Ottawa, ON – Laila Goodridge, Conservative Shadow Minister for Families Children and Social Development, Jasraj Singh Hallan, Conservative Shadow Minister for Immigration Refugees and Citizenship, and Stephanie Kusie, Conservative Shadow Minister for Employment, Future Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, released the following statement on a motion the Official Opposition moved at the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills, and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities:

“Today at the Human Resources Committee Conservatives moved a motion to have the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development appear on the extensive Service Canada delays for passport renewals. Canadians have been waiting for answers, and we are pleased that the other parties supported this Conservative motion. 

“It has been a complete failure by the Liberal government to allow lengthy delays for the basic service of passport renewals. Increased demand for passports should have been easy to predict. As countries around the world listen to public health officials and reopen their borders, Canadians are ready to travel for business, leisure, and to see their loved ones again.

“Canadians deserve answers from the Minister on why they are having to wait in long lines at Service Canada locations and why it is taking many more days than normal to have their passport in hand. Canadians rightfully expect to have access to basic government services through Service Canada. The Minister needs to take immediate action by creating a clear timeline for solutions and resolve these delays.”