When it comes to advocating for a new Groves Memorial Community Hospital, Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott is ramping up the pressure on the provincial government.
Last week, he introduced a private member’s resolution in the Ontario legislature. It calls on the government to allow the hospital to move forward to the next stage of approval.
“The hospital and the community have already made the case for our new hospital,” said Arnott.
“But we’re still waiting for the Minister of Health to approve the planning grant we’ve requested. This is a crucial step, and we need the Minister of Health to make it her priority.”
Arnott requested the opportunity to speak to the Groves board of directors at its Nov. 24 meeting. At that meeting, he discussed the need to keep the project on track.
“I will never, ever give up on this,” he said.
Arnott is hoping MPPs of all parties will support his resolution. Through letters, statements in the legislature and conversations with successive Ministers of Health, he has repeatedly reminded the government of the need for, as well as the strong community support of the new hospital.
He also reiterated his call for a firm date to begin construction.
“Our community needs to know when they can expect shovels in the ground,” he said. “People deserve the best possible health care not just for today, but for tomorrow as well.”
His motion states “That, in the opinion of this house, the government of Ontario should acknowledge the strong and longstanding community support for a new Groves Memorial Community Hospital … and immediately provide … its requested planning grant, and allow it to move forward to the next stage of approval.”
