Getting a passport just got easier all over the province
Passport service centres open in Service Canada centres provincewide
The route to getting a passport has become shorter across New Brunswick.
People needing passports just have to go to any Service Canada centre, instead of driving to Fredericton, says Acadie-Bathurst MP Serge Cormier.
Application forms were always available at the centres, but now staff will go over a person's completed application, validate the supporting documentation, collect the application fee and forward the package to Fredericton for processing.
"The Service Canada Centres from Bathurst, Caraquet, Tracadie and Shippagan will now be accepting general passport applications for adult and child," Cormier said.
Although Cormier made the announcement in his riding, he said the expanded service is available at Service Canada centres across the country.
"This is a new service we didn't have before," he said. "It will mean we will not have to drive far distances now to get access to passport services. It was something that was needed."
Time saver
Cormier also said that once Service Canada staff validate supporting documentation, it will be returned to the applicants.
The service will cut down on delays if a passport photo is not acceptable, or there is an error on the application, he said.
"Now an in-person service will make sure these errors won't occur anymore," he said.
Cormier said MPs offices get calls all the time from people asking for help with their passports. He said his office is willing to help, but he urged people to use the new "passport receiving services."
Anyone needing urgent or express services to obtain a passport will still have to go to the passport office in Fredericton.
"This will make accessing passport services more convenient ... about 93 per cent of Canadians will be able to have access within a 50-kilometre distance of their home," Cormier said.