The Dalton McGuinty Liberal government appears to be hiding its list of future hospital projects, according to Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott.
“Despite my repeated requests for the detailed list of hospital construction and redevelopment proposals, this government has repeatedly refused to provide it,” said Arnott. “Groves Memorial Hospital is just one of many hospitals waiting for answers.”
For several years, Arnott has been working with Groves to support its proposed new facility.
His comments followed a response to his order paper question – a process by which MPPs may pose written questions to any member of cabinet. Ministers are compelled to respond within 24 sitting days in which the legislature is in session.
In his question to the Minister of Health Deb Matthews, Arnott requested the current and complete list of all Ontario hospitals with construction and redevelopment proposals. He also requested their status, estimated value and completion dates, and the date on which they were submitted to the Ministry of Health or their Local Health Integration Network (LHIN).
“The ministry finally replied on the last possible day, but did not answer the question I asked,” Arnott said of the minister’s response, which he received last week. “It’s disappointing.
“Communities across Ontario want and deserve the answers I’ve requested.”
He plans to continue using every available legislative mechanism to push for a fair and transparent process for new hospital infrastructure.
Groves has been in line for major work since about 2002 and a new hospital has been planned for about five years.
Early meetings on that new hospital indicated that it might be built by 2013, but there have been numerous delays in funding announcements and approvals.
