Regional Councillor Report

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

Date: May 24, 2011

Regional Council – May 18, 2011

Single Healthcare Corporation for Acute Hospitals in Durham Region

The motion endorsed by Ajax, Pickering, Uxbridge and the Region’s Health and Social Services Committee to request that the Central East LHIN explore how the goal of a single hospital corporation for all communities within Durham be achieved was referred back to Health and Social Services. This motion was brought forward by the Friends of the Ajax Pickering Hospital, to address the historic issues of the transfer of services to Scarborough. It is anticipated that a single hospital corporation will better meet the needs of the projected population growth in Durham that is expected to grow at more than twice the rate of any other community in the Central East LHIN. In addition, it is thought that fundraising efforts will significantly improve when focused on services within our community.

Approval of Consulting Costs for OMB Appeals – ROPA 128

A motion to approve the award of consulting costs of $303,295.00 was endorsed by the Region. The vote was 17 to 8. All Ajax Councillors, Clarington Councillors as well as Pickering Councillors McLean and Rodrigues (Councillor O’Connell was absent due to illness) voted against approving the costs. The lands in Northeast Pickering, which encompass the headwaters of the Carruthers, have been designated for future development in the Regional Official Plan 128. Both the province and Ajax are opposed due to its non-conformity to the Provincial Growth Plan. In addition, Ajax has concerns about future elevated flooding risks downstream in southeast Ajax. Clarington has concerns that employment lands in their community were not designated for development. The Ontario Municipal Board will be the approval authority dealing with the numerous appeals.