44th Parl. 1st Sess.
May 2, 2022 11:00AM
- May/2/22 2:59:29 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, this government has pulled off a hat trick, managing to destroy a trifecta of services: immigration, employment insurance and passports. Everything is a complete disaster.
My constituents are sick of sitting on hold or waiting weeks, or even months, to get answers from the officers handling their files.
Did the government not anticipate a surge in passport renewal applications after two full years of no travel? This government is always in reaction mode. When will it take action and reduce wait times for passport renewals?
87 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- May/2/22 3:00:08 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for his question. As I told the House, we are seeing an incredible increase in demand for passports.
That being said, Service Canada is working very hard to ensure that Canadians get their passports before their travel date. Just this past weekend, we opened 12 Passport Canada and Service Canada centres on Saturday to help process passport applications.
Our employees are working at night and on the weekends to make sure that Canadians get their passports on time.
84 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- May/2/22 3:00:49 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, I am not looking to stir up trouble, given that I am not a member of the Bloc, but the majority of Canadians are starting to return to in-person work after two years of a pandemic.
However, certain federal workplaces are still largely shuttered, and Passport Canada is no exception. Visits are by appointment only, but if anyone wants to make an appointment, they had better be ready to spend hours on the phone.
Canadians deserve better service. How is it possible that we members can work on site, when that is not the case at a Passport Canada office?
103 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- May/2/22 3:01:25 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, I have good news. Passport Canada and Service Canada will be opening nearly all of their service centres this week.
We have spoken with unions and the employees, who are already working long hours, even at home, for the specific purpose of serving Canadians. We know that it is important because there are many people who want to travel right now. Services will be available in offices across the country.
72 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- May/2/22 3:02:01 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, poor planning has resulted in unacceptable wait times for Canadians to get a passport. The Liberal government is profiting from Canadians' desire to travel yet offering less service. It knew this need was coming yet clearly was not prepared, and now Canadians are paying the price. Passport Canada is charging a $45 transfer fee, plus an additional $110 fast processing fee. All these unnecessary processing fees are making a 10-year adult passport $315 instead of $160.
Why are Canadians paying for the Liberals' inability to plan?
89 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- May/2/22 3:02:42 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, as I have said numerous times in the House, we are experiencing an incredible increase in demand. For the past two years, many Canadians followed the advice of government and did not travel. Now they are looking forward to travelling again, and therefore there is a big increase in demand.
That being said, Service Canada and Passport Canada are doing everything they can to meet this unprecedented surge in demand. Just this past weekend, we opened 12 centres on Saturday to assist. Passport officers are working day, night and on the weekends to meet the demand. We will continue to provide the best service possible that we can to Canadians, understanding the—
115 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- menumenu
- notificationsnotifications
- home
- mailmail
- searchsearch
