Fair Share for Peel
Posted by Stephen Rhodes
The Region of Peel receives less than half the provincial per capita funding levels for social services, Bonnie Yagar told our club last week.
Peel receives much less than our neighboring muncipalities in York, Halton, Durham and Toronto, despite the fact our population is growing faster than many of those jurisdictions.
Bonnie says successive provincial governments have benefitted from growing business activity and taxes but have failed to return sufficient tax revenues to provide support for social services in the region.
"Families and children are increasingly stressed, many more in crisis than ever before. Agencies are stretched to the limit trying support increased demand," she says.
Bonnie is co-chair of the Fair Share for Peel Task Force, a organization supported by the boards of trade, United Way of Peel, school boards, hospitals, Peel Police and dozens of community and social agencies.
Fair Share is asking the government to increase its contribution annually, by half of one percent, from the budget of the Ministry of Community, Family and Children's Services. At that rate, the gap will be closed over the next eight to 10 years.
Waiting lists for counselling for victims of abuse are so long many of the women can't get out of abusive relationships. Children as young as six or seven often wait a year and a half for mental health counselling. Parents cannot get sufficient day support for developmentally disabled children, let alone residential care.
Bonnie says, "the time has come for the Province to address the inequity in social service funding in Peel that is threatening to undermine our community." She asked club members to join the campaign by talking or writing to their MPP.
For more information call 905 602 3627 or visit www.fairshareforpeel.ca
Bonnie says successive provincial governments have benefitted from growing business activity and taxes but have failed to return sufficient tax revenues to provide support for social services in the region.
"Families and children are increasingly stressed, many more in crisis than ever before. Agencies are stretched to the limit trying support increased demand," she says.
Bonnie is co-chair of the Fair Share for Peel Task Force, a organization supported by the boards of trade, United Way of Peel, school boards, hospitals, Peel Police and dozens of community and social agencies.
Fair Share is asking the government to increase its contribution annually, by half of one percent, from the budget of the Ministry of Community, Family and Children's Services. At that rate, the gap will be closed over the next eight to 10 years.
Waiting lists for counselling for victims of abuse are so long many of the women can't get out of abusive relationships. Children as young as six or seven often wait a year and a half for mental health counselling. Parents cannot get sufficient day support for developmentally disabled children, let alone residential care.
Bonnie says, "the time has come for the Province to address the inequity in social service funding in Peel that is threatening to undermine our community." She asked club members to join the campaign by talking or writing to their MPP.
For more information call 905 602 3627 or visit www.fairshareforpeel.ca