After a lot of uncertainty, it’s all good.
The 2019 Ontario Works Budget for the County of Renfrew and the City of Pembroke has been approved.
The process hit a snag in April when Queen’s Park said it was freezing funding at 2018 levels unless local agencies could make a business case to justify an increase.
The county’s Director of Social Services, Laura LePine, says a County delegation at the Association of Ontario Municipalities Conference held in Ottawa in August made the difference.
Social Service Committee Chair Councillor Debbie Robinson apparently convinced Todd Smith, the new Minister of Community and Social Services, the money was warranted and he has approved the local 2019 Ontario Works budget.
LePine says the decision guarantees Ontario Works client funding, and has one additional benefit.
The Renfrew County Social Service Committee met prior to County Council Wednesday, then passed the good news along to their peers in the regular Council session.
