The ongoing Canada Post strike, nearing the one-month mark, has created a significant backlog of passports, leaving tens of thousands of Canadians in limbo. As of December 1st, approximately 185,000 completed passports are held by Service Canada, awaiting the resumption of mail service. This figure represents a substantial increase from the 85,000 passports held just two weeks prior, on November 19th. Service Canada implemented a temporary hold on mailing passports on November 8th, anticipating the impending postal strike, to prevent passports from being stranded in Canada Post distribution centers. While these passports will be mailed once the strike concludes and regular mail service resumes, the recent pronouncements from Canada Post suggest that a swift resolution is unlikely, prompting the government to offer alternative solutions for those requiring their passports urgently.
Canadians whose passports are currently held by Service Canada have the option of retrieving their documents directly. They can request a transfer of their passport to one of the designated 60 Service Canada locations offering pick-up services. This offers a quicker alternative to waiting for the uncertain end of the postal disruption. For those applying for new passports or renewals, several options are available. Applying in person at a Service Canada location and opting for pick-up is the most straightforward method. This allows applicants to bypass the postal service altogether and take possession of their passport directly.
Alternatively, applicants can utilize Service Canada’s phone service to request a file transfer. This service is free if the processing time for the application exceeds the established service standard. If the application falls within the standard processing timeframe, a fee of $45 or $20 applies for standard pick-up service. The service standard is 10 business days for in-person applications submitted at passport offices or designated Service Canada centers. Applications submitted by mail or at regular Service Canada centers, including scheduled outreach sites, have a 20-business-day service standard, excluding mailing time. Applicants submitting in-person applications can also opt for paid pick-up service at designated Service Canada centers.
For those requiring expedited service, urgent and express options are available. Urgent pick-up is guaranteed by the end of the next business day, while express service takes two to nine business days. Given the current circumstances and the uncertainty surrounding the postal strike, Service Canada strongly advises those travelling within the next six weeks to apply for their passports as early as possible. In-person applications at centers offering 10-business-day service are recommended to minimize potential delays. For those traveling beyond six weeks, applying at a center offering 20-business-day service or a scheduled outreach site is suggested.
The negotiations between Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) remain strained. Canada Post characterized the latest offers from CUPW as a “major step backwards,” dimming hopes for a rapid resolution. The union presented revised offers for both urban and rural workers, including job protections and wage increases totaling 19%, a reduction from their previous demands of 22% or a compounded 24%. A key point of contention in the negotiations revolves around the potential expansion of weekend deliveries and the associated staffing implications. Canada Post proposes staffing weekends with a combination of new permanent part-time and some full-time positions. The union, however, accuses the Crown corporation of attempting to increase its reliance on part-time workers.
Despite calls for government intervention, the Labour Minister’s office has indicated its preference for the parties to resolve their differences through negotiation. While urging both sides to return to the bargaining table, the government has shown no inclination to intervene directly at this stage. The ongoing strike continues to disrupt postal services across Canada, impacting not only passport delivery but also numerous other essential mail services, highlighting the pressing need for a resolution. As the stalemate persists, Canadians are left to navigate the available alternatives for passport services while awaiting an end to the labor dispute.
