It’s been four weeks since the Service Ontario location in Haliburton closed and Joey Wu, spokesperson for the ministry of public and business service delivery (MPBSD), said there’s no timeline for a permanent hub to be reopened, if at all.
The space at 50 York St. remains vacant after the service provider running the facility tendered their resignation last month. It was open daily during the week, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, providing a space for people to renew their license plates, accessible parking permits, and get their driver’s licenses and health cards.
Wu said the ministry has extended a new pilot program to Haliburton, bringing a mobile Service Ontario station to the community on select dates. It will be in the A.J. LaRue Arena parking lot, at 728 Mountain St., on Dec. 4 and 18 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
This is the eighth community to join the pilot, Wu confirmed, after MacTier, Burk’s Falls, Apsley, Denbigh, Whitney, Powassan, and Moose Deer Point First Nation. The mobile centre has been in operation since February.
“The centre is part of a program aimed at offering residents convenient, local, in-person access to the government services they rely on,” Wu said. “Mobile service delivery provides an effective and efficient service delivery alternative that ensures customer service excellence and community presence.”
People can also access driver and vehicle records, register to be an organ and tissue donor, apply for hunting and fishing licenses, and have documents authorized by a commissioner of oaths.
The unit is wheelchair accessible and has a lower-level counter installed for people who need it. A sign language interpreter is available upon request. Wu advised people book appointments online (ontario.ca/ locations/serviceontario/aj-larue-communitycentre-haliburton) or over the phone (416325-3408).
He said walk-ins are available but limited due to high demand for booked services.
Wu confirmed the mobile unit has a presence in Haliburton in November.
He did not directly respond to questions asking whether the ministry was actively investigating opening another permanent location in Haliburton, instead sharing, “as always, Service Ontario will continue to monitor the effectiveness of service delivery in the community.”
There have been no enhancements or increase in hours at Service Ontario in Minden, located at 12698 Hwy. 35.
Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock MPP Laurie Scott indicated she’d like to see a permanent site re-established in the village, but noted the mobile unit is a good compromise until then.
“The mobile Service Ontario model has proven effective and has been well-received in similar communities. We are confident it will adapt seamlessly to meet the specific needs of our residents until a more permanent solution can be found,” Scott said.
