I find it beyond logic that shutting down programs will shorten wait times when these programs the ministry is shutting down are experiencing overwhelming numbers of clients. The time it takes to shift the funding and resources to the few centres left standing will not save but cost in the long run. Haven’t we seen amalgamation fail in Ontario already? If the ministry has figured out a way to close centres and shorten wait times, perhaps they should pass this knowledge onto the hospitals.

The ministry also states it is looking to provide “one stop shops.” The locations they are shutting down are “one-stop shops”

The Neighbour to Neighbour centre has resume , job search, interview techniques, computer banks and numerous other employment services/workshops, as well as the other support services and partnerships such as a food bank, resource counseling, housing help, community health bus, outreach/transition workers and the expertise to help the whole client. When you are unemployed, you need more services than just employment services, and having employment services in a centre that provides all of those services and partnerships is the true definition of "one-stop shop.” The same can be said for the other programs that are being shut down.

We, as a community, should be providing client-based services located in community hubs and centers where our neighbours feel comfortable and where they have all the services available to them. Lets listen to what our neighbours need and provide help and support for them in a dignified and cost-efficient manner.

Suzon Collyer, Ancaster