News Release

October 18, 2005

Passport Canada partners with Service Canada to bring passport Receiving Agent services to four Northwest Territories communities

Gatineau, Quebec - The Service Canada Centres in Fort Simpson, Fort Smith, Hay River and Inuvik, Northwest Territories, 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 passport 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 these communities is an example of how Service Canada is working with its federal partners to bring better service to more Canadians, especially those living in rural, remote and northern locations," said Belinda Stronach, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister responsible for Democratic Renewal. "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 servicecanada.gc.ca or calling 1 800 O-Canada.

The locations and hours of service of each of the centres are as follow:

• The Fort Simpson Service Canada Centre is located at 9606, 100 Street, and operates Monday to Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• The Fort Smith Service Canada Centre is located at 136 McDougal Road, and operates Monday to Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• The Hay River Service Canada Centre is located at 41 Capital Drive, Federal Building, Suite 204, Capital Drive, and operates Monday to Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• The Inuvik Service Canada Centre is located at 170 McKenzie Road, and operates Monday to Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Passport applicants will find a complete checklist to help them to identify the steps in the passport application process on-line through 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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