With just days before the provincial election campaign begins, the provincial government agreed to pay its share for the planned renovations to Georgetown Hospital.
That, according to Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott, is a major victory for the community.
“We’ve pushed the government to become a funding partner for this needed project,” Arnott stated. “Hospital administration, staff and volunteers deserve our thanks and recognition, and so do the Hospital Board Foundation, the Volunteer Association, and generous contributors.
The Ministry of Health is promising provincial funding for the project, which is planned to include an emergency room addition and a diagnostic imaging renovation project.
Arnott also acknowledged town council for its support and the government of Ontario for making the announcement.
“We’re fortunate to have such a great hospital in our community,” said Arnott. “I also want to thank the Minister of Health for recognizing the importance of this project to the future of health care in Halton Hills.”
It was the second major hospital announcement made by the province in the Wellington Halton Hills riding in the past week. Earlier, the province agreed to fund a new hospital in Centre Wellington Township.
Arnott said after that announcement that he would continue to push for support in Halton Hills, but added he was not surprised at the announcements. He said he is expecting the Liberal government to make hospital announcements in the weeks prior to the election, so he campaigned constantly to ensure his riding was not left out. He repeatedly advocating for the hospitals for over a year, raising the issue many times in the Ontario Legislature, writing numerous letters, arranging meetings, speaking directly with the Minister of Health and ministry staff, and even initiating a debate in the legislature to support the project.
“We made this a public issue,” he said. “I repeatedly called attention to the Georgetown project, and I believe the minister felt she had no choice but to respond with a cheque.”
Most recently, Arnott hand-delivered his Aug. 16 open letter to the office of the Minister of Health. He again reiterated his unqualified support for town council’s request that the province contribute its share toward the project.
John Wilkinson, the Liberal Minister of the Environment who made the Groves announcement, praised Arnott’s work.
“Ted has been relentless as your representative. It’s important that you have an MPP in your corner,” he said at the Groves announcement event on Aug. 25. “Ted was able to get me as an ally to the cause.”
