Since August 30, the provincial land registry, driver’s license renewal facility and health card station have been operating under one roof at 41 Broadway and is getting mixed reviews.

While people like the idea that several services can be had at one location, there have been grumblings about long wait times and that services have suffered.

One person, for example, said he waited close to two hours leave an application form, already filled out, which he felt he should have been able to leave for processing.

Dufferin-Caledon Tory MPP Sylvia Jones was among those voicing concern. “Our office has received complaints about the wait and how difficult it is to get information,” said Ms. Jones. “There are clearly glitches in the system. A two-hour wait to pick up a form is ridiculous.

“I’m pleased we don’t have to go as far to receive health cards, but the wait is far too long and there is a space problem,”

The location at 41 Broadway was previously a provincial Land Registry Office.

“There is excess space in the Land Registry Offices across the province because of computers and advances in information and document storage,” explained a Ministry of Government Services spokesperson. “Previously, information was stored on paper and kept in large boxes and files. There were major issues with space.

“Nowadays, information that was once stored in several bankers’ boxes can be stored on a single disc.”

In Orangeville, driver and vehicle services were added in February and Health Card renewal services on Aug. 20, although neither service is identified at the site.

“The government has a duty to spend tax dollars wisely,” said the spokesperson. “By integrating and consolidating, we are not only providing more centralized customer service, but we are also delivering it in a more cost-effective manner.”

Prior to the launch of the integrated centre last month, Health Card services were delivered to Orangeville at the Land Registry Office only three days per month. If residents wanted to renew their Health Card in Orangeville, they had to attend the outreach program on a specific day, meaning they had limited choice in terms of timing and convenience.

As for the long waits, the ministry spokesman acknowledged there are still kinks to be ironed out.

“There is always an adjustment period whenever new services are delivered. This is true in the public and the private sector.

“ServiceOntario is in a transition phase,” he said. “We are aware of this and we are working to maintain a high quality of customer service during this transition. We are specifically aware of this in Orangeville.”

To facilitate traffic flow and to ensure that customers do not wait in line unnecessarily, the spokesperson said the ministry is working to provide assistance to customers who are in line, directing them correctly to the services they need.

Adding that there are “peaks and valleys in every service situation,” the spokesperson added that there is usually a greater demand for both driver and vehicle and health card services at the end and start of each month.

“The last weeks of August and the first weeks of September are the busiest times of the year for ServiceOntario. This is likely tied to the end of summer and the back to school period.”

Alternatively, citizens can access services that are available online at www. ServiceOntario.ca, including driver’s licence renewals and licence plate validation stickers.