Watchdog to probe ServiceOntario deal

Review prompted by Liberal MPP's concerns over financial arrangements

- ROB FERGUSON

The province's independent Financial Accountability Office says it will review the Ford government's decision to move nine ServiceOntario centres into Staples stores.

The government's move of nine ServiceOntario centres into Staples stores to offer longer hours and easy parking is being reviewed by the province's independent Financial Accountability Office.

Prompted by Liberal MPP Stephanie Bowman over concerns about the financial arrangements, the effort will compare "the costs and benefits" of the Staples deal compared with the alternative of continuing contracts with independent private operators, the office said.

"We welcome this," Public and Business Service Delivery Minister Todd McCarthy told reporters Monday.