Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott reiterated his call in the legislature for the Minister of Health to show leadership on a key issue for the people of the eastern part of Wellington County – land ambulance services.
He said, “Ambulance response times continue to be a major concern in the eastern part of Wellington County. Even the case of a woman in Erin waiting over an hour for an ambulance – on a frigid January night – has not moved this government to act.
Erin has the poorest response times in Wellington and Guelph, well outside what the province considers minimum. Arnott has been asking for provincial intervention between service provider Guelph and Wellington County, which has supported Erin in its bid for improved service.
“Repeatedly I have called on the Minister of Health to solve this problem,” Arnott said. “Since the City of Guelph disbanded the joint land ambulance committee, county taxpayers have not been represented when it comes to this important local service. The City of Guelph must recognize its obligation to be a good neighbour to county residents.”
He added, Once again I urge the Minister to issue a directive to the City of Guelph that they reconstitute the joint ambulance committee, and allow the County of Wellington its rightful voice in the management of this important local service.
Arnott noted the Minister of Health has the authority to broker a solution to the ambulance impasse.
“Ever since this became an issue for the people of Erin and Guelph-Eramosa Township, I’ve been writing letters, including an open letter to the Minister of Health, and speaking in the legislature,” he said. “I’ve even spoken directly with the Minister. Exactly one year ago this very week, I urged the minister to become involved in this issue and broker a solution to the ambulance impasse.”
He added, “Even though lives could potentially be at risk, she has refused to act. She could solve this by making a phone call. How can she possibly defend her indifference? “We need her to show leadership. We need her to tell the City of Guelph to recognize and respect its neighbour, and return to the long-standing tradition of city-county co-operation, which for so many years was the norm in our municipal relations.”
