KINGSTON — Members of the Ontario Public Service Employees
Union will hold an information picket Friday to protest the possible
privatization of ServiceOntario.
When: Friday, February 3, 2012
Where: 1201 Division St., Kingston
Time: Noon-1 p.m.
OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas says there could be
serious consequences if the government moves forward with plans to
completely privatize this agency.
“With privatization, you run an increased risk of identity
theft and fraud,” Thomas said. “Drivers’ licences and health cards are major
pieces of identification. Why would the government jeopardize our security?”
ServiceOntario processes 48 million transactions annually
and contributes $2.7 billion annually to government revenues. Thomas says
there are no economic reasons to sell it to a private company.
“ServiceOntario brings in more revenue than either the LCBO
or the Ontario Lottery Corporation,” Thomas said. “All that privatization
will accomplish is to increase user fees, close down some locations and open
up 11 different data bases of personal information to a private company.
It’s a bad idea that needs to be shelved quickly.”
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