Regional Councillor Report

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

Date: March 9, 2009

Health And Social Services

Nutritious Food Basket

Each year the basic cost of a healthy diet is measured through the Nutritious Food Basket Survey, as mandated by the Ministry of Health Promotion, and each year the results show that low income households struggle to pay rent and bills, and to buy sufficient nutritious food for their family. Twelve grocery stores throughout the Region were surveyed to record the lowest cost of 66 food items to determine the average cost of a nutritious diet in Durham Region.

Survey results for 2008 found that the cost to purchase groceries in Durham Region for a nutritionally adequate diet is $140.73 per week or $609.83 per month for a family of four – two parents with two children. In Durham Region in 2006, nine percent or 50,500 residents reported some level of being unsure or unable to feed their family but in 2006 only 28,796 families accessed the major food banks in Durham Region.

The Association for Local Public Health Agencies is partnering with the 25 in 5 network for Poverty Reduction in a campaign to urge the Ontario government to create a $100.00 Healthy Food Supplement for all adults on social assistance. During these times of economic difficulty and hardship, it would assist low income families to “put food in the budget”. Progress would be made on the government’s commitment to reduce poverty by 25% in 5 years. It would also be an investment that prevents poor health and therefore meets the government’s long term vision for reduced healthcare costs.

Social Services Caseload Increase - Childcare Waiting List

Reports from the Social Services Department indicate that the social services caseload in January 2009 shows an increase of 10.8%. In Ajax, the increase is 29.6% from 846 in January 2008 to 1,097 in January 2009. Another report shows that 527 children are on the waiting list for subsidized childcare in Ajax.

Joint Finance and Works

Lawrie Rood Flooding Issues

A report to approve the hiring of a consultant for the amount of $450,000.00 to further study issues that could potentially be creating sewage backups in south Ajax was approved by the Committee. The Committee requested that staff report to the Committee every 60 days as to their findings. An amendment that would provide some financial assistance to homeowners by means of a forgivable loan program was defeated, based on the rationale that to do so could present a potential liability issue for the Region, however, it should be noted that municipalities such as Toronto, Peterborough, Edmonton, Halton and others have provided subsidies to their residents who are suffering from flooding issues.