ServiceOntario

I recently had an unpleasant experience at the Service Ontario location on 34 Simcoe. As someone new to the Barrie area, moving from Burlington in late November, I was unable to renew my health card online. It had lapsed in the hustle of the move and getting organized and acquainted with my new surroundings. During my travels, I managed to get a bad cold, and with an expired healthcare card, I made the effort to book off work early and headed to the Service Ontario location to renew my health card, hoping to see a doctor. However, I was told by a property manager, who seemed to have appointed themselves as an authority figure, that I couldn't enter without an appointment and to come back on Monday. This was frustrating as it was well before closing time, I had driven 20 minutes there and back, paid for parking, and I felt like my right to access healthcare was being denied, while the taxpayer-funded security guard stood there in silence.Not in the mood to argue, this experience left me feeling disappointed and angry, ruining my weekend, and still bothers me enough to write this review some 6 weeks after the fact, and after further reflection. After this experience, I was determined not to go back to this location, and I was rewarded. Instead, I visited the Service Ontario on Bayfield the following Monday, where I had a much better experience. The staff were friendly, and I was in and out within 10 minutes, without having to pay for parking or deal with self-appointed gatekeepers. The staff renewed my faith in our taxpayer-funded institutions and should be a model for all Service Ontario experiences. I can't say enough or highlight the vast contrast between the two locations.Overall, I would strongly recommend avoiding the Simcoe location if you can. While I can't speak for the staff inside, my experience and the tone experienced outside the Simcoe location left me with the impression that it's likely poorly managed. If you have the means, I would recommend visiting the Bayfield location instead for a more pleasant and efficient experience. Thanks to the staff and the manager of the Bayfield location for putting taxpayers first and treating us like customers instead of the enemy. As for the cold, I was able to see a doctor shortly after getting my temporary healthcare and was good as new a couple of days later.

Helli everyone. I made an appointment for May 3rd, 2023, about a week in advance. I arrived 10 minutes early to find 2 kiosks open and about 20 people in the waiting room. Judging by the announcement board, I would be number 15 to be called in. I am wondering, what is the point of an appointment in the first place? Why they don't have a dedicated appointment kiosk at this location as it is the case at many others? Not to mention that there's no dedicated parking at all. Very unfair to anyone needing to do something and preparing in advance. I am pretty sure they will claim excellent service in all cases. Good luck with your appointments.

Waste of time coming here. Avoid this location at all costs. Regardless of the appointment being booked or not it has to be the most poorly runned government office I have ever been to. You have wasted staff at the front desk doing nothing while the only counter clerk spent 30 mins changing paper on a printer. 5 staff working there with only 1 person assisting people. Ridiculous. Tax dollars wasted here.

This location is terrible, stop taking walk-in hour before closing. I was waited 2 hour and two 2 out of 6 kiosk staff was working. Security dude stop everyone and make up things to turn away people. Service Ontario needs to open more location in Barrie.

The office has 6-10 stalls but there are always 2 officers available. Everytime I go there, there are never more than two officers there. I don’t know how the office things works but other officers can be seen too but they look like they are busy walking .

Chantelle and her team were incredibly helpful. We came in with a very complicated situation close to closing time and they promptly took care of everything. Even staying late on a Friday evening in a government office. Very positive experience. 5/5

Made an appointment to renew license and sticker and still waited over an hour to be served. what’s the point of having this option if people still have to wait for so long? If I didn’t say anything myself I don’t even know how much longer I would have had to wait. 8 windows and only 2 open. Service centres need to invest in better training and make sure their employees are fast and efficient in their service. How does it take 20 minutes to renew driver license and plate? Ridiculous.

The worst service ever, have waited for long hours, and then the agent started asking questions without provide any required information for new PR and input to the system. This is their job to explain the steps required.

Worst Service Ontario in the city of Barrie. I went early this morning waited 2 hours and then left. They had 4 people to work the counter but never more than 2 worked at a time. Very poorly run facility. I left and went to the Service Ontario on Bayfield a privately run Service Ontario. There the counter staff were efficient and it was a 5 minute wait. A much better experience on Bayfield.

Came to renew my drivers license and replace my health card a few weeks ago. I was served at counter 5 (I think) by a young man with curly hair. He and his colleague were friendly, professional and great.