Cornwall – Staff in Guy Lauzon’s constituency office processed there 16,585th passport today. In March alone, they helped 1,294 constituents complete their passport application.

Lauzon encourages his constituents to visit his office before having their passports sent in for approval by Passport Canada. His staff review all the forms and ensure that they have been filled our properly, as the application process can be confusing. If even a slight error is made, the application is rejected and sent back. The applicant must then resubmit their application, correctly filled out, and is put at the back of the queue.

By ensuring that everything is filled our correctly and all the supporting documentation is included before being submitted, the chances of having an application rejected based on a technical error are vastly reduced and constituents are much more likely to receive their passport promptly.

The office also collects the completed passport applications and delivers them directly to Foreign Affairs, reducing the likelihood that important documents are misplaced during the mailing process.

Lauzon has become renowned for his local Passport Clinics, which allow constituents to have their entire application prepared in less than one hour in most cases. Photographers are on site to take the passport photo and ensure it is formatted correctly. Staff then sit down with the applicant and verify their completed application.  After being verified, the applications are delivered directly to Passport Canada. The passport is then delivered to the applicant, at their door, usually within three weeks. The clinics are usually held on a weekend as that is more convenient to constituents. They are also held in all areas of the riding to further increase convenience.

“Part of my role as the MP for Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry is to help constituents cut through the red tape and ensure their experience dealing with the government is a pleasant one,” said Lauzon.  “When I was first elected, I noticed a lot of my constituents were intimidated by the passport application process. I use these clinics to make the process more convenient and less stressful for my constituents.”

In March, Lauzon held two passport clinics: the first was held at Seaway District High School in Iroquois and the second was held at RO Secondary School in Ingleside. Lauzon will be holding a passport clinic in Char-Lan Distict High School on April 4th.

In the month of April, Lauzon plans to hold two passport clinics in Cornwall. The clinics are advertised in local newspapers. Additionally, constituents in the region where the clinic is being held are notified by a targeted mailing letting them know that a passport clinic is being held in their area.

On average, 600 people attend a clinic. At the end of April, Lauzon will have held 30 passport clinics. He will be holding several clinics in the next few months in advance of new regulations set to kick in on foreign travel to the United States. Starting June 1st, 2009 all travel to the United States, including by land, will require a passport. 

Constituents are also welcome to drop by the constituency office any time go through their application.