I'm actually scared to post this review, lest ServiceOntario track me down and punish me for not waiting in line long enough.
Time from start to finish to get a new health card and driver's licence at 10am on a Thursday:
5 minutes.
Exhibit A: http://www.yelp.ca/biz_photos/tj5U7HPhndTKMvHbbE7jJg?select=gU3MzM4SkuTlbTfAhpxdRw - taken while waiting in line at reception. The tabletop card said the estimated wait time was 45 minutes. D105 & 106 were being called while I was in line. The number I was handed? D107.
I rushed over to get my photo taken for a new health card and was immediately put back into the queue for my driver's licence. They called my number as I was collecting my things from the health card counter, and I had to sprint across the office, past Exhibit B: http://www.yelp.ca/biz_photos/tj5U7HPhndTKMvHbbE7jJg?select=ITc6093dSNs_Lj4WWqFCkw - hundreds of people waiting to get their licences renewed and hoping they wouldn't notice I had nary arrived on the scene. It was akin to tiptoeing past a sleeping giant.
I changed outfits for photo op #2 (!) and tried not to grin in my driver's licence photo, since you're no longer allowed to show any emotion and dashed out of there - nay, I glided. I looked like the incredulous woman in that IKEA customer from last season who couldn't believe what a deal she'd just scored: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6C7oqXewyCE
TIPS:
- bring something with your current address on it (ie a bill)
- bring a passport to cover your citizenship, photo ID, DOB bases
- don't come here at lunchtime
UPDATE:
My new licence arrived in the mail within 7 days. Mind-boggling!!