Service Canada Withholds 85,000 Passports Due to Canada Post Strike Disruptions

Service Canada Holds Back 85,000 Passports Due to Canada Post Strike

Service Canada has withheld approximately 85,000 newly issued passports, halting their distribution a week before the nationwide Canada Post strike began.

“By holding residential mail several days in advance of a work stoppage, Service Canada has reduced the risk of having any passports held in Canada Post distribution centres,” said a spokesperson for Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), which oversees Service Canada. The spokesperson confirmed that these passports will be mailed out once the labour disruption ends and regular postal operations resume.

In anticipation of the strike, Service Canada ceased mailing passport packages on November 8. A week later, on November 15, around 55,000 Canada Post employees initiated the strike after failing to reach a labor agreement. During the strike, mail and parcels will not be accepted, processed, or delivered.

For individuals needing urgent passport services, the spokesperson advised contacting 1-800-567-6868 or visiting a Service Canada location offering passport pick-up. Urgent requests can be redirected for in-person collection. However, passport applications sent through the mail shortly before the strike may still be with Canada Post and cannot be processed until operations resume.