Media Release: County Council May 22, 2024

For immediate release
May 22, 2024

Here are the highlights from the Lanark County Council meeting held May 22, 2024.

Housing Program Funding Allocations Revisited: Lanark County Council passed a motion to adjust funding for various housing programs if provincial and federal funding allocations for certain programs are not received for this year.

At the community services committee meeting earlier this month, Director of Social Services Emily Hollington explained the adjustments pertain to allocations that are part of Ontario’s National Housing Strategy Action Plan. In March, the federal government informed the province it would be cutting $355 million in funding because it disagrees with the number of community housing units Ontario has proposed to count toward its target for the action plan.

Hollington explained funding under three programs that fall within this bilateral agreement are affected as negotiations between the provincial and federal governments continue. With amendments to the agreement not yet in place, funding allocations for the Canada-Ontario Community Housing Initiative (COCHI), the Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative (OPHI) and Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit (COHB) are not confirmed for 2024-2025. This affects:
• COCHI can be used to support repair and renewal of the existing social housing supply, protect affordability and expand housing supply. This year’s allocation was for a heating retrofit project ($633,300), which is already in phase two.
• Programs under OPHI include Renovate Lanark (a loan program), the rental assistance program and housing support services, which are intended to help tenants who may need additional supports for successful tenancies.
• The annual COHB allocation supports about 179 households in receipt of a portable housing benefit. There is a waitlist of about 170 households, but no new households will be added until funding is confirmed.

While awaiting confirmation about the allocations, council supported a recommendation to fund the Renovate Lanark from its revolving funds (from repaid loans) up to $130,000, to pause Housing Support Services, to fund the OPHI rental assistance through county reserves up to $115,000 and to fund the heating retrofit project from county reserves. For more information, contact Emily Hollington, Director of Social Services, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 2101.

Warden Proclaims June as Pride Month: Lanark County Warden Steve Fournier (Drummond/North Elmsley Reeve) has declared June 2024 to be Pride Month in Lanark County.

“Lanark County supports the rights of every citizen to experience equality and freedom from discrimination,” the declaration states, adding “all people, regardless of race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic characteristics or disability have the right be treated based on their intrinsic value as human beings.”

The county accepts and welcomes diversity and believes this leads to a more vibrant community. “The Two Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual and + (2SLGBTQIA+) communities contribute to the cultural, civic and economic successes of Lanark County.”

The proclamation highlights the ongoing need for education and awareness in order to end discrimination and prejudice. The county will display the Progress Pride flag, which represents light, haling, sun, calmness, art and spirit, at the Lanark County Administration Building for the month of June as a way to “acknowledge the efforts and bring awareness to the continuing evolution of the 2SLGBTQIA+ Pride movement.”

Fournier encourages residents to “reflect on the ongoing struggle for equality members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community face and to celebrate their contributions that enhance our county.” For more information, contact Jasmin Ralph, Clerk, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 1502.

Lanark Lodge Mid-Term Report Highlights Challenges and Successes: Lanark County Council received a Lanark Lodge mid-term report from Interim Director of Long-Term Care Shawna Stone.

Stone presented detailed information at the community services committee meeting earlier this month, including ongoing staffing challenges. Stone said current staffing includes 95 full-time and 115 part-time employees, with 13 full-time and 41 part-time vacancies. There have been 23 new hires so far this year, with stability in most departments except personal support workers and registered practical nurses. The Lodge is also working to fill the vacant Director of Care and Associate Director of Care positions.

“Challenges in recruitment are magnified in a rural area due to lack of housing and transportation, as well as proximity to Ottawa and Kingston and competition with agencies,” Stone said. Offers have been made to 15 candidates in the Internationally Educated Healthcare Workers program, with arrival expected in fall/winter. “We are working with Recruitment and Settlement Coordinator Linda Alexander on a welcome package, inclusivity training, promotional material and links to support services.”

The Lodge currently has 163 residents in four neighbourhoods. The age range is 54 to 104, with the average age being 84. Stone said the waiting list is about two years and that complexity of care continues to increase.

A quality improvement/professional advisory committee meets quarterly, and current initiatives include behavioural support services, reducing emergency department visits and a falls prevention program. Stone highlighted the annual resident satisfaction survey and noted a range of social activities that take place for residents. She said periodic visits from the Ministry of Long-Term Care are valuable to the continuous quality improvement cycle. Family Council and Resident Council meetings are also held, with good engagement and valuable feedback.

Planned capital projects include a new accessible bathroom at the main entrance along with new sliding doors to meet accessibility requirements, sidewalk improvements, roof repairs in three wings, and elevator upgrades, all at a cost of $550,000. Stone also highlighted the financial picture at the Lodge, noting the Case Mix Index amounts, which impact the Nursing and Personal Care funding, are still to be announced by the province.

