Liberals scrambling to respond to predictable airport and passport delays

NDP Transport Critic Taylor Bachrach made the following statement:

“The delays for both passports and in airports have left Canadians frustrated and without answers. Since the beginning of the pandemic people have made great sacrifices to protect their loved ones. Now that they can travel to see family for the first time in years, the delays are making it difficult and sometimes impossible for them to reach their destination. It’s unacceptable.

The surge in travel after restrictions were lifted was entirely predictable, yet the Liberals did nothing to prepare.

While hiring more staff in airports and passport centres is a first step, this process will take time, meaning delays will continue. Had the Liberals acted much earlier, Canadians would not be caught in this situation.

In the meantime, airport staff are bearing the brunt of this crisis. They’re over-worked, underpaid and facing issues like excessive overtime and missed breaks.

New Democrats will keep pushing the Liberals to act to fix these passport and airport delays for Canadians.”