DSSAB taking wait-and-see approach to pullout suggestion

The District Social Services Administrative Board`s chairman is taking a wait-and-see approach over the possibility that six municipalities might be leaving.

Shuniah, Conmee, Gillies, Oliver Paipoonge, Neebing and O'Connor, also known as Area One municipalities, have commissioned a study to look at whether they should pull out of the Thunder Bay DSSAB and form their own board. The municipalities say they're putting $2.1 million more into the board than they're getting out of it and could serve their areas better through other means.

DSSAB chair Robert Katajamaki said he'll wait and see what the study recommends, which is expected next week. Boards are living things that change over time.

"Maybe it's served its purpose, maybe there has to be some changes, I don't know but we'll find that out," he said.

"The ultimate thing is we have to look at the people we serve and if they're going to be served better by that then maybe it's the thing we should do."

Administrative boards are provincially regulated so the decision ultimately lies there Katajamaki said.