City closer to having more say on social services in city and county

City council is set to have more say over social services, provided county council concurs with the collaboratively developed idea.

Meeting on Tuesday, city council unanimously voted in favour of a new structure for the County of Wellington’s social services and land ambulance committee which would see equal representation from the two government bodies, increasing the number of votes Guelph gets from one to four. 

“This is actually really, really important,” Mayor Cam Guthrie said following the vote, noting the city provides more than $20 million in annual funding to the county for social programs, including housing support efforts, for Guelph residents. “We need to be at the table as a true and equal partner.”

The committee overhaul proposal was collaboratively created by city and county staff. Last fall, city council directed the mayor and CAO to work with county officials to review the governance model.

Under the model, which still requires county council approval to become official, the committee would grow to eight members from six, with county council and city council holding four seats apiece.

One of Guelph’s seats to be filled by the mayor as well as council’s vice-chair of governance, the chair of public services and the chair of infrastructure, development and environment.

Currently, those roles are filled by Guthrie, Coun. Linda Busuttil, Coun. Cathy Downer and Coun. Dominique O’Rourke respectively.

Tuesday’s meeting saw council unanimously appoint Busuttil to be the committee’s vice chair.

The chair and vice-chair roles are to alternate between a member of Guelph council and a member of county council.

Guelph council remains responsible for approving matters related to land ambulance services, including the budget, while county council has the ultimate say over social service programs.

The model is much as it existed in the past – something Guthrie said he’s been trying to return to since he became mayor in 2014.

He pointed out the series of “baby steps” included him being allowed to sit on the committee as a non-voting member, followed by him being granted permission to vote, and now equal representation for the city.

“I made this a goal of mine 10 years ago when I became mayor,” Guthrie said. “This is a good thing for the community.”

County council is slated to formally consider the proposal on Thursday. It was approved by the county’s administration, finance and human resources committee last week, setting up the county council ratification vote.

If the restructuring is approved, it will be implemented in April.