Ottawa, ON – In a major push for service delivery excellence, Minister of Citizens’ Services, Terry Beech, unveiled the first-ever State of Service Report today, highlighting improvements to passport services and government efficiency.
Among the key announcements, the Government of Canada introduced a new 30-business-day passport processing guarantee—or the passport will be free. Additionally, the launch of online passport renewals aims to make the process more accessible and convenient for Canadians.
Key Highlights from the State of Service Report
• New 30-Day Passport Guarantee – Effective later this year, all complete passport applications (submitted online, in person, or by mail) will be processed within 30 business days. If the government fails to meet this timeline, applicants will receive a full refund of their passport fees.
• Online Passport Renewals – A pilot program launched in December 2024 allows eligible Canadians to renew passports online without visiting a Service Canada Centre.
• New Passport Processing & Print Centre in Surrey, B.C. – The federal government is expanding passport infrastructure with a new processing and print centre in Surrey, which is expected to enhance efficiency and reduce wait times.
• Expansion of 10-Business-Day Service – Since 2022, 24 more Service Canada Centres have begun offering 10-day passport services, bringing the total to 60 locations, including in Iqaluit, NU, and Yellowknife, NT.
Minister Beech emphasized that these enhancements are part of the government’s commitment to efficiency, accountability, and transparency in service delivery.
“Canadians deserve fast, reliable, and accessible services. These improvements to passport processing will ensure that people can get their travel documents on time, with the assurance that delays won’t come at their expense,” said Beech.
With these enhancements, the Government of Canada aims to modernize passport services while ensuring timely processing and greater convenience for all Canadians.
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