Regional Councillor Report

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

Date: Jan. 10, 2005

Regional Council - Dec. 15, 2004

Regional Transit

Regional Council approved the first step in the triple majority required to transfer the responsibility of transit services from lower tier municipalities to the Regional Municipality of Durham. The bylaw has an effective transfer date of January 1, 2006. In order to be
implemented it requires approval by a majority of municipalities that represent a combined total of a majority of electors in Durham Region. 

Courthouse

Attorney General Michael Bryant attended the Council meeting to announce the provincial government's plans to build a new courthouse in Durham which will consolidate court services currently spread across the
Region.

D.E.A.C.

The Durham Environmental Advisory Committee is seeking nominations for the 2005 DEAC Environmental Achievement Awards. Nominations can be made
for individuals or groups who have demonstrated their commitment to the environment. Further information and nominations are available on the Region's website.


District Health Council - Dec. 15, 2004

The Durham Haliburton Kawartha & Pine Ridge District Health Council approved the letter of support for the Town of Ajax to be designated as an under serviced area for general/family practioners.

The Underserviced Area Program (UAP) is one of a number of supports provided by the Ministry of Health & Long Term Care to assist communities in the recruitment and retention of physicians.

The guidelines require that in order to be designated, the District Health Council must review the designation related information and provide written recommendations to the ministry.

When specific criteria are met, the designation once approved by the Ministry, allows designated communities to offer free tuition in return for community service. In addition; communities can participate in the
annual recruitment tour of medical universities. If, after one year the community is still unsuccessful in its recruitment efforts, it can then offer up to $15,000.00 as an incentive grant to be divided over four years.

The benchmark to determine under serviced areas is 1380 residents per full time physician.

For 2003, the data indicates that the Town of Ajax is under serviced by at least 14 general/family physicians.

The District Health Council also noted the large population of youth and the current shortage of paediatricians in the region. Nearly two thirds
of Ajax-Pickering children receive care outside of their catchment area.

The District Health Council's endorsement of the Town of Ajax's request to be designated as under serviced will support this request of the Ministry.