Manitouwadge represented @ OGRA
Manitouwadge issues brought forward at OGRA Conference
by Karina Hunter
Manitouwadge Council Members Donna Jaunzarins, George Bodak and Mayor John MacEachern, attended the Ontario Good Roads Association (OGRA) conference held in Toronto last month. Manitouwadge’s presence there was important ensuring our concerns would be heard among those brought forward by the more than 36 elected representatives of 18 municipalities from Northwestern Ontario who also participated. The Mayor, John MacEachern, sitting as vise president of NOMA (Northwestern Ontario Municipalities Association), along with the entire executive, working with the area communities, brought forward the Proposed Growth Plan for Northern Ontario (Click to download a PDF of the Proposed Growth Plan for Northern Ontario) and the many serious issues facing Northwestern Ontario municipalities including:
§ Our economic situation and its social impacts;
§ Request for an increase in the Northern Communities Grant;
§ The need for an affordable, long-term industrial energy rate;
§ A call for additional environmental assessment officers to reduce application processing delays and for Provincial geo-science mapping;
§ The importance of Government support to ensure mining opportunities are realized;
§ Forest tenure and the need for a law that establishes 26 million cubic metres of available fibre on a sustained basis;
§ Non-urgent Patient Transportation challenges;
§ Support for establishment of a Northern Growth Secretariat and a Northern Ontario Public Policy Institute;
§ Creation of a new MaRS North Discovery District for R&D; and,
§ The need to establish Northwestern Offices for the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs and the Ministry of Economic Development & Trade.
Jaunzarins gave a presentation to the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) demonstrating Manitouwadge’s suitability as a forward attack base; she emphasized that not only does the community have needed infrastructure in place already, representing considerable financial savings to the Ministry should it be chosen but it would also enhance existing coverage.
Jaunzarins noted a workshop on LHINs (Local Health Integration Networks are not-for-profit corporations responsible for planning, funding and managing health services in their communities; they do not provide services directly but are responsible for integrating services in each of their specific geographic areas) as one of those which were particularly interesting to her as a Northern Ontario Council Member. Jaunzarins addressed the panel with concerns regarding LHINs now being asked to enhance outcomes, services, and increased savings following a request four years ago, that Ontario hospitals cut back to the “bare bones”, her queries and comments included:
- Asking how it is hoped that Ontario hospitals meet expectations if a 0% budget increase may occur?
- Noting that she found it disconcerting that 60% of CEO’s from the 14 LHINs in Ontario have resigned or moved on in the short years since the service was initiated.
- Asking if – with 14 different LHINs, 14 different funding modes and
therefore presumably14 different priorities – there will be a re-examining of the budget and review of departments for duplications - Asking will – with 5 LHINs in the Toronto area alone – cutting the number of LHINs be considered?
Not surprisingly, Jaunzarins was not given specific answers to these questions; at question periods such as this one, the community representatives are often voicing their concerns to ensure they are made note of that the Ministers and others responsible look into them further and weigh them into future decisions.
Finally, the Manitouwadge representatives were among approximately 3,000 attendants at the Bear Pit where provincial concerns were brought forward. Issues addressed during the debates included Senior services for all of Ontario, which was asked of the Minister of Health by Councilor Bodak, Reviewing Departments for Duplications, Bill 237, Remainder of 50/50 Funding for Ambulatory Services and Keeping Smelters in Canada .
Submitted to The Echo, 03.17.10
ABOUT THE OGRA: The mandate of the Ontario Good Roads Association is to represent the infrastructure interests of municipalities through advocacy, consultation, training and the delivery of identified services.
This mandate translates into five main business objectives:
• To advocate for sustainable funding for municipal infrastructure.
• To advocate the collective interests of our members through policy analysis, legislative review and consultation.
• To provide affordable and accessible education and training services.
• To promote leadership with regard to infrastructure asset management.
• To develop plans, programs and partnerships for the delivery of services that meet the needs of our members
It is one of Canada’s largest municipal associations representing the transportation and public works-related concerns of 445 municipalities and many First Nation communities of Ontario. The OGRA has aided municipalities in their efforts to provide efficient and effective transportation systems for more than a century. Through the association’s representation to governments, and through growing educational programs and services, new workshops, member forums and innovative electronic networks, OGRA supports its members in meeting their responsibilities to design, build, maintain and manage roads and structures in Ontario. The Township of Manitouwadge’s membership in OGRA means access to a vast information exchange network and an important support structure, more importantly, attendance by council members at conventions like the one held in Toronto, Feb 21st – 24th allows them present bids on projects such as the OMNR’s Forward Attack Base in person, this comes with opportunity to dispel doubts and elaborate on suitability – hard to do with through letters that can often become lost in bureaucracy.
