Passport crunch still on as U.S. deadline arrives

Last Updated: Monday, January 22, 2007 | 5:36 PM ET

CBC News

Beginning Tuesday, Canadians won't be able to fly south of the border without a valid passport under a new U.S. rule that has travellers flocking to passport offices in record numbers.

"I'm a little teed off," said Claudette Bergeron, who was waiting at a Toronto passport office on Monday to renew her passport that she noticed had expired after purchasing an airline ticket.

Other customers were more frustrated after driving an hour-and-a-half to the nearest passport office and getting turned away.

"Something should be done about that," said Chris Serr. "People get jerked around for nothing."

In recent months, Passport Canada has witnessed an increase in demand for passports because of the new U.S. rule, which takes effect Tuesday and requires Canadians to carry a passport for air travel to the United States.

In November 2006, the government received 355,474 passport applications, compared with 267,303 in November 2005. That's an increase of an increase of almost 90,000 requests for passports.

"So these are definitely record numbers," said Francine Charbonneau, Passport Canada's information officer.

Before Jan. 23, Canadians could enter the U.S. by all modes of travel with proof of citizenship and identity, such as a birth certificate and a government-issued photo identification.

After Jan. 23, only requirements for travel by air to the U.S. will change.

Canadians can continue to use birth certificates and drivers' licences to cross the Canada-U.S. border by land and sea — for at least another year.

Passport Canada advises that Canadians check their website and make sure they've got the right documents before going to the passport office. The government also says not to book tickets without a passport. Because of the current surge, delays of up to a month longer than usual can be anticipated.