Whereas Council received the attached Motion from the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) regarding the financial sustainability in child welfare.
Therefore Be it Resolved that the Council of the City of North Bay endorses and supports the Motion from FONOM.
And Further be it Resolved that a copy of this motion be sent to the Honourable Michael Parsa, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services, the Ontario Association of Children's Aid Societies, Association of Native Child and Family Services Agencies of Ontario, All municipalities within FONOM's jurisdiction, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA), and the leaders of the Opposition Parties.
FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY IN CHILD WELFARE
WHEREAS Children's Aid Societies across Ontario are experiencing significant financial pressures, with the majority of agencies running deficits in the millions;
WHEREAS the Financial Accountability Office has indicated funding for child protection has fallen behind inflation, with the sector missing $70 million compared to previous funding levels;
WHEREAS the current funding model implemented in 2013 has limitations that affect the safety and well-being of children, particularly in northern and remote communities;
WHEREAS the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services' spending on Child Protection Services is projected to grow at only 0.7% annually from 2023-24 to 2028-29, well below inflation;
WHEREAS the child welfare redesign strategy requires enhanced community-based prevention services and improved quality of care, which cannot be achieved without adequate funding.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM), calls on the Government of Ontario to immediately address the funding shortfall in child welfare by providing emergency stabilization funding to Children's Aid Societies;
Requests that the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services undertake a Province wide service review, including the funding model. During the review, FONOM asks that the following be included in the review.
- Adequately addresses the unique challenges of northern and remote communities;
- Account created for higher operational costs in geographically dispersed regions;
- Provide sustainable funding for prevention services;
- Urges the Province to implement multi-year funding commitments that allow for proper planning and service delivery;
- Advocates for the development of a specific Northern Strategy for child welfare that recognizes the unique needs and challenges of Northern communities.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution be forwarded to:The Honourable Michael Parsa, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services, the Ontario Association of Children's Aid Societies, Association of Native Child and Family Services Agencies of Ontario, All municipalities within FONOM's jurisdiction, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA), and the leaders of the Opposition Parties.