The Liberals say they're “exploring” online passport renewals so Canadians can avoid hours-long waits at federal offices, says Blacklock's Reporter..But Social Development Minister Karina Gould said it's merely a possibility..“The government is exploring digital solutions to make online submissions for renewals a possibility as well as technology for Canadians to track the status of their applications online,” Gould said in a statement..There were no details..“We are also seeking solutions that would allow more of the network of over 300 regular Service Canada Centres across the country to process simple passport renewals which would dramatically increase capacity,” said Gould..“A great deal of work remains to be done in order to get back to normal service,” said Gould. Delays that have seen Canadians wait up to seven hours in lineups or three months for passports by mail were unacceptable, she added..“Canadians should be able to obtain a new or renewed passport in a timely manner. I remain seized with resolving this unacceptable situation as quickly as possible.”.Gould said passport managers hired 150 new employees. They were “in training right now,” she said..Service Canada, the federal agency that manages passports, earlier disclosed 70% of employees were working from home. A total 18,361 of 26,136 employees were off-site, according to an Inquiry Of Ministry tabled in the Commons. The agency also disclosed it suspended 249 employees for declining to show proof of vaccination..Authorities said more than 808,000 passport applications were received in the period from April 1 to June 30..“Because of volume, we are prioritizing clients with travel plans,” Evelyne Power, director general of passport operations, testified May 30 at the Commons human resources committee..“The in-person services that are provided have up to now been limited. Right now they’re limited to anyone with travel plans identified within 45 business days.”.Passport applicants phoning 1-800 federal call centres should expect to spend up to 55 minutes on hold, the committee was told..“In February we were receiving 50,000 calls a week,” said Power. “In April it was 1.2 million calls every week.”.Conservative MPs earlier requested special hearings on the passport backlog..“Canadians rightfully expect to be able to get basic government services such as passports,” said MP Stephanie Kusie (Calgary-Midnapore)..“The increase in demand for passport renewals should have been easy for the government to predict,” said Kusie.
