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A ServiceOntario location on Commissioners Road in London has officially closed as of Feb. 25, 2026, and many residents said they were caught off guard.
The province decided to shut down the office, but city officials said they were only informed on Feb. 9, just over two weeks before the closure.
Ward 1 Councillor Hadleigh McAllister said the city did not receive any detailed explanation from the provincial government about why the location was closing.
“It’s a provincial office, so they don’t have to consult the city,” McAllister said. “But more notice would have been appreciated.”
According to McAllister, the Commissioners Road location was well-used and easy to access, as it was located near the hospital and serves not only Ward 1 residents, but people from across the city.
“I was hearing from a lot of Londoners who were upset,” he said. “Many people still rely on in-person services.”
Closure Notice
ServiceOntario centres handle things like driver’s licence renewals, health cards, licence plate stickers and other government services.
Some residents said they were shocked when they heard the news.
One man who visits ServiceOntario a couple of times a year to renew plates for multiple vehicles said the closure blew his mind. He said he didn’t even realize he needed to renew his licence until recently and felt there wasn’t enough communication.
Another resident said the closure won’t personally affect him much because he only visits once a year, but he still feels it’s disappointing.
“It’s sad that it’s closing,” he said. “You need convenience.”
With this closure, residents in southeast London now have fewer nearby options. The closest remaining locations are in other parts of the city, including Dundas Street, or outside London in Dorchester.
McAllister said he sent a letter to the provincial minister expressing concerns from residents, but has not received a response beyond confirmation that it was received.
He believes the province should consult the public before making decisions like this in the future.
“If services are going more online or changing locations, people deserve to know what the plan is,” he said. “Especially seniors and others who may not use online services.”
The province has previously discussed moving some ServiceOntario locations into retail stores like Staples or Walmart, but it is unclear what direction it will take next.
For now, the Commissioners Road location is closed, and residents who rely on in-person government services will have to travel farther to access them.
