Demand for SIN numbers causing massive lines at Service Canada locations

Long lineups have returned at Service Canada with an influx of international students needing a social insurance number ahead of the new school year. Following months of delays for passports at Service Canada offices.

New and returning international students will need SIN cards for employment and access to government services.

Wait times around the GTA Service Canada locations are reportedly much longer than Hamiton locations. The Brampton office had a line wrapped around the back of the building today.

Service Canada tells CHCH News its current queue is the usual workload it sees at this time of year when students arrive.

According to their webpage, online applicants can expect to wait 15 days for their new number and up to 25 days by mail. The government expects the service backlog to drop significantly by the end of the summer and return to sustainable service by next year.

The government expects the service backlog to drop significantly by the end of the summer and return to sustainable service by next year.