NAIN,
NL, May 3, 2024 /CNW/ - Minister of Citizens'
Services, Terry Beech, announced
today the opening of a new Scheduled Outreach Office in
Nain, Newfoundland and Labrador. Canadians will now have a new
location in this area to get help with their requests or answers to
their questions in person, closer to where they live. Since the
nearest Service Canada Centre is 882 km away and the community is
only accessible by plane or boat in summer, this new point of
service will reduce the geographical barriers to programs and
benefits Canadians are entitled to.
Since January 11, 2024, Canadians
can visit 17 Sandbank Road in Nain
from Monday to Friday, between 9am and
12pm, to get help with and apply for federal government
services and benefits. The services include those related to
employment insurance (EI), social insurance numbers (SIN) and
pensions. The Nain office supports
clients where possible with passport services, such as helping them
complete their applications. The range of services, including
submitting passport applications at the office, will increase over
time.
The Nain office is the latest
addition to the 15 Service Canada Centres and 13 Scheduled Outreach
Offices in Newfoundland and
Labrador, to better serve
neighbouring communities. Diversifying points of service means
better access for all Canadians and reduces inequalities,
especially in remote areas. This Scheduled Outreach Office will
improve access to Service Canada benefits, programs and services
for Indigenous communities in northern Labrador, including those who require
assistance in Inuktitut.
The Government of Canada
maintains a vital presence in Northern, rural, and remote
communities, ensuring access to programs and services. Service
Canada is continually assessing
the needs of its clients and works collaboratively with Indigenous
communities.
This announcement supports Canada's commitment to the 2030 Agenda,
Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reduced inequalities by ensuring
that every Canadian has a fair chance to succeed. While the number
of online services continues to grow in line with demand,
face-to-face service remains the preferred choice for many
people.
Quotes
"Service delivery excellence means delivering services
where and when Canadians need them. This is why many scheduled
outreach sites are set up in regions where the distance to the
nearest Service Canada Centre is significant. This new service
point in Nain is an example of our
commitment to facilitate access to government services and benefits
for all Canadians regardless of where they live."
– Minister of Citizens' Services, Terry Beech
"The opening of the Service Canada outreach office in
Nain, Newfoundland, and
Labrador means residents will have
better access to the services they need. Services like EI, CPP, and
SIN clinics are just a few that will be available at this office.
For northern, rural, and remote communities, accessing Government
services can be a challenge, but with Service Canada's presence in
communities like Nain, this
narrative is changing."
– Member of Parliament for Labrador and Parliamentary Secretary to the
Minister of Northern Affairs and to the Minister of National
Defence (Northern Defence), Yvonne
Jones
Quick Facts
- Service Canada organizes
outreach activities with Indigenous communities and vulnerable,
hard-to-reach and underserved populations to increase their
awareness, and access to the programs and benefits they are
entitled to, such as SIN clinics, where clients are directly
supported in applying for a SIN, as well as information sessions
and intake clinics for EI, the Canada Pension Plan and other
Government of Canada programs,
services, and benefits.
- In 2023, Service Canada conducted 23 clinics to 814
participants and hosted 71 information sessions to 697 service
delivery partners and citizens in Newfoundland and Labrador.
- A Scheduled Outreach Office is a single point of access to a
wide range of government services and benefits in-person provided
on a regular, part-time basis at a permanent address.
- Service Canada is committed to
providing in-person service to 90% of Canadians within 50 km of
their place of residence, and regularly assesses the need to expand
the service offering.
- Across the country, 317 Service Canada Centres, 249 Scheduled
Outreach Offices and 15 Service Delivery Partner sites are
available to offer in-person services either by appointment or on a
walk-in basis. To confirm the service options available at a
specific address, Canadians can consult the Find a Service Canada
Office webpage.
- The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is a 15-year global
framework adopted by Canada and
all other United Nations member states in 2015. It includes 17
Sustainable Development Goals and 169 targets and sets out a
15-year plan to achieve them.
Associated Links
Find a Service Canada Office
Service Canada Community Outreach and Liaison Service
Service Canada Programs
My Service Canada Account
Canada and the Sustainable
Development Goals
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SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada