News Release

May 25, 2006

Three million passports this year!

(GATINEAU, QUEBEC) - Passport Canada's volume has reached levels never seen before, as the organization issued its 3-millionth passport last fiscal year.

"More Canadians than ever before recognize that the passport is the best travel document," said Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay. "Passport Canada has taken several steps to ensure it is able to meet the growing demand for the Canadian passport while maintaining its service standards."

To better serve Canadians, Passport Canada now has 33 offices across the country, as well as more than 90 Canada Post and Service Canada receiving agents who can assist Canadians by ensuring that their application is correctly completed. It also offers extended hours during the week and Saturday service in busier offices during its peak winter season, when more than 18,000 passports can be issued every business day between January and March.

For the past five years, Passport Canada has seen a steady increase in volume. In 2001/02, over 1.7 million passports were issued at a time when about 27 per cent of the Canadian population held a valid passport. In 2005/06 over three million passports were issued and we now have close to 40 per cent of the Canadian population holding a valid passport.

Passport Canada forecasts that 3.8 million passports will be issued in 2008-2009, and that almost half the Canadian population will hold a valid passport at that time.

To avoid congestion and waiting time, Passport Canada strongly recommends that Canadians apply for their passport during the low season in the spring, summer or fall. They can send their applications by mail, use Service Canada or Canada Post services or fill their application using Passport-on-line.

Passport Canada is a Special Operating Agency of Foreign Affairs Canada. Its mission is to issue secure Canadian travel documents through authentication of identity and entitlement, facilitating travel and contributing to international and domestic security.

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Media Enquiries:
(819) 934-3837 (Passport Canada)
(819) 994-5559 (Service Canada)