It seemed gloomy, but now he finally has an appointment, as he waited in line outside the passport office at the Guy-Favreau complex in Montreal on Monday. “I feel better,” he said. “I have hope now. I’m already in, so … I’m very happy.” Kamagu was one of hundreds of people waiting in line Wednesday morning as the queue rolled around the square as would-be travelers rush to renew their passports. The federal government introduced a new system in Montreal on Wednesday after Karina Gould, the minister for families, children and social development, said the delays in the Guy-Favreau office were the worst in the country. One by one, those who were waiting on Wednesday morning started receiving tickets with a fixed appointment time, so that they could leave and return with minimal delays. It felt like the light at the end of the tunnel for some, sleeping outside for days at a time. But by 9:15 a.m., Service Canada staff said the passport office had paid for the day and would not schedule more appointments, forcing those waiting in line to return tomorrow. “I want a bed,” lamented Maxime Renaud-Blondeau, who is also waiting outside Monday. He has already missed a flight. His plane to Atlanta was due to take off on Wednesday morning. He said that if he does not get his passport today, he will completely abandon his trip. “I will just say: I’m not going, mom, I’m not coming,” he said. Before the new system was implemented, those waiting had taken matters into their own hands, applying their own first-aid system to prevent people from queuing. Eventually the police were called to take control of the crowd. Police were called again on Wednesday, following tensions over the news that there were no more appointments.
