Supporting our local health care services – not only for today, but also for tomorrow – is among my highest priorities.
That’s why I was very disappointed that Liberal MPPs voted to reject my resolution, which supported two important priorities for the two hospitals in our riding.
My resolution called on the Minister of Health to immediately approve the planning grant requested by the Groves Memorial Community Hospital, and requested approval for a small project capital grant for the Georgetown Hospital, allowing it to proceed with its needed emergency room addition and diagnostic imaging renovation project.
I made every effort to work with the government in a constructive, non-partisan manner but, in the end, they did not reciprocate.
Recently the Auditor General released a scathing report on the government’s use of health care dollars. That report unveiled some hospitals’ use of high-priced lobbyists to access government officials.
Hospitals must be able to go to their MPPs, without having to hire lobbyists, to advocate for their needs. That’s where the Liberals’ actions just don’t match their rhetoric.
On the very day that the Minister of Health was quoted in the Toronto Star as saying MPPs should advocate for their hospitals, her Liberal colleagues – by rejecting my resolution – slammed the door in our faces.
But it was even more than that – it was a move against dozens of hospitals right across Ontario. They, too, are waiting on the government to approve projects important to their communities.
They, too, want to know where they stand on this government’s list of hospital projects.
It’s time the Dalton McGuinty Liberals finally disclosed exactly which hospitals are on its list, how long they’ve been waiting, and when they can expect to see progress.
During the debate on my resolution, I was grateful for strong support from MPPs Elizabeth Witmer and Christine Elliott.
“I applaud my colleague,” said Witmer, herself a former Minister of Health. “He has been professional. He has been passionate. He has taken every step necessary trying to find out where these two hospitals stand in the queue,” she said.
I want to thank local hospital and community leaders for their support for my resolution and for their part in further strengthening our health care services. In particular, I’m grateful to representatives of the Groves and Georgetown hospitals for coming to Queen’s Park and standing up for our fine hospitals.
Our community is fortunate to have such fine health care today, but we need the government to stop standing in the way as we try to plan for the future.
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On Oct. 22, I had the opportunity to attend the grand opening of the Erin Wellness Centre. That facility houses the East Wellington Family Health Team – a dedicated group of health professionals working together in partnership.
I’ve been glad to work with the East Wellington Family Health Team board of directors, and want to thank all involved for working so hard for so long to improve health services in our area.
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Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott welcomes comments. He can be reached at 1-800-265-2366. His website address is www.tedarnottmpp.com.