Regional Councillor Clark Somerville announced his intention to file to run for FCM's third Vice President

For Immediate Release

February 6, 2013

Today, at Regional Council, Halton Hills Regional Councillor Clark Somerville announced his intention to file to run for third Vice President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM). He received unanimous support from Regional Council. Councillor Somerville has served as a Board member for FCM for 5 years and is one of 11 elected to serve Ontario. He has served on the rural forum, and committees dealing with Infrastructure, Finance, Social Economic Development  and Intergovernmental relations.

“Clark has been instrumental in advocating for Halton and for the much needed funding for our projects,” commented Regional Chair Gary Carr.  “It’s because of the advocacy efforts of Clark and Regional Council that we have been successful in receiving funding for infrastructure and housing projects across Halton.”

“Clark has the advantage of a balanced perspective on both rural and urban issues,” said Rick Bonnette, Mayor of Halton Hills. “If elected, this will give a stronger voice to FCM about the needs of Canadian communities.”

“After careful consideration and consultation with my colleagues across Canada, I have decided to file my papers to run for third Vice President of FCM,” said Regional Councillor Clark Somerville.  “I am humbled by the support shown by Regional Council, and am looking forward to this opportunity to better represent Halton and advocate for our community’s needs.”

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) is the national voice of Canada’s municipalities, speaking for almost 2000 cities and communities representing 90 per cent of Canada’s population. Its national Board is comprised of municipal leaders from across Canada, and meets quarterly to set policy priorities.  The election will take place at the FCM annual conference in June 2013.

The Regional Municipality of Halton serves more than 500,000 residents in the City of Burlington, the Town of Halton Hills, the Town of Milton, and the Town of Oakville. Halton Region is committed to meeting the needs of its residents through the delivery of cost-effective, quality programs and services, including water and wastewater; Regional roads and planning; emergency medical services; waste management; public health; social assistance/Ontario Works; children’s and seniors’ services; social/non-profit housing; heritage programs; emergency management and economic development. For more information, dial 311 or visit Halton Region’s website at www.halton.ca.

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Media Contact:

Mabel Watt

Senior Strategic Advisor

Office of the Regional Chair

905-825-6050

mabel.watt@halton.ca

The Hospital funding Question

Haltom Hills Council has been asked to participate in the funding of an expanded Emergency room and a CT scanner at Georgetown hospital. The total cost of this project is 12 million dollars. The Town is being asked to provide 4.54 million.
The biggest question is “Why are out tax dollars being used to fund a hospital? Should it not be Provincial money?”

To me the answer to that one is yes, it should be, however, the Province now requires that for any new hospital construction that there is a Municipal share. It is Provincial policy that we contribute.
I have always had difficulty and am philosophically opposed to us having to fund hospitals. Our budgets get stretched as it is!
For each tax dollar raised in Canada the Federal government gets 50 cents, the Provincial gets 42 cents and the Municipalities get 8 cents. Divided up among the Region and Town for all services we deliver.
Health care in Canada is under the Canada Health Care Act and paid for by the Federal government and the Province. But it is up to the Province to deliver the service.
Hospitals are meant to provide a “regional" type service. If I get sick and go to the local hospital I may be transferred to one in another community that may have the expertise or staff that can assist me. They do not turn me away because I live out of Town. Instead the staff treats me, make me well and send me home.
That is how it is supposed to work.
If there is funding out of a tax base it should be looked at as a Region. I plan to pursue that one a bit more. Though it is unl;ikely as we had a report the last term that left it at the local level.
However, I support funding our Georgetown Hospital. Here is why.
Seven years ago we fought like hell to keep our hospital from losing obstetrics and starting the slow long painful road to closing. We face the same thing today. If we go the route of trying to get funding for the CT scanner and expansion, it could be 7 to 10 years. In the mean time our hospital will fall farther behind in equipment, then staff.
Doctors and Nurses will stop coming to Georgetown as we do not have the equipment available for them to diagnose. People will stop using it as they know for a simple procedure of standard equipment like the CT scan; it can mean a 6 hour trip to Milton or Oakville.
We, as a community stood up and said how important our hospital is. Not just to our health and well being, but also as a tool for attracting businesses to locate here.
In the last week I, as have other members of Council received numerous comments, emails and questions on the funding of the hospital. The vast majority are in favour. Some are opposed to it on principal, some on reasons that do not follow the course of normal logic.
But we as Civic leaders must do our duty and find out what the cost will be. We also must listen to each side and make sure that we understand the reasons for those opposed.
We also need to make sure that if we do this that safe guards are in place for the money put in by the Town.
However we also have to recognize the value the hospital has, how it is up to all of us to support it and make sure it is “healthy.”
Because if we do not, it will surely wither and slowly die.