Inordinate unexcusable delays in passport processing

Noticed on the forums here that several Canadian expats are facing huge delays as well as rejections on their applications for new/renewed passports. I just had my application returned to me after 6 weeks and was astounded to see the reasons for the rejection.

I had my photos taken by a commercial photographer who specializes in passport pictures (for US passports). I had my glasses on but my eyes were clearly visible. In my rejection, they have handwritten that removal of eyeglasses is 'recommended' - this was not a requirement on the original form/instructions but an ad hoc post-application addition by a bunch of bureaucrats throwing their weight around.

My wife's pics were returned because they had 'shadows' on the face, again, something that was hardly discernible. Passport Canada seems to be exercising a higher standard than that of experienced commercial passport photographers. I have taken their comments and the original pics to some of the studios here and they have indicated that they cannot commit to acceptance of their pics given the rigor that PPCanada is enforcing. Has anyone taken their own pictures? I did this for my kids two years ago and they were accepted. Should I do this again?

What was particularly disturbing to me was the unsigned cover letter that accompanied the returned applications - it says "We have not kept a record of this application". Two issues with this - our application and original papers were lying around for 6 weeks somewhere in the building with no official record of their presence. The other issue is that, to me, this appears to be a case of 'massaging' their service levels - unrecorded applications do not even count in their metrics - they cannot reliably report on % of rejected applications, actual time from initial application to finished passport, identifying most common reasons for rejections, etc.

If this is an ongoing issue of bureaucracy at its finest, perhaps we should petition the immigration minister about the issues we are facing. After all, taking 3-4 months to process a passport puts significant crimps in people business and personal plans, not to mention placing people in jeopardy in emergency situations. If there is interest in this forum and we believe we can put in a good campaign, I will be happy to draft the petition.

PR

Tried calling PP Canada several times today - keep getting message that they have reached the limit of callers that can be placed in queue.

Wanted to find out if:
a) they have a recommended list of 'commercial photographers' in the area that can take Canadian PP pictures without fear of rejections,
b) if I can do home pictures
c) if I could return the previously filled in forms with the earlier guarantors signatures on the form and the previous photos or do I have to re-fill the form and have the new photos 're-guaranteed'
d) will the 15 week processing time start from the date of the earlier submission or the latest one (It would be earth-shaking surprise if it were the former ).

My wife had planned an overseas trip in September based on our applying in June. Now that looks that will remain a fantasy

The likelihood that a petition would do any good is next to nil IMO. Harper would probably just shuffle the Ministers and you'd have to start all over again.

The Immigration Minister's job is probably cursed as bad as Voldemort cursed the DADA position at Hogwarts. They don't last very long in that seat!