Public Accounts committee  We have not changed our minds about the validity of the passport. In our opinion, it should be valid for five years, for reasons related to security. It is much easier to integrate new technology as soon as it becomes available. It is also easier to update the document itself by changing its security components.

Public Accounts committee  Yes, we did consider it. The information is verified every five years, but, as you say, if we had a ten-year validity period, Passport Canada would have no way of knowing if the situation were to change during that timeframe.

Public Accounts committee  About 480 employees were recruited last winter and are working. We're going through a second hiring process.

Public Accounts committee  What we're doing right now is negotiating with Service Canada to expand the network itself. We're looking at 17 new locations where Service Canada would provide passport services. It's not only new locations; it's also more services. Right now, Service Canada doesn't even do a pre-screening.

Public Accounts committee  He announced that last winter in response to the surge at that moment.

Public Accounts committee  No.