The nationwide Canada Post strike has stalled the delivery of around 85,000 printed passports, which are now being held by Service Canada until mail services resume.
In preparation for the labour disruption, Service Canada stopped mailing passports on November 8 to prevent them from being delayed or stranded in distribution centers.
The strike, now in its third week, has brought mail and parcel services across the country to a halt.
Service Canada says passport mailings will resume as soon as the strike ends. Canadians awaiting passports who have immediate travel plans are urged to contact the Passport Program at 1-800-567-6868 or visit a Service Canada center. Those in urgent need can request their passports to be transferred to a location offering pickup service.
To avoid delays, Service Canada recommends applying at centers that provide a 10-business day service for those traveling within six weeks. For travel beyond six weeks, applications can be submitted in person or by courier to locations offering 20-business day processing.
For applications sent by mail shortly before the labour action, Service Canada says these may not have been received yet and cannot be processed until regular mail operations resume.
The ongoing strike continues to impact not only passport services but also small businesses, charities, and remote communities across the country.
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