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.

Budgets and catching up.

Well Folks I have not fallen off the face of the earth or had writers block.. Once a new Council gets sworn in we start the work immediately, new committees, some orientation sessions and workshops.
One of the first things we do is budgets. Everyone around the table is concerned and aware of the tough economic times we live in. How people are still struggling. But the other thing that happens is people still expect services and programming from the Town and Region.
For every tax dollar collected in Canada the municipalities receive the smallest part. Fifty percent goes to the federal government, forty two percent to the Province and just eight cents to be split among the Region and the Town. We do pretty good for what we actually get.
The municipal level of government delivers a variety of services that people depend on. From when you turn on your lights, water or go to leave your laneway you are impacted by it.
This year has been difficult as at the Town we are facing a variety of pressure. The Arena Task Force is proposing we build 3 new arenas in the next 4 years. We have the library about to go under construction. Then there are other recreational needs like parks, soccer fields and trails. The cycling Master Plan could potentially cost 15 million by the time it is finished and this year we are adding in money for construction on 2 of our major projects.
The preceding paragraph has over 50 million in projects. Staggering, I know. That was just the Town. Halton Region is facing budget challenges but they have been softened by uploading of Provincial items off the property tax base. However even when those items are uploaded there is still inequities in the budget. Items the province is supposed to cost share equally, never work out that way. Each time they do it costs the taxpayers in Halton. This is for items like Ambulance, public health and social assistance.
The budget for Health and Social Services is 235 million plus. About 95 million is what is charged to the tax base.
Social Service costs have gone up due to the economic downturn but we are hopeful they will start to be reduced. Social Services including housing employ about 1,000 people at the region. In both Health and Social Services al lot of our programs are legislated. We have to do them.
The good news is that both Winston Churchill and Steels are due for long needed upgrades.
We also have a request from the Hospital for funding that is about 4.5 million.
Raising taxes is never easy. But our constituents can rest assured we do not do it likely.
We spend a lot of time reading and preparing for budgets. I have always believed a Councillor should contribute, put forward ideas and vote. The easiest thing would be to vote against everything and not say a word. However I was elected to try and build a better, community, Town and Region. I will continue to be part of the budget process and will work with my colleagues on our vision of our home.

I also promise I will endeavour to write more...

The New Acton Library

Last week our Chief Librarian arranged for members of Council to have a tour of how work is progressing on the Acton Library.
The Town had received funding from the Federal and Provincial government under the “Economic Action Plan” to build a new library in Acton.
This project was originally planned for about 2015, the money allowed it to be brought ahead. It truly will be a legacy project and a focal point of the community.
One item of concern I have always had is the March 31st deadline. All of the projects had to originally be completed by that date to receive federal money. It was of great concern to hear senior members of government say that municipalities would be responsible for any funding after that point.
The Federal government then changed that due to continued lobbying by FCM and others to projects being “substantially completed” and last Thursday announced an extension to Oct 31st. While the need to change the deadline only applied to a small percentage of projects. It showed the Federal government was listening.


The new Library has giant windows overlooking the creek and the main entrance off of River Street. The stone walls that greet you off the School Lane entrance is reminiscent of the old “stone school” that used to be located in close proximity to the library. The walkway would be a perfect place for small bistro tables as a quiet place to sit and read. Or inside by the massive fireplace in a comfortable chair.
The building is being constructed to LEED silver which in part means, among other things, all garbage is sorted and recyclable material is removed form the waste stream. The heating is geothermal in partnership with our local hydro and greatly reduces the carbon foot print of the building.
While our old library has served us well. It is time for it to go. Our new one will be easily accessible for those in wheel chairs or other mobility issues, modern with heating and cooling, bright and inviting. Also of a size to fit our community that has changed dramatically since the old one was built as a 1967 Centennial project.


Thank you to the Federal and Provincial Government for the funding, our library board for its vision and Sydney Weaver for reminding us that all kids want to be able to visit the library.

I am...

Thanksgiving in Canada was in October, yesterday my friends in the US celebrated it but to me it is today. Today I am thankful to have a freezer full of food, a well stocked pantry and the ability to add a variety of veggies and items to my lunch, dinner or snacks.

