Operations at passport offices across the country have reopened following the return to work by the bulk of federal Public Service Alliance workers.

Service Canada says it received approximately 27,900 passport applications during the labour dispute. That’s 81 per cent fewer domestic passport applications than typically forecast during the same period.

While Service Canada expects there will be some catching-up, they anticipate a reasonable recovery period.

They do expect higher than normal applications however during the recovery period, which could lead to longer lineups at passport offices, and higher call volumes at the Passport call centre.

People with more urgent passport needs will be prioritized, including those with imminent travel booked. The service delivery standard for processing of passports before the strike was between 10 and 20 business days, and they’re warning that process times could take longer as they catch up.

Service Canada says staff will triage and manage lines to serve people.