The Renfrew Mercury April 18, 2019

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THURSDAY

APRIL 18, 2019

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HEALTH RESTRUCTURING WORRIES MUNICIPALITIES JOHN CARTER john.car ter@metroland.com Renfrew County municipalities are worried a blizzard of recent changes proclaimed by the province will give rural residents less say on key services, yet shift more costs to property taxpayers. Trying to understand the ramifications of the proposed reduction of Ontario's 35 health units to 10, local politicians were startled by word the province intends to restructure 52 ambulance services into 10. Renfrew Reeve Peter Emon expressed concern about the changes, noting at first glance the province "seems to want to reduce rural and small town governance of essential health services while maintaining the expectation of (municipalities) funding those services." Municipalities will be affected by a 27 per cent ($200 million) reduction in health unit budgets and a 50 per cent reduction in library budgets, which will force major cuts in service. While Renfrew County municipalities received $10 million in 'modernization' funding from the

province this year, it's expected to be a forerunner of major cuts starting in 2010. In response Renfrew County warden Jennifer Murphy has proposed a working group of all 17 municipalities "to find greater efficiency within the county as a whole," an effort endorsed by Renfrew council April 11. Because of fears a group of 17 could get too unwieldy, Renfrew, Greater Madawaska, Horton and Admaston/Bromley representatives will meet as well to discuss possible service-sharing. It appears most south-end local politicians don't share the fear most prominently expressed by Killaloe-Hagarty-and-Richards council that the province will force new amalgamations on municipalities. Emon said the province has made it clear it expects municipalities to generate cost-saving ideas, not have them imposed from above. Greater Madawaska Mayor Brian Hunt and Horton Mayor Dave Bennett agree, but both warn that municipalities will have to find efficiencies or they will likely face drastic financial stress due to future provincial funding changes.

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READ MORE @ INSIDEOTTAWAVALLEY.COM Looking for more online? Check out these stories...

Quail Creek ensures Renfrew hairdresser retires in style Douglas Frosty Fun pulls in record profit School, OPP support Special Olympics floor hockey

Tara Gesner/Metroland Courtney Vanderploeg of Renfrew takes part in the Ukrainian Easter egg workshop hosted by the Renfrew Public Library on Saturday, April 13. Easter events abound this weekend – Horton is hosting an egg hunt on April 20 and Calabogie’s egg hunt is set for April 21. Find details in our events calendar on page 12.

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Yakabuski recognizes trappers’ ‘important contribution’ to economy, wildlife management Calabogie Peaks offers housing, recreation, nature

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