Media advisory - Protest tells Sandals: Keep ServiceOntario centres open

GUELPH, ON, June 13, 2016 /CNW/ - Members of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union will demonstrate Tuesday to call on local MPP Liz Sandals to help halt the closure of the ServiceOntario outlet in Guelph and others across Ontario.

Date: Tuesday, June 14, 2016
Time: 12:00 noon - 1:00 p.m.
Place: 1 Stone Road, Guelph, Ontario

"The purpose of our demonstration is to tell Liz Sandals, and the Liberal government, that our ServiceOntario offices are not theirs to close," said OPSEU Executive Board Member Drew Finucane. "ServiceOntario belongs to the people of Ontario. We own it, and we intend to keep it."

The ServiceOntario office at 1 Stone Road had been slated to close on October 28. But in the face of fierce public opposition, the government announced that it would review its plans and put the closure of nine centres across the province on hold until further notice.

OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas said Liz Sandals' new post as President of Treasury Board, announced Monday, puts her in a unique position to protect frontline services right across the province.

"I want to congratulate the minister on her new job and send her this message: minister, use your new powers for good. Keep our ServiceOntario centres open -- permanently. Ontario communities depend on them."

SOURCE Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU)

Drew Finucane, 519-755-6263