Opinion Editorial by MPP Jean-Marc Lalonde
Improving Access to Services for Ontarians
Ontarians expect their government to spend their tax dollars wisely to provide the excellent customer service they need and deserve.
ServiceOntario’s vision is to provide an integrated, one-stop shopping experience for Ontarians. Starting this fall, more Ontarians will be able to make one trip for health card, driver’s licence and vehicle registration services.
Currently, only two ServiceOntario centres offer these integrated services under one roof. This is about to change.
Access to health card services will increase from 27 OHIP offices to all 300 integrated ServiceOntario centres, and access to driver and vehicle services will expand from 260 locations to all 300 centres, regardless of whether they are public or private.
These changes will give people increased access to government services and better meet customer needs, especially in rural and northern communities. In rural communities, access to health card services will expand from two to 163 ServiceOntario centres. In northern communities, access to health card services will expand from six to 67 ServiceOntario centres. Close to 95 percent of all Ontarians will be within 10 kilometres of an integrated ServiceOntario centre.
Government’s relationship with private issuers is critical to ensuring Ontarians get the products and services they need. ServiceOntario is committed to a blended public-private delivery network. This model provides flexibility and opportunity, ensuring people receive the government services they need and deserve at a reasonable cost.
ServiceOntario is also making it easier for customers who use online services. Now, customers can renew their vehicle registration sticker online at www.ServiceOntario.ca and have it delivered within five business days.
The integration of services through ServiceOntario is just one way the McGuinty government is improving access to services.
We’ve also expanded Health Care Connect, a program that helps Ontarians who are seeking a family health care provider to find one, by expanding the program to allow for around-the-clock online registration at ontario.ca/healthcareconnect.
And we’ve announced new legislation that will give nurse practitioners, pharmacists, physiotherapists and other medical professionals the freedom to provide a wider range of health services and work to their full ability based on their skills and training. For patients, this will mean better access to health care, and more choices in who provides it.
Our government is committed making more efficient use of taxpayers’ dollars. The integration of services through ServiceOntario will help us do just that.
ServiceOntario’s vision is to meet and exceed customer expectations …everytime. These changes will improve the overall customer experience.
For more information on what your government is to improve access to services, contact my constituency office at (613) 446-4010.
MPP Jean-Marc Lalonde