Dear editor:
It has come to my attention that the Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board will, in the near future, become responsible for the administration of the district ambulance services.
Frankly, we always have been more than satisfied with the services provided by the ambulance department of Riverside Health Care Facilities, Inc.
The relocation of the ambulance garages will be at a substantial cost to local taxpayers. Three towns presently have ambulance garages, which are owned by Riverside:
1. The Rainy River ambulance garage is free standing, therefore it could be purchased by the local DSSAB.
2. The Emo ambulance garage is on hospital property and could, I assume, either be leased, or land would have to be purchased and a building erected.
3. The Fort Frances ambulance garage is on hospital property and so a new location would have to be found. This property would have to be centrally located, with a garage large enough to house at least four ambulances.
Furthermore, there are 10 First Nation bands in Rainy River District. First Nations always have maintained a good working relationship with Riverside, and actively have participated in the fundraising drive for upgrades to our health care facilities.
There is a First Nation representative on Riverside’s board of directors, but currently First Nations do not have a seat on the Rainy River DSSAB. How will First Nations be affected by the change? Will those services remain, and will their future needs be met by local DSSAB?
With respect to Health minister George Smitherman, why fix something that isn’t broken?
Signed,
Wendy Judson
Emo, Ont.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
