ServiceOntario closing 3 offices in eastern Ontario
CBC News | Posted: May 11, 2016 6:50 PM | Last Updated: May 11, 2016
'We'll fight this to the bitter end,' vows North Grenville mayor
Frequent clients of the ServiceOntario in Kemptville, Ont., are joining the area's politicians in voicing their anger over the provincial government's decision to close the outlet.
"This is ridiculous. What kind of service are they giving us? None," said North Gower resident Nancy Grundy, who describes herself as a regular user of the ServiceOntario office in Kemptville.
"Kemptville is growing, so why are they closing up things?"
The closure, set to take place Feb. 24, 2017, is one of nine announced by the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services, including two other offices in eastern Ontario. ServiceOntario offices in Embrun and Morrisburg, which also provide land registry services, will close Nov. 25, 2016.
60-minute drive
For car dealer Greg Reuber, the closure of the Kemptville office will mean a 60-minute drive to ServiceOntario locations in Smiths Falls, Winchester or Prescott.
"It's going to mean a lot of extra expense, a lot of extra driving, and it's going to be very inconvenient for our customers," he said.
News of the closures came as a surprise to North Grenville Mayor David Gordon, who questions why the government would close a ServiceOntario office in what he calls one of the fastest-growing communities in eastern Ontario.
"It wasn't well thought out at all," said Gordon. "We'll fight this to the bitter end."
At Queen's Park, the Progressive Conservatives, led by Leeds-Grenville MPP Steve Clark, have joined the fight, launching a petition demanding the government reverse its decision.
Closures carefully considered
However Government and Consumer Services Minister David Orazietti stressed the closures were carefully considered.
"They've been under review for some time as we continue to modernize the delivery of ServiceOntario offices," said Orazietti. "We know that alternative locations are close by and, from our data and analysis, can absorb the increased customer flow."
Many of the services offered at the offices are now available online, Orazietti added.
The three closures in eastern Ontario will mean the loss of eight full-time and four part-time jobs, according to the ministry. The ministry said it's working with the employees and their unions to find jobs elsewhere within government.