Several social service issues on AMO agenda for northern groups

A couple of northern groups will be highlighting several social service issues at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) conference next week.  

The Northern Ontario Service Deliverers Association (NOSDA) is bringing several resolutions while the District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board (DNSSAB) is meeting with half a dozen provincial ministries.   

“At AMO, we are making sure the voices of Nipissing and all of Northern Ontario are heard loud and clear,” says Mark King, DNSSAB Board Chair. “The issues we are raising reflect real challenges in our communities, from the need for more housing and child care to stronger health services supported by the dedicated people who deliver them, along with better social supports and safer neighbourhoods. It is about making sure people in Nipissing have access to the services and supports they need to live healthy and secure lives.” 

DNSSAB is advocating for:  

• Expanding affordable housing through additional dwelling units in Nipissing District
• Developing shovel-ready affordable and seniors-focused housing projects in Nipissing District
• Piloting the Learn and Stay grant program, in partnership with Canadore College, for Early Childhood Educators in Nipissing
• Enhancing mental health and substance use crisis training for Nipissing Paramedics
• Reducing long‑term Ontario Works dependency through a primary care nurse pilot in Nipissing District
• Expanding grant eligibility for security and violence prevention in community housing in Northern Ontario

DNSSAB is included in the Northern Ontario Service Deliverers Association, which is bringing nine resolutions to AMO, including:  

1. Housing Challenges: Exemption from Landlord Tenant Board (LTB) for Community Housing Providers
2. Making Community Paramedicine Permanent and Scalable
3. Funding: A Northern Formula
4. Escalating Homelessness Requires Urgent Action
5. Building Social Infrastructure for Economic Growth
6. Reforming Ontario Works to Support Employment
7. Urging Caution on Paramedic Education Reform
8. Strengthening Health Services in Northern Ontario through Integrated Mental Health Support and Paramedic Workforce Stability
9. Enabling DSSAB Access to Infrastructure Ontario Financing

Officials say the annual conference is an opportunity for municipal officials and Service System Managers to work together on solutions to today’s challenges, to learn, and to create new opportunities that benefit communities.  

Over 2,500 people from municipalities across the province are gathering in Ottawa for the Aug. 17-20 convention. 

Richard Coffin has been a reporter and news anchor on the radio in North Bay for over 25 years.  From premiers to people in the neighbourhood, he enjoys connecting with newsmakers and writing stories that matter to area listeners on a variety of topics including healthcare, education, politics, sports and more.