I am thankful to have the means to buy fresh food and have a healthy diet and choice. I am also thankful I was able to participate in the Donated Diet to help me learn and understand. You truly can see the struggles some people go through.

I am also humbled as sometimes I have taken for granted our social safety net, assumed we will always be there to take care of those in our society who need a hand up.

I am mindful of some things that were said the other day. That all of us need to drop our bias’s we may have of why some one is using the food bank or on social assistance and offer help.
I am mindful of the cold today that may have some worried about putting the heat up a few degrees, or about where the money will come from for a winter coat or boots.

I am sorry as I have been guilty of donating close coded items to the food bank. From now on I will add in canned veggies and fruit. Even that would have been a treat!

I am respectful of those who try to be jugglers and provide for them selves and family under the difficult rules of our Social programs. Which first seems to try and rob you of your dignity and self respect.
I am confused as to why we allow something that costs the Canadian economy 72 Billion a year to continue. Governments will focus on cutting deficits but what about our people? All orders of government and all parties are responsible for not getting to work to eliminate poverty.

Finally, I am grateful to have been asked to participate. To be able to advocate on this issue and to try to work with Regional Staff and others to work for solutions.

I am grateful there are social agencies and people out there who spend everyday trying to help people.


I have always felt that the answer is not government but with all orders of government, social agencies, faith based groups and business working together.
We have work to do and need to get started…..NOW!

Who burnt the beans!

The Donated Diet Day 1
Well the day started innocently enough with instant coffee. Been a number of years since I have had instant coffee and forgot how little I enjoy it! I also had cheerio’s for breakfast. Not a big stretch as I do frequently.
I also decided if I have some of the larger items I would use what I had here and not open a box or package when I have one already open. The box I got I will give back to the food bank.
My morning seemed to be spent talking about the results of yesterdays summit and the diet. I talked to a reporter who was interested in hearing more about it.
I also dove into the box to do some menu planning. I noticed something that happens with some food that is donated. It was close coded or expired. Close coded is when the best before date is about to expire, or has expired. Caution always has to be exercised when that happens.
I opened the 3 items and found that they were indeed past. The metallic smell of the pineapple gives it away. I have a safe food handling certificate. What could have happened to someone who didn’t?
Lunch was an adventure. I opened a can of pork and beans. Added in some pepper and turned on the stove. The phone range and before I could get back to them well they were warm and a bit burnt. Keeping in mind trying to see what it was like, I knew some people may not be able to throw them out and open another can. So I ate them. With a can of tomato juice that was in the box.
Not the best meal I have had but with Rolaids it was sufficient.
I stopped this afternoon at St Albans Church in Glen Williams. They are a Tuesday drop off point for “Food for Life”. An organisation that distributes fresh food to a variety of drop off locations within Halton Region.
Walking into St Albans was truly humbling, not by the volume of food they may have given out today, but for the work they all do to assist people to get food who need it.
Today they had distributed food to 56 people when I had arrived. They were getting ready to pack up but they knew a regular had not dropped in and they did not want him to miss out. They also deliver food to people who call in.
Some of the items they had today were red and Spanish onions, peppers, romaine lettuce, ground beef, salmon, sausages and rabbit. They also had pepper squash and Anise.
Father Aaron Orear takes the initiative to find recipes for different vegetables that comes in so people who take them can cook with confidence.
I had heard one of the difficulties facing people who are on “food bank diets” is the type of food tends to be processed, high in starch, carbs, sugar and salt. Imagine if my Doctor said I had to lose weight and cut down blood pressure!
The relief I felt over seeing the meat was it opened up what dinner could be. I had a box of hamburger Helper but no meat. So I substituted ground beef I had at home, added in a pepper and onion and went to cook.
I had Hamburger helper, with onions, peppers and green beans. A snack during the evening was a orange stolen fromt eh poverty summit yesterday.
It will be interesting to step on the scale in the morning after the high fibre starch laden meals today.
So why do we figure someone who goes to a food bank is okay eating past expired food we would not?

