Perth-Wellington MPP John Wilkinson is hopeful a replacement to Arthur’s licence bureau will be open within the new year.
Wilkinson recently sent a letter to the Wellington Advertiser outlining the current situation.
He stated in the letter the Ministry of Government Services is following through on its commitment to restore and enhance services in Arthur.
The office closed suddenly in July, with little notification to the operator, and no notification to the Arthur community. Since then, residents and businesses have have to drive to other communities for licencing services.
Wilkinson’s letter stated a public competition closed last week for those applying to run the new office.
“Since the office will issue extremely valuable pieces of personal identification, such as health cards and drivers licences, the successful applicant must be very trustworthy, service oriented, and have the technical skills to run a modern high tech office,” he stated in the letter.
Wilkinson added it will take approximately one month for the ministry to review the applications and then select and notify the successful applicant.
From that point, approximately three-and-a-half months will be required to set-up the office, install the latest information technology security systems, and properly train staff on how to effectively and efficiently deliver the expanded range of services.
“It is my expectation that this office will be operational very early in the New Year. Until that time, despite the greater distance, citizens of Arthur and area can continue to renew their driver’s license in Fergus, Mount Forest, or Harriston.”
Meanwhile, the provincial government brings health card and driver’s licence renewals under one roof.
According to the Service Ontario website, “Starting this fall, more Ontarians will be able to make one trip for health card, driver’s licence and vehicle registration services.”
Over the next several months, ServiceOntario will:
– expand access to health card services from the current 27 OHIP offices to all 300 integrated ServiceOntario centres;
– make driver and vehicle services available at all 300 centres;
– deliver vehicle registration stickers within five business days when ordered online.;
According to the website, “These changes will give people access to more routine government services than ever before, especially in rural and northern communities.
Close to 95 per cent of all Ontarians will be within 10 kilometres of an integrated ServiceOntario centre.”
