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Health Unit Levy Expected To Increase

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Municipalities in the Kenora and Rainy River Districts will have to pay more in the years ahead for public health.

So says Marilyn Herbacz, the Chief Executive Officer of the Northwestern Health Unit.

She says starting in 2020, the province will cover only 70% of the costs of the Health Unit.

“One of the biggest challenges this year is that the Province is changing the cost share model, including some of what used to be our 100% funded programs. That is the biggest impact to them as municipalities will now have to pay 30% of that.

Herbacz says despite the change in the funding model, communities won’t notice too much of a difference next year.

“In 2020 there will be transitional funding that will be given to health units to help absorb some of the cost so municipalities won’t see more than a $200,000 increase.”

She says currently the province provides 75% of the funding and 100% of certain programs.

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Health Unit Merger Information Limited

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Thunder Bay’s Health Unit is getting information little by little from the province about a possible merger with the Northwestern Health Unit.

Medical Officer of Health Janet DeMille tells us they are getting details day by day.

“We also heard there was going to be a thorough consultation process this fall. We still await information on what that will look like and what we will be asked.”

DeMille says the province’s messaging around modernizing health units has been inconsistent and they look forward to getting some clarity.

She adds “we don’t have all the details which of course makes it easy to have anxieties and fears over that and certainly the staff feel the same way. It’s stressful times.”