Disability support program being uploaded

Michael Lewis, chair of the Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board, fully supports the province’s decision to “upload,” or take back, the Ontario Disability Support Program and costs for the Ontario Drug Benefit.
“Municipalities in the District of Rainy River will realize significant cost savings as a result,” said Lewis.
“Since 2002, our DSSAB has been very vocal in voicing our opposition to the payment of ODSP program and administration costs,” he noted. “We have had no say for pay.”
The provincial and municipal shares of ODSP costs make up roughly 30 percent of the local DSSAB’s total budget.
The municipal responsibility for ODSP and drug benefit costs will be eliminated over a four-year period, beginning with the elimination of the drug benefit cost this coming January.
By January, 2011, 100 percent of the ODSP and drug costs will be borne by the province.
Linda Armstrong, who chairs the local DSSAB’s Ontario Works committee, reported that “individual municipalities will see big savings.”
“For example, at the completion of the phase-in, Fort Frances will save almost $380,000 per year, under the current apportionment formula,” she noted.
“Atikokan will save about $161,000, Chapple almost $67,000 annually.”
Committee member Emily Watson expressed her support by saying “this will allow municipalities an opportunity to redirect the dollars.”
“We will have more money for repair and maintenance of roads in our communities,” she stressed.
Municipalities consider this announcement an important milestone in the ongoing Provincial-Municipal Fiscal and Service Delivery Review.
The final report on the province’s review is expected to recommend further adjustments to the fiscal framework in February, 2008.