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Social Services

Mandy Gull-Masty May 8 2026

Feds proceeding with new Ontario First Nations child welfare agreement

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The federal Indigenous Services Minister is confirming that funding will flow to Ontario First Nations as planned under a child and family services agreement.

Mandy Gull-Masty has asked for a judicial review of a decision to exclude two First Nations from that agreement.

She says it will not impact the federal government’s plans to move forward with the agreement for those it impacts.

“The Ontario Final Agreement is a powerful example of what is possible when agreements reflect regional realities and support solutions created by and for communities,” says Gull-Masty.

“It is supported by 131 of the 133 First Nations communities in Ontario, and it truly shines a light on a path forward.”

She says funding will begin to be distributed on May 29th.

In its acceptance of the agreement, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal also honoured the wishes of two First Nations who wanted to be excluded.

Gull-Masty says she is supportive of working with those communities but sought a review to get further information to ensure the discussions lead to what the communities are seeking.

“So we are in a place of trying to just access more information to be sure that we’re supporting communities with the outcomes that they’re seeking to achieve,” says Gull-Masty.

Under the Ontario agreement, Canada is committing 8.5 billion starting in 2027 for seven years, with an annual allotment of $4.4 billion each year after that.

Gull-Masty would not disclose how that money would be rolled out, noting a ceremony on May 29th would unveil more.

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KDSB Addresses Social Service Needs

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The Kenora District Services Board says it doesn’t necessarily need more money.

Henry Wall is the Chief Administrative Officer and made a presentation to the pre-budget consultations in Kenora on Monday.

Wall told the finance committee that it wants to do things differently to make difference in lives of people who need their services.

“There is a very bright potential future for northern Ontario, but we need to do things differently,” Wall told the Ontario Finance Committee during their stop in Kenora this week for a pre-budget hearing.

“The Ministry of Health needs to work with the Ministry Housing. We should streamline housing so that those on the ground, we can build. We shouldn’t have to worry about finding the money, we should worry about actually building. That’s what we’re good at.”

Wall says there are more than enough people to fill the job shortages in the region, but they need help for housing, child care and training, to make that happen.

“With respect to the shortage of nursing, shortage of PSW’s, shortage of paramedics, we’re actually providing wrap around services, and giving our people here a fighting chance for those jobs. We don’t always have to look to the south to fill our labour needs.”

Wall says there are more than enough people to fill the job shortages in the region, but they need help for housing, child care and training, to make that happen.

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KDSB Closing Satellite Offices

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The Kenora District Services Board will be closing some of its offices effective Monday, April 6th.

The KDSB has satellite offices in Sioux Lookout, Red Lake, Ear Falls, Ignace and Pickle Lake.

Chief Administrative Officer Henry Wall says the move is to keep staff safe.

“Want to minimize the risk and exposure as things are ramping up with COVID-19 and I am fully anticipating in the coming weeks the need for our supports and services for social assistance, for emergency financial assistance, are going to ramp up.”

Wall says there will be staff inside those satellite offices, but no foot traffic will be allowed.

He notes clients are welcome to contact their case worker directly be email or by calling their toll-free number: 1-800-461-5766 for further assistance.

Offices in Kenora and Dryden will remain open Monday through Friday from 9:30am-3:30pm, but Wall stresses the public is encouraged to access services through phone, email or online.

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Provincial Funding For Local Social Services Programs

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Ontario is providing over $2-million in additional support for local social services programs.

The money is going to the Kenora District Services Board and the Rainy River District Social Services Administrative Board to help them deal with the coronavirus.

Northern Development Minister Greg Rickford says the funding can be used to support homeless shelters, food banks, emergency services, charities and non-profits.

It can also be used to provide emergency loans for people having a hard time paying their rent.

Rickford says the goal is to improve critical services, hire additional staff, acquire more personal protective equipment, and find ways to promote physical distancing and self-isolation.

The local MPP says “Additional funding for social services is critical right now to protect vulnerable populations and the greater community against the spread of COVID-19. Our government has taken swift action to ensure this funding goes directly to our community service boards who are working tirelessly to keep people safe during this unprecedented time.”

