The Ontario government has announced the expansion of ServiceOntario in six Staples Canada stores which will open on February 1st.

The government says the new centres are part of its ongoing work to explore new ways to make ServiceOntario more accessible for Ontario residents.

“By partnering with an experienced, established retailer with a strong community presence like Staples Canada, we can create simpler, faster and better ways to connect Ontarians to the vital services they depend on,” said Todd McCarthy, Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery. “Our retailer partnership program will enhance the customer experience and meet the needs of communities by bringing government services where people live, work and shop.”

The Ford government says the Staples Canada model is projected to save approximately $1 million over the duration of the three-year pilot. The new centres provide extended operating hours, increasing service hours by 30 per cent compared to the centres they are replacing. The centres also offer readily available parking, access to public transit routes and access to retail services all in one convenient hub.

The new Staples Canada-operated ServiceOntario centres are in the following communities:

Oakville, 2460 Winston Churchill Boulevard
Newmarket, 17810 Yonge Street
Toronto (Scarborough), 180 Eglinton Avenue, East
Strathroy, 425 Caradoc Street, South
Tillsonburg, Tillsonburg Town Centre, 200 Broadway Street
Welland, Seaway Mall, 800 Niagara Street

Additional ServiceOntario centres will open in Staples Canada stores in Hamilton, Keswick and Toronto (Leaside) later this year. As well, upcoming mobile service centres will be introduced, to better meet the needs of Ontarians in remote communities.

The government says it will continue to explore expanding and adding new models for ServiceOntario locations, including co-locations with municipalities, First Nations communities, in public libraries and other retail partners, which could include small businesses.