Launch of Service Canada in Verdun, Quebec

September 14, 2005

(VERDUN, Quebec) - In Verdun today, Liza Frulla, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Minister responsible for Status of Women and MP for Jeanne-Le Ber, Quebec officially launched Service Canada, a new, cross-Canada government service delivery network.

At the same time, Minister for Service Canada and Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, Belinda Stronach hosted a Service Canada kick-off event in Toronto.

"Our government chose the one-stop service delivery approach to make it easier for citizens to access the information and service they need from us", said Minister Frulla. "In urban, rural and remote communities across the country, Canadians will receive the help they need, when they want, where they want and how they want."

"Our government chose the one-stop service delivery approach to make it easier for citizens to access the information and service they need from us", said Minister Frulla. "In urban, rural and remote communities across the country, Canadians will receive the help they need, when they want, where they want and how they want."

Canadians will be able to choose how they access Government of Canada services: in person, by phone or Internet. Today, the Service Canada network brings together 320 points of service in communities across the country; a national 1 800 O-Canada ( 1 800 622 - 6232) telephone service providing Canadians with information about all federal government services; and a range of on-line services at servicecanada.gc.ca.

Service Canada's more than 20,000 staff are ready: all front-line, processing and management staff have been specially-trained to provide a knowledgeable first point of contact for the Government of Canada and support one-stop service delivery.

As we put Service Canada in place over the next year or two, there will be no net job loss. What we are doing is reallocating resources from processing, which is being automated in order to have more people servicing Canadians directly - in our offices and through mobile outreach.

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In 2006, Service Canada's points of service will double, reaching 1.25 million more Canadians and giving access to many remote and rural communities previously under-served. One of the primary ways this will be done is through mobile outreach - scheduled or in response to a particular need -- by knowledgeable Service Canada representatives travelling to meet the special needs of individuals, employers, and organizations. Services will be offered in partnership with various jurisdictions and community organizations.

Service Canada has already put in place a number of service improvements which residents of Quebec and other communities across Canada can now access (Verdun has been a pilot site featuring these improvements since last Fall):

• In addition to Passport Canada's existing service network, Canadians can now apply for passports in 23 Service Canada locations across the country, three of which are located in Quebec (Drummondville, Baie-Comeau and Val d'Or). By year end, 11 more locations will be operational including two more in Quebec (Chibougamau and La Tuque).
• In five pilot locations in Quebec and Alberta, individuals can now apply for and receive a Social Insurance Number (SIN) in one visit. In Quebec, this pilot is taking place in Verdun. The new service is planned for all Service Canada locations on a national scale by Spring 2006.
• In Verdun, Drummondville and Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Service Canada agents are able to direct clients to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Web Site and help them find the information they need, retrieve personal account information or order tax forms. For complex cases, our staff can make referrals to CRA agents and 1 800 lines. By March 2006, this service will be extended to a number of additional centres across the country.
• Canadians will receive the assistance they need to familiarize themselves with, and maximize the use of, on-line services. Individuals can now apply on-line for Employment Insurance benefits, file all the necessary reports and employers can produce records of employment. Today, more than 90 percent of all initial EI applications are now being submitted on-line. The 12 million Canadians who contribute to the Canada Pension Plan will now also be able to view their Statement of Contribution online and access useful tools which can help them with their retirement plans.

Over the coming months, Canadians will continue to experience tangible improvements in service.

For more information, see attached backgrounders.

For further information:

Media:

Director of Communications
Office of Minister Belinda Stronach
819-994-2482

Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
and Minister Responsible for Status of Women
819-997-9900

Media Relations Office
Service Canada
819-994-5559

Public Enquiries:

1 800 O-Canada (1 800 622-6232)
TTY: 1 800 926-9105
servicecanada.gc.ca

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