Rita Demontis Toronto Sun

Canadian Consulate to the rescue

By Rita Demontis, Toronto Sun

February 17 2010

Did I ever tell you about the time I went to New York City ... and lost my passport? The horror, the horror! It was last October, had my new passport a whole two weeks, and discovered it missing on the early morning cab ride to the airport. You want to talk panic? Times 100! That was me, totally freaked out at the Delta counter with not too many sympathetic people around to help me. Now pay attention here as this may be you one day! Something told me to go back to the hotel where I started from -- and call the Canadian Consulate's office, which I did. I took a cab to the Canadian Consulate General's office on the Avenue of the Americas Concourse Level. I had no idea a large framed picture of Stephen Harper would move me to tears of joy, but that's what happened. What was so wonderful was how incredibly friendly and HELPFUL the staff was. Assuring me all would be well, they immediately took action and, within a few hours, I was on my way home with the proper travel documents.

The bad news was I needed to get another passport, fast. And I needed some decent passport photos, I found a fantastic place on the Queensway called PostNet, where not only were the photos great but services was fast, friendly and well priced. Plus -- the place was open early! There are PostNet shops all over the place and offer everything from photos to printing services, delivery service, private mailbox rentals, graphic design, Internet access and a whole host of other goods. It's so many services in one easy stop. I even picked up my passport application there! A lesson to us all to guard your passport carefully -- and whatever you do, make sure you have it before heading out to the airport!