But Only A Stop Gap Until Kelowna Gets a Full Service Passport Office

OTTAWA - Ron Cannan, MP Kelowna-Lake Country said that the addition of a passport receiving agent at the Service Canada Center at 471 Queensway Avenue will help to alleviate the overwhelming volume experienced at the current Gaston Avenue Canada Post Outlet and at his constituency office but in no way diminishes the need for a full service passport office in Kelowna.

“It proves that Passport Canada has been listening to our concerns and is finding ways to address our situation, specifically the huge volumes of people in the riding applying for passports. But until we have a full service passport office in Kelowna these are only band aid solutions,” he said.

Cannan said he continues to work with officials in Passport Canada and with Foreign Affairs Minister Peter McKay to reach that objective. “I’m feel like we are making progress but we need the full service passport office sooner rather than later,” he said.

Cannan said the requirement to have a passport to travel to the US by air is a reality and despite some reprieve from the US with regard to younger Canadians, Canadians will soon require a passport to cross the border by land and water.

“There is nothing that suggests the demand will die down,” he said.

Cannan reiterated that an agent at the Service Canada Centre will help and noted that when the Canada Post outlet moves back to the Banks Centre at 2453 Highway 97 North on March 5th conditions will be improved. Constituents can go to these locations during the following hours: Service Canada Center, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm and Canada Post, 8:30 am to 3:00 pm.

“We have two receiving agents in town now plus the ongoing support that my staff is giving in the constituency office but it is still not enough. The only lasting solution is a full service passport office and I won’t rest until we have one,” he concluded.

For more information contact Ron @ 613 992-7006