When Wellington County and Guelph went to arbitration over social services and the county won, some supporters on the city side suggested it was an unusual case.
But county councillors heard on Sept. 29 that the decision they received is similar to others that have been taking place across Ontario.
County Treasurer Craid Dyer reported on a similar case between the Counties of Haldimand and Norfolk. Norfolk is the service manager for Ontario Works child care and social housing for both single tier counties. It argued for cost apportionment based on weighted assessment, as did Guelph.
Dyer said Haldimand County argued for actual costs in its share of the costs, as did Wellington County.
Dyer said in both cases the arbitrator ruled in favour of actual costs.
The ruling stated:
– Ontario Works costs are based on the residence of the recipient;
– The Ontario disability sup–port program is based on the residence of the recipient;
– child care is by residence for the fee subsidy and special needs, and the location of the centre for a wage subsidy;
– social housing is based on prior residence of the tenant; and the location of the units, and
– for land ambulance, the average call cost is based on the location of call codes.
County social services com–mittee chairman Gord Tosh said the latest ruling was just like in Wellington’s case. “It was exactly what we asked for. It’s not some kind of one-off arrangement.”
