.
    Harjit Sajjan, the minister of International Development & the Vancouver MP says $64 million will be used to help rebuild public buildings, $6 million has been set aside for residents to bring their homes up to the same standards, while small- and medium-sized businesses will get $7.2 million to help them restart.

    Feds give $77M for new buildings in Lytton, B.C.

    Dutch officer testifies at B.C. extortion trial

    Dutch officer testifies at B.C. extortion trial
    Erik Verstraten told the B.C. Supreme Court trial for Aydin Coban that he found 10,000 euros in cash and a passport belonging to the man during the search of the home near the Dutch city of Tilburg, in January 2014.

    Dutch officer testifies at B.C. extortion trial

    Four ride-hail operators deemed 'unlicensed, unsafe, and unwelcome' and fined nearly $1800

    Four ride-hail operators deemed 'unlicensed, unsafe, and unwelcome' and fined nearly $1800
    As well, each of the operators received a Notice and Order requiring an immediate inspection of their vehicle. Officers removed (towed) one of the vehicles from the scene.

    Four ride-hail operators deemed 'unlicensed, unsafe, and unwelcome' and fined nearly $1800

    Training for Canadian students on use of naloxone

    Training for Canadian students on use of naloxone
    The Public Health Agency of Canada reported more than 5,386 deaths related to opioids between January and September 2021. The majority of the deaths — 94 per cent — were accidental.

    Training for Canadian students on use of naloxone

    Federal COVID-19 vaccine mandates to end: sources

    Federal COVID-19 vaccine mandates to end: sources
    The new rules are expected to come into effect on June 20, though the requirements for foreign nationals coming to Canada will not change, say two government sources close to the decision, who were granted anonymity to speak about matters they were not authorized to discuss publicly.

    Federal COVID-19 vaccine mandates to end: sources

    PrevNext