Opposition asking for audit on move to relocate ServiceOntario locations to Staples, Walmart kiosks

Ontario Green Party leader Mike Schreiner is asking the Auditor General to conduct a value for money audit of the Ford government’s move to close the 11 ServiceOntario locations and relocate services to Staples and Walmart kiosks.

Schreiner also asked for the Auditor General to review the government’s agreement to pay 18 months of rent for the ServiceOntario location in downtown Toronto. The Premier’s Office tells CityNews they are taking over the rent due to personal reasons related to the operator of the 33 Victoria Street location.

“It is critical that Ontarians are aware of how the government makes important decisions regarding access to essential public services, as well as who benefits from these decisions and whether they are made in the public interest,” read the letter.

It comes as Deputy Premier Sylvia Jones says the move will save the province $1 million yearly. However, Jones would not answer questions on how much it will cost the province to retrofit the new kiosks in Staples and two Walmart locations.

“That program is going to save taxpayers a million dollars every year, year over year. We are offering more convenience for individuals who want to and need to use the services of ServiceOntario kiosks,” said Jones when asked about the cost.

She also did not answer questions on why the Ford government contract’s for Staples and Walmart were sole-sourced and not put to tender, meaning other companies could not openly bid on it.

Liberal leader Bonnie Crombie said she supports the Green Party request for an audit. “I think that is what we need to value this … there’s no business case. Let’s ask for the business case to start with. And the rationale.”

It was revealed last week 11 ServiceOntario locations would be closing across in Toronto, Mississauga, Hamilton, London, and Newmarket and kiosks would be installed in multiple Staples locations and two Walmart’s.

CityNews reported exclusively on Monday that the government is paying for the necessary store upgrades at the Staples and Walmart stores that will host ServiceOntario outlets, but has not revealed the cost despite numerous requests for additional information on the deal

Staples, in a job posting, has said it’s looking to monetize the arrangement.

“The Regional Service Manager-Service Ontario, in alignment with the organization’s strategy and tactics will execute accordingly to influence the monetization of ServiceOntario traffic,” read the posting from Staples.

The kiosks, where Ontarians will be able to do things like renew driver’s licences and health cards, are part of a pilot project first announced in December 2023 to “reduce the overall cost to deliver government services to the public.”

All the 11 ServiceOntario locations being closed by the government are privately owned and run as small businesses. The two service Ontario outlets moving into Walmart are in London South and Keswick.