St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital is updating its model of care, which will result in the elimination of 26 full-time Personal Support Worker positions.

The announcement came on the same day that London Health Sciences Centre indicated more than 200 nursing positions will be eliminated through voluntary resignations or retirements over the next three to five years.

According to a hospital spokesperson, there will be no media release outlining the rationale behind the model of care changes or additional details on what these changes might look like.

The method of care update at STEGH is designed to better meet the needs of patients whose medical conditions have become increasingly complex.

The spokesperson advised in a text message that more patients now require frequent nursing assessments, complex medication management, and timely clinical interventions

These fall within the scope of practice of Registered Nurses and Registered Practical Nurses and, as such, the hospital is increasing the number of nurses in both acute care and Complex Continuing Care.

The message indicated that evidence consistently demonstrates that enhanced regulated nursing resources improve patient outcomes, reduce adverse events, and support safer, higher‑quality care.

As a result, Personal Support Worker positions in acute care areas are being eliminated, and PSW roles in Complex Continuing Care are being reduced.

According to the hospital, these changes follow the formal layoff processes required under the OPSEU Collective Agreement.

The hospital assures, “This transition does not affect patient services or bed capacity, and there is no anticipated impact on care delivery. STEGH remains committed to supporting affected employees through a fair, transparent, and compassionate process.

“Our priority continues to be providing safe, high‑quality care that reflects the needs of the patients we care for today.”

We have requested an interview next week with a member of the hospital administration to garner more details on the updated care model.

MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION WITH CUSMA 

Federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Heath MacDonald, was in the riding on Wednesday for a roundtable discussion with area farmers.

A media scrum was held before the evening event, during which MacDonald provided an update on the Trump trade tariffs and the Canada-U.S.-Mexico (CUSMA) agreement, with the review deadline less than three months away.
There was a glimmer of optimism in MacDonald’s voice (pictured above with London Centre MP Peter Fragiskatos (left) and former federal Liberal candidate David Goodwin (right) at the roundtable).

“We’ve started basically the review with the U.S. It will be ongoing, even though it’s not July 1st, but we’re moving in the right direction.

“I was in Washington maybe a month ago and met with the Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins. We had a good discussion. She’s involved in farming herself.”

MacDonald pointed to how integrated the two countries are when it comes to agriculture.

“We just left a company in London where 35 to 40 per cent of their product is shipped across the border. And the integration is very obvious to both countries.”

While in Washington, MacDonald met with several different organizations.

“And I can tell you that they want CUSMA signed and signed right away. It is an envy of the world.

“What we’ve said right from the get-go, right from the Prime Minister down, is that dairy’s not on the table, supply management’s not on the table. And he continues to say that.”

“So there’s lots going on behind the scenes, and we’re hoping that we’ll come out the other end as good or better than we went in.

“There are silver linings in all of this, too. We’re seeing a lot more discussions, a lot more trade diversification, too. So we have industries and sectors taking real advantage of some of those opportunities. We signed the first bilateral agreement in Indonesia, where we send a lot of pork and grain.

“We’ve got more beef going to Mexico. We’ve got apples from Atlantic Canada going into Mexico. We signed a deal with potatoes for the first time in Mexico. So, you know, we’re moving in the right direction.

“We reopened the China market for not only canola, but seafood as well. So we’re doing as much as we can, as fast as we can, to diversify our trade, to give our stakeholders an opportunity to move product.

“But we’re optimistic on the US. We can’t stop shipping to the U.S. It just doesn’t make sense logistically. It’s a major market, and we’ll continue to build on that. But it’s good to have some of those alternatives as well.”

“You talk about car manufacturing in this country, it is 2.5 per cent of our GDP. Agriculture and agri-food is seven per cent.”

There are concerns among dairy producers about losing restrictions on U.S. imports.

MacDonald stressed, “What we’ve said right from the get-go, right from the Prime Minister down, is that dairy’s not on the table, supply management’s not on the table. And he continues to say that. So that’s where we are right now.”

He was asked if the government is considering dropping the 35 per cent tariff on Russian-sourced fertilizer, which keeps the market artificially inflated.

“Not at this time, and I think that’s a tough one. We’re in good shape, from what I’m told, for stakeholders this year. We have about 95 per cent of the fertilizer that we need to get a crop in the ground. So we’re in good shape, but if that war is prolonged, then those discussions will go deeper, without a doubt.”

MacDonald highlighted the important role of agriculture in Canada’s economy versus other sectors, such as automotive manufacturing.

“You talk about car manufacturing in this country, it is 2.5 per cent of our GDP. Agriculture and agri-food is seven per cent.”

MacDonald closed with, “I think Canadians are kind people. We’re known for that. We’re humble, maybe sometimes too humble, especially farmers. We need to tell the stories of the farms of the fourth or the fifth generation to talk about how food is produced, how food is on the shelf each and every week. I think that’s extremely important, and we don’t do enough of that.

“You can go anywhere in the world, and you’re respected. You’re going to be trusted as a trading partner, which gives us an advantage over some of these other countries as well.

“They look at us, first of all, as food security or food safety, and so it’s valuable to have.”

IMPACTS OF SHORT-TERM HOUSING RENTALS ARE MINIMAL IN THE CITY

They may be a growing concern in neighbouring municipalities, including London and Port Stanley, however short-term rentals have not resulted in warning flags being raised in St. Thomas.

