How Canadians can get their passports amid the Canada Post strike
November 25, 2024QUESTION: What would your advice be to Canadians who need to get a passport for upcoming travel?
Answer:
Within the riding of Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston, there are one of two ways that constituents can currently apply for, or renew their passports, during the ongoing Canada Post strike. I will outline them below:
#1. A constituent can visit one of the two following Service Canada offices:
–Ottawa West Service Canada Centre and Passport Services, located at 885 Meadowlands Dr E., Unit 014B Ottawa, ON K2C 3N2
–Kingston Service Canada Centre, located at 294 King St. E., Kingston, ON K7L 3B2 (a constituent will need to contact this office in advance, to request an appointment to drop off their passport application at 613-856-9022 or via email at:
on-eco-outreach-externes-gd@servicecanada.gc.ca
A constituent will need to pick up their passport at one of these two offices once advised by their chosen office, that the passport is complete. As result of the increased demand during the Canada Post Strike, Passport Canada has imposed a $20 service fee for the pickup of completed passports.
#2. A constituent can take their application to any Service Canada office that accepts passports. If the strike has not been resolved within 10 business days of the applicant’s travel date, they will have to call Passport Canada and arrange for a transfer, which allows them to pick up the passport at a processing office (most likely the Ottawa or Kingston office outlined in the first option above). A constituent can contact Passport Canada at this number: 1-800-567-6868 . A $45 pick up fee may be charged to constituents for this service.
A good piece of info to note, is that any passport applications that Passport Canada received after November 12, 2024, are being held by Passport Canada until the strike is finished (unless of course a constituent calls to request a transfer due to an upcoming travel date).
Our office is happy to look over any application before a constituent travels to a Passport Canada office to ensure their application is in order.
QUESTION: I see online that Canadians can head into their MP’s constituency offices for assistance with passport applications. What passport service do MPs offer at their constituency offices? Can Canadians apply for a passport at an MP constituency office?
Answer:
For over 15 years, my constituency office has offered passport services. Not all MP constituency offices offer this service. My staff review applications before mailing them (via ExpressPost), once per week, to the Gatineau Passport Canada processing office.
Unfortunately, due to the ongoing strike with Canada Post, we are currently unable to send in applications for constituents. That being said, if a constituent has attempted to call Passport Canada (at 1-800-567-6868) to no avail, and they have to travel in the next 10 business days, then our office can assist by arranging an alternative pickup appointment. Our office can be reached at 1-866-277-1577. Proof of travel will be required for pick up. This can include: a flight ticket or a hotel booking.
If there is a problem with an application submitted: either mailed through our office, mailed in by a constituent, or sent in via a Service Canada office; our office can liaise with Passport Canada to determine the issue at hand, correct said issue, and then ensure that Passport Canada produces the passport in question.
-Scott Reid MP