A Media Release from Niagara, Ontario’s Regional Government
Niagara Region, Nov. 27, 2015 – Earlier this year, a May 13 meeting of the Region’s Long-Term Care Task Force unintentionally contravened the open meeting provision of the Municipal Act and the Region’s procedural bylaw. This breach can be directly attributed to the ratio of elected officials to staff and members of the public present at the meeting.
Niagara, Ontario’s regional council headquarters
In response to the Ombudsman’s findings, the terms of reference for the Task Force have been amended to align with the Municipal Act. In addition, a Regional Procedural By-law Review Committee was established on Sept. 10 with a mandate to develop recommendations for change.
“We fully cooperated with the Ombudsman and respect the findings of the report,” said Niagara Region Chief Administrative Office Harry Schlange. “Our priority is to ensure this work will comply with all procedural rules moving forward.”
As part of Niagara Region’s commitment to doing business differently, the Long-Term Care Task Force encourages Regional council representatives, staff and industry experts to collaboratively work together to develop options for Council to consider. These options encourage innovative approaches to the three long-term care homes in need of redevelopment.
“The work of this task force is not only extremely important, it also represents an innovative and leading-edge shift in how we approach our work,” said Schlange. “We firmly believe that working collaboratively with Council representatives and industry experts will lead to best-in-class options for Council’s consideration. These kinds of partnerships are key to our success.”
Task force members are currently examining alternative service delivery models that will ensure there is a balance between the future needs of Niagara’s long-term care residents and affordability. This includes reviewing options for the design, building and maintenance of new facilities, as well as the potential for partnership with other organizations.
Niagara Region operates eight long-term care homes serving 1,500 residents annually. It also provides a range of community programs helping over 4,000 seniors in Niagara maintain their independence for as long as possible.
An Afterword from Niagara At Large – To read the Ontario Ombudsman’s response to a complaint that in the circumnstances referred to above in the Niagara regional government’s media release, circulated late this November, the government contravened the open meeting provisions of the Ontario Municipal Act click on – https://www.ombudsman.on.ca/Resources/Reports/Region-of-Niagara.aspx .
IF THE ABOVE LINK DOES NOT WORK, simply Google or key in Ontario Ombudsman Niagara Region to your search engine and that will take you to the same information.
Visit Niagara At Large at www.niagaraatlarge.com for more news and commentary for and from the greater bi-national Niagara region.
(NOW IT IS YOUR TURN. Niagara At Large encourages you to share your views on this post. A reminder that we only post comments by individuals who share their first and last name with them.)
Niagara At Large 
Since the Ombudsman has determined that the May 13, 2015, Meeting of Niagara Region’s Long Term Care Task Force should have been open to the public and therefore that the public should have been made aware of said meeting, I am concerned that the above press release does not indicate when the Region’s Long Term Care Task Force will hold an open, public meeting in the near future to discuss its progress to date. This surely flies in in the face of the Ombudsman’s decision on the matter.
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