Following a two percent levy increase from the Northwestern Health Unit last year, the Town of Fort Frances now is facing a five percent hike—from $35 per capita to $36.75—which it will be tough to take.
“We never budgeted for it,” said Mayor Glenn Witherspoon. “It’s going to as hard for us to find the money as it has been for them. It’s not going to be easy.
“Maybe the health unit should take another look at the way it operates,” he added.
“Now we have to find $13,000,” noted Coun. Deane Cunningham.
But as the Administration and Finance executive committee now has to figure out a way to find the extra cash, matters could have been worse.
John Albanese, who chairs the health unit board, told town council Monday night that the health unit originally was looking for a total of $1.1 million from municipalities in the Kenora-Rainy River districts to deliver mandated services.
But he said the board was adamant that municipalities could not afford more than a five percent levy increase (which, among all the municipalities, comes to a total of only $187,000 more than last year—far short of the $1.1 million).
“We are responsible for the people we represent. That’s why we went for the five percent,” said Albanese.
Albanese and Bill Martin, the town’s municipal appointee on the health unit board, stressed the funding woes stem from the fact the provincial government hasn’t come through with grant money for the unincorporated areas the health unit services, nor public health units in general.
“What kind of pressure have you put on these people?” asked Mayor Witherspoon.
“Every month, we reach out our hands, like a bunch of broke guys, and say, ‘Can you help us?” replied Albanese.
Martin noted only two percent of the province’s health budget goes to public health, adding the preventive aspect of public health—if supported more—could drastically reduce health care spending when it comes to treatment.
Recalling how dire the public health situation for the region was reported to be at the Rainy River District Municipal Association meeting last month, Coun. Struchan Gilson wondered why this wouldn’t act as leverage when dealing with the province.
“Have we been pushing that part of it? We have a major health problem here!” he exclaimed.
“The problem is getting bigger, the money is getting less. That’s why we’re here asking you to lobby,” said Albanese, noting municipal councils here and elsewhere in the two districts should contact provincial Health and Long-term Care minister Tony Clement or federal Health minister Anne McLellan in support of the health unit’s plight.
“Why don’t you just send them [the province] the bill? $36.75 times the number of people in the unincorporated areas,” said Coun. Deane Cunningham.
“Give us the ammunition. If you know the population of the unorganized areas, then give it to us,” he added.
“Give us what you got and we’ll do it,” echoed Coun. Sharon Tibbs.
“The election is coming. Forward those letters as soon as you can,” said Albanese. “You know they like to spend money at this time.”
Town council agreed to defer the levy increase to the Administration and Finance executive committee, as well as make an effort to relay the message that the health unit needs more funding to government officials at every opportunity.
“We will lobby,” Mayor Witherspoon vowed Tuesday. “We should be proactive. The health unit is proactive when it comes to health care.
“You would think the government shouldn’t be reactive, but proactive, too.”
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
