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continued from p.18 Halton may want to resort to an ultimatum on growth "Sometimes there would literally be more paramedics than staff when you went there," Carr said. "On any given day, you can have three or four or five ambulances there." Carr insisted regional councillors need to start thinking about what the next step will be before 2016, including telling the Province that Halton won't accept any more growth unless long-term funding solutions are solved. He also reminded committee members that every $2.3 million of expenditure equals one percentage point of property taxes. Some Halton municipalities might need some convincing to take that step, considering how Halton Hills and Milton are looking at new growth funding for some of their alreadyplanned programs, Carr said. "Money is a real difficult issue," he said. "But we really need to pin the minister down (at AMO) knowing the financial circumstances," Carr said. Paramedic funding is supposed to be shared on a 50-50 basis with the Province, but the provincial funding will only amount to 47 per cent for 2015-2016, the report indicated. "To grow, we need off-load funding. Instead of going ahead with our expected allocation programs, we need to say thanks, but we're not going to implement anything until all the boxes are ticked off on our checklist," Carr said. "We need to tell the Province that we understand they have financial problems, but until they get that cleaned up, we're not going to add any growth." Committee members were also told the Province is expected to introduce a pay-forresults program for off-loading in 2016 and with money attached to performance, there will be incentive for hospitals to reduce off-loading times. 21 | Thursday, July 23, 2015 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Carr told committee members that he agreed with Craven that a new strategy is needed because the situation is getting worse and the Province isn't doing anything to solve it. "With more people, without more staff at the hospital, it only compounds the problem," Carr said. "Minister after minster looks at us and says `Yep' it's a big problem and we're going to deal with it.'" Carr said at one time, Joseph Brant Hospital in Burlington was the worst for delays, but things have been improving, although not enough. A fusion of JApAnese & Chinese Cuisine in the heArt of oAkville! ceLebrate suMMer at auGust 8 Dine in for All You cAn eAt lunCh or Dinner www.August8.cA 7 DAYs A week 5 Locations to serve you better! oAkville 280 north service road W. @ Dorval al 905-338-6228 BurlinGton 834 Brant Street We Do tAkeout! Until JUly 26th, 2015 MINIMUM hAMilton 1W Wilson Street · 1066 Upper James St. stoneY Creek 835 Paramount Drive 10% off Dinner only. Cash only & with this ad. HUNTING & FISHING SALE CONTINUES *Discount applies to regular prices in store. Not applicable on ammunition. Offer is valid until July 26th, 2015. All FireArms & Hunting items (Excludes ammunition) 15% OFF 15% OFF * MINIMUM * All FisHing items offer is valid at the burlington store location only