Regional Councillor Report

Submitted by: Colleen Jordan, Regional Councillor Wards 3 & 4

Date: April 26, 2010

Regional Council – April 21, 2010

The by-law to approve the following question being placed on the October 25, 2010 municipal election ballot in every Durham Region municipality was approved by Regional Council on a vote of 17 to 6. All Ajax Councillors voted in favour.

“Are you in favour of the Council of The Regional Municipality of Durham passing the necessary resolutions and by-laws to change the method of selecting its Chair from appointment by the members of Regional Council to election by general vote of all electors in the Region.”

YES NO

Health and Social Services – April 8, 2010

Motions approved by Health and Social Services Committee at their meeting April 8th that requested the Province continue the Special Diet Allowance for Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program recipients who have medical conditions were approved by Regional Council. Eligible persons who have been receiving the special diet allowance require verification by a qualified medical practitioner. This allowance was eliminated in the Province of Ontario’s March 2010 budget, citing the need to develop a new administrative process to manage a new nutritional supplement program. Concerns have been raised by public health and social services agencies as to the negative health effects on recipients if this allowance is eliminated while a new program is being developed. In addition, the motion requested that the province work with the Ontario Municipal Social Services Association, Association of Local Public Health Agencies and Association of Municipalities of Ontario to improve the Special Diet Allowance.

The approved motion also called on the provincial government to increase the basic allowance portion of Ontario Works and the Ontario Disability Program to reflect the actual cost of a Nutritious Food Basket.