Local resident wants to see Service Canada offices reopened after struggling to get help
By GILLIAN SLADE on May 6, 2020.
gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade A local resident says after hours on the phone trying to reach an agent it is time for Service Canada’s regional offices to reopen with Plexiglas barriers like banks and groceries stores have done to keep staff and public safe. Garry Schmidt applied for Employment Insurance on March 17 but there have been problems completing the paperwork online and telephone access is impossible. He’s been diverted to the CERB program but you have to reapply for that on a monthly basis. He believes he made a mistake on the first online form and he is not being allowed to complete it or make any changes. Schmidt says he has called more than 30 times to Service Canada and on numerous occasions has been on hold for several hours. A recorded voice intermittently talks about the high volume of calls and asks people to wait for the next available agent. Eventually, he says, he has to hang up without talking to anyone. Schmidt says the federal government closed all the local Service Canada offices at the start of the pandemic and then told Canadians that the government was concerned for their safety. “But we don’t have enough agents for you to talk to, we’re not that concerned,” said Schmidt. “They need to think outside the stupid box they’re in and say ‘look we need to look after our Canadian citizens’.” The News requested information from Service Canada but there was no immediate response. There is an undated notice on Service Canada’s website about the “temporary” closure of its regional offices. “Service Canada is ready to help. Our priority is the health and safety of all Canadians, while maintaining service to the public. In response to COVID-19, all in person Service Canada Centres are closed until further notice.” There are links on the website for information and services and the phone number that Schmidt has been using to try to access an agent. 11-10
