“Show us the business case” for health unit merger

Mayor Kevin Davis says he has yet to see how a proposed health unit merger would benefit the citizens of Brantford.

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Speaking at a Tuesday council committee meeting, Davis said he’s “very much opposed” to the Brant County Health Unit – Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit merger.

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“We now have a fine balance between urban and rural health issues reflecting the balance between the County of Brant and the City of Brantford,” Davis said. “If we move into this larger health unit with Haldimand-Norfolk there will undoubtedly be a greater focus on rural issues because those communities are primarily rural.

“It would dilute the control and focus of our public health needs.”

Davis said he could change his mind if someone could present a business case in support of the merger.

“Show us the business case and show us how it would benefit those of us here in Brantford,” Davis said. “It’s certainly in the interests of the province because it’s easier for them to control health units if there are fewer of them and it’s certainly in the interests of Haldimand-Norfolk.

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“But I’ve yet to hear anything that convinces me that this merger is in Brantford’s best interests.

Davis also objects to the process noting that for the past week or so, city officials have been lectured about not being able to raise questions about the proposal.

City councilors last week were sent a letter threatening them with legal action if they decided to pursue integrating the health unit with the city’s administrative structure.

Undeterred by the threat, city councilors on Tuesday recommended for approval a resolution directing staff to review the process necessary to bring the health unit into the city.

The resolution was brought to councilors by Coun. Dan McCreary, who represents the city on the Brant County Board of Health. It follows a recent announcement of plans to merge the two health units by both health boards.

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“I firmly believe, as do a number of other councillors, that the future of public health in the City of Brantford to serve our citizens properly belongs in this building (city hall) as a function of municipal government,” McCreary said. “This takes into account the fact that we have a partner in the County of Brant and the model we develop may look an awful lot like our social services committee.”

Social services in Brantford and Brant County are delivered by the city but governed by a social services committee that includes representatives from both municipalities.

Coun. Rose Sicoli said she fails to see how a merger would benefit Brantford residents.

“I think we’re at this very pivotal point where we have an obligation to do our due diligence,” Sicoli said. “It’s wise for us to explore what embedding the health unit into the city would look like, the pros and cons so we can ensure proper governance and transparency.

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“I think we owe it to the residents of the city of Brantford to see what that would look like and what the possibilities are.”

Coun. Richard Carpenter voted against the resolution.

“The resolution says the city is not in favor of amalgamation,” Carpenter said. “I’m not sure where I sit because I don’t have the information.

“This resolution, if I vote for it, is saying I’m not in favor. I don’t know that for a fact.”

Carpenter said if the city wants to integrate the health unit into its operations there needs to be a discussion with Brant County representatives which, to his knowledge, hasn’t happened.

“This looks more to me like picking a fight rather than trying to find a solution and that concerns me.”

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