Passport Canada cuts online service -

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Passport Canada abruptly cuts online service CP - Sun Apr 12, 01:44 PM EDT

By Dean Beeby, The Canadian Press

OTTAWA - Passport Canada has abruptly ended its online application service, just as other federal departments are expanding their Internet-based links with Canadians.

The agency posted a cryptic notice on its website earlier this month, saying its online service is "stepping aside" and will not be available after April 30. The move follows complaints from Canada's privacy commissioner about sloppy security at the agency, and an embarrassing online security breach more than a year ago.

But a spokesman for Passport Canada says the online service is being wound up simply because it isn't as "convenient" for Canadians as using downloadable forms that must be filled out and brought in person to a passport office.

"Passport On-Line has been replaced by interactive forms because they are more convenient for applicants," Jean-Sebastien Roy said in an email response to questions.

"Interactive forms do not require a password or an online session."

The online application service was launched with great fanfare in January 2005 with a promise it would reduce waiting times.

Passport On-Line was to help "ensure that Canadians have better and quicker access to our services and products," said the agency's CEO at the time, Doreen Steidle.

"We believe that this initiative responds to Canadians' desire to have access to key government services online."

The demise of the online service comes at a crunch time for Passport Canada, which expects to issue a record 5.1 million passports in 2009-2010, as Canadians gear up for tougher rules at the American border.

As of June 1, most Canadians travelling by land or water to U.S. destinations must carry a passport. Air travellers are already subject to the new requirements.

The agency is now encouraging applicants to go to the Passport Canada website to download an interactive form, which it introduced in February. The form can be filled out at the computer - but then must be printed on paper and brought to an issuing office.

Previously, the online service allowed applicants to provide their personal information via a secure link to agency databanks. Applicants still had to come into an office to drop off photographs and present proof of identification, but the process was always billed as faster and more efficient.

Another agency spokesman, Sebastien Bois, said that 14 per cent of the 445,000 passport applicants in March used the new downloadable form, while only one per cent used the online service.

The agency's withdrawal from online services comes as the Canada Revenue Agency has successfully promoted the electronic filing of tax returns.

In 2008, 56 per cent of all tax returns were filed through the Netfile and Efile services, as Canadians warm to the speed, ease and efficiency of secure online connections.

Privacy Commissioner Jennifer Stoddart reported in December that Passport Canada was sloppy about security, citing, for example, a lack of safeguards for its databanks.

And a year earlier, a man from Huntsville, Ont., found a simple way to tap into the personal information of people who were using Passport On-Line.

The agency acknowledged the error, and said it had found a way to fix the problem. Bois said there has been no subsequent breach.

He added the agency may someday return to the burgeoning online world.

"Passport Canada is continually looking at new technologies to improve its services to Canadians," he said.

"It is too early to tell what technologies will be used. But based on the trend of online services in the industry, this will be part of our consideration for the future."

The agency has been caught flat-footed in the past, with its faulty projections of passport demand resulting in long lineups and waiting times.

The auditor general of Canada recently reported that the agency has largely resolved those problems through more hiring and better forecasting.

Passports, currently valid for five years, cost $87.

Edited April 12, 2009 by Kathryn41

[Krikit 1,164]

Darnit! Now I feel ripped off!

Which reminds me. I need to get my paperwork in order to renew my passport.

[Pandora01 0]

My Canadian passport is still good for a few years but when it'll be time to renew it, uh, what's going to happen? I'll need to travel back to Canada to file my renewal request in person?

[Bern. 3]

Wouldnt that mean you'd be stuck there and wait 2 weeks for it? >_> #######

[Flames9_RN 358]

My Canadian passport is still good for a few years but when it'll be time to renew it, uh, what's going to happen? I'll need to travel back to Canada to file my renewal request in person?

No , you can get one while your in the USA, or anywhere else in the world

http://www.ppt.gc.ca/index.aspx?lang=eng

[Reba 2]

renewing passport from the US

The tricky part is finding a photographer in the US who will do Canadian passport photos. Most refuse to do them anymore, though Sears Portrait Studios will still do them, mine cost $16 last week. Will mail it off today, and hopefully they won't be rejected.

[thetreble 19]

As I'm reading over the qualifications you have to meet, the last one states, "Most recent passport must have been issued under current name". I need to change my passport into my married name so does that mean I still have to do it in person?

[Udella&Wiz 325]

As I'm reading over the qualifications you have to meet, the last one states, "Most recent passport must have been issued under current name". I need to change my passport into my married name so does that mean I still have to do it in person?

Nope - different form though I think - check out that other thread about procrastinating and passports. I think Carla made a comment about which form - there's definitely a post about that in there.

[Flames9_RN 358]

your best bet to get a photo--is find a small mom/pop camera store, which can be hard to find! I know place by me that does them! As well any sort of professional photographer with a studio should be able to do them, but maybe not as cheap as one can get done at a retail store

[Krikit 1,164]

As I'm reading over the qualifications you have to meet, the last one states, "Most recent passport must have been issued under current name". I need to change my passport into my married name so does that mean I still have to do it in person?

It just means you can't use the easy service..... you have to go through the old process of getting guarantors, etc. Which is why I have decided to keep my passport in my former name.

[thetreble 19]

As I'm reading over the qualifications you have to meet, the last one states, "Most recent passport must have been issued under current name". I need to change my passport into my married name so does that mean I still have to do it in person?

It just means you can't use the easy service..... you have to go through the old process of getting guarantors, etc. Which is why I have decided to keep my passport in my former name.

wth...

[Udella&Wiz 325]

As I'm reading over the qualifications you have to meet, the last one states, "Most recent passport must have been issued under current name". I need to change my passport into my married name so does that mean I still have to do it in person?

It just means you can't use the easy service..... you have to go through the old process of getting guarantors, etc. Which is why I have decided to keep my passport in my former name.

wth...

But it can still be mailed, correct?

[Krikit 1,164]

As I'm reading over the qualifications you have to meet, the last one states, "Most recent passport must have been issued under current name". I need to change my passport into my married name so does that mean I still have to do it in person?

It just means you can't use the easy service..... you have to go through the old process of getting guarantors, etc. Which is why I have decided to keep my passport in my former name.

wth...

But it can still be mailed, correct?

Correct.

[Flames9_RN 358]

I guess what many do that have to use a guarantor is complete the paperwork, mail it to ur guarantor, and then get them to mail it in!

[thetreble 19]

I guess what many do that have to use a guarantor is complete the paperwork, mail it to ur guarantor, and then get them to mail it in!

Yes! In other words, Amanda, you need to go out of your way to do something that should be very simple. BLAH!