Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): I am very aware of the frustration. This term is probably not strong enough to describe the situation faced by Canadians trying to renew their passport. It is a serious and enormous problem.

The government is stepping up by funding the hiring of hundreds of additional people who are working overtime and on weekends to try to resolve this problem, which will not be fixed in a few minutes. It will take time for measures to take effect. The government is concerned and is taking the situation very seriously.