The Eastern Ontario Mayors’ Caucus will take issues regarding mental health directly to the Ontario Minister of Health during the Association of Municipalities of Ontario virtual meetings this week.
Belleville Mayor Mitch Panciuk tells Quinte News that mental health issues are on the list of topics the caucus wants to discuss.
Panciuk says mental health and transitional housing are some of the topics to be raised during a meeting with Minister of Health Christine Elliott.
He referred to the request by Councillor Chris Malette recently to hold a local forum about police budget money and funding for mental health.
Panciuk will also be part of the Mayors’ Caucus meeting on Long Term Care Tuesday afternoon.
Premier Doug Ford addressed the AMO meeting on Monday stressing the importance of municipalities and the province “standing together” during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The premier outlined the funding the province is providing, including billions to municipalities and billions to “critical services.”
Panciuk tells Quinte News, “This restart money, we’re going to be getting it soon. There’s no question we’re going to get the money. I’m not concerned at all about that. They’ve made this commitment and it’s just going t0 go through. The funding they promised us, we’re going to get.”
Councillor Ryan Williams and CAO Rod Bovay are also participating in the conference.
