Council has passed a motion calling on the province to give hospitals and other health agencies assistance when it comes to high hydro costs.

This in the wake of 30 to 40 jobs being cut at the hospital, with part of the blame being put on hydro costs.

Councillor Mike Anthony brought forward the motion after consulting with hospital officials.

“This motion does not claim that energy costs alone are the reason that hospitals are facing their struggles or job cuts. But, it does say if it’s going to have any impact maybe you should look at, as a province, giving them the rebates or other ways to give them a break, as well,” he says.

Councillor Mac Bain says the motion should also include other public institutions like Canadore and Nipissing that also have high hydro bills.

Anthony says he wanted to keep it at health because the impact is being felt on the front lines at hospitals and other health agencies.

“If $200,000 in their hydro increase from year to year is three nurses, maybe that’s three that we could have had, so to speak. As for those other issues, they’re really important. I’m hopeful that in a couple of weeks time, we’ll see a motion come forward,” he says.

Anthony says he would be glad to support that motion.

Filed under: council, high hydro costs, hospital, job cuts, north bay, rebates