Regional Councillor Report

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

Date: November 24, 2008

Regional Council - November 19, 2008

Health and Social Services Funding Gap

Council received a presentation from Tariq Asmi, Growing Communities Healthcare Alliance, which highlighted the growing gap in funding for health and social services in high growth communities. The Central East LHIN hospital funding gap is expected to be $377 million or $245.00 per resident in 2009-2010. For social services, the GTA/905 funding gap of $708.2 million (2005-2006) also continues to widen.

Regional Council endorsed a resolution requesting that the Province speed up implementation of the $100 million hospital growth funding commitment to ensure growth funding is targeted to high growth hospitals and to quickly implement an Health Based Allocation Model, i.e. population needs based funding for provincial hospital and health care services, and to also develop a population needs funding formula for social services. In addition, the Province was asked to develop a health and social services growth plan to complement Places to Grow.

Annual Review of Social Housing Programs

A report and presentation received at the Joint Health and Social Services Committee and Finance highlighted a number of concerns regarding the social housing portfolio. The Capital Reserves shortfall, as indicated by building condition assessments and reserve fund studies for the downloaded social housing portfolio, predicts a shortfall of between $127 and $149 million over the next 20 years. As the economy takes a downturn the rising costs to providers, due to potential higher rent arrears and/or bad debt as well as a reduction in incomes which will require a higher subsidy, also pose financial risks to the Region. The Region has requested that costs related to social housing be uploaded to the Province. As the Provincial Municipal Fiscal Review recognizes the role of the Federal Government, the Region has also endorsed a recommendation that the federal government invest capital funds for the rehabilitation and renewal of social housing programs.

Ontario Public Health Standards

The new Ontario Public Health Standards are to come into force on January 1, 2009 with the exception of the Safe Water Program Standard which comes into effect December 1, 2008. The Ontario Public Health Standards and Protocols are available at www.health.gov.on.ca.

The delivery of these mandatory public health programs and services are intended to achieve provincial consistency while providing local flexibility. The review of the standards was a commitment under Operation Health Protection and reflect the findings of key reports in public health. The new standards and protocols reinforce the significance of population health assessment and surveillance, infectious disease prevention and management, as well as public health emergency management as key functions for Boards of Health. Work is now underway toward the development of a performance management framework with a focus on outcomes which will hold Boards of Health accountable. The Ministry has stated that there will be no additional funds beyond program based grants to support implementation of the new standards and protocols and that the OPHS and Protocols are expected to be revenue neutral.

Clear Bags Pilot Study

A three month pilot project has been approved to run from January 12 until April 10, 2009 to assess whether there is an increase in diversion and participation in the recycling and compost programs. The Region has endorsed a commitment to a 70% diversion rate.

Flooding Issues

A report is expected at the November 26^th Regional Works Committee.