A decision by the province of Ontario to replace paper renewal notices with digital reminders will result in significant savings as well as providing benefits to the environment.
It is estimated the province will save up to $29 million over five years in postage and mailing costs and well as saving approximately 80 million pieces of paper – roughly 16,000 boxes or 362 tonnes – over the same time period.
“Our government is taking another big step in our digital first approach by shifting away from snail mail to a modern alternative, saving taxpayer dollars and eliminating excess paper waste,” said Ross Romano, minister of government and consumer services. “Providing Ontarians with digital reminders is a fast and convenient way to ensure they don’t miss their renewal deadlines. As part of our commitment to improving access to government services for the people and businesses of our province, Ontarians can now benefit from secure and timely reminders and renew their products right from the comfort of their own homes.”
Other initiatives the province has implements include:
Enabling over 40 services online, through ServiceOntario, with 24/7 access, with products mailed directly to you and the option to print proof of renewal right at home.
The launch of the new Ontario Business Registry to support businesses and not-for-profit corporations at every stage of their lifecycle, with quick and easy access to over 90 transactions online, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Making the land registry completely paperless as an accessible web portal that provides worldwide, remote access to search land registration records.
Enabling the online renewal of permanent accessible parking permits and Ontario Photo Cards.
Providing more payment options for driver and vehicle products.
Ontarians with products that expired on or after Mar. 1, 2020, and were not renewed because of the temporary extensions that were put in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will receive a final letter in the mail letting them know that it’s time to renew. For a complete list of renewal deadlines, visit Ontario.ca/RenewalDeadlines.
Earlier this year, the government introduced the option for Ontarians to receive digital reminders 30 and 60 days in advance of their renewal dates. Nearly one million voluntary subscriptions have been completed to deliver digital reminders, allowing Ontarians to keep up to date with important renewal deadlines.