ServiceOntario to open in 6 Staples stores in southern Ontario Feb. 1

ServiceOntario will open in six Staples stores by Feb. 1.

As announced in December, the province partnered with Staples to open ServiceOntario kiosks inside the stores.

The Ontario government says the new kiosks will make it “easier and more convenient to access government services such as applying for or renewing health cards and driver’s licences.”

But there are some concerns about the closure of ServiceOntario locations in small communities. The NDP and Green Party suggest the province was selling off the public services to private businesses.

Last week, Ford said the decision to open in Staples was to provide longer hours for residents.

“Not everyone can make it into one of the outlets from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.,” Ford said.

The new centres will be open later and increase service hours by 30 per cent compared to the centres they are replacing, according to a press release today (Jan. 29) from Public and Business Service Delivery. There is also access to parking and public transit routes.

The new ServiceOntario locations will be in the following Stapes stores:

• Oakville, 2460 Winston Churchill Blvd.
• Newmarket, 17810 Yonge St.
• Toronto (Scarborough), 180 Eglinton Ave. E.
• Strathroy, 425 Caradoc St., S.
• Tillsonburg, Tillsonburg Town Centre, 200 Broadway St.
• Welland, Seaway Mall, 800 Niagara St.

The partnership with Staples Canada will provide faster and better service, said Todd McCarthy, Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery in a press release today.

“Our retailer partnership program will enhance the customer experience and meet the needs of communities by bringing government services where people live, work and shop,” McCarthy said.

And while the province is funding the initial building and setup, as well as covering labour costs and operating expenses, the new model will save taxpayers money, the press release states.

The Staples Canada model is projected to save approximately $1 million over the duration of the three-year pilot, the release states.

Staples Canada president, Rachel Huckle, said they are pleased to welcome ServiceOntario full-service centres.

“We believe this pilot project will demonstrate that our stores will be a convenient option for busy Ontarians, offering more flexible hours to provide better access to the services they rely on,” Huckle said.

Additional ServiceOntario centres will open in Staples Canada stores in Hamilton, Keswick and Toronto (Leaside) later this year.

The province also said there would be upcoming mobile service centres to better meet the needs of Ontarians in remote communities.

The government will continue to explore expanding and adding new models for ServiceOntario locations, including co-locations with municipalities, First Nations communities, in public libraries and other retail partners, which could include small businesses.

See the full press release here.