Press Release
The Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board today announced reductions to its staffing complement to address the dynamically changing economic conditions of the district.
“The staffing reductions reflect the needs of our district municipalities and the reality of our continuing economic pressures,” said La Vallee Reeve Ross Donaldson, who currently chairs the local DSSAB.
“The board continues to focus on the increasing requirements to ensure the safe and effective delivery of Ontario Works, child care, social housing, and land ambulance, however the costs outweigh the municipalities’ ability to pay,” he noted.
“Serious cuts to our staffing complements are being made to ensure the continued delivery of essential services to the citizens of our district within the budgetary constraints established by our municipalities,” said DSSAB interim CAO Dan McCormick.
In total, six full-time equivalent positions are being eliminated, with the majority of the cuts affecting the social housing portfolio.
“These cuts are a direct result of the province’s failure to adequately fund the social housing program,” said Reeve Donaldson.
“The province froze funding for this program in 2002, forcing the taxpayers of the Rainy River District to fund the economic increases in the last 10 years,” he explained.
“This can no longer continue at the expense of the local taxpayers.”
Management acknowledged this is a difficult time for the DSSAB, which has not experienced a reduction in service demand.
It was noted the staffing reductions place additional work on existing staff.
This issue will be part of a DSSAB strategic planning session and job review scheduled this spring.
“Our staff are amongst the best in the province, and their caring and compassionate nature are clearly demonstrated in how we serve the residents of our district,” said McCormick.
“Their ongoing commitment and dedication are instrumental to the ability of our organization to continue to deliver quality programs to our citizens,” he added.
In 2012, the DSSAB intends to continue to pursue the province for adequate funding to address the pressures experienced by local municipalities.
It also aims to ensure the mandated programs continue to be delivered cost-effectively to the standards and quality both expected by district citizens and required by legislation.
