Skip to Main content

9.7°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Mar 21, 2023 8:22 PM - The Canadian Press

'Canada's passport application backlog completely eliminated : Minister

Share On

canadas-passport-application-backlog-completely-eliminated-minister

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 (Photo: The Canadian Press)

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.

Latest news

WorldJan 26, 2026

Private jet crashes during takeoff at Maine airport amid winter storm

A private jet carrying eight people crashed while attempting to take off from Bangor International Airport in the U.S. state of Maine on Sunday evening, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The aircraft, identified as a Bombardier Challenger 600, went down shortly after 7:45 p.m. local time. Officials said there was no immediate confirmation on the condition of those on board, and emergency crews were dispatched to the scene following the crash. The incident occurred as Maine and much of the northeastern United States were dealing with a powerful winter storm. Airport conditions i

prime-minister-mark-carney-may-visit-india-in-early-march-as-canada-looks-to-expand-trade-ties

CanadaJan 26, 2026

Prime Minister Mark Carney may visit India in early March as Canada looks to expand trade ties

Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to visit India during the first week of March, as part of Canada’s broader effort to strengthen economic partnerships beyond the United States. Government sources indicate discussions during the visit could focus on cooperation in uranium, energy, critical minerals and artificial intelligence. The proposed trip is seen as a key step in Ottawa’s strategy to diversify trade and reduce reliance on the U.S. market. India’s growing economy and demand for energy and advanced technology make it a strategic partner for Canada, particularly as global supply

federal-government-to-boost-gst-credit-as-grocery-costs-strain-household-budgets

CanadaJan 26, 2026

Carney unveils temporary GST credit boost to help offset rising grocery costs

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a temporary increase to the federal GST credit on Monday, positioning the move as targeted relief for Canadians struggling with the rising cost of groceries and other essentials. The measure includes a 25 per cent increase to the GST credit, rebranded as the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit. The enhanced credit is set to begin this year and remain in place for five years, aimed primarily at lower-income households most affected by food inflation. In addition to the annual increase, the federal government will issue a one-time payment in 2026 valued a

kelowna-rcmp-provincial-gang-unit-seize-weapons-and-drugs-after-enforcement-operation

Kelowna RCMP, provincial gang unit seize weapons and drugs after enforcement operation

Police in Kelowna say a joint enforcement and training effort with a provincial gang unit has led to dozens of arrests and the removal of weapons and drugs from the community. The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit’s Uniform Gang Enforcement Team worked alongside Kelowna RCMP and officers from across the Okanagan between January 12 and January 16. The operation focused on identifying repeat violent offenders while also providing specialized training to local officers on weapons, firearms, and drug interdiction. According to police, the multi day initiative resulted in more than 20 new

nearly-10-000-federal-public-servants-warned-of-possible-job-cuts-unions-say

CanadaJan 23, 2026

Nearly 10,000 federal public servants warned of possible job cuts, unions say

Nearly 10,000 federal public servants across multiple departments have been notified in recent days that their positions could be affected by upcoming workforce reductions, according to the unions representing them. The Public Service Alliance of Canada says more than 5,000 of its members received workforce adjustment notices over the past week. Those notices were issued to employees working in several federal departments, including Global Affairs Canada, Transport Canada, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, and Health Canada. Workforce adjustment notices signal that positions

Related News

Prime Minister Mark Carney may visit India in early March as Canada looks to expand trade ties

Prime Minister Mark Carney may visit India in early March as Canada looks to expand trade ties

Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to visit India during the first week of March, as part of Canada’s broader effort to strengthen economic partnerships beyond the United States. Government sources indicate discussions during the visit could focus on cooperation in uranium, energy, critical minerals and artificial intelligence. The proposed trip is seen as a key step in Ottawa’s strategy to diversify trade and reduce reliance on the U.S. market. India’s growing economy and demand for energy and advanced technology make it a strategic partner for Canada, particularly as global supply

Carney unveils temporary GST credit boost to help offset rising grocery costs

Carney unveils temporary GST credit boost to help offset rising grocery costs

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a temporary increase to the federal GST credit on Monday, positioning the move as targeted relief for Canadians struggling with the rising cost of groceries and other essentials. The measure includes a 25 per cent increase to the GST credit, rebranded as the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit. The enhanced credit is set to begin this year and remain in place for five years, aimed primarily at lower-income households most affected by food inflation. In addition to the annual increase, the federal government will issue a one-time payment in 2026 valued a

Nearly 10,000 federal public servants warned of possible job cuts, unions say

Nearly 10,000 federal public servants warned of possible job cuts, unions say

Nearly 10,000 federal public servants across multiple departments have been notified in recent days that their positions could be affected by upcoming workforce reductions, according to the unions representing them. The Public Service Alliance of Canada says more than 5,000 of its members received workforce adjustment notices over the past week. Those notices were issued to employees working in several federal departments, including Global Affairs Canada, Transport Canada, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, and Health Canada. Workforce adjustment notices signal that positions

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

BC Children's Hospital