 

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Emergency Relief For Social Services

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The provincial government is providing more COVID-19 emergency relief funding to help the most vulnerable.

However, it’s not yet known how local municipalities and the Kenora District Services Board will benefit from $200-million in social services funding.

The money is meant to support shelters, food banks, emergency services, charities and non-profits to deliver critical services, hire additional staff, and find ways to promote social distancing and self-isolation to keep clients healthy and safe.

The new funding will help individuals and families in financial crisis who are not able to access federal assistance to cover needs such as food, rent, medicine, transportation and other services during the public health crisis.

Money will also be available to organizations delivering social services to vulnerable First Nations individuals and families.

For more information visit http://www.Ontario.ca/community

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KDSB Introduces “Difficult” Budget

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The Kenora District Services Board has introduced its draft 2020 budget.

The operating budget sits at $60,358,033, up 6.81% from the 2019 fiscal document.

The capital budget stands at more than $3.7.

Provincial funding for the Board is down 3% and wages and benefits are up 19%.

Three new positions will be added and the KDSB will be taking over child care services in Dryden in 2020.

The KDSB will be adding more child care spaces and housing units next year across the district.

$2.4-million has been earmarked to maintain current housing units operated by the KDSB.

The fiscal document also includes plans for new land ambulance bases in Dryden, Pickle Lake, Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls and Wabaseemong First Nation.

However, the budget for emergency management services is described as “lean”.

Although spending is up and provincial funds are down were able to manage costs through integration initiatives.

KDSB Chair Barry Baltessen says “We laid the groundwork for this many years ago when we switched to an integrated service delivery model. That’s really allowed us to deliver these services in a way that benefits the clients, and cuts down administration costs.”

Chief Administrative Officer Henry Wall says “That work is starting to bear fruit. Families only have to tell their story once. We have case management that looks at all aspects. Our approach is one to one. We haven’t been afraid to make these big changes, but it hasn’t been easy”

Wall says the fact they can provide quality services to area communities, while keeping costs down for municipal councils, is a credit to the board and staff.

The local share for communities will only go up $51,784 or 0.28%.

Municipalities will be on the hook for $18,293,931 for the 2020 budget.

The direct impact on individual communities isn’t known right now as the KDSB is still waiting for assessment results from the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation.

The budget will be voted on at the December 12th meeting in Dryden.

Here are specific highlights contained in the draft budget:

2020 Child Care Projects
-Finalize Direct Delivery operations
-Enhance Quality Assurance processes with External Operators
-Stabilize current and develop additional spaces to meet community needs.
-On going training and development for all providers (Ontario Child Care Management System and Statistical Data Analysis)

2020 EMS Projects
-Develop financing plan for new base in Dryden
-Advocate for funding to construct new base in Pickle Lake
-Continued development and training on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder support
-On going training and development for all employees (General skills refresher, Base Hospital refortification, Intravenous therapy, Cardiac 12 Lead ECG as well as Road to Mental Health Readiness, Reach for Resiliency, Community Referral plan)
-Spring and Fall hiring process to ensure adequate pool of employees

2020 Housing/Homelessness Projects
-Expand emergency shelter operations for additional services and supports throughout the District
-Collect data and analyze success of various Homes for Good programming
-Update Ten Year Housing and Homelessness Plan to inform future development decisions
-Maintain current housing stock
-Plan for end of mortgages with Non-Profit Housing partners

2020 Infrastructure Projects
-Finalize long term solution for the main Administration Office in Dryden
-Manage construction of Pickle Lake EMS Based and Dryden EMS Headquarters
-Partner with Sioux Narrows/Nestor Falls to construct new Ambulance Base

Plan and oversee construction of:
-28 unit Supportive Housing (Bail Program facility in Kenora)
-30 unit Kenora Supportive Housing partnership with Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services
-10 unit Second Stage Housing partnership with Red Lake Women’s Shelter
-40 unit Seniors Housing Development
-Sioux Lookout Student and Family Housing unit (Phase 1)