AMO Mixed Response

Saturday, 23 August 2014 13:46

Oxford County CAO Peter Crockett met with several Ministry officials during the AMO conference-to express his concern about Oxford County issues.

OXFORD COUNTY- Oxford County CAO Peter Crockett's AMO conference discussions with various ministers came with a mixed response.

Crockett identified three top issues facing Oxford County including; the cost of operating the business tax capping program, the long-term care beds that the province will be making a decision on where to consolidate and the risk to the County under the current Joint and Several liability.

Crockett said, "The issue being business tax capping and our ability to use that program we think is got to the point where it's not worth the money that it costs us to do."

He proposed an alternative to the Minister of Finance.

"So what we asked the Ministry to do is not to scrap the program but rather provide municipalities with the ability to opt out."

Another high priority item that was discussed revolves around the current long-term care beds. Crockett says they presented the findings of the service review and the province is set to make an announcement regarding the reconstruction of the class B and class C facilities. The province is set to announce the incent the reconstruction of the facilities. Crockett says the major of the facilities here are privately owned.

"Our concern is consolidation that may be stimulated as a result of that and the fact that, that could push beds out of our community."

"So what we wanted to talk to the Minister about was how we might be able to play a role as municipalities to help ensure that, that consolidation doesn't lead to an exodus of long-term care beds in our community."

As for rising insurance costs for the city, Crockett was met with a road block. They refused to make an amend the Joint and Several liability.

"We need the Ministry to understand that their decision to not amend the Joint and Several liability leaves us at risk."

Crockett added that the repercussions of the current liability has had an effect. Peterborough was an example, it's insurance rates will double in one year under a claim for the joint and several liability.