Stone said challenges include key staff vacancies, PSW and RPN staff shortages, retention and staff turnover, and administrative support for policy development and management, reporting, and liaising with the ministry. She said gaining stability and attracting and retaining staff are key elements to move forward. She noted the Lodge is looking at an accreditation process next year. For more information, contact Shawna Stone, Interim Director of Long-Term Care, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 7101.

Almonte Ambulance Base Expansion on Hold: Lanark County Council has approved a motion to ask Almonte General Hospital to replace the current Almonte Ambulance Base with the same footprint as the former base, and that staff develop a request for proposals to have a consultant complete a 10-Year Paramedic Capital Resource Plan for the county.

CAO Kurt Greaves presented a report at the corporate services committee meeting earlier this month to provide additional information after a presentation by Almonte General Hospital President and CEO Mary Wilson Trider last month regarding the replacement of the base that was destroyed by fire in March 2023. Wilson Trider had asked for council approval to reconstruct the garage space with two additional ambulance bays at a cost not to exceed $750,000.

Greaves noted the county’s population is growing and aging, and changes are taking place in paramedic service delivery. “The creation of a fully ministry-funded community paramedic program has been a major change in service delivery. This would appear to be the reason service calls declined in 2023.” He added the province is also rolling out a new Medical Priority Dispatch System, expected to include Lanark County in early 2025. It aims to better distinguish and prioritize urgent and non-urgent calls.

Greaves said the effect of how these changes will affect future call volume, cross-border calls, hospital off-load delays and the type of response vehicles needed should be evaluated. “This option would allow a holistic review of the existing five bases, fleet requirements and measure future anticipated demand to ensure proper resource allocation,” Greaves said. “The Lanark County Paramedic Service provides an excellent service for the residents of Lanark County. Future investment in the capital resources will ensure this vital service maintains its high standards.” For more information, contact Kurt Greaves, CAO, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 1101.

Solar Panel Contract Awarded: Lanark County Council has awarded a contract to iSolara Solar Power for the design, specifications, supply and installation of solar arrays at various Lanark County Housing Corporation (LCHC) properties in the amount of $489,397 plus HST.

Director of Social Services Emily Hollington outlined the contract at the community services committee meeting earlier this month. The properties involved are Victoria and St. James in Almonte, Jasper Avenue in Smiths Falls, Railway and Welland in Perth and Caldwell Street in Carleton Place. “These sites have been identified as having good southern exposure and appropriate roof pitch,” she said.

The project is part of a funding offer from the National Housing Co-Investment Fund (NHCF) for almost $1.5 million. In November, council approved accepting the offer and for staff to execute an agreement with the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) for almost $5 million to support the repair and renewal of units in the LCHC portfolio over three years.

The request for proposals for the solar panels closed March 22 with eight proposals received. Hollington highlighted the economic value of the project due to long-term energy and cost savings, along with contributing to a sustainable community and a positive environmental impact. “It is anticipated this installation will save between 30- and 50-per cent of consumption at each installation location.” For more information, contact Emily Hollington, Director of Social Services, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 2101.

Staff Support for Prevention and Wellness Hubs: Lanark County Council has directed staff to participate in a coalition related to submitting two proposals related to creating youth wellness hubs and upstream prevention.

This follows a presentation by Planet Youth Lanark County (PYLC) and Open Doors for Lanark Children and Youth (ODLCY) at the community services committee meeting last month about improving health and well-being of children and youth by focusing on upstream prevention of substance use and creating Youth Wellness Hubs. Council directed staff to meet with PYLC and ODLCY to prepare a recommendation on how the county could support the development and implementation of proposals to be submitted to Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario.

Director of Social Services Emily Hollington reported that the federal proposal will allow applications up to $750,000 over three years for a youth substance use prevention program using interventions identified through real-time local data and engagement sessions. Ontario is investing $8.3 million over three years to add five youth wellness hubs to the current 27. The hubs aim to connect communities to youth mental health services close to home, and can include services such as primary health, education support, career planning and more.

Hollington said the request highlights the county’s leadership in initiatives such as the Lanark County Situation Table and Community Plan for Safety and Well-being, as well as its relationships with provincial and local stakeholders in defining and implementing strategies and demonstrated municipal leadership and community involvement. She noted staff will not be completing or drafting the proposals, but would participate in a coalition to provide input and feedback. This would be for the period of drafting and submitting the requests and then based on availability. For more information, contact Emily Hollington, Director of Social Services, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 2101.

Upcoming Meetings: County Council, Wednesday, June 12, 5 p.m.; Community Services, June 12 (following County Council); Corporate Services, June 12 (following Community Services). County Council, Wednesday, June 26, 5 p.m.; Public Works, June 26 (following County Council); Economic Development, June 26 (following Public Works). Watch for details about public access to meetings on agendas and through online notifications. For more information, contact 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 1502. Like "LanarkCounty1" on Facebook and follow "@LanarkCounty1" on X!