After five years of service, the locally run Service Ontario office in Powassan is closing at the end of this month.
For the past five years, the office has been run out of Miltown Management Systems at 520B Main St.
Word of the closure first appeared on the What’s Happening Powassan Facebook page earlier in the month.
The Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement has confirmed the upcoming closure.
Powassan's closure is the second Service Ontario bricks and mortar closure in the Almaguin Highlands in one year. The only remaining Service Ontario office in Almaguin Highlands is in Sundridge and its future is unknown.
Matthew D’Amico, the press secretary and issues manager for Minister Todd McCarthy, says the Powassan area will be served by a mobile service delivery unit which should maintain service continuity and mitigate potential out-of-town travel to North Bay to renew one’s driver’s licence for example.
D’Amico says earlier this year Service Ontario enhanced services to six northern Ontario communities including Burk’s Falls. He adds the mobile service delivery unit has proven successful in communities similar to Powassan and cites Burk’s Falls and MacTier as two examples.
D’Amico says the mobile unit’s format can be adjusted based on community needs.
Details about the service will be shared publicly to ensure residents stay informed and engaged and further information will be shared once available.
Service Ontario provides numerous services including driver’s licence and health card renewals and also provides hunting and fishing licenses.
Rocco Frangione is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter with Almaguin News. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
