LAURIE WEIR

RIDEAU LAKES — A gap in insurance coverage for seniors’ groups in the township took centre stage during the regular council meeting on Monday, July 7.

Council directed staff to investigate options to restore liability insurance for two volunteer-led organizations, the Beverley Seniors and the South Crosby Friendship Club, after learning they may have operated without coverage for several years.

The issue came to light at the July 8 council meeting, when members of both groups raised concerns.

Coun. Linda Carr, who volunteers with the South Crosby club, said members were stunned to find out they were no longer covered.

“We just found out, and we were completely shocked that we had no insurance,” Carr told council. “We’ve never been under the CEC. We were an exception. We were on our own all the way through, and we had good insurance. All we had to do was submit the name of our members. That’s it.

“Now you want our money, and everyone is saying that ain’t going to happen.”

Carr said private insurance is unaffordable, with quotes around $1,000. She added that it may be possible to obtain a rider on the township’s existing policy.

Mayor Arie Hoogenboom asked staff to prepare a formal report based on options suggested by councillors.

“I suggest that we ask staff to do a bit of research and come back with some sort of report and recommendation,” he said. “My understanding is that if you are part of an umbrella group under the township, then you get the hall rental for free and you are covered under our policy. If you are not, then like anyone else, even me, I would have to provide proof of insurance to rent a hall.”

CAO Shelley Fournier confirmed that since the creation of Community Enhancement Committees (CECs) in 2019, only groups operating under township care and control are covered by insurance.

“The insurance company requires that any program be under care and control,” she said. “The only way for that to happen is for them to be a working group in a CEC. The only other option would be for council to cover the cost of their independent insurance.”

Deputy Mayor Deborah Ann Hutchings said the township had failed to acknowledge the seniors’ status.

“So the seniors didn’t get acknowledged, and they’ve been going for years with no insurance, thinking they had it,” she said. “They are in this spot because they were kind of misplaced. I suggest we leave them the way they are but give them the money for insurance.”

Coun. Paula Banks agreed and said the groups were never properly informed.

“They were never told their insurance was going to lapse,” she said. “That is why this is not like any other group. We messed this up, not the seniors. We need to fix it. And we need to fix it soon, before someone gets hurt.”

Council passed a motion directing staff to prepare a report and to treat the matter as a priority.