Fears from several years ago came to the forefront at county council on Sept. 24 when members learned the provincial government is pulling back $624,866 from its Best Start funding for children.
The administration, finance and personnel committee recommended council maintain the current level of service by leaving the fee subsidy and wage subsidy allocations unchanged.
The committee also recommended the child care services department maintain a portion of the current $510,900 early learning operating grant allocation, with a reduction of $150,000 effective in January. That would mean reducing and reallocating staff positions while maintaining the current level of service.
The plan is to monitor special needs resources for possible restructuring, with potential savings used to increase fees and wages or to meet other needs in the community.
The final recommendation was to have the city and county commit 100% municipal dollars starting in 2010 to maintain the current level of service delivery.
County social services committee chairman Gord Tosh told council the entire recommendation means “a lot of money. I’m surprised there was no discussion by Guelph at the social services [meeting].”
Tosh said “if the province continues to pull out” he could see the city and county stuck with costs up to $2-million.
“I see this as very expensive,” he said.
Councillor Lou Maieron agreed, and said the council urgently needs to consider the entire issue.
“We are undergoing a paradigm shift in how child services are delivered,” he said.
He explained that years ago, when the provincial government was spending all the money on child care, he had asked what would happen “if it stops.”
He said he was told then the county would have to make some choices, and the motion indicated, “Now, we’re going to the property taxpayer.”
He said council needs to consider whether it can keep funding the programs, which he sees as getting more expensive by the year. He suggested council adopt the changes for a single year.
Maieron added if the province wants to pull the services, people should see that the province takes responsibility for the results. He moved, with Tosh seconding, that the county revisit the costs after 2010.
Finance committee chairman John Green said that staff were to monitor costs and see if there are savings and ways to deliver the program for less, and asked, “Is that not what Mr. Maieron wants?”
Councillor Rod Finnie said he understands the concerns, but if the county drops the program, “We are going to impact children.
He said the Best Start program has demonstrated its value, and it is important to maintain. He agreed it needs to be monitored, but said council should remember how important it is.
Councillor Brad Whitcombe said he has no problem with the county considering the program on an annual basis.
Maieron’s motion was voted on and defeated, with himself, Tosh, and councillor Mark MacKenzie in favour.
