Close X
    Tuesday, November 26, 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

    B.C. expands addiction help for youth

    B.C. expands addiction help for youth
    Sheila Malcolmson, the minister of mental health and addictions, says it's a “historic expansion” of services for youth and the programs will be supported by about 130 new health-care workers.

    B.C. expands addiction help for youth

    Canadian Sikhs reach out to drivers stranded in snowstorm

    Canadian Sikhs reach out to drivers stranded in snowstorm
    Drivers reported being stuck on New Westminster's Queensborough Bridge and Highway 91 on Tuesday night for hours along with a group of volunteers from Gurdwara Sahib Sukh Sagar. The group made their way to the Gurdwara, which was adjacent to the bridge on the Queensborough side, and came back with hot tea and packed snacks for the stranded motorists.

    Canadian Sikhs reach out to drivers stranded in snowstorm

    Nexus pilot project expands to Peace Bridge

    Nexus pilot project expands to Peace Bridge
    Instead of meeting U.S. and Canadian agents at the same time, applicants are interviewed first in Canada before crossing the border for a second interview with American officials.

    Nexus pilot project expands to Peace Bridge

    New paid sick leave rules coming into effect

    New paid sick leave rules coming into effect
    As of Dec. 31, workers who have been continuously employed for at least 30 days will have access to three paid sick days. Workers will then get a fourth sick day as of Feb. 1, and will accumulate one additional day at the start of every month up to a maximum of 10 days per year.

    New paid sick leave rules coming into effect

    Applications open for dental care benefits

    Applications open for dental care benefits
    The benefit, to be used toward dental services, is available for children under 12 in families that earn less than $90,000 a year and ranges from $260 to $650 per child depending on net income.

    Applications open for dental care benefits

    Canada gains on U.S. in permanent resident race

    Canada gains on U.S. in permanent resident race
    It's a record that will likely be beaten more than once in the coming years, as a Canadian federal immigration plan released earlier this month aims to admit 465,000 new permanent residents in 2023 and 500,000 a year by 2025, with a particular focus on bringing in people with needed skills and experience.

    Canada gains on U.S. in permanent resident race

    PrevNext