Service Canada Centre

The walking system they have is ridiculous, old people and kids are waiting 2-3 hours in line in cold whether.They can easily ask for our number and send a message to us when its our turn or they can add more employees.

Worst experience in any service Canada. Had gone to service Canada in downtown earlier. People weren’t friendly but was able to get the work done much quicker than this location, Waited from 8:10 to 10:20 just to get inside. Still waiting to meet somebody. Sitting in the waiting area and writing this review. Go to some other location instead of this or try to be first. Because I was the 15th person and it took me 2 hrs.

DO NOT COME HERE! Waited in line for 5 hours to get in, the officers came out and saw the line and told us we’d go in and that there’s nothing to worry about and that by 3:30 he’d come out again and identify those who will not get in. Then when we were about to enter, and the clock struck 4, he came out and nonchalantly said “sorry we’re closed”… He lied and said that he and other officers came out and told the people that “you may not get in” but that NEVER happened because we’ve been in line since 10 A.M. I saw him multiple times coming out and he never said anything about not making it to the people in line, no matter how long the line got, he would chat with a lady that he MADE SURE she got in. Because she was the last one to get in, and he rushed everyone else before her so she would be able to get in. Absolutely the worst service Centre and the worst officers. Shame on you.

I read the reviews before coming here so I knew what to bring along and expect. I arrived at 7:15 and I was 40th in line and I was not seen till about ~10am (I think the first person came around 6am just for people curious, when at 8:30am I believe there were ~100 ppl in line). The line wasn't awful, it was nice to talk to people but yes it does take awhile, so bring something to do. You do need to still have a mask but if you do not have one, just ask security as they were handing them out to people. I had no issues with staff as everyone I spoke to was polite, helpful, and knowledgeable along the way. There was I believe ~5-8ppl helping at one time and they were pretty efficient it seemed. I don't think its anyone's idea of how they would want to spend their day off from work but knowing what to expect definitely made my day easier to plan other things around. For sure if you can make an appointment do it, because you skip the line but I was unable too so you just have to get in line to be seen and wait around.

The whole experience of getting my kids’ passports renewed has been nothing short of a gong show. I filled out the details online to get an appointment to get my son's passport renewed. Someone called me back 3 business days later only to book me an appointment to visit a Service Canada in Richmond, British Columbia instead of Richmond Hill, Ontario even though I gave my Richmond Hill postal code. I decided to walk-in to this location and try my luck. I went in on a Thursday and got there at 12:30pm. The line up was not even that long- it went almost till the end of the center, however, it did not move fast at all. I did not get inside till 3:50pm. The whole time I was on pins and needles wondering if I was going to make it before their cut-off. Had I just wasted 3+ hours waiting in line? They do not let anyone in after 4pm. To make matters worse, there is no communication from the staff there. The security guards come out every so often and try to ask you to come back another day, or depending on what you are there for, go online and fill things online. One of them told us to pray. The other security guard tried to answer questions as best as he could. There were people with kids and senior citizens waiting. There is no numbering system or online appointment booking system. It is 2022, and they seem to be stuck in the 80's. Once inside, I saw 3 open booths. So 3 client service representatives had been serving the people waiting in line the whole day? The person that helped me was efficient and informative. She verified the birth certificate, completeness of my passport application and took the payment. As I was leaving, they were locking the doors and it was heart breaking to see people that had been waiting for 2+ hours that were turned away once the clock turned 4:00pm. I would suggest going early (probably an hour or so before they open). Bring water and some snacks. I was starving by the time I got home. Hopefully my passport will arrive on time before we travel. Update: I went to the centre at the end of March. It is now mid-May and I have not heard or seen anything from the Passport office.

I was there today. Arrived around 8:45 am and realized the line was long. I decided to wait. One hour into waiting a saw a security guard come out and talk to a couple also waiting. At this point I didn’t say anything and waited. After two hours another security guard came out and began saying you should make an appointment. I listened to her say this again but with condescending voice. Well at this point I had had enough of her disgusting attitude. I began by telling her unfortunately not all of us have the privileges of having a computer or perhaps not know how to use one. I want to ask our government where was the equity piece to this. They should be able to serve people with appointments and ones who don't have one. I am disgusted with our government. How can you make this happen to our elderly disabled and marginalized people who deserve to be served just like the ones with appointments. Also for our new immigrants who are struggling to make a life here. What message have we sent them. So remember when you decide to make a come t like that make sure you look at those people waiting and remember they to matter. Shame on you for making people wait 5 hours for a two minute service. This is Canada ?? remember everyone has a right to be treated with respect and dignity. To all the people who waited today I am sorry your deserve better including myself Paula

I arrived here today at 10 am and it’s 3 pm and I’m still waiting! Funny part is that there is a very long line of people outside for hours and three security guards just chilling doing nothing except asking silly Covid questions and providing a mask, like nothing else matters! Same goes with the staff who are always smart in coming up with excuses to do the least possible and go home and come back for another day of uselessness! I honestly don’t know where we’re headed in Canada since most of what I’m experiencing is pure bureaucracy and nonsense and I guess it’s just gonna get worse!

EXTREMELY LONG line so arrive early & bring water/food + a place to sit. Arrived at around 7:45am, waited 4 hours and got in. The waiting isn’t so bad as some reviews depict it. If you stay in the shadows you’d be freezing quickly, so make sure to visit the sunny area when needed. Once inside, the place was very nice & the staff were all friendly, and the service was ridiculously quick - went to update my SIN number, took literally less than 2 minutes of service.