(CJRL photo)Official says the plan to bring Family and Children's Services Rainy River together with Kenora-Patricia Child and Family Services next April will be done with a clean financial sheet.
The Ministry of Children and Youth Services has given approval in principle to the merger.
Kenora's executive director Bill Leonard says it has to be without taking on Rainy River's 900-thousand dollar deficit.
"I tried to be clear to the Ministry on Friday that the new organization is not going to carry any deficit or debt as a result of funding shortfalls in previous years," says Leonard. "They response was, 'we understand.' They have to find a solution."
No jobs will be lost, but some employees with Rainy River have been given new roles including Executive Director Vik Nowak.
He becomes director of services based in Fort Frances and will oversee a number of project teams working on the merger.
