Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is looking for a major increase in funding next year from the City of Ottawa, to the tune of $24-million.
At Monday’s Ottawa Board of Health meeting, OPH officials said pushing the budget up to $98.1-million in 2021 would help with costs related to fighting COVID-19. And according to board co-chair Keith Egli, it still wouldn’t cover the costs of administering a vaccine, if one is developed in 2021 and has to be rolled out.
Egli adds, the number for the budget was a best estimate, based on variables such as the experience with COVID-19 this year, what they think is going to come next year, and how long the pandemic is expected to last.
He adds that the city is also calling on the province to help Ottawa Public Health eliminate its deficit.
“[We’re] probably looking at about $12-million deficit that needs to be filled and we know the province has set aside about $100-million,” Egli explains.
The board co-chair says similar funding will also need to be available to help health units next year.
Ottawa Public Health’s budget will be presented to city council Wednesday.
