The Ford government is planning to expand ServiceOntario locations into retail stores, following criticism for a previous deal with Staples. The Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery has put out a request for qualifications for retailers of all sizes interested in hosting ServiceOntario locations. Minister Todd McCarthy stated that there is no limit to the number of businesses they will consider for this partnership, with the goal of hearing from as many potential partners as possible. The criteria for interested businesses include being located in a central, accessible location, having a strong community presence, providing parking, adequate space, and a cost-effective lease.
This decision comes after the government faced backlash for a deal with Staples to run some ServiceOntario kiosks, which involved shutting down privately operated locations and moving them into Staples stores. Instead of a per-transaction payment model, Staples received an annual fee for hosting the kiosks. Documents show that Ontario will pay Staples $1.75 million for setup costs and $8.29 million over three years to operate the kiosks. The government’s move to seek new retail partners through a public process is in contrast to the non-competitive tender agreement with Staples. The government had considered expanding ServiceOntario kiosks to other major retailers such as Loblaws, Metrol, Ikea, and Costco, with six different pilots planned to evolve the province’s service delivery model.
The request for qualifications aims to attract retailers or business owners interested in partnering with the government to provide space for hosting ServiceOntario centers. Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles criticized the government for potentially privatizing services and emphasized the importance of a public model for professionalism in service provision. This opportunity is the first step in a longer process for the government to identify potential retail partners for ServiceOntario locations. The government’s initiative to expand into retail stores aims to make ServiceOntario services more accessible and convenient for the public.
The expansion of ServiceOntario locations into retail stores is part of the government’s effort to improve service delivery and accessibility. Minister Todd McCarthy emphasized the importance of partnering with retailers to reach a broader audience and provide services in convenient locations. The decision to seek new retail partners follows a controversial deal with Staples, where the stationery giant was given the rights to operate some ServiceOntario kiosks. The government’s move to seek new partnerships through a public process aims to ensure transparency and competition in the selection of retail partners.
The potential partnership with retailers for ServiceOntario locations involves criteria such as central location, community presence, parking, adequate space, and a cost-effective lease. The government’s decision to explore partnerships with retailers is part of a larger strategy to improve service delivery and make services more accessible to the public. Despite criticism from opposition leaders, the government is moving forward with its plans to expand ServiceOntario locations into retail stores, with the goal of providing more convenient access to essential government services. The request for qualifications for new retail partners marks the beginning of a process to identify suitable partners for hosting ServiceOntario locations in retail stores.
