Skip to content

Local non-profits get their wish, despite Penetanguishene council's hesitation

Some council members not convinced town should be funding capital projects at the hospital or the physician recruitment committee.
2020-11-25-Grants
Three councillors weren’t convinced the town was responsible for funds that should come from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. Mehreen Shahid/MidlandToday

Some local politicians believe that towns and municipalities should not be responsible for ministry tasks.

This sentiment came forward at a recent budget meeting during which Penetang councillors worked through a long list of grant requests from local non-profits, two of whom are related to the healthcare industry.

“Our own policy states that if you're getting funding from the county or have even canvassed the county, you're not even eligible for these capital grants,” said Coun. Brian Cummings, referring to the $15,000 capital funding request from the Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH).

He had a similar issue with the $8,500 ask by the Georgian Bay Physician Recruitment committee. 

“This is not our bailiwick,” said Cummings. “We're not supposed to be doing these things as a municipality; it does not fall under our purview and I will not be supporting this.”

He was backed by his peers.

“I'm on the same page as Coun. Cummings,” said Coun. Dan LaRose. “Every year, I've voted no on this because I don't think it's fair we're going to outbid somebody else's doctors. It's bad practice all the way around but they do good work.”

Coun. George Vadeboncoeur also had concerns around the amount being sought by GBGH.

“I thought we'd talked about a dollar per resident,” he said. “The $15,000 is a bit more than that, but I would support a capital grant per resident.”

Mayor Doug Leroux tried to provide some perspective to the requests.

“This is an annual thing at GBGH,” he said, adding he didn’t entirely disagree with Coun. Cummings. “We've been helping with their capital funds for quite a number of years. We do know that the province and the ministry does not fund capital projects and that's why they have a board that's constantly fundraising for capital projects, so I would be attuned to supporting this.”

As for the funds for the physician recruitment committee, Leroux said he knew Cummings would be opposed. 

“I don't disagree that it should be a ministry issue, but on the same token, we have to realize that we're going to wait a long time for the ministry to come forward and help with physician recruitment,” said Leroux. “I feel it's something that's needed. There are three new doctors that have opened a clinic here. We have to make sure we look after our residents, so I, for one, will be supporting this.”

LaRose also sought more information around the Sistema Huronia Music Academy’s request for $1,000 to sponsor a student.

“Who are they? What do they do? Does it involve a lot of people in our municipality?” he asked.

Deputy Mayor Anita Dubeau ventured to answer his questions.

“Sistema Huronia are a group that help children with music,” she said. “They supply instruments and teach children that would not have the opportunity to get involved in learning or be able to afford an instrument. They've been going for at least five years now.”

Carrie Robillard, director of finance/treasurer, also added some information.

“The request is to assist with the sponsorship of a child,” she said. “They're implementing remote Zoom music lessons, so they're reaching out to various groups for sponsorships.”

In the end, Cummings, LaRose and Vadeboncoeur, voted against the funding for the hospital and physician recruitment committee, but both requests were approved by a majority of yesses.