OTTAWA - The federal government will introduce legislation soon designed to shorten the long-lines and lengthy waiting times that have become part of the passport application process.
The new Passport Canada Act would, in particular, simplify the process for passport renewals, says Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay.
"(The Act) will deal with some of the perceived and real difficulties around the application process including the renewal process,'' MacKay said Monday outside the Commons.
"We hope to be able to streamline that.''
A spokesman for MacKay couldn't say when the government will bring the bill to before Parliament for debate, adding that the legislation was still in the "talking stages.''
Canadian passports are typically good for five years after being issued. But the application process for a renewal is just as cumbersome as it is for getting a new passport..
There have been long lineups at many passport application centres across the country since late last year, just before new U.S. travel document requirements came into effect. Anyone flying into the United States now needs a passport. They won't be required at land crossings until next January.
As well, some people have complained about applications being returned weeks after they were initially filed because of perceived minor oversights or errors, including boxes that had been ticked off incorrectly or not at all.
However, some things that need to be done to acquire a new passport just can't be rushed, MacKay said.
The government wants to make sure the passport application process is carried out flawlessly, he said.
"The issue of complaints around the initial applications and that information not being pristine has everything to do with security,'' said MacKay.
"We cannot have false Canadian passports in the system,'' he added.
"There's nothing that will have a worse impact on Canada's reputation internationally than having false passports out there that are being used for nefarious purposes including terrorism.''
U.S. Ambassador to Canada David Wilkins has been urging Canadians not to take any chances at land crossings and have their passports ready by the January deadline.
There have been mixed messages about whether passports will actually be needed to drive across the border, but Canadians shouldn't wait to get their passports, Wilkins said Monday while inspecting a new customs clearance facility designed to speed up truck traffic at the Quebec-New York border.
