More than 85,000 passports “stuck” in mail as Canada Post strike continues

On Nov. 15, close to 55,000 Canada Post employees went on strike, halting mail services across the country.

As a result, roughly 85,000 passports are stuck in the mail.

According to Service Canada, “any Canadians who have applied for a new passport and chose to get it by mail will have it sent to them as soon as mail service resumes. However, if an individual mailed their passport application just prior to the start of the Canada Post labour dispute, it’s possible that Service Canada has not received the application. In these cases, the application will not be processed until regular mail service resumes.”

How to get a passport?

As the holidays get closer, more Canadians will be travelling. Those departing in the next six weeks are being advised to “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 by mail. Those travelling in more than six weeks can visit a Service Canada Centre that offers 20 business day service to submit their application or submit their application by courier.”

If the passport has already been submitted, applicants can visit a Service Canada Centre to request to have their passport transferred to one of the 60 Service Canada locations that offer pick up service. Applying in person and requesting to have your passport picked up is also another option.

As a reminder, Service Canada still offers emergency, urgent, or express passport pickup for a fee. For more information, click here.

Canada Post is reminding Canadians that no new items will be accepted into the system until the national dispute is over.