The Donated Diet

Tonight for dinner I am having something not unusual for me. I am having a savory roasted Turkey breast with garlic mashed potatoes and gravy. Whole wheat bread and a garden fresh salad with Vidalia Dressing and grated parmesan cheese. Dessert will be apple pie with 4 yr old Cheddar cheese. Sound good? It will be…. Is it the different from what I cook at home most nights? A little bit but not that far from what I have.
I am a foodie… Self confessed person who loves to cook and enjoys the gastronomic delights a kitchen can hold. I grow my own spices in the summer along with garlic onions and tomatoes.
I used to be a Kitchen Manager for a 200 seat Fine dining restaurant, ran a pub and was the Food and Beverage Manager of a couple of golf courses.

But tonight in Halton and across our region will be people who are wondering what they are going to have. Whether they will have enough to afford both food and the hydro bill. Deciding if the few extra bucks will go to the car repair, new winter coat or for dinner.
We were asked today to think of the first thought we had that morning when the alarm went off. Was it about paying your bills, wondering where the next meal is coming from or a the need for a pair of winter boots? Probably not.
One of the items that was raised at the Halton Poverty Summit was the Donated Diet. The donated diet is designed to highlight the fact that a single person in Ontario would be required to live on $585 a month. That is after all assets and savings are exhausted.
WOW.
The idea of the Donated diet is that Community Leaders would be asked to live on 3 days worth of food that would come from a local food bank. The cost of the food would be donated so that no food is taken out of circulation or anyone needing the food would go without.
Doing the diet in Halton with me is; Gillian Tuck Kutarna is the HDSB trustee for Halton Hills and works at the legal clinic as a staff lawyer, Barbara Burton is the CEO of the United Way of Oakville, Brennan Carson is a board member of Food for Life, Dr. Bob Nosal is the Medical Officer of Health, Halton Region, Sheldon Wolfson is the Commissioner, Social and Community Services Department, Halton Region, Michael Bird is the Bishop of Niagara of the Anglican Church of Canada. Bishop Bird grew up in the Kerr St. area of Oakville and Ted Arnott, is the MPP for Wellington-Halton Hills.
It should be interesting. I immediately noticed a huge difference from what given to us. I had bread, coffee, sugar, a squash, flour and salt in my box. While others had ground beef, recipes, fresh fruit and vegetables. That is in addition to macaroni, pasta, box of cereal, pasta sauce, soup and canned fish and meat.
Some boxes looked pretty grim and empty by comparison. One I saw was so empty I was taking items out of mine and adding it to the other one. But all of us were given the addresses of where food agencies will be tomorrow for fresh fruit in our area.
As I was leaving I had someone come over and tell me that the reality would be I would look at the sandwiches and fruit left over. With that in mind I picked up 3 oranges. Dropped one into a box that was skimpy and took the other 2 home.

I will keep you posted as to what I create. My plan is to stick as close to the box as I can. If I need butter, milk or any other ingredients they will be used sparingly. My morning coffee will be from the box, instant. Spices? Not unless I have too. I know I have a lunch this week. My lunch that day will either be brown bagged or will be reminiscent of the contents in my box.

Some have suggested we do it for a month or 2 months to get the feel of it. While 3 days may seem like a small time to do it will provide a window into what some people face each day.
Stay tuned.

Halton Leadership Summit on Poverty Reduction

Today I attended the Poverty Summit. Rather timely after being at FCM meetings last week. The summit was well attended by social, faith, and other community groups. As well as leaders from the United Ways of Halton, Habitat for Humanity, school Boards. But most importantly by people who either are receiving social assistance or who have been recipients in the past. We were reminded the name should be elimination not reduction as reduction says that a level is allowed.

Poverty is estimated to cost the Canadian economy 72 Billion per year according to the Toronto Star editorial on Nov 21st. We have been studying it to death. We have the studies from the “social determinants of Health”; we have the data collected by the Our Kids Networks and the groups like the United Ways. We have the data what we have not had in Halton is the program or the people to push it. Push it big time. Hamilton has done a Roundtable on Poverty Reduction. That is a model I have had phone calls from people in other areas tell me we should do. Or the work of the Toronto City Summit Alliance.
The City of Vancouver has found that the cost of providing housing for someone is about 37,000 a year. But the cost for that same person if they were homeless is over $52,000 a year. The home gives them a base and a place to grow in and feel safe.
I do not think the solutions to Poverty elimination are all government. But business, community groups and all level of government must work together and find the solutions.

My thanks to the organisers for the hard work they did in getting everyone together.