The Ontario Government is backing down on its planned closure of several rural Service Ontario kiosks.
In a statement sent to Leeds-Grenville MPP Steve Clark, the government said it is suspending the planned closure of nine service centres across the province while it completes a more comprehensive review.
"It’s important for us to take more time and do a further review of this decision in order to ensure that we continue to provide the best service for our customers while being fiscally responsible," the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services wrote in a statement issued Friday afternoon.
The decision comes amidst rising backlash from residents and local politicians angered at the province's decision to close nine service centres, including those in Kemptville, Embrun and Morrisburg. Many were concerned about the closure's impact on senior citizens and those with mobility impairments.
Though the move has been applauded as a step in the right direction, MPP Steve Clark said the centres should never have been slated for closure.
"Closing the Kemptville office never made any sense to me because it is a busy location in a fast-growing community with a large percentage of seniors,” said Clark.
“The ministry has confirmed what I’ve said from the start: there was no planning here at all, the offices targeted for closure were just picked at random.”
A petition tabled at Queen's Park on Friday was signed by more than 8,600 people.
