For many residents in rural Peterborough County, accessing essential government services can be a challenge. MP Michelle Ferreri is hoping to combat those challenges next month by hosting a Service Canada pop-up in Warsaw.
Ferreri stated, “Instead of having to go into Peterborough for Service Canada services, we’re going to be setting up shop in Douro Dummer at the Warsaw town hall.”
Whether it is finding time or a way into Peterborough, it can be difficult for rural residents to access and utilize the services offered through Service Canada, which has only one location within the City of Peterborough.
On March 5, 2025, Ferreri, her staff, and Service Canada employees will be at the Douro Dummer municipal office, located at 894 South Street, Warsaw, to help residents of Peterborough County access important services such as:
• Canada Pension Plan (CPP)
• Employment Insurance (EI)
• Old Age Security (OAS)
• Canadian Dental Care Plan
• Passport Services
• Social Insurance Numbers (SIN)
“Basically what [this drop in is], is the citizens who maybe don’t have an opportunity to get into town or what have you, we’re going to come to them. So if you need any kind of services with your Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Employment Insurance (EI), old age security, the dental care, passport services, social insurance numbers [we will be there to help]. There’s also a great opportunity too that we’re doing which is an information session on protecting yourself from scams, in particular for our seniors who are more at risk.”
The free information session will be at 11:00 a.m. to noon and will highlight how to access EI benefits, how to spot scams targeting seniors, and tips to keep your personal information safe.
“These events are really valuable for me, as well as the staff, to connect with people and hear what’s going on in their lives. What are the biggest issues facing them? A lot more happens just besides the service that they need, they may be able to tell me about their housing situation or, finances or things like that I think are really important when you’re in a position of policy making to ensure you know what’s happening to people in your community, so that you’re making the best policy decisions for them. So I think it’s just a great opportunity to connect and go to the people.”
The pop-up will take place from: 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with appointments being recommended but not required for residents.
Residents can book their appointment by calling 705-745-2108 or emailing michelle.ferreri@parl.gc.ca.
Ferreri said that the main goal of this pop-up is to serve the people. She plans to host more of these events throughout the different townships within the Peterborough Kawartha riding to ensure all residents get the opportunity to utilize Service Canada services.
For those who cannot make the pop-up, they can still visit Ferreri’s office which is open Monday to Friday 9:30 a.m. 4:30 p.m. and is located at 417 Bethune St #4, Peterborough.