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Written by West Brant Window World 
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Published May 14, 2024 • 3 minute read
Brantford Mayor Kevin Davis Sun Media
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Mayor Kevin Davis said it remains to be seen how the proposed health department merger will benefit Brantford residents.
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Davis told a council committee Tuesday that he is “strongly opposed” to the merger of the Blount County Health Department and the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Department.
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“We currently have a balance between urban and rural health issues that reflects the balance in Brant County and the City of Brantford,” Davis said. “If we move into this larger health unit with Haldimand Norfolk, there will definitely be more of a focus on rural issues because these communities are primarily rural.
“It would weaken our control and focus on our public health needs.”
Davis said he might change his mind if someone presented a business case supporting the merger.
“Show us the business case and show us how it benefits us here in Brantford,” Davis said. “It's certainly in the state's interest and it's certainly in Haldimand Norfolk's interest because having fewer health forces makes it easier to manage the health force.
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“However, I have not yet heard anything that would convince me that this merger is in Brantford's best interests.
Davis also objects to the process, noting that city officials have been told for the past week that they cannot question the proposal.
City Council members were sent a letter last week threatening legal action if they decide to merge the health department into the city's administrative structure.
Undeterred by the threat, council members on Tuesday recommended approval of a resolution directing city staff to review the process necessary to bring the health department into the city.
The resolution was presented to lawmakers by the county. Dan McCreary, the city's representative on the Blount County Board of Health. This follows the recent announcement by both health boards of plans to merge the two health departments.
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“Like many other councilors, I strongly believe that the future of public health in Brantford lies in this building (City Hall) as a function of city government to properly serve our citizens,” McCreary said. ” he said. “This takes into consideration the fact that we have a partner in Blount County, and the model we develop could be very similar to our social services board.”
Social services in Brantford and Brant County are provided by the city, but managed by a social services board that includes representatives from both municipalities.
county. Rose Sicoli said she doesn't know how the merger will benefit Brantford residents.
“I think we're at a very critical point where we have an obligation to do our due diligence,” Sicoli said. “To ensure proper governance and transparency, it would be wise to consider the pros and cons of what it would be like to incorporate a health department into the city.
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“I think we owe it to the residents of the city of Brantford to know what that's going to look like and what the possibilities are.”
county. Richard Carpenter voted against the resolution.
“The resolution says the city is not in favor of the merger,” Carpenter said. “I don’t know where I sit because I don’t have information.
“If I vote for this resolution, I'm against it. I don't know that for a fact.”
Carpenter said if the city wanted to integrate the health department into its operations, it would need to have discussions with Blount County representatives, but to his knowledge that hasn't happened.
“This seems to me more like picking a fight than trying to find a solution, and that concerns me.”
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