The City of Dryden is taking aggressive action against Northwestern Health Unit municipal levies.
Council has agreed to only pay the 2019 rates, about $30,000 less than the 2020 levy.
The resolution was presented by Mayor Greg Wilson
Wilson is also requesting the health unit conduct a line by line audit and service review of programs as well as look for cost reduction and cost saving opportunities.
Shayne MacKinnon voted against the motion, stressing he was dismayed with the decision.
MacKinnon says they need to work cooperatively with the health unit to present a common voice to the provincial government.
He adds local health officials should have the opportunity to present their case in person to Council, noting their budget hasn’t increased in several years.
MacKinnon notes the health unit is having trouble providing suitable services with the budget they have now.
He says arms-length provincial organizations, such as the Northwestern Health Unit, are under tremendous pressure right now with the restructuring of funding and modernization.
MacKinnon notes Council should instead be passing a motion calling on the province to reverse its decisions on public health.
“Start a dialogue with these organizations rather than just coming forward in a draconian way and saying we’re cutting your funding or we’re restructuring your funding without any dialogue, without any thought on how it impacts municipalities.”
