To the editor,
I am reaching out regarding the story “Amalgamation a possibility for Grey Bruce Public Health” (Sept. 21 issue), specifically on the Mayor Sue Paterson’s comments.
As Minister Sylvia Jones made very clear in her keynote at AMO, any merger by public health units would be done based on what communities wanted, without interference from the province. The province would be there to provide one-time financial support to support mergers. Additionally, there is no ‘goal’ to consolidate public health units (PHUs) to a certain number, and that was also reiterated by Minister Jones at AMO.
We recognize the tremendous roll PHUs played during the pandemic and the critical role they still have, building healthier communities across the province. Our government has listened to what PHUs across the province needed and a as a result, we have restored the 2020 75-25 cost sharing model and are providing a one per cent increase in base funding over the next three years while supporting communities with any mergers they choose to undertake themselves.
Hannah Jensen
Press Secretary
Office of the Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, Sylvia Jones
