Ontario Making it Easier and More Convenient to Access Government Services

Welland – Ontario is making it easier and more convenient to access government services such as applying for or renewing health cards and driver’s licences. Today, the province officially launched the expansion of ServiceOntario in six Staples Canada stores which will open on February 1. These new centres are part of the government’s ongoing work to explore new ways to make ServiceOntario more accessible for Ontario residents.

This expansion of service includes a new partnership with the Staples Canada store at the Seaway Mall in Welland.

“Our government is committed to reducing red tape and ensuring fast, easy and convenient service when applying for or renewing government documents,” said Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West.

“The new ServiceOntario partnership in Welland is great news for local residents in Niagara who need to access provincial services.”

“By partnering with an experienced, established retailer with a strong community presence like Staples Canada, we can create simpler, faster and better ways to connect Ontarians to the vital services they depend on,” said Hon. Todd McCarthy, Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery.

“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.”

The Staples Canada model is projected to save approximately $1 million over the duration of the three-year pilot. The new centres provide extended operating hours, increasing service hours by thirty percent compared to the centres they are replacing. The centres also offer readily available parking, access to public transit routes and access to retail services all in one convenient hub.

The new Staples Canada-operated ServiceOntario centre in Niagara is located at 800 Niagara Street in Welland.

“We are pleased to welcome ServiceOntario full-service centres at six of our store locations as of February 1,” said Rachel Huckle, President of Staples Canada.

“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.”

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

The Staples Canada partnership is one part of ServiceOntario’s innovative alternative service delivery model designed to meet the unique needs of local 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.

Appointments for the Staples ServiceOntario centres and other centres across the province can be booked at Ontario.ca/Appointments or by calling ServiceOntario at 1-800-387-3445 (TTY 1-800-268-7095).