The Canadian government has urged its citizens not to apply for a new passport or renew an old one, because the federal labor strike is severely disrupting services across the country.
“The best advice I give Canadians is not to submit this application now because it simply won’t process,” said Karina Gold, Minister of Family, Children and Social Development, noting that “although Canadians can submit their applications by email and via the Service Canada website or the Passport Office, essential workers are not allowed to open and process them except in very narrow emergencies.”
She added: “Unfortunately, by law, passport services are not considered essential, meaning that anyone applying for a new passport or for a passport renewal, unless they are within a specific set of circumstances, will not be able to obtain a passport.” while the strike continues.
According to the agency, Gold explained that “the only exceptions are for people who suffer from humanitarian or emergency cases, such as traveling for economically essential work or medical services abroad, or to see a family member in critical condition or in the event of a death in the family.”
