Kemptville, Morrisburg Service Ontario offices to close: MPP

Eastern Ontario MPP and Tory consumer affairs critic Jim McDonell. (Newswatch Group/File)

QUEEN’S PARK – The Morrisburg and Kemptville Service Ontario offices are on the government’s chopping block, according to MPP Jim McDonell.

McDonell, the Tory consumer affairs critic and MPP for Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry, is condemning the government’s plan to shut down nine service outlets in Ontario after cutting 72 Service Ontario kiosks in 2012.

Mississauga, Milton, Guelph, Embrun, Terrace Bay, Minden and Blind River are also on the list to cease operations sometime between October and February 2017.

McDonell indicated some staff will be moved to other offices.

“This isn’t modernization – it’s denial of service. Rural residents will have to drive further for the government services they deserve to receive locally,” he said.

“The government appears to have made no effort to find alternative solutions that would preserve in-person services. They aren’t in it for us – they waste our money and make us pay.”