Rouge Valley Health System 

A motion, was endorsed unanimously by Regional Council, urging the Board of Directors of RVHS to reconsider the decision to transfer pediatric and obstetrical services and related services to the Centenary site and honour its commitments to provide full hospital services to the residents of Ajax, Pickering and Whitby.  Included in that motion was that the Region withhold its $3.5 million dollar commitment for the capital expansion until such time as the Region is satisfied as to the services provided at the Ajax-Pickering site.

Physician Shortage 

Due to the fact that the municipalities of Ajax and Pickering have not been designated by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care as being underserviced by physicians and that the reason given for the temporary transfer of obstetrical and pediatric services at the Ajax-Pickering site was the shortage of pediatricians, Regional Council endorsed a motion reconfirming its commitment to support the municipalities with their efforts in being designated as underserviced.  Regional Council also directed its Economic and Development Department to work collaboratively and cooperatively with boards of trade/chambers of commerce, hospitals and other health agencies or facilities, Greater Toronto Marketing Alliance, local economic development departments, physician recruitment committees, etc. to recruit physicians to Durham Region.  The motion also recommends to the Board and CEO of the Central East LHIN that tackling the physician shortage in Durham Region be given top priority and actively pursued.  

Guidelines for 2006 Regional Property Tax Budget 

Regional Council approved the following Guidelines for the 2006 Regional Property Tax Budget. 

The new Durham Region Transit Commission is not to exceed an increase of 5% ($16.5 million) on the 2006 Regional Property Tax Rate with 4% funding from Property Taxes and the 1% additional funds to be taken from the General Levy Rate Stabilization Reserve fund. On a recorded vote (Parish, Jordan not in favour) it was approved that this 1% increase would come from the tax rate stabilization fund.) 

The 2006 Budget for Regional Departments is not to exceed an increase of 3.5% in the 2006 Regional Property Tax Rate, after consideration of assessment growth. 

The previously targeted increase of 1.0%, for the Regional Roads Reserve Funds (Rehabilitation and Growth Related) be postponed in 2006 in order to mitigate 2006 tax impacts. 

The previously targeted increase to the Special Roads Levy and Special Roads Rehabilitation Reserve Funds be reconsidered in establishing the 2007 Budget Property Tax Guideline;  

The 2006 Budget for Conservation Authorities allow for a 5% increase in the operations budget to a level of $3,164,700 for 2006, and the capital/project budget for 2006 be maintained at the 2005 level of $2.4 million. 

That in order to ensure that the Regional Roads program is not unduly affected by the above recommendation to defer the planned annual 1% increase in the Regional Roads Special and Rehabilitation Reserve Funds, a contribution, on a one-time basis only, of $3.3 million be made from the General Levy Rate Stabilization Reserve Fund to the 2006 Roads Rehabilitation Reserve ($1.65 million) and the Special Roads Reserve – growth related ($1.65 million). 

Greater Toronto Marketing Alliance 

The report from the Region’s Economic Development and Tourism Department that recommended redirection of the funds supporting the Region’s partnership in the Greater Toronto Marketing Alliance to an in-house model was received for information.  Regional Council approved continuation of the $100,000.00 commitment to the GTMA for one more year and that a decision on a multi year service agreement be considered in 2007. 

Pay Assurance 

The Region of Durham endorsed a motion that the policies of pay assurance in principle be adopted.   Mayor Parish and Regional Councillor Jordan did not vote in favour of pay assurance noting concerns raised by the Regional Treasurer and Local Municipal Treasurers regarding additional administrative costs and unwarranted risks that would be borne by municipalities.