There is no question that identity theft and technological access to the ability to manipulate information are valid issue and cost millions of dollars and oodles of inconvenience for governments, business, and private individuals. However, in dealing with these issues you can't help but shake your head at the group think that must have gone on in forcing people with precious little time to jump through hoops just to make sure that they can take their toddlers to the doctor.
It is flu season and my son has the flu. Having recently relocated and with a busy career, I admit it, I lost the stupid renewal form. But now I have to go to an office, and not just any ohip office. One that is not privately run. Of course figuring out which office is a ministry run office requires a private investigator's certificate from a community college. Too bad I don't have the time to go get one.
The people who work in either type of office are not inclined to tell you that it is the wrong office until you have paid your dues by waiting in the wrong line twice. Then, you have to bring all sorts of proof and id for something that they would have accepted a signature for if you just mailed the stoopid form in, in the first place.
When I asked why the card expires in the first place I was told that it is because so many people leave the country. Well, then have card for citizens that doesn't and have a card for temporary and permanent residents and people here on a visa. Why should a baby born on Canadian soil have to go through the same suspicion and scrutiny as people who were born elsewhere?
It may not be a politically correct thing to say but it would be nice if logic prevailed on this one.
Way to spent tax payer's money... and yes, my time is worth money!