That’s according to a report from Lou Pompilii, the city’s Director of Planning and Development, to be presented to city council at its meeting on Tuesday (April 7).
He is referring to the services provided by Airbnb, Vrbo, Cozycozy or individual owner-operators renting out their dwellings.

To deal with real and perceived impacts, some municipalities have put controls in place.

These include the need to protect long-term housing, “By mandating that only a principal residence can be rented, the municipality keeps long-term rental units from being converted into permanent, short-term rentals, easing housing scarcity.”

And, protecting neighbouring properties with regulations ” that allow the municipality to manage potential disturbances caused by frequent guest turnover in residential areas.”

Pompilii notes controls have the benefit of:

1. Permitting people to rent their homes for short periods.
2. Minimizing negative impacts on housing availability and affordability.
3. Permitting a greater diversity of tourism accommodations.
4. Maintaining community stability, including in vertical communities.
5. Minimizing nuisance issues.
6. Creating regulations that are fair and easy to follow.

In his report, Pompilii concludes, “While believed to be minimal in number, the exact quantity of listings within the city’s municipal boundary is difficult to determine.

“Council may wish to table this matter for the time being and review it again in another five years or so after the anticipated impacts associated with growth from PowerCo . . . “

To date, staff have not received a significant number of complaints related to STR. There may be other properties under private listings or other brokers. With so few listings and no notable complaints being received about the active STR’s, it may be premature for the city to implement licensing and other controls at this time.

“It is noted that there would be staffing costs associated with such a program, and the fees are intended to address those costs. However, with so few actual listings, the fees might need to be set unreasonably high to achieve cost recovery.

“Council may wish to table this matter for the time being and review it again in another five years or so after the anticipated impacts associated with growth from PowerCo and other economic development initiatives begin to materialize.”

BUDGET MONITORING

St. Thomas is expected to report an operating deficit of approximately $1 million for 2025.
That’s according to a report from Adam Boylan, city treasurer, to members of city council for Tuesday’s meeting.

This is an improvement from the $1.2 million deficit forecasted in the Third Quarter 2025 Budget Monitoring Report.
Boylan cautions, “This represents the second consecutive year in which the city has incurred an operating deficit. While the magnitude of the deficit is modest relative to the overall tax levy, at approximately 1.3%, it places continued pressure on already constrained financial resources.”

He continues, “The impact of the operating deficit is amplified when considered against the city’s current reserve position, particularly within the tax-supported reserves.

“The Infrastructure Reserve is being drawn upon to fund the deficit, while also being relied on to support ongoing capital requirements and unforeseen contingencies, yet it is not sufficiently funded to effectively support these pressures.”

Too much outflow, not sufficient inflow.

The largest operating deficit last year of almost $1.3 million is related to the St. Thomas Police Service.
Boylan points out, “This position reflects a $1.76 million shortfall in grant revenues, partially offset by an operating surplus of approximately $480,000. This issue was discussed and accounted for through the 2026 Budget. The St. Thomas Police Service will be presenting its year-end financial results directly to council.”

The St. Thomas Fire Department had a deficit of $638,000, driven by overtime pressures.

Boylan advises, “Fire Services are projecting a wage-related deficit driven primarily by overtime pressures. Overtime costs reached an all-time high in 2025, with expenditures of approximately $1.0 million against a budget of $320,000, representing nearly double the five-year historical average. “While the city has historically experienced challenges containing overtime within budget, the magnitude of the 2025 variance is notably higher than prior trends.

“The year was marked by a significant number of major fire incidents, several of which extended well beyond normal mitigation and suppression timeframes. These prolonged events required sustained staffing levels, backfilling of operational roles, and extended recovery operations, contributing materially to overtime usage.”

Most notable was the massive blaze at the former Weatherhead plant last April.

“In addition, extensive training-related costs were incurred in 2025 to address the absence of a dedicated Training Officer. These costs were necessary to ensure continued compliance with the Ministry of Labour requirements, including mandatory certifications, recertification cycles, and health and safety training obligations.

“Overtime was required to facilitate training delivery while maintaining minimum staffing levels for emergency response.”

And the Roads subdepartment of Environmental Services is projecting a deficit of approximately $789,500, primarily attributable to winter maintenance activities.

“Labour costs are over budget by approximately $140,000, largely due to overtime for winter control, while salt purchases exceed budget by approximately $250,000 and winter fleet repairs by approximately $340,000.

“Winter control and related material and supply costs are inherently variable and influenced by weather conditions, resulting in fluctuations year over year. The magnitude of winter activity in 2025 has contributed to the current deficit of $579,000 in Environmental Services.”

HOW ARE COUNCIL SALARIES STACKING UP?

Generally, the salaries of mayor and council are less than the average of stipends paid to municipal politicians in 10 comparable-sized municipalities across the province.

But not by much.

At just over $75,000, Mayor Joe Preston is making about 10 per cent less than the average salary of the mayors in comparable municipalities.

As for members of council at $28,000, they are coming in at about 15 per cent less than councillors in those municipalities.

And so, Graham Dart, Interim Director of Human Resources, is recommending that council adjust the salaries to be received by the incoming members as of Jan. 1 of next year.

So, if approved, the new mayor will receive a salary of $83,699 and councillors $33,491.

So, raises of 10 per cent and 16 per cent respectively.

What’s the outlook for your salary next year?

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And a reminder, I can be heard weekday afternoons as news anchor and reporter on 94.1 myFM in St. Thomas. As always, your comments and input are appreciated.