November 10, 2005
(GATINEAU, QUEBEC) -- The Service Canada Centres in Chibougamau and La Tuque, Quebec, are now Receiving Agents for Passport Canada.
"Passport Canada strives to consistently meet clients' expectations and to ensure that Canadians hold among the most secure passports and travel documents in the world," said Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew. "This joint Receiving Agents project between Passport Canada and Service Canada makes the passport application process more accessible to Canadians by providing an alternative channel for passport services."
In cooperation with Passport Canada, trained Service Canada employees are responsible for reviewing passport applications to ensure accuracy and completeness. Applications are forwarded to Passport Canada for examination and, if approved, the application is processed and the requested travel document is delivered to the applicant by courier services within 20 working days, not including mailing time. Final decisions on passport entitlement remain with Passport Canada.
"The extension of the passport receiving agent service to this community is an example of how Service Canada is working with its federal partners to bring better service to more Canadians, especially those living in remote and rural areas," said Belinda Stronach, Minister for Service Canada and Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development. "By joining our efforts and making it easier for northern residents to apply for passports, we are delivering on the Government of Canada's commitment to one-stop, easy-to-access personalized service for Canadians, wherever they live."
Service Canada is the Government of Canada's new service delivery network that brings together the range of federal services and benefits to meet the needs of individual Canadians. Canadians can access these services - simply and conveniently - by visiting any of the 320 Service Centres across Canada, clicking on www.servicecanada.gc.ca or calling 1 800 O-Canada.
The locations and hours of service of each of the centres are as follow:
The Chibougamau Service Canada Centre is located at 623 Third Street, and operates Monday to Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The La Tuque Service Canada Centre is located at 290 St. Joseph Street, and operates Monday to Friday, from 8:15 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., except Thursday when office hours are from 9:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Centre is closed from 12:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Passport applicants will find a complete checklist to help them to identify the steps in the passport application process on-line through www.servicecanada.gc.ca or www.pptc.gc.ca, or by calling, toll free,
1 800 567 6868 or 1 800 O-Canada.
Passport Canada is a Special Operating Agency of Foreign Affairs Canada. Its mission is to facilitate travel for Canadians by delivering internationally respected travel documents that meet the highest security standards in the world.
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Media Enquiries:(819) 934-3837 (Passport Canada)(819) 994-5559 (Service Canada)
Public Enquiries:1 800 567-6868 (Passport Canada)1 800 O-Canada (1 800 622-6232)ATS : 1 800 926-9105
