Hon. Sean Fraser, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship of Canada
Confederation Building, Suite 110
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0A6
Dear Minister Fraser,
Canadians are reporting unacceptable delays in passport application and renewal processing times. Unable to even secure an appointment, some are waiting in line for days. Those lucky few, who are able to get an appointment, are finding the date is past their planned date of departure.
Service Canada is claiming the delays are due to COVID, while simultaneously claiming staffing levels are the same as prior to the pandemic.
Since the introduction of mandatory quarantine hotels in January 2021, your government’s stated policy goal has been to discourage Canadians from travelling.
With provincial mandates ending and the federal travel advisory being lifted, Canadians are seeking a return to normal activities.
It was obvious the government’s onerous travel restrictions would create a pent-up demand for travel documents. The failure to anticipate this surge in passport applications and renewals is being paid by Canadians having to cancel travel plans. The government must take immediate action to reduce the backlog and delays.
I look forward to a response which can be shared with constituents outlining steps the government is taking to solve the above-mentioned problems Canadians now face.
Sincerely,
Cheryl Gallant, MP
Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke
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