Partial Reversing of Downloading 
will not Resolve Problems in Durham

August 25th  2007
By Maurice Brenner
Durham  Ontario:

“The announcement from Premier McGuinty to relieve cities of 935 million in social services costs will not resolve the financial problems and address the blight of those who are the most vulnerable” says former Regional Councillor Maurice Brenner.  Brenner who was Durham’s  Child Advocate was a member of Durham Regions Health and Social Committee has heard first hand how hard it is.

Brenner said “while uploading the full costs of disability support and drug benefits was needed the major impact of the downloading continues to be felt in the costs of Social Services formerly called welfare, Daycare and Social Housing”

“These are important quality of life services and unfortunately costs continue to grow as increased needs arise”

Since the commencement of downloading and in spite of a Social Housing Strategy Durham Region has not been able to add additional new social housing to its portfolios Durham has a waiting list of excess of  5000 applicant and could take 4-6 years to be housed.

In addition Durham has faced difficulties in addressing the needs of low income working families who require daycare.  Once again the present programs and lack of adequate financial support means not enough spaces.  This places extreme financial pressures on families which are a contributing factor to domestic violence which then translates into a lack of shelter support and spaces.

Earlier this year the Y in Oshawa who operates a family supportive housing shelter faced a financial shortfall when unable to acquire increased funding from the Province and the Region.

“Durham Regional Municipalities will continue to see either increased taxation or a rapid decline in the quality of lives for those who are most dependant on services and this recent announcement is no more than a Band-Aid which will not resolve the current effects of downloading” concludes Brenner

.