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Health minister to meet with Carr by Graeme Frisque Metroland Media West 9 | Friday November 24, 2017 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insidehalton.com After a month and three requests, Ontario's minister of health and long-term care, Dr. Eric Hoskins, will meet with Halton Region chair Gary Carr to discuss long-standing healthcare issues facing the region. A representative from Hoskin's office confirmed Nov. 21 a meeting has been set after Wellington-Halton Hills MPP , Ted Arnott, accused the minister of ignoring the region's requests to meet. Carr first called for the meeting to address some long-standing issues surrounding the delivery of health care in the region in October. Chief among the concerns is an approximate $10 million per year shortfall in health care funding, as well as a proposed realignment of the Province's Local Integrated Health Networks. While these issues have been a concern for some time, it was a recent report by an expert panel commissioned by the minister which brought the discussion bubbling back to the surface again. "On Oct. 3, the health and social services committee discussed the expert panel's findings on public health. The panel suggested condensing the existing 36 boards of health into 14, which would split the region into two different boards," said Arnott in a release. In February 2017, the region threatened to ignore provincially-mandated growth targets if funding gaps were not addressed. "Halton Region continues to experience funding shortfalls in public health programs, including paramedic services. In total, this represents a funding shortfall of $9.7 million in 2017," said the region in a release in February. "Municipalities do not have the adequate revenue tools to satisfy the `growth pays for growth' principle. As a result of these limitations, there is an estimated funding gap of $14.1 million per year and combined, there exists a tax impact of 10 per cent on the regional portion of property taxes to the residents of Halton," it added. According to Arnott, Carr's October meeting request was ignored by Hoskins and the ministry. The inaction prompted Arnott to bring the request forward in the legislature on Nov. 15. He says he spoke to Hoskins again during an emergency sitting of the house on Saturday (Nov. 18) and reiterated the request -- to no avail. "I approached the Minister in the Legislature on Saturday during the emergency sitting of the Legislature and reminded him again that he needs to meet with the Regional Chair and Regional representatives," added Arnott in an email response to Metroland Media West. "He has yet to agree to this meeting." In response to Arnott's questions in the legislature on Nov 15, Hoskins acknowledged the meeting request but was noncommittal in addressing it. "I know there is a request in from the Regional Chair of Halton, Mr. Speaker. I'm happy to have a look at that," replied Hoskins. Car and Truck Rentals 905.827.2243 16 Foot Cube Trucks 1510 Speers Road, Oakville (at 3rd Line) ck Specials! u r T l l Fa 12 Foot Ex-Cargo Vans $115/day $85/day Open 7 days a week for trucks aLL INCLUsIVE prices, include HsT, insurance and 150 FREE kms PER day !! Weekly rates available, also 20 and 24-foot BOX trucks & 8 foot bed Pick-Up's. Begins September 5th 2017, valid to December 31st 2017.