Frustration grows at passport offices as Canadians begin to travel again
There was much frustration at the downtown Toronto passport office on Tuesday as people waited hours, and in some cases days, to get their passport renewed.
At 74 Victoria Street, there are two lines on opposite sides of the doors. Those with appointments, which are required, and those who want to walk-in.
"Walk-in services can only be offered to clients travelling within the next two days. Proof of travel or need is required," Passport Services told CTV News Toronto.
Nathan Degoui is flying to Paris on Thursday, and lined up for a walk-in on Monday only to be turned away.
"I am getting nervous," he told CTV News Toronto on his second day in the line. "I came yesterday at around 1 p.m. and they said 'No way you are getting in,' so I came today at 8 a.m. and still been waiting here all day and not sure I’m going to get in."
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada said in a news release Tuesday that as COVID-19 restrictions ease “the demand for passports—both new and renewals—has started to increase and is returning to pre-pandemic levels.”
Niko Ducharme was able to get a passport on Tuesday, but said it has been a frustrating experience.
"I applied for a passport about two months ago by mail, you can’t phone in for 20 days, so I waited 20 days, phoned and when you phone you are on hold for two and half hours, there are 575 callers ahead of you," he said.
Shortly before the passport office closed for the day, Degoui was given an appointment for Wednesday, the day before his trip to France, but not before having to come to the office three days in a row.
“I’m still upset I couldn’t get it today, obviously waited quite a long time, that’s okay. Better than nothing better than not getting it. I still get to go to Paris, so that’s good.”
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada added that Canadians can now use the simplified process to renew an expired passport as long as it was issued within the last 15 years. That process is also available to residents who have had their passport lost, stolen or damaged.
"With the simplified renewal process, applicants don’t need to have a guarantor or to provide their original documents, such as proof of citizenship or photo identification," a spokesperson said. "They simply need 2 photos, 2 references, their completed form and the applicable fees. These changes make renewing a passport easier, while maintaining the highest level of program integrity."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Speaker kicks Poilievre out of Commons over unparliamentary comments
Speaker Greg Fergus kicked Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre out of the House of Commons during question period today.
Man dies after suffering cardiac arrest while waiting in ER, widow wants investigation
When an ambulance took David Lippert to the hospital in March of 2023, the 68-year-old Kitchener, Ont., executive was hoping to find out why he was feeling weak and unable to walk. Some 24 hours later, he was found unresponsive in the ER.
Baby, grandparents among 4 people killed in wrong-way police chase on Ontario's Hwy. 401
A police chase which started with a liquor store robbery in Bowmanville Monday night ended in tragedy some 20 minutes later when a suspect fleeing police entered Highway 401 in the wrong direction and caused a pileup which killed an infant and the child's grandparents, as well as the suspect, investigators say.
Freeland previews omnibus budget bill, proposed capital gains tax change left out
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland will be tabling yet another omnibus bill to pass a sweeping range of measures promised in her April 16 federal budget, though left out of the legislation is the government's proposed capital gains tax change.
Air Canada walks back new seat selection policy change after backlash
Air Canada has paused a new seat selection fee for travellers booked on the lowest fares just days after implementing it.
McGill requests 'police assistance' over pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University says it has 'requested police assistance' about the pro-Palestinian encampment on its lower field.
Judge raises threat of jail in hush money trial as he holds Trump in contempt, fines him US$9,000
Donald Trump was held in contempt of court Tuesday and fined US$9,000 for repeatedly violating a gag order that barred him from making public statements about witnesses, jurors and some others connected to his New York hush money case. And if he does it again, the judge warned, he could be jailed.
Court upholds Milwaukee police officer's firing for posting racist memes after Sterling Brown arrest
The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that a former Milwaukee police officer was properly fired for posting racist memes related to the arrest of an NBA player that triggered a public outcry.
Video captures deadly wrong-way police chase on Highway 401 in Ontario
A new video has surfaced showing a vehicle being pursued by police in the wrong direction on Highway 401 moments prior to a fatal crash that killed four people, including an infant and their grandparents.