The first ever passport clinic in Portage la Prairie drew a large crowd yesterday. Portage-Lisgar MP Candice Bergen outlines the event.

"It's the first time there has been a passport clinic held in Portage-Lisgar. I decided I wanted to try to offer a service to my constituents so we thought "Let's hold out first passport clinic - hopefully the first of many - here in Portage la Prairie."

She says she wasn't sure what to expect for the clinic, adding she was blown away by the turnout.

"I was thinking maybe we would get 100 people. I think we have probably had 700 people at least. It has been non-stop from before 11 o'clock. It is a fantastic turnout."

Bergen notes the large crowd shows there is a need for more help with applying for and renewing passports.

"The passport office is in Winnipeg and for a lot of people to go into Winnipeg is really difficult with getting into Winnipeg and then finding parking. Truthfully, we didn't know what to expect but clearly there is a need here in Portage for people to have help with passports so we will keep doing this."

Bergen says she hopes this was the first of many clinics in Portage la Prairie.