Over 100,000 passports are not being sent out amid Canada Post strike

More than 100,000 passports are being not being sent out amid the ongoing Canada Post strike.

A spokesperson for Employment and Social Development Canada told INsauga.com that as of last Friday (Nov. 22), around 137,000 passports that have been printed and are ready to be mailed are being held by Service Canada.

“Those passports will be mailed out once the labour disruption is over and regular mail service resumes,” Samuelle Carbonneau said.

Service Canada put a hold on mailing out passports after Nov. 8 in anticipation of a possible strike. That was to reduce the risk of having passports held at Canada Post distribution centres.

Carbonneau said that Canadians who have already submitted a passport application and need their passport urgently should reach out to request to have their application transferred to one of 60 Service Canada locations that offer pick-up service.

Proof of travel is required.

That will also cost more, with a $45 file transfer fee and $20 fee for pick-up service.

If the processing time is outside of the service standard, however, the file transfer fee is waived.

Those looking to have their applications transferred can call 1-800-567-6868 or visit a Service Canada location.

Carbonneau said that if someone mailed a passport application just prior to the start of the postal strike, Service Canada may not have received it.

“In these cases, Service Canada will not be able to process the application until mail service resumes,” she said.

Anyone looking to send an application by mail should wait until the strike is over.

Canadians can still apply for a passport in-person at a Service Canada location, Carbonneau said.

“Those who will be travelling in the next six weeks should apply for their passport as early as possible at a Service Canada point of service that offers 10-business day service to avoid any delays,” she said.

“Canadians travelling in more than six weeks can visit a Service Canada centre that offers 20-business day service or a scheduled outreach site to submit their application.”

Passports continue to be processed and printed during the strike.