For immediate release – October 10th, 2006 

DEVOLIN ANNOUNCES SERVICE CANADA OUTREACH IN HALIBURTON AND FENELON FALLS

LINDSAY - Local MP Barry Devolin is pleased to announce that Service Canada outreach services will soon be available in Haliburton and Fenelon Falls.

“Starting tomorrow, two Service Canada representatives will be available to answer questions and offer assistance at Fleming College in Haliburton between 10:00am and 2:30pm,” explained Devolin. “At the moment, staff will be offering this outreach once a month, with the possibility of increased frequency.”

“For residents in the northern portion of Kawartha Lakes, service out of the Fenelon Falls library will begin in January twice a month, with the hours and dates still to be announced,” stated Devolin. “At this point it is in the early stages of planning but communities such as Coboconk, Kirkfield and Bobcaygeon are also being looked at for possible outreach service.”

“The goal of Service Canada is to provide better, one-stop service to more Canadians in more communities, delivered with the right service attitude,” said Devolin. “The outreach program will bring services from a number of federal departments into a single delivery network that makes it easier for Canadians the help they need in one place.”

Prior to this announcement, residents needing assistance with federal programs or services had to travel to a Service Canada office in Lindsay, Peterborough, Huntsville or elsewhere.

With these new outreach services, residents will receive personal service from staff who can explain what you need to know and make clear what you need to do; guide you to others who can help you; let you know when to expect a decision and, if you qualify for a financial benefit, when you will receive your first payment; and acknowledge any mistakes that have been made and take corrective measures. 

“I want to thank Christine O’Brien and Peter Clark from Service Canada and the staff at Fleming College in Haliburton for all their help in making this possible,” said Devolin. “In Kawartha Lakes, this couldn’t have been done without the assistance and continued support of Mayor Barb Kelly, Customer Services Manager Heather Muir and Councilors Carl Quaranto and Gord Lawder who in June of 2005 moved and seconded a motion in Council supporting a Service Canada outreach site for rural residents in Kawartha Lakes.”

“I think we all know that there are many seniors and others in this riding who don’t have a car (or don’t drive anymore) and there is little public transit available,” said Devolin. “To address this situation, I have been working with local stakeholders to bring federal government services to the people instead of the people coming to the government.”

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For more information contact:
Barry Devolin (705) 324-2400 or (866) 688-9881