Close X
    Monday, November 25, 2024
    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

    VPD seek to identify 2 women who smashed the front window of a downtown retailer

    VPD seek to identify 2 women who smashed the front window of a downtown retailer
    The suspects were captured on store surveillance cameras loitering at the entrance of City Lux Boutique, near Howe and Nelson streets on December 6 just after 4:30 a.m. One of the suspects used an object to shatter the glass on the window next to the front door. Both women then fled the area.

    VPD seek to identify 2 women who smashed the front window of a downtown retailer

    Five B.C. kids died from flu in November

    Five B.C. kids died from flu in November
    Before the COVID-19 pandemic, an average five to six kids died per flu season across Canada, data from a national surveillance network administered by the Canadian Paediatric Association known as IMPACT shows.  

    Five B.C. kids died from flu in November

    Maintenance problems led to fatal B.C. crash: TSB

    Maintenance problems led to fatal B.C. crash: TSB
    The lone pilot, who was also the owner of E & B Helicopters Ltd., died when the chopper slammed into a building and burst into flames. No one was hurt on the ground.   

    Maintenance problems led to fatal B.C. crash: TSB

    Hundreds of permanent residents apply to military

    Hundreds of permanent residents apply to military
    Chief of the defence staff Gen. Wayne Eyre officially opened the military’s doors to all permanent residents in October, in direct response to an unprecedented personnel crisis that has left the Armed Forces scrambling for new recruits. Defence Minister Anita Anand publicly announced the measure, which went into effect on Oct. 18, on Monday.  

    Hundreds of permanent residents apply to military

    Liberals introduce bill to strengthen child care

    Liberals introduce bill to strengthen child care
    The Liberal government brought in a national child-care plan that would cut daycare fees by an average of 50 per cent by the end of this year — and down to an average of $10 per day by 2026.

    Liberals introduce bill to strengthen child care

    One dead, one arrested in Surrey stabbing

    One dead, one arrested in Surrey stabbing
    When officers arrived, they found a woman with life-threatening injuries. She was rushed to hospital, where she died of her injuries. Police found and arrested one suspect.

    One dead, one arrested in Surrey stabbing

    PrevNext