Question Period Note: workforce alignment in passport program 2025-2026

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has projected lower passport demand in 2025-26. As the service delivery partner for the Passport Program and as a result of the revised forecast for 2025-26, Service Canada is aligning its workforce levels to better align with approved funding to remain fiscally responsible while maintaining timely delivery of the Passport Program.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has projected lower passport demand in 2025-2026 compared to 2024-2025.

As a result of this projected reduction in passport demand, Service Canada has been adjusting its passport workforce since June 2025 to align with the forecasted volumes.

Service Canada is taking steps to monitor Passport service results to make sure that Canadians receive timely passport services.

As of August 24, 2025, Service Canada is surpassing its service standard for the Passport Program, with 96% of complete applications being processed within the service standard.

ESDC/Service Canada continually assesses its workforce levels to align with forecasted volumes to make sure the Passport program is adequately staffed.

ESDC/Service Canada carefully manages its spending and human resources to support the continuity of operations allowing the Department to fulfil its mandate to serve Canadians, while ensuring that future operations remain sustainable and deliver the best value for money for Canadians.

ESDC/Service Canada has measures in place to monitor performance against service standards, respond to unforeseen surges, and adapt to changing client needs.

The Passport Program is led by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). On behalf of IRCC, Service Canada leads the delivery of the Passport Program to Canadians in Canada.

The Passport Program budget is based on the volume of applications that is forecasted by IRCC. IRCC has projected lower passport volumes in 2025-26.

As a cost-recovery program, Service Canada must continually assesses its workforce levels to align with forecasted passport volumes.

In 2024-25, Service Canada increased its workforce in response to a higher than forecasted application intake and to remain responsive to any system issues.

However, the number of passport applications for 2025-26 is on track to be 21% lower than in 2024-25.

Workforce alignment is underway to reflect forecasted volumes.

Effective June 2025, approximately 800 term employees were impacted by this operational workforce alignment driven by the reduced passport application forecast. In August 2025, the Passport Program was further reduced by approximately 184 term employees