Ontario set to shut down some ServiceOntario locations

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(Aanchal Nigam / Red Maple)

Ontario Premier Doug Ford's government is set to shut down some ServiceOnatrio locations, according to reports. 

In an emailed statement to CTV News Toronto, Doug Allingham, press secretary for the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery said that several factors were considered for the decision. The officials conducted lengthy consultations with retail partners on the pilot, including the size of stores, parking availability, number of locations across Ontario and willingness to participate, he reportedly also said.

Earlier in December, the Ontario government revealed that it would be opening up ServiceOntario locations inside Staples Canada stores in early 2024. In a press release published on Dec. 7, the government announced the move as an effort to make it easier for the people to access the services. 

The Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery said that Staples Canada was chosen because all store locations met with the criteria. It also said that with the change, customers “will be able to benefit from a 30% improvement to current service accessibility hours.”

The ministry has also clarified that the employees working at the impacted ServiceOntario locations will be offered a job at Staples Canada. 

The Ford-government led shutdown faced backlash from the Ontario New Democratic Party (NDP) and the Ontario Greens.  While Ontario NDP leader Marit Stiles  said that the closures could “worsen delays” amid affordability crisis, Ontario Greens leader Mike Schreiner said they have “had enough of the PC’s privatization agenda.”