No Equity in Access to Social Services
| Funding reform would ensure equal access to social services for all in Ontario. |
Every child and family deserves equal access to social services in this province. But they do not have equal access in Peel, York and other high growth areas of Ontario. They wait longer and receive a lower level of services such as family therapy, children's mental health counselling, subsidized child care, services for victims of abuse, for developmentally disabled and many other provincially mandated services. They wait longer because provincial funding arrangements do not recognize the huge population growth in these regions, or the ethno-cultural diversity, which have contributed to significantly increased needs in Peel, York and other areas.
Below is a snapshot of where Peel stands compared to other Ontario communities as of January, 2010:
| Per Capita Funding | Ontario (excluding 905/ GTA) |
Peel |
| Child
Care Services |
$815.20 |
354.10 |
| Children’s Services Including Child Welfare | 827.20 |
278.70 |
| Developmental Services | 132.90 |
61.50 |
| Adult Services | 36.90 |
12,10 |
| Help us carry the message to the Ontario government. |
The Remedy
Reform of provincial funding is required and it needs to be based on needs if it is to ensure equal access to social services for all children and families in Ontario. The current discretionary approach to funding social services compounds the inequity in high-growth areas such as ours.