OTTAWA, ONTARIO, September 4, 2008 - Canadians now have a more convenient and accessible way to apply for passports-at their local Service Canada Centre. Ms. Lynne Yelich, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minist ter of Human Resources and Social Development, today announced the expansion of up to 99 new Passport Receiving Agent services at Service Canada Centres across the country. Today's announcement is in addition to the 101 sites that our government previousl y introduced.
"Canadians are busy, and their time is valuable," said Ms. Yelich. "With the increase in passport receiving service locations, our government is making it easier and more convenient for Canadians to apply for a passport."
At the Service Canada Passport Receiving Agent sites, staff review passport applications to ensure accuracy and completeness, collect the fee along with the necessary identification documents, and forward them to Passport Canada for review and processing. P assport Canada then delivers the passport to the applicant by courier, along with the original identification documents.
"Because of the improvements our government is making, Canadians won't have to travel as far to submit passport applications, and they will have the help they need in filling out forms so that small mistakes won't cause unneccessary delays," explained Ms. Yelich. "This is just one more example of how the Stephen Harper Government is working to improve government services to Cana dians."
For more information on the passport process, visit www.passportcanada.gc.ca. Should you require further details about Service Canada's role in helping Canadians obtain a pa ssport, and the conditions under which citizens can use Passport Receiving Agent services, you may call 1 800 O-Canada, click on servicecanada.gc.ca, or visit a Service Canada Centre offering Pass port Receiving Agent services. For a list of Service Canada Passport Receiving Agent sites, please consult www.servicecanada.gc.ca/en/goc/passportfaq/where.shtml.
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This news release is available in alternative formats on request. Call 1-800-788-8282 on a touch-tone phone or through a teletypewriter (TTY).
Media inquiries:
Service Canada
Media Relations Office
819-994-5559
Passport Canada
Media Relations Office
819-934-3837
Public inquiries:
1 800 O-Canada (1- 800-622-6232)
TTY: 1-800-926-9105
servicecanada.gc.ca
1-800-567-6868
TTY: 1-866-255-7655
ppt.gc.ca
