Peel takes action for fair human services funding

Peel regional council will undertake a public information campaign to raise awareness and understanding of the impact of the provincial government's chronic under-funding of human services.

Regional councillor Annette Groves, chair of the Region's human services committee and member of the public information campaign ad hoc committee, called a growing funding gap in human services "deeply troubling for Peel."

In February, the 905/GTA Strong Communities Coalition, a partnership of United Way of Oakville, Peel, York and Durham and the GTA/905 Healthcare Alliance presented regional council recent provincial data showing that 905/GTA residents receive between 50% to 60% less provincial funding, per capita, for key human services when compared to other Ontarians.

"The coalition's research shows that an already wide gap in social services funding is growing, despite the fact we contribute significantly to the growth, vibrancy and health of Ontario," said councillor Groves. "It is paramount that we also receive a fair share of resources to support residents who would benefit from access to child care, counselling and other human services that allow them to contribute to the health and stability of their families and our communities."

In conjunction with the provincial election, council decided that the Region of Peel will:

* Engage the Strong Communities Coalition and other interested parties in a public awareness campaign.

* Request financial and political support throughout all the GTA municipalities.

* Establish a joint public communication and public awareness campaign to advise our residents of these issues.

* Target specific questions to all provincial candidates.

* Support any other appropriate measures aimed at achieving these goals.

Regional council's actions come in part from The Strong Communities Coalition's request to support its efforts to have Ontario prepare a human services plan to complement the provincial vision for managing growth described in Places to Grow - a document that called the GTA/905 "one of the fastest-growing regions in North America" and the economic engine of Ontario.

Growing Pains, prepared by the Coalition last fall, highlighted the audit findings of Pricewaterhouse- Coopers, which showed a large and growing per capita funding gap for health and social services in the GTA/905 regions. New information provided by the province shows that the gap has grown. GTA/905 regions receive $213 less per capita

crown from the province for key social services.

For more information on the Region of Peel, please call 905-791-7800, or visit their Web site at peelregion. ca.