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Please find below Media Releases that are within 30 days of the issue date. If you would like to view past Media Releases please go to Media Release Archives 
 

MEDIA RELEASE

October 30, 2009

The Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors regrets to announce that it has accepted the termination agreement mandated by Service Ontario, ending our 90 year operation of the licence office next year, November 30, 2010. In the meantime it IS BUSINESS AS USUAL at our licence office operation!

"We really had no choice ", said Chamber Chair Les McDermott. "Our contract was last updated in 1987 and it said the government could end the contract within 60 days whenever they wished." The government announced in July 2009 that it wished to consolidate health card and licence services across the province. Although not confirmed by Service Ontario, it is anticipated that in Sarnia the Service Ontario office in Bayside Centre will take over this work in late 2010.

"Sixty-five offices are being closed across the province", said President Garry McDonald. "We remain concerned for the 7 staff that will be displaced in this situation and will do what we can to provide new career search opportunities for staff." Service Ontario explained to the Chamber there is no guarantee our experienced staff can obtain a job at the new location.

The Chamber has advised Service Ontario of our additional concern for a deterioration of customer service in the potential new location. McDonald goes on, "The concept to provide one-stop government services is good, however, the demographics of the customer we see many times a day will face difficulties in negotiating the extra distance from underground parking or downtown street parking to a service desk." Service Ontario said they plan to encourage people to use on-line electronic methods of renewal and take steps to minimize access difficulties.

The Chamber Board has taken up the task of exploring alternate uses for the vacated licence office space and what changes the reduced revenues will mean for the Chamber's support of groups and activities in the community. At this time the Chamber supports Tourism Sarnia Lambton, the Physician Recruitment Taskforce, Junior Achievement, the Sarnia Lambton Economic Partnership, the Lambton Community Health Study, Family Medicine student scholarships, the Young Professionals, High School student bursary and more.

The Chamber of Commerce operation employs five people and has over 200 volunteers assisting in its annual program of work.