Councillor McCann Meeting Report (December 1, 2015)

Belvedere Heights Long Term Care Municipal Meeting - Parry Sound
On Thursday, November 19th, I attended the Belvedere Heights Long Term Care Municipal Meeting.  We were brought up to date on the current and future needs for service delivery.  Parry Sound has a higher rate of people over 65 than the province.  We are at 23.4% while the province is 14.8% - based on the 2011 census.

We are aware of the physical needs of our growing population, but programs and treatment to help with depression, anxiety, dementia and delirium must continue to be developed.  So Mental Health is at the forefront.  It is important to realize that those going into long term care can suffer from separation, isolation, feel a sense of loss of control, and even shame.  There is a great emphasis to get to personally know reach resident and treat them as an individual rather than just a resident.

We also learned about the good work the Friends of Belvedere are doing to raise money for everything from everyday necessities for the residents to small capital cost items.

Hope Pregnancy Support Centre
There is an organization coming together that has been in the works for a few years now and I am pleased and honoured to be a member of the board.  It is the Hope Pregnancy Support Centre.  This will be a service to provide hope and support to women faced with an unexpected pregnancy.  This is sanctioned under the Canadian Association of Pregnancy Support Services, or CAPSS.  You will hear more about this in the new year.


West Parry Sound Refugee Program
Speaking of new organizations, I also became involved and attended a meeting this past Saturday, November 28th, of the West Parry Sound Refugee program.  What started out to be a program at St. Peter's Church, or more specifically, the Diocese of Peterborough, has expanded to our community in an effort to bring a family to Parry Sound.  Through partnering in Parry Sound, this could prove to be most successful.  There is more to come on this in the new year as well.

The Santa Clause Parade
Later that afternoon, I took part in the Santa Claus Parade riding on the Town of Parry Sound Float with Councillors Keith, Marshall, and Saulnier with his wife and children.  Great to see so many people out.  Thank you to those who decorated the float and thank you to the people of the area for coming to see this fine annual tradition!

West Parry Sound Health Centre Municipal Meeting 
Last evening, November 30th, I attended the West Parry Sound Health Centre Municipal Meeting, along with Mayor McGarvey from Parry Sound.  Representatives from all other area municipalities were there as well.  CEO Donald Sanderson and Director of Communications, Jim Hanna made a presentation and discussed the levels of service being offered.

Titled, "Upending Local Health Care", we were provided with a provincial forecast for structural change.  The Health Centre has indeed created a strong foundation, but we were advised that through the province we can expect major change to be announced.  We could be looking at a model known as a fully integrated rural health hub, where everything is under one corporate or administrative umbrella.

Belvedere Heights Long Term Care HR Meeting
And this afternoon, Decenber 1st, I attended a Belvedere Heights Human Resources Committee Meeting.