A local social housing program has become a bone of contention between the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and the Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board.
The board received a letter from the ministry in early February, informing them they would be assuming administrative responsibility for the Fort Frances Native Urban Wahkaihganun Corp. beginning March 1.
While a number of social housing programs were downloaded from the province to municipalities in 2002, this particular program was not because it was designated a “project in difficulty,” noted DSSAB CEO Donna Dittaro.
“Back in May, 2002, we sent a letter to the ministry expressing various concerns we had about the program,” she said.
Those concerns included high administration costs of the program, building condition audits, large maintenance expenditures, and a funding shortfall.
With less than a month’s notice, and no information as to whether these issues had been addressed, the board balked. At its regular monthly meeting Feb. 19, DSSAB voted to “refuse to accept” responsibility for the program.
“The board feels very strongly about it. They’re not prepared to just accept it,” Dittaro said. “Not until we have some guarantee that these issues have been resolved.”
At a special meeting held Monday, DSSAb passed a second resolution “refusing to accept the transfer materials,” Dittaro said.
These are generally files and records that are forwarded when a program is transferred.
“We’re requesting a face-to-face meeting with ministry officials to get some reassurance that these issues have been addressed,” Dittaro remarked.
“The program is no longer in difficulty,” Nicholas But, manager of programs administration for the ministry, said during a phone interview with the Times on Friday.
He admitted the program was running “a minor deficit,” but said a reduction plan was in place to correct it. “All other outstanding issues have been resolved,” But stressed.
As for DSSAB’s “refusal to accept” the program, But said it doesn’t work that way. “If they have specific concerns, of course we would address them,” he noted.
He said ministry staff would be willing to travel to Fort Frances to speak with DSSAB members to discuss the program.
As of press time, Dittaro could neither confirm nor deny But’s statements because she had not heard from the ministry. “I’ve heard nothing back,” she said. “Hopefully the issues have all been addressed.”
Dittaro stressed the board wanted more information about the program before taking over the reins.
“It’s like getting a new babysitter for your baby. You simply don’t just hand over the baby and then walk out the door. You usually leave instructions,” she said.
“That’s not acceptable at all.”
(Fort Frances Times)
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
