The ServiceOntario options in Dresden could be in jeopardy.
Sources tell the Sydenham Current that the Municipality of Chatham-Kent was unsuccessful in a bid to continue providing certain provincial services at the Dresden Municipal building.
The services include the administration and issuance of driver and vehicle licensing, health cards, and provincial identification.
The Municipality and ServiceOntario entered into a contract in 2003 to provide such services, as the previous private ServiceOntario vendor had not renewed their service provider agreement, and other applicants did not come forward.
Sources say the Municipality saw this as an opportunity to enhance existing services for Dresden residents and offset operational expenses at the Dresden Municipal Centre.
Sources say in 2015, the contract with the Province expired and a RFP process was conducted for a new contract for 2016 to 2021 and beyond.
Now that Chatham-Kent was unsuccessful in this process, the current contract will end on December 23 of this year.
While nothing has been confirmed, sources say four potential scenarios could play out, including:
– A new Dresden business/applicant could be awarded the contract.
– Another ServiceOntario vendor/applicant may be awarded the contract.
– Dresden could lose such Provincial services.
– Or the Province may return to the Municipality in September with a request for them to continue providing the services.
We’ll provide more information on this story when it becomes available.
