A bombshell was dropped Tuesday morning in the form of a funding model freeze for all DSSABs in the province.

Mayor Steve Black says he got a letter Tuesday morning from the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, essentially saying any funding changes—including the heavily publicized one at the Cochrane DSSAB passed through in March—will not be taking effect until at least the end of 2018.

The funding model—which would see Timmins save around $1.14-million dollars annually while communities like Cochrane, Kapuskasing and Hearst forced to pay more—was set to take effect in the new year.

Mayor Steve Black feels the decision was targeted toward them, adding he’s “disgusted” at the way this has been handled by the Ministry.

With that, city council is pursuing a legal opinion and a possible update could come in early January.

CLICK HERE to see the Timmins city council discussion on the matter, under Additional Item 1.

Filed under: Local News