By Cecilia Nasmith

A vote at Monday's meeting of Northumberland County's Standing Community Health Committee will refer a letter from the Town of Perth to the regular June 16 council meeting for discussion.

The letter, written by Perth Mayor John Fenik, is a request to Ontario Premier Doug Ford that consideration be given to making the province “financially responsible for the replacement costs associated with all major capital equipment in hospitals, as municipalities across the province are facing major shortfalls in meeting their financial obligations as set out in their asset management plans and cannot afford to directly absorb the financial responsibility.”

Councillor Bill Cane noted that Northumberland Hills Hospital and Campbellford Memorial Hospital had requested a meeting that included unspecified funding requests. This meeting has been set for June 7.

“Is there any tie-in with the presentation to be made from our two county hospitals? Does anyone see a connection?” Cane asked.

“I think this is along the same lines,” Committee Chair Gail Latchford said.

“That's the connection I see,” Cane agreed.

“Health is a provincial jurisdiction, and we are having our local hospitals come to the municipal level to try to seek funding. The Town of Perth has a better idea – that they should be going to the province.”

Referring to Campbellford Memorial Hospital in Trent Hills, Councillor Bob Crate said, “The municipality is expected to come up with $20-million to look at capital equipment. I find that slightly onerous. We should be telling the province this is something we should not be tasked with.”

“Other municipalities in Northumberland County might wish to speak to it,” Latchford said.