Efforts ongoing to return ServiceOntario office to St. Marys

By Spencer Seymour, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The June 23 meeting of St. Marys Town Council provided optimism that a ServiceOntario location will eventually return to the community, after being closed in late April upon retirement of the previous operator.
Council received correspondence from Perth-Wellington MPP Randy Pettapiece to Hon. Lisa Thompson, MPP and Minister of Government and Consumer Services with regards to the ServiceOntario branch closure in St. Marys.
“We understand that your ministry is working to bring a ServiceOntario centre back to the community of St. Marys. This is good news,” said Pettapiece in his letter which was sent via email to Thompson on June 18th. “In fact, my staff have also responded to several inquiries from people interested in reopening a ServiceOntario in town. I understand that ServiceOntario uses a Vendor of Record (VOR) arrangement to procure new service providers to operate their centres. I also understand that if a service provider cannot be found through this process, the ministry may advertise the opportunity.
“Local access to essential government services is critical. Mayor Strathdee informs me that his constituents ask him frequently when a new centre will open. People are asking that service resume as soon as possible.”
Pettapiece concluded his message to the Minister by asking that his office along with St. Marys Council be provided with regular updates on the status of the return of the St. Marys ServiceOntario location and that the government continue to facilitate the process as expeditiously as possible.
“I have been in regular contact with Mr. Pettapiece’s office, and hopefully there will be some action soon,” Mayor Strathdee told Council. “Given the pandemic, I don’t think it is high on the government’s list but we have been constantly pushing to try and get this service back to St. Marys. So stay tuned, there will probably be more information available in the near future.”