"Visiting Government Offices" day
Just thought I'd share my experiences about today. I had booked today off work because I had to run some errands. My birthday is coming up soon (yay!) so I had to renew both my driver's licence and my plates (boo!). I also wanted to replace my social insurance card and Ontario health card... both are old and somewhat damaged (the health card worse than the SIN card). So I dubbed today "Visiting Government Offices" day. OK, maybe not the most original name, but I liked it!
So, that's one federal and two provincial government offices I had to visit today. How would I hold up? Well, here's my breakdown.
1. I started with the Human Resource Centre office in Mississauga (on Dixie Road near the Dixie GO station). I stood in line only briefly before asking to get a new SIN card. The person behind the counter was actually very helpful... she suggested that it wasn't strictly necessary that I get a new card and said she has seen cards more badly damaged than mine. She also said that the wait could be a long one, so she suggested I take a form home to fill out if I wanted to come back later to get a new card. I was impressed with the level of service I was offered... she probably saved me a lot of time today.
2. Next I went to the local Driver's and Licence Office (a little further north on Dixie on the corner of Bloor) to renew my licence and plate. This would be the most expensive stop going in (almost $150 to renew the licence and plate... yikes!... compared to $10 if I got a new SIN card, and no charge to replace the health card). Here I did have to wait in line a while, but it wasn't too bad, maybe about 15-20 minutes. I think this was due in part to the office I visited being a small one. Anyway, one person came out through the line at one point to make sure everyone had their forms properly filled out... a good idea as this could have potentially saved everyone some time. Once I got to the counter the person who handled everything did so very professionally... but she sure wasn't one for chit-chat! Oh well, sometimes that's OK.
3. Finally, the local Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care office on City Centre Dr. near Square One to get my new health card. This... was a drag. Not that the people who provided the service were rude or anything. But the wait was very long... well over an hour. Not fun.
Well, that's all. No real political point here, just wanted to share what happened, and if nothing else show that despite all the stories we like to tell, sometimes the service we get at government offices is actually good.
If you wish, share your comments or stories. Thanks.
So, that's one federal and two provincial government offices I had to visit today. How would I hold up? Well, here's my breakdown.
1. I started with the Human Resource Centre office in Mississauga (on Dixie Road near the Dixie GO station). I stood in line only briefly before asking to get a new SIN card. The person behind the counter was actually very helpful... she suggested that it wasn't strictly necessary that I get a new card and said she has seen cards more badly damaged than mine. She also said that the wait could be a long one, so she suggested I take a form home to fill out if I wanted to come back later to get a new card. I was impressed with the level of service I was offered... she probably saved me a lot of time today.
2. Next I went to the local Driver's and Licence Office (a little further north on Dixie on the corner of Bloor) to renew my licence and plate. This would be the most expensive stop going in (almost $150 to renew the licence and plate... yikes!... compared to $10 if I got a new SIN card, and no charge to replace the health card). Here I did have to wait in line a while, but it wasn't too bad, maybe about 15-20 minutes. I think this was due in part to the office I visited being a small one. Anyway, one person came out through the line at one point to make sure everyone had their forms properly filled out... a good idea as this could have potentially saved everyone some time. Once I got to the counter the person who handled everything did so very professionally... but she sure wasn't one for chit-chat! Oh well, sometimes that's OK.
3. Finally, the local Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care office on City Centre Dr. near Square One to get my new health card. This... was a drag. Not that the people who provided the service were rude or anything. But the wait was very long... well over an hour. Not fun.
Well, that's all. No real political point here, just wanted to share what happened, and if nothing else show that despite all the stories we like to tell, sometimes the service we get at government offices is actually good.
If you wish, share your comments or stories. Thanks.
posted by Jason Monteith at 8:18 PM
4 Comments:
My daughter spent about 4 months in hospital here in Saskatoon, birthplace of medicare. If I were to tell you all of the incredible examples of incompetence and bureaucratic mistakes that we endured, you'd think I was talking about the Soviet Union. From filthy bathrooms, to misdiagnosis, to eternal waits, she suffered needlessly.
Of all the government systems, I find healthcare the most bureaucratic and inept. I get great service from many departments,but the problems in healthcare run deep. From Union engineered slow down, to lack of funds, the entire system is as sick as its patients.
Sorry to hear of your and your daughter's experiences, DT. It is probably a far too common occurrence. The time for serious debate on what to do about health-care has long since passed... we need to do this now, as I'm sure you'll agree.
Does anyone know when the line up to get/renew health cards has ever been less than an hour?? I'm from London (ON) and it's pretty bad here.
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