I think I've been lucky. Went to the passport office the 21st of February at about 11AM, waited in line for around 45 minutes, refused to pay any extra fee for speedy processing and got it home in around 10 business days. I now realize the 24 pages one is quite thin (but already have another passport and will probably use that one whenever possible) and regret I haven't paid the extra $5 for the extra 24 pages. But then - if I'll travel that much I'll probably won't mind the $87 cost for a new passport
I doubt the actual situation will last. The number of Canadians who are active travelers is constant and their needs can be handled by the actual system. The travelers to the US will likely get their passports not later than 2007-2009 (by then it will be enforced that travelers by land and sea will have valid passports - now it's still possible to enter the US with only a drivers license+citizenship card or birth certificate). The only variable is the number of new immigrants Canada will welcome over the next years, as they tend to apply for citizenship and then for a Canadian passport right after becoming Canadians. But this number won't change dramatically either.
So let's focus on how to use the passports rather on how to get them
Thanks,
rytmx70
