Ontario: Thunder Bay councillors vote to end operation of care homes for aged

From the Thunder Bay (ONT) Source:

A war of words over the future of twohomes for the aged in Thunder Bay took place at city hall Monday nightbut it looks like the city will stop operating them.

City councillors voted 7-4 in favor of handing over two D-listedhomes for the aged to the province. The issue sparked a number of townhall meetings and hours of debate.

Council heard deputation after deputation, all of them supporters ofkeeping Dawson Court and Grandview Lodge in the public’s hands.

A resolution has been put forward by administration to discontinueoperation of 300 long-term care beds by January 1, 2009 butadministration will continue to work with the provincial government todevelop a plan that would see additional beds be operated by anot-for-profit corporation.

It has been two years since Peter Vander Kam’s wife moved into aprivate ‘for profit’ nursing home. Vander Kam says initially they wereimpressed with the facility, but staffing shortages have put a big dentin quality of care at the home. Mayor Lynn Peterson says this is one ofthe worst decisions the city has had to make.

Monday night, members of the TBayTel board have been given a raise.Council voted in favor of giving board members a $250 per diem for eachday spent on TBayTel business other than their monthly board meetings.The decision did not come without debate.The re-numeration will beretroactive to June 1, 2005.