New chip-embedded passports could lead to staff reduction

OTTAWA — The agency that issues passports to Canadians is projecting a quarter of its workforce could be cut as it rolls out new chip-embedded, 10-year travel documents.

Passport Canada expects to have the equivalent of 2,512 full-time staff this year, says a Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade report.

But that number drops to 1,874 by fiscal 2015-16 in the plans and priorities report.

The agency says it expects fewer people to apply for the new, more secure travel documents by then.

“Passport Canada constantly adjusts staffing levels to re- spond to passport demand,” the agency says in an email to The Canadian Press.

“As such, given an anticipated drop in forecast volumes, Passport Canada expects to require fewer staff in 2015-2016.”

But if demand remains high, the planned number of staff cuts will be reduced, the agency says.

“These numbers will be adjusted as needed based on actual circumstances and within the constraints of our cost recovery business model.”

Passport Canada is grappling with a $70-million shortfall this year, and plans to balance its books within the next three years, despite projections of lower revenues.

Those projections, the agency says, don’t currently reflect fee increases that are to come into effect on July 1.

The plans and priorities report issued recently indicates Passport Canada expects to spend $355.7 million in 201314, but will only collect $285.3 million from fees, leaving the agency short $70.4 million.

The same report anticipated spending $315.6 million in fiscal 2014-15, and revenues of $285.3 million, yet projected a zero balance by the end of the year.

Passport Canada has since changed its revenue projection to match the $315.6 million it expects to spend, calling its earlier revenue projection an “unintentional editorial error.”