Municipalities within the Kenora and Rainy River District will likely be paying for money to the Northwestern Health Unit.
Health Minister Christine Elliott told delegates attending the Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference in Ottawa says that the cost-sharing of public health services will become a 70-30 split with municipalities responsible for 30 per cent.
“In the first year, no public health unit will experience an increase over 10 per cent of current public health costs as a result of this cost-sharing change. That’s the protection we have built in to ease the transition,” says Elliott.
Elliott also announcing a new round of consultation this fall into a possible merging of health units.
“This next phase of engagement will be supported by an expert advisor, dedicated to this work. Over the next few weeks, we will work with this advisor, with input from AMO, to begin this consultation, which we expect to launch this fall.”
Elliott says there will also be a discussion paper that outlines the proposed boundaries for new health units.
“These proposals are intended to help guide these consultations. They should in no way be considered final or inflexible.”
There had been talks earlier this year of a possible merger between the Northwestern Health Unit with the Thunder Bay District Health Unit.
