It’s a wait-and-see game for the Hastings Prince Edward Public Health regarding financial and size changes from the provincial government.
Commenting on the province cutting funding, Chair Jo-Anne Albert told the board meeting on Wednesday there will be transitional funding of 10% and more if it is needed.
Earlier in the year, the provincial government announced that the original funding formula of 75% paid by the province and 25% by municipalities would change to a 70-30 split in 2020.
In terms of the financial change and the possible amalgamation Albert made this comment to Quinte News.
Director of Administration Valerie Dunham told the board they won’t know what the transition funding will be and might not even know until next year.
Albert also referred to the meeting of the Association of Municipalities in August when she said the Minister of Health Christine Stewart didn’t answer questions about the cuts. “I honestly don’t believe she quite understands and doesn’t know the impact (of the budget cut).”
Finance Committee Chair Terry Cassidy warned, “The uncertainty has gone down a little bit, but … it’s important that we be vigilant.” He said health units should watch for provincial changes and respond quickly.
The government’s original amalgamation proposal would have had the local health unit join with others in Eastern Ontario as a cost-saving plan.
That is now on hold.
Albert stated, “It just won’t work,” saying the different units would have to “helicopter to one another.”
