FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 26, 2010
WELLINGTON COUNTY- Toronto-based arbitrator, Doug Colbourne, the former Chair of the Ontario Municipal Board, delivered his ruling today, on the County of Wellington and City of Guelph’s dispute over the sharing of social service and land ambulance in Guelph and Wellington.
The County is designated by the Province as the service manager for Ontario Works, Child Care and Social Housing in Wellington and Guelph. The City is designated by the Province as the delivery agent for land ambulance services in Wellington and Guelph.
The City notified the County in February 2008, of its intent to initiate an arbitration process with respect to the cost sharing of most of these services. Ambulance was subsequently added at the request of the County.
The City’s position was that the cost of these services should be allocated between Guelph and Wellington in proportion to each jurisdiction’s weighted property assessment.
The County’s position was that the cost of these services should be allocated based on each jurisdiction’s use of the services. The arbitration hearing took place between October 26 and November 13, 2009 at City Hall in Guelph,and was presided over by Mr. Colbourne.
Today’s decision supports the County of Wellington’s position in all respects.
“ While we regret that this matter had to go to arbitration, The County of Wellington has been confident since the outset of this process that our position is fair and equitable to taxpayers in both the City of Guelph and the County of Wellington. Mr. Colbourne’s ruling confirms this belief. Our staff and legal counsel are reviewing the 37 page decision in great detail. I hope we will be able to move forward and finalize new agreements governing these important services with the City of Guelph in the near future, and we look forward to getting on with the business of working constructively with the City in the delivery of these services,” said Warden Joanne Ross-Zuj.
For more information, please contact:
Andrea Ravensdale, County Communications Officer
(519) 837-2600 ext. 2320
andrear@wellington.ca
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