The federal government plans to introduce legislation designed to shorten the long lines and lengthy waiting times that have become part of the passport application process.

The new Passport Canada Act would, in particular, simplify the process for passport renewals, Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay said Monday in Ottawa.

"[The Act] will deal with some of the perceived and real difficulties around the application process including the renewal process," he said. "We hope to be able to streamline that."

A spokesman for MacKay couldn't say when the government will bring the bill before Parliament for debate, adding that the legislation was still in the "talking stages."

Canadian passports are typically good for five years after being issued, but the application process for a renewal is just as cumbersome as it is for getting a new passport.

There have been long lineups at many passport application centres across the country since late last year, just before new U.S. travel document requirements came into effect.

Under the new rules, anyone flying into the United States now needs a passport. Passports will be needed at land crossings as early as January.
   
The government wants to make sure the passport application process is carried out flawlessly, MacKay said.

"The issue of complaints around the initial applications and that information not being pristine has everything to do with security," MacKay said.

"We cannot have false Canadian passports in the system," he added. "There's nothing that will have a worse impact on Canada's reputation internationally than having false passports out there that are being used for nefarious purposes, including terrorism."

'Get a passport,' U.S. ambassador tells Canadians

In another development, the U.S. ambassador to Canada warned Canadians Monday not to take any chances at land border crossings and get their passports ready.

"What I tell Canadians is the same thing I tell Americans … with all due respect, get a passport, that is the sure thing," David Wilkins said.

He said there are a lot of "mixed messages," but he pointed out that a passport law has been passed and is in place.

"It requires passports for air travel now and it will require passports for land travel something between January '08 and June of '09," he said.

He also suggested Canadians may want to acquire a NEXUS card, a pre-approved card designed to expedite the border clearance process for low-risk, pre-approved travellers into Canada and the U.S.