With reports circulating days before the provincial budget that the liberal government might be preparing to renege on its promises to fund numerous hospital projects across Ontario in its coming budget, Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott called on the government to honour its commitments to Groves Memorial Community Hospital and Georgetown Hospital.
“I am here to say, on behalf of the people of Wellington-Halton Hills, that we will accept nothing less than what the government promised us before the election,” Arnott told the Ontario legislature on March 21. “I will hold this government to account for the promises it made to my constituents.”
In the days leading up to last fall’s provincial election campaign, the Dalton McGuinty government made promises to fund hospital projects in both Centre Wellington and Georgetown.
On August 25, then-Liberal Environment Minister John Wilkinson announced the government’s approval for a new Groves Memorial Community Hospital in Centre Wellington.
Just days later, on August 31, Health Minister Deb Matthews was personally on hand to commit up to $2.6 million to help fund the Georgetown Hospital’s renovation project, which includes a new emergency room and CT Scanner at the hospital.
Arnott had repeatedly advocated for both hospitals. There was also strong support for the projects from local governments and other community partners.
“I put the government on notice,” Arnott said in the legislature.
“I will not be silent if there is any indication whatsoever that the promises the minister made to our communities are in any way broken.”
