MPP Sandals has done a reasonable job in describing the status quo AND it is precisely the status quo that is the City’s concern.
We continue to reject that the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Board and the Counties of Wellington and Dufferin should be able to make decisions that put $17 M of debt on Guelph taxpayers without the approval of their duly elected Council.
We reject that the taxpayers in Guelph, Wellington, and Dufferin should have to bear 100% of the accommodation costs for the proposed facility in Guelph when the Province pays 75% of accommodation costs in other municipalities.
I am surprised that MPP Sandals has asserted “it is the responsibility of the Board of the Public Health Unit to determine whether their next home should be owned or leased.” The City disagrees that this is a decision of the Board, and in fact this is precisely the issue that is before the courts.
If we are successful with the injunction, we will work with Public Health to address their accommodation needs in Guelph.
If we are unsuccessful, we will have confirmed that the current governance model is grossly flawed and unaccountable to the taxpayers of Guelph. The City will continue to work to seek fairness for our residents and businesses.
With respect to MPP Sandals’ comment that Guelph taxpayers would pay 100% of accommodation costs under a Guelph-based Health Unit, my response is that our taxpayers would have a say in that accommodation and its costs – for example, whether it should be leased or owned – in contrast to the current situation, where they are expected to pay for brand new, stand-alone, single-purpose building without the consent of their elected officials.
It is interesting to see the Province’s Infrastructure Loan Program is being expanded to recognize and promote partnerships amongst social and community health providers, including public health. This is the type of solution that we suggested to the Premier rather than building a stand-alone single-purpose building.
Karen Farbridge
