On Facebook, there's a memory feature where you can spotlight a photo from a decade ago versus today. I can do that with this Passport Canada location next to Scarborough Town Centre.
Ten years ago, I checked in on Yelp. I was fairly new to Yelp and didn't bother posting tips or a review. Both that visit and my visit last month are pretty vivid that I get to relive both experiences in this review.
There is a parking lot next to this office. Ten years ago, it had more parking spots. I was able to easily nab one and pay for parking. Last month, I returned and it was much smaller, thanks to development in the area. I didn't find any parking. Instead, I parked on the street. It was Green P parking. I paid for a three-hour session through the app and needed more time. I was there for nearly four hours.
I get my passport reviewed every ten years. I find that you get more bang for your buck going with a longer duration. A ten-year passport is $160. A five-year passport is $120. Splurge and save!
Ten years ago, it took me two hours to have my passport application processed on the second floor. I basically walked in, took a number, sat down, waited for my number to appear on the screen, talked to a passport person, paid, got my confirmation slip, and left.
Last month, I went in on a Monday at around 11:30 am. I don't recommend it. I was there for nearly four hours.
I'd gladly pay $160 for a ten-year passport. It's a better deal and I don't have to go through this process for another decade.
When you walk into the office, it's not clear where you should line up. For all Service Canada services, except for passports, head to the left when you walk in. For passport services, you want the long, snake-like lineup on the right.
I tried getting an appointment online a month in advance. There weren't any appointments.
Things have changed post-COVID-19. I'm guessing that there's still a passport processing backlog. Triage happens on the first floor where I was in the lineup for nearly three hours.
I spoke to two folks behind me who had weird concerns. One wanted to book an appointment while in line. I told her my experience booking and told her that she likely wouldn't get an appointment for today. The other wondered why I didn't move forward because there's a break in the line in front of the passport photo centre. I said that the security person waves us through. Sure enough, she waved me and the man to cross over to the second lineup.
It's all observations. I had nothing better to do while waiting. Anyway, the man behind me ended up trusting me and we had a good chat to kill time.
I got a nice man when I reached the counter. He checked my application and photos. All was great. He gave me a number and I headed up to the second floor.
Going to concerts and standing for hours helped. It was nice taking the elevator up to the second floor and plopping myself down in a free chair. If you can't stand for hours, I recommend mailing your application and current passport in. It's not worth sacrificing your health to renew it here.
The numbering system was odd. It wasn't sequential. I saw PC102 through PC110, and then it jumped to PC137. Huh? It felt like a random generator was being used just for the fun of it.
Somehow, an hour later, my number (well, more alphanumeric) appeared on the screen. I got the person at counter 14. My favourite number. Excellent!
He was nice. He processed my application. I paid with a credit card. He let me know that it would take two weeks for my passport to arrive through registered mail. He also noted and sympathized that I was there for four hours. He had those details.
I am too patient for my own good. It got me through this process, though. I thanked him, wished him a great day, and left.
When I got to the first floor, I needed to use the washroom. There are two sets of washrooms. I used the set on the left that was wheelchair-accessible. I went with closer.
It was clean. The problem is that the sensor to open the door is too close to the lock, so you basically have a field day inadvertently opening and closing the door. Not cool.
My bladder was happy. I was, too.
I walked down the steps and over to my car, in front of the YMCA. It was fine. It's $2.75 an hour. I paid $11 for parking. It wasn't horrible. It's cheap compared to getting a parking ticket.
I got my passport from the post office last week. The delivery attempt occurred on Wednesday. I was at work. Picking up my passport was easy. I'm a regular at my local post office. I still presented my photo ID. I then got my envelope. I thanked the nice male clerk (he's the only one) and left.
It was cool seeing my redesigned passport. The cover and back are different. It's nice. The security features are cool, too.
If you're travelling, your passport must be valid for at least six months before its expiration date. I'm happy that I have a new one and don't have to do this process for another decade!
(121) read more