Less provincial dollars means job cuts at RRDSAB

News Release
RRDSAB

The Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board (RRDSSAB) announced, last week, reductions to its staffing complement to address the dynamically changing economic conditions of the Rainy River District.
“The staffing reductions reflect the needs of our district municipalities and the reality of our continuing economic pressures”, Chair Ross Donaldson affirmed, “The RRDSSAB board continues to focus on the increasing requirements to ensure the safe and effective delivery of Ontario Works, Child Care, Social Housing and Land Ambulance, however the costs outweigh the municipalities’ ability to pay.”
Dan McCormick, Interim CAO, advised, “Serious cuts to our staffing complements are being made to ensure the continued delivery of essential services to the citizens of our district within the budgetary constraints established by our municipalities.”
In total, six (6) full time equivalent positions are being eliminated, with the majority of the cuts affecting the Social Housing portfolio.
“These cuts are a direct result of the Province’s failure to adequately fund the Social Housing Program”, advised Ross Donaldson, “The Province froze funding for this program in 2002, forcing the taxpayers of the Rainy River District to fund the economic increases in the last ten years. This can no longer continue at the expense of the local taxpayers.”
Management acknowledged that this is a difficult time for the DSSAB which has not experienced a reduction in service demand. It was noted that the staffing reductions place additional work on existing staff. This issue will be part of a Board Strategic planning session and job review scheduled this spring.
“Our staff are amongst the best in the province and their caring and compassionate nature are clearly demonstrated in how we serve the residents of our district,” stated Dan McCormick, “Their ongoing commitment and dedication are instrumental to the ability of our organization to continue to deliver quality programs to our citizens.”
In 2012, the Board intends to continue to pursue the Province for adequate funding to address the pressures experienced by our local municipalities and to ensure that the mandated programs continue to be delivered cost effectively to the standards and quality both expected by our citizens and required by